Jan (Nettle) Anderson

Ancestors

Daughter of Alan James Nettle and Elba Lorraine Boucaut

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Mike Anderson [send private message] and Cathy Anderson [send private message]

Biography

Born to Alan & Elba in Adelaide at 8.30am Mar 27 1931 at the old Wakefield Street Hospital . Weight 8 lb 2 oz Blue Eyes & Dark Hair at birth later turning to fine blond hair. Jans father was a Bank of Adelaide manager & mother Elba an infants school teacher who was forced to retire as was the custom of the day at marriage. Jan lived in numerous locations including Loxton, Booborowie, & Hawker until her father joined the Army around 1939. This enabled her Mum Elba to go back to work as a teacher at Lobethal & Algate. Her mother continued to work for many years ending her career at Walford House School in the early 60's When her father returned from the war he continued working for the army as a civilian till retirement. Jan was Dux of Mitcham Primary School. Her senior school years were spent at Walford House school in Malvern SA. Her hobbies were violin playing and tennis. After leaving school she worked for a dentist helping develop Xrays & making false teeth. At 18 she started studying Nursing with her cousin Libby Boucaut & Valmai Prider, her best friends known as the 3 musketeers . Jan met Ray her future husband during this time as he was a resident medical officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital & she was living in the nursing home. During these student nursing days Jan developed Polio which necessitated months in rehab which slowed her progress . Upon graduation she spent 3 months as a junior sister before getting married. At this stage her brother Bob was studying at medical school in Adelaide. Her husband Ray started in general practise in Prospect and was later joined in the practise by his bother in law Bob (Jans brother) Two years later Cathy her first born arrrived followed by Michael Peter & David. During the years of her children's schooling she was involved in charity functions & marriage counselling . Her daughter Cathy was educated at Walford & later at Wilderness & the boys at Prospect demonstration infant school & the St Peters College. Her husband decided to further his qualifications which necessitated a family move to London England where he started O & G. While Jan was in England she worked as a part time assistant matron at George Mason Lodge in London followed by full time Dep.Matron then Matron 6 months later. After 3 years they returned to Australia where Ray was appointed specialist O & G at Royal Darwin Hospital . While Ray was working in Darwin Jan had a position in Adelaide as education officer for the Heart Foundation. After a couple of years in Jan joined Ray in Darwin with her youngest son David finishing school in Darwin. Three years later Ray completed his Australian medical qualifications to add to his English qualifications & was subsequently offered a job in Alice Springs as Director of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology . Jan & Ray eventually built a home in Alice Springs & ultimately retired there & after Rays death Jan continues to live in the family home. Over the years Jan was involved with the Flying Doctor Service, Cancer Council, Zonta, & board member of the Alice Springs Heart Foundation & the National Pioneer Womans Hall of Fame. Bridge was her passion along with her Probus membership. Jan was in good health till her 90th birthday when she had a few falls as a result of a post polio syndrome. She has contracted Polio as a young nurse in her twenties. In her last years she was looked after by her son David at home and died with all her family around her in the few weeks preceding her death. A life well lived.

Sources

As told to her daughter Cathy in Jans home in Alice Springs in 2015