I’m busier than ever in retirement and I love it!
Jan Murray, 76, recently retired but she’s not taking it as time to relax. Jan’s using retirement to complete all her unfinished projects and is currently studying a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine.
Retirement is my time to shine, to achieve what has been a niggling feeling in the back of my brain since I was a young girl.
In 1951, I began working for a milliner on a Saturday for seven shillings to help out in our house after my mother died. I was now "head cook and bottle washer" for our family.
Later at age 14, I trained as a beauty consultant with Cyclax (remember them?). I often wondered what those lovely ladies in Geelong thought about getting their beauty advice from a young girl, but it was good experience for life.
My mother’s death was my motivation to succeed and to gain knowledge. Maybe I felt insecure? But it became a thirst to learn, I wanted to be like that saying, a “Jack of all trades, master of none!”
I was 16 years old and already in nursing training when love came calling. I had four children in quick succession and at 29 years of age I began studying again, although mainly beauty and fashion type study, which helped supplement family income. I worked for a large cosmetic company as a district manager. My husband was a professional footballer, who later became injured. We moved a great deal during the 70's and my role was secondary at that time – family came first – I worked, but wished I was able to study.
Always that niggling feeling… one day I will finish nursing, get a degree and become a graduate.
Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother – what an achievement! The years passed quickly. I always supported myself best I could, as husbands came and went, the children grew and achieved their own goals. The children always supported me in my thirst for knowledge but I think they wonder, “Why doesn't she just slow down?”
Luckily I am blessed with good health, but early in 2016, I knew something was changing in my body. I decided to retire from my nursing job of seven-plus years.
“It's time to stop!” my body told me. But my mind said no.
“My heavens! You are wanting to start university and you are 76 years of age! Do you think you will ever graduate?”
“Do you think I can get HECS?” I asked. “I don't know,” was the answer, “I have never enquired, I suppose if you have a tax file number you can study using the fee-help system.”
So the journey commenced. I thought to myself, if I am going to do this degree I had better get some study practise, so I looked on the internet and found some free courses on Open2Study. These courses are supplied by various universities in Australia and cover many subjects. There are online lectures by leading professors of various universities and take a month to complete.
I enrolled in Food and Nutrition, The Human Body as a Machine, Microbiology and Forensic Science, Common Diseases of Humans, and Anthropology (which was my favourite). Some, because of my medical background, were easy enough; some were challenging to say the least, but I like a challenge. On completion of the course you can print out a certificate (60 per cent is a pass). If you don't pass you can re-enrol.
I was ready to take the next step so I enrolled in a Bachelor of Natural Medicine and will graduate in 2019. I wish to do research in food as medicine, anthropology and eating disorders of modern humans. Our ancestors didn't have laboratories, they had to figure things out using what was available from nature. Hopefully my research may provide a light bulb moment or two.
Busy times ahead, so for those who told me, "Retirement is a time to relax,” I say, "Not for this girl, too much to find out!”
If you have a story to share please get in touch at melody@oversixty.com.au
Related links:
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Is happiness really what we’re after in retirement?
Tips for a happy and healthy retirement on a budget