Gentle soul lends helping hand
Local
Adelaide Cathedral parishioner Pauline Clune has a cheerful demeanor and a smile that brings joy to parents and their newborn babies at Adelaide's Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
In her role as a Family Support Volunteer, she brings solace and comfort to new parents and their infants.
“We’re there to support the families,” Pauline says.
“It’s a multi-purpose role. Lots of the families might be from rural places or the Northern Territory so they’re often away from home, family and friends, so they’re quite isolated.”
Pauline and her volunteer peers provide support in many forms.
“It could be just sitting and chat with the mums,” Pauline says.
“It could be getting them a drink of water, sitting with them while they’re expressing milk, or even entertain a baby’s sibling by taking them for walk up and down the corridor. A lot of the time it’s about engaging with parents and giving them emotional support.”
Singing, reading, and comforting babies (with permission, of course) are also part of the role.
“I think you need special qualities because it’s really delightful but it’s sad at times as well,” Pauline says.
“There is also a harpist who plays at the hospital sometimes. There is such a positive change in the ward atmosphere due to their presence and the power of music.”
When attending the five nurseries, three of which are devoted to intensive care, respecting parents’ wishes is always front of mind. Some families face a long and worrying waiting period after their child or children were born prematurely or with health complications.
“The parents are so receptive and so willing to share their precious babies with us, which is very special,” Pauline says.
“Some people aren’t sure at first, then they might perhaps observe some of the volunteers on the ward with other babies, and then change their mind at decide to say yes.”
Pauline began volunteering at the hospital in 2020 and after a pause due to the COVID pandemic, resumed soon after.
Pauline Clune in her beautiful garden.
She never had children of her own but has had a positive impact on the lives of many.
“I haven’t breastfed or done any of that myself, but I’ve worked with it for years. I admire any parent because it’s a huge job and a huge undertaking.”
Pauline has always been a caring soul.
After growing up in Plympton and attending St Aloysius School, she trained in child and family health at Torrens House (Child and Family Health Service – CaFHS) and went on to have a 48-year career as a mothercraft nurse, providing care to infants and advice and training to parents of newborn infants.
“I used to do the one-on-one breastfeeding appointments,” she says.
“Sometimes you’d see a person once or twice a week for six to eight weeks to get them going or for them to make the decision that it wasn’t right for them.”
A mother of triplets got in touch recently to thank Pauline for the help she provided 33 years ago. Moments like these are humbling.
“I don’t like the spotlight,” Pauline admits.
“I don’t like a lot of fuss and prefer to fly under the radar. We don’t seek recognition for our efforts, it’s about the joy of working with families. Never underestimate the power of friendship and laughter.”
She credits her late parents Brian Clune and Katherine ‘Muff’ Clune for her positive, community-driven outlook. The pair were much-loved members of the Adelaide Cathedral parish and St Aloysius College where they were actively involved for many years.
“I had good grounding at home with Mum, Dad and my three siblings,” she says.
“Dad used to collect and count the money at the Cathedral. We were SAC-raised and Dad would do anything for those nuns in the convent. He was on the father’s committee and mum was involved working in the tuck shop.”
Pauline is a daily Mass-goer, a eucharistic minister, and one of the coordinators on a Saturday night at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. She is also a regular visitor to priests at Villa Murphy.
“My school chaplain is there. He’s 91 now. I go every Sunday and one of the other priests also comes in. We have a Baileys and I take some cheese and crackers.”
When she’s not helping at the Cathedral or assisting others, Pauline can usually be found gardening and reading in her beautiful little garden or knitting blankets for babies in the intensive care unit.
“I didn’t get married, and I didn’t have children so maybe this is my role in life,” she says.
“It is a privilege and a joy to do this volunteer work and help others, despite the challenges and responsibilities involved.”
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