Val Brooks (Bennett)
After leaving Balwyn High School, I started working in the laboratories of the then brand new Royal Childrens Hospital in Parkville. I loved the contact with the little patients as we went to get samples of blood for testing (the vampire squad!)When we returned from the wards, we then analysed the results- there developed an intimate relationship as we travelled their health highs and lows with them. This was particularly true of the leukaemia patients and their families whom we all got close to with their prolonged treatment. It made us feel our work was very worthwhile. At night I studied for my Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, achieving this in 1966.
In 1967, I married Wayne who also lived in the Balwyn area and was an avid sports person who played football with some of the Balwyn High students. In 1971 we moved to Glen Waverley (now called Wheelers Hill) and our first son arrived soon after. After our second son arrived I retired for a number of years to raise the boys. When they were school age I returned to work part time at Prince Henrys Hospital and when that was closed I moved out to Monash Medical Centre Clayton where I stayed until retiring in 2010. Whilst I was at Prince Henrys in 1980 I returned to study at RMIT and after 2 years obtained my Degree in Applied Biology (Medical Laboratory Science) and 3 weeks later delivered our third son! When our youngest son was at secondary school I returned to work full time and for some years also demonstrated at RMIT in Haematology for the Applied Biology course.
Since retiring I have become a golfer (of sorts), enjoy belonging to a book group (the luxury of having time to read), have become involved in a local Probus group and have taken up ballroom dancing again with Wayne which is great fun (we used to dance heaps before we were married). I do Tai Chi classes at U3A and exercise classes at the local gym so there is not much time to sit around (or do the housework!!) Two of our three sons have partners but we are still waiting for the joy of grandchildren. We do have a beautiful dog who keeps us entertained and fit.
Life has treated me well, having had a happy family life, a rewarding and interesting career and good health for which I am very grateful.
Go to the Memories section to read some of Val Brooks Memories of Balwyn High School
In 1967, I married Wayne who also lived in the Balwyn area and was an avid sports person who played football with some of the Balwyn High students. In 1971 we moved to Glen Waverley (now called Wheelers Hill) and our first son arrived soon after. After our second son arrived I retired for a number of years to raise the boys. When they were school age I returned to work part time at Prince Henrys Hospital and when that was closed I moved out to Monash Medical Centre Clayton where I stayed until retiring in 2010. Whilst I was at Prince Henrys in 1980 I returned to study at RMIT and after 2 years obtained my Degree in Applied Biology (Medical Laboratory Science) and 3 weeks later delivered our third son! When our youngest son was at secondary school I returned to work full time and for some years also demonstrated at RMIT in Haematology for the Applied Biology course.
Since retiring I have become a golfer (of sorts), enjoy belonging to a book group (the luxury of having time to read), have become involved in a local Probus group and have taken up ballroom dancing again with Wayne which is great fun (we used to dance heaps before we were married). I do Tai Chi classes at U3A and exercise classes at the local gym so there is not much time to sit around (or do the housework!!) Two of our three sons have partners but we are still waiting for the joy of grandchildren. We do have a beautiful dog who keeps us entertained and fit.
Life has treated me well, having had a happy family life, a rewarding and interesting career and good health for which I am very grateful.
Go to the Memories section to read some of Val Brooks Memories of Balwyn High School
