A shared calling: Caring for community like mum

For Southern NSW Local Health District Respiratory Nurse Practitioner, Linda Geale and her daughter and colleague, Physiotherapist, Anastasia Storey, working in healthcare isn’t just a career, it’s something that connects generations.

Linda joined Southern NSW Local Health District in 2019, making a sea change from the Riverina with her husband after decades working in health.

“I started nursing in 1984,” she said. “I thought I might do it for a while and then move into physiotherapy. But here I am, more than 40 years later.”

Over that time, Linda has worked across a range of specialties, including 15 years as a midwife, before finding her passion in respiratory care.

“I love being a nurse practitioner because of the autonomy. You can diagnose, treat and really work closely with patients,” she said.

That passion for helping others has clearly left an impression at home.

All four of Linda’s children now work in healthcare, including Anastasia, who works locally in the coastal network as a physiotherapist across community health, falls prevention and transitional aged care.

“I think we just grew up around it,” Anastasia said. “Health was always part of life. Mum always encouraged us to work hard and to be kind and help people.”

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Working in a regional community brings its own challenges, but also unique rewards.

Linda’s role exists to fill a critical gap in access to specialist respiratory care across the coastal network.

“Some of our patients simply can’t travel to larger centres like Canberra or Nowra,” she said.

“So being able to provide that care locally makes a real difference.”

For Anastasia, the close-knit nature of regional healthcare strengthens both teamwork and patient care.

“You actually know the people you’re referring to,” she said.

“You can pick up the phone or send a message and make sure your patient is supported straight away. That continuity is really special.”

That connection is even stronger when the colleague you’re working with is your mum.

“We don’t always see each other during the day,” Anastasia said. “But we share patients, we refer to each other, and we can quickly talk things through.”

Linda agrees.

“It’s a real benefit. We bring different skills, and we can support each other,” she said.

“I’m very proud. I get such positive feedback from patients about Anastasia.”

Outside of work, their partnership continues in another important role, caring for the next generation.

On Tuesdays, Linda and Anastasia share a unique routine, splitting their workdays so they can care for Anastasia’s two young daughters.

“So Tuesday mornings, I come to work for four hours and then when I get home, Annie goes to work for four hours and I have the children in the afternoon,” Linda said.

“It means less time in childcare and more time with family.”

It’s a small example of the flexibility that helps many healthcare workers balance work and family life.

“I think healthcare gives you that balance,” Anastasia said.

“You can still build a career while being present for your family.”

For both Linda and Anastasia, Mother’s Day is less about big plans and more about time together.

“There’ll definitely be a cake, most likely a carrot cake,” Anastasia laughed.

“Probably a walk, a cup of tea, maybe take the girls to the park and just spending the day together.”

This year, their message is simple.

“Mums across Southern NSW, we’re all juggling a lot,” Anastasia said.

“Work, family, caring for others… it’s a balancing act.”

“I think it’s about being kind to each other. Everyone is doing their best.”

For Linda, the pride is clear.

“To see your children find a career they love and help others, that’s very special,” she said.

For Anastasia, the connection to healthcare may not stop with her.

At home, her two young daughters are already growing up surrounded by a similar environment that shaped her.

“Healthcare is already part of their world,” she said.

“They play with toy medical kits, check our heartbeats, and talk about helping people.”

While it’s too early to know what path they’ll take, Anastasia says she’d support them if they chose to follow in the family’s footsteps.

“I think healthcare is a wonderful career, especially when you’re raising a family,” she said.

“It gives you flexibility, purpose, and the chance to really make a difference.”

More than anything, she hopes to pass on the same values she learned growing up.

“Just be kind and help people,” she said.

“You don’t have to have all the answers, all the skills or be the best, you just have to actually want to help people.”

Whether it continues as a profession or simply as a mindset, the family’s legacy of care is already being passed down.