​Malayali nurse earns praise from Adam Gilchrist for her service in Australia

Twenty-three-year-old Kottayam girl

Sharon Varghese

had just finished her Bachelor of Nursing and got registered as a nurse in Australia, when the Covid – 19 pandemic started spreading its wings. Like many expats, Sharon too wondered whether she should leave the country to stay safe.

That’s when her mom Ancy, who also works as a nurse in Kuwait, declared her decision to continue being in service. And it changed everything for Sharon. When former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist appreciated Sharon’s decision to be in Australia and serve the country via a video, the news of her selflessness crossed borders!

She says, “When I saw that my mom, who has been working for so long decided to continue working for this cause, I was motivated to do the same.” After finishing her course, Sharon too was looking to join a hospital like most people for her first job. But, she had rendered her service briefly to an aged care facility, and around the time the pandemic started getting serious, they asked whether she could work with them. “A big portion of the Australian population is 60 plus and so, geriatric care is very important here. So, I decided to join the facility.”

It was also a time in which many staff couldn’t travel, as those coming by public transport were at risk. “Some were also scared to come as they had kids. Regardless, I began working and now, I work around 60 to 80 hours a fortnight. Whenever they ask to work, I do,” she says.

How did Gilchrist notice her work? “The University of Wollongong, where I studied, has a Covid – 19 help group, which also stores information on all students who are helping around at this time. I was also part of it. Once, I happened to see a mail, asking for the details of international students who are contributing to the Australian community at this time. I sent a mail explaining my work, and they asked whether I can send it across as a video for them to use. I just slipped on a coat, applied some lipstick and took a video to send it. Little did I know that it was going to get noticed.” A few days ago, while she was busy with work, she kept getting umpteen missed calls and texts. “That’s when I noticed it’s because of Gilchrist’s message. It was quite a surprise,” she says.

Her friends, family and others have also been thrilled. Sharon says, “Generally, even if we do something very good, my dad wouldn’t say a word of appreciation. Probably being a cricket fan, once this video was out, my dad called me and said well done! My brother, who is studying in Kerala and his friends too have been celebrating this on social media quite a bit.”

Sharon, whose native place is Kuruppunthra in Kottayam, did her schooling in Kuwait and visits Kerala every year. “I had last come in December, 2019,” says the youngster, who wants to continue at her current job for at least two more years. “I also want to work in rural areas and serve the community,” she says, signing off.



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