Jill Ludford and Maureen Simpfendorfer.
Maureen Simpfendorfer says she was very honoured to see her name included in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for her service to nursing on the Monday, 8 June. This is yet another accolade received by the Cootamundra legend.
The nurse, who retired last year, told the Cootamundra Times that she was very amazed, excited and proud, in that order.
“A nomination was put in by a couple of my peers back in 2022. You talk with some of the people who they contact to check up on the nomination. They check up on the things you’ve done to deserve the award. I was notified back in March that I had been nominated. I was to keep it absolutely confidential. The nomination had to go to the Governor-General for final approval, and I would be notified before the King’s birthday weekend,” she said.
“I was notified on the 25th of May that I had actually been awarded the Order of Australia medal. It would be announced in the King’s Honours list.”
Maureen said she had wanted to go into nursing as soon as she left school and proceeded to work in her field for 62 years as a nurse at Cootamundra District Hospital from 1963 to 2025.
Maureen’s experience in nursing has also seen her serve as President of the Nurses and Midwives Union, and Secretary of the Zone Four Operating Theatre Association.
“Sixty-two years is a long time to cover. I did my four-year general nursing training at the Old District Hospital down here, from 1963 to 1967. I always liked working in the emergency department and the operating theatre. When I graduated, I asked to work in those departments, which I did. Over the years, I did further study and gained postgraduate certificates in operating theatre nursing, anaesthetics and recovery,” said Maureen.
“To cover the emergency department, I did first-line emergency care and trauma certificates. Most of these were through the New South Wales College of Nursing. I was made a member of the New South Wales College of Nursing in 2001.
“I loved my work. I was the nurse unit manager of the operating theatre and emergency departments here in Cootamundra for well over 50 years.
“I loved the work and went back day after day on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I couldn’t have done any of that without a wonderful husband, John, and two very understanding children who’ve grown into wonderful adults.
“My son is in the army, my daughter is in the equestrian and thoroughbred industry in Victoria.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time.
Changes to how things are done and the technology that has come in.”
Maureen said she has learned to love the town of Cootamundra during her time at the hospital.
“I’ve lived here ever since I came to do my training here. I was only 17-years-old. I married a local builder after I had done my general training. I was married in 1967. We raised two children here, they went to schools here right through to year 12,” she said.
Outside of nursing, she has been chief instructor and judge for state championship level dressage events, and was named Cootamundra-Gundagai Shire Council’s 2026 Citizen of the Year.
“I gave a lot of volunteering hours to the local pony club and gained my chief instructor’s certificate. I also volunteered with the Young Dressage Club. I was involved with Pony Club for 20 years and with the Dressage Club for 30 years. Horses were a great part of my off-duty time with the kids. Even after the kids had left home and gone their career ways,” she said.
“I had a couple of horses here that I did very well with. We still live there. John was in the fire brigade here for many years. He was a local builder who had his own business. He is retired now.
“I’m very humbled that my peers thought enough of me to nominate me, and I’m very proud of my nursing career and of the things I achieved for the Cootamundra Hospital over the years I was there.
“I’m a true blue Aussie, so I’m very proud of the title of Order of Australia medal.”
Jack Murray
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.