Maxine Molyneux, then a registered nurse, moved to Byron Bay 36 years ago, and took a 12-month relief administration position at Byron Bay District Hospital to start her career at Northern NSW Local Health District.
While working in administration, Maxine also did relief community nursing, and within a year became the Acting Director of Community Health.
Leading a team of 35, Maxine also filled in for health promotion as needed. It was this opportunity that piqued her interest in health promotion and preventing people from going to hospital, and it led to her studying for a post-graduate degree in Health Education.
“It was great to lead a multidisciplinary team with staff from many areas, including mental health, community nursing, allied health, child and family health, social work and counsellors,” Maxine said.
“We were very innovative on the north coast. We established the first needle exchange outside of Sydney.
“We commenced the Drink Check campaign, which breathalysed people in pubs, and this was before they were widely available. I remember doing one of the very first Splendour in the Grass events where we offered breath tests before people got in their car.”
Since then, Maxine has completed a Masters of Public Health and been part of local Health Promotion campaigns, some of which became statewide initiatives.
“We did one of the first big falls prevention campaigns, called Stay on Your Feet. We started the obesity prevention campaigns for children, which are now the statewide programs Munch & Move and Live Life Well @ School.”
Now Maxine spends her time creating supportive environments for kids to learn how to make healthy choices in their life, but before she starts each workday, she runs from the Byron Bay Surf Club to the Lighthouse and back.
Maxine’s passion for health and adventure infuses her work and home life and keeps her passionate about her work in health.
On her holidays, Maxine is known for going off-grid, whether that is trekking the Larapinta Trail solo, finding caves in Girraween National Park on a weekend with her husband, Nigel, or walking Kangaroo Island.
“When I go to schools or early childhood centres now, educators give me a hug, or share stories from over the years we have been working together. I feel connected to local people, and I know I am helping their children. My personal connection with the educators helps me understand the contribution I am making to the broader community.”
You can find out more about the early childhood and school programs Maxine is involved in by sending an email here.
