Balwyn High School 1957 to 1962 Reunion
  • Welcome
  • About our 50 year reunion
  • FEEDBACK on Get-together 27 October 2012
  • Photos from 2012 Reunion Dinner
  • Lost and Found
  • Vale
  • Students' Stories: What have you been doing for the past 50 years?"
    • Andy Blunden
    • Anne Hawker (Jubb)
    • Brian Stagoll
    • Diane Kerr (Davidson)
    • David Slater and Dorothy Fergusson
    • Carol Poon
    • Dorothy Vietz (Gibson)
    • Gerd Kratzer
    • Gisela Olbrich
    • Greer Larsson (Allica)
    • Ian Priestly
    • Ian Stavely
    • John Sinclair
    • John Willis
    • Kath Semmel (McKay)
    • Lindsay Cook
    • Michael Alston
    • Otto Rehak
    • Pam Heath
    • Paul Barnard
    • Peter Barter
    • Peter Thomas
    • Peter Winford
    • Phyl Coath
    • Ray Walker
    • Robyn Dalziel
    • Roger Schnagl
    • Sue Foster (Jones)
    • Sylvia Garnham (Geddes)
    • Tim Green
    • Val Brooks (Bennett)
    • Warren Pill
  • A 1962 Teacher's Story
  • Photos and Memories of our time at BHS 1957 to 1962
    • Personal reminiscences >
      • Brian Stagoll Memories
      • Gerd Kratzer
      • Kath Semmel (McKay)
      • Lindsay Cook Memories
      • Michael Alston
      • Paul Barnard
      • Peter Barter - Nostalgic Memories
      • Peter Thomas reflections on BHS
      • Sylvia Garnham (Geddes)
      • Val Brooks (Bennett)
    • 1957 Group photos
    • 1958 Group Photos
    • 1959 Group photos
    • 1960 Group Photos
    • 1961 Group Photos
    • 1962 Group photos
    • 1963 Group Photo
    • 'Feeder' Primary Schools
    • Biology Field Trip
    • Broken Hill and Canberra Excursions 1961 and 1962
    • School Social May 1962
    • 1962 teachers
    • The Voice of the Three Per Cent
    • A student debate
    • Speech Night 1962 program
  • 1962 School Statistics
  • 'Organising mob' Contacts
  • Share your thoughts and comments Blog
  • Forum
  • 14 July 2013 gathering
  • 16 August 2014 Gathering
  • 11 November 2017 Gathering
  • 10 November 2018 Gathering

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
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