Meet Sonia Kearney

In this brief interview, Sonia Kearney shares memories of her working life in Ranfurly and the important role local health services played in the Maniototo community. Sonia recounts starting work at the Maniototo Hospital in 1966 at just 16 years old, describing her early nursing duties, the uniforms, shift work, and the realities of caring for patients in a small rural hospital. She reflects on maternity care, surgical days, emergency call-outs, and how staff learned on the job with limited equipment, relying on teamwork and practical skills. She also talks about knowing many patients personally, the close connections within the community, and later working at the local pharmacy.

Interviewer: Kay Dundass
Interview Dates: August 2022