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Judy Underdown ( nee Bowman)
Telopea Park was my third high school and a bit of an experiment as it was my first co ed high school. I enjoyed my time at Telopea because it treated senior students pretty well and there were boys!
I was born in Victoria and spent most of my schooling in NSW and overseas as my father was an army officer.
After leaving Telopea I went Nursing at Canberra Hospital and on graduation I married Rick who had studied Forestry at ANU and we moved to South Australia.
Most of our early married life was spent in country South Australia living in pretty idyllic and isolated forest reserves .We loved the lifestyle and we were able to raise chickens, pet lambs, cattle and our share of cats and dogs. I managed to undertake further studies in Midwifery and Child Health before having our children. Our two children were born in Mt Gambier. Holly is married with three children and Sam is married with two children.
In 1983 I decided to go to University full time and completed Bachelor of Nursing and went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Business.
I spent most of my career working in various roles in community and public health apart from a short stint working as Senior Advisor in the Attorney Generals Department. I had a passion for implementing and managing projects and programs that provided services and support to disadvantaged people particularly young mothers, migrants and refugees and Aboriginal families.
I retired two years ago so I could spend more time with my grandchildren and to travel and do all the things you don’t get time to do when you are working.
In May this year we sailed a yacht around the Greek Islands and last year we travelled to South America taking in the Galapagos and the mighty Amazon. Next year we hope to go to the outback and Kimberleys and possibly South Africa the following year.
I spent 1-2 days a week with my young grandchildren and teach English to migrants. I also do some voluntary work for the Cancer Council. I like to help out with big events and have been involved with the Tour Downunder for a couple of years and will do some admin support for the 13th Australian Masters Games in Adelaide in October.