Horsham Rural City staff and councillors had a morning tea on Friday to celebrate Mrs Baird’s career.

She said she started work as a nurse 48 years ago.

“Almost to the day 48 years ago I walked into Wimmera Base Hospital to start work,” she said.

“I always wanted to be a nurse because I wanted to help people.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but it was something I wanted to do.”

Mrs Baird said she started work as a midwife in 1972 and as a maternal child health nurse in 1973.

“I’ve been passionate about primary health care and over the years I’ve been able to share that passion with families and babies,” she said.

“I wanted to become a maternal health nurse because I realised that if we keep people healthy, we will have less sick people in the community, which leads to a happier community.”

Mrs Baird said she was now starting to look after a second generation of children.

“I see people who I saw as babies, bring their babies in,” she said.

“The friendships I have made over the years are amazing.

“I have lots of fond memories.”

Mrs Baird said she was looking forward to spending more time with her family in her retirement.

She has seven grandchildren with an eighth on the way.

“I want to spend time painting, sewing and gardening as well,” she said.

Mrs Baird said she had had a great career.

“I am thrilled the future of maternal health nurses will continue as we have new nurses and a new children’s hub in the works,” she said.

Council planning and economic director Angela Murphy said Mrs Baird always had a strong interest in nursing mums.

“She always ensured our breastfeeding and immunisations rates remained high,” she said.

“I did the maths and worked out Carolyn as probably seen 3000 babies in her career, which is remarkable.”

Environmental Health Officer Luke Mitton said Mrs Baird was an advocate for immunisations.

“Whenever there was a new vaccination out, Carolyn would always offer herself, and her family, as a candidate to test it out,” he said.