Vicky Gaunt emigrated to New Zealand from the UK in 1994 with her Kiwi husband Doug and son Matt, then 8 months old. Matt, now 26, is an architectural technician in Rotorua, and a second son Alex, 23, is pursuing a career as a chef in Birmingham, UK. Vicky and Doug share their Rotorua home with cats and a beloved golden retriever called Blake who volunteers with Vicky as a Canine Friend.

Tell us a little about where you work
I am currently working as a Nurse Practitioner in a busy medical centre in Ngongotaha, Rotorua. My first job in New Zealand, back in 1995, was as a midwife at the local hospital, until I moved out to work in primary care in 2000, which is an area that I love for the variety and relationships with children and families, from new parents to the older members of our community.

Where did you do your training?
I completed my hospital based nursing and midwifery qualifications in the UK and embarked on post graduate studies in New Zealand, completing a Master of Nursing in 2010. I qualified as a Nurse Practitioner in 2016, which is an advanced nursing role which enables me to diagnose, prescribe and refer like a GP.

How did you get involved with volunteering for Brain Tumour Support NZ?
In 2019 my husband’s sister and then his mum were diagnosed with meningiomas. I also have a friend whose husband lost his brave battle with a brain tumour the year before. Looking for information to support them, I came across the BTSNZ website and made contact with chairperson Mandy Bathan, who also happened to be an old friend from days when our children were at primary and intermediate schools together.

Tell us a little about what you do here at Brain Tumour Support NZ
This year, BTSNZ has commenced an online support group to complement their Patient and Carer Facebook groups. I had offered to volunteer and Mandy approached me about helping with the coordination of these meetings. They started in September. Fellow volunteers Sandy, Tim and I host each meeting. They are held via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month 7-8 pm. After a few teething problems, I am getting to grips with the technology and our last meeting featured a talk about seizures from Caroline Woon, a Wellington Clinical Nurse Specialist and member of BTSNZ’s medical advisory board, which was very well supported.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Doesn’t everyone volunteer? It must be in my blood, my Mum has always been involved with one or more volunteer groups and it’s always good to be able to give something back to others. I started at high school volunteering at a centre for intellectually disabled people, followed by time at the local psychiatric hospital. This led to a full time job as a health care assistant before I started nursing the next year. Since then I have worked in Australia with intellectually disabled, held positions on day care, primary and high school committees. I am also a member of Canine Friends, a national group who visit rest homes, hospitals and lately for Blake and me, a local primary school to support reading. Everyone should give volunteering a go!

What advice would you give to others who are thinking about volunteering for BTSNZ?
Have a go! From raising funds with a morning tea or sports event, becoming a support person, helping get people to appointments, there are lots of options available.

What motivates you to stay volunteering for BTSNZ?
I am overwhelmed by the sheer bravery of the people undergoing brain tumour treatment, and their carers, whatever type of tumour. Unlike some other life changing illnesses brain tumours have the added impact of both physical and emotional changes. Being unable to drive following diagnosis can also be very limiting and takes away a person’s independence, which can also lead to further impacts for those with young families.

What’s surprised you most about volunteering for BTSNZ?
As I said before, I am overwhelmed by the sheer bravery of the people and carers undergoing brain tumour treatment. It is a privilege to play a small part in keeping people well during their journey. The other thing I’ve learned is that the path to diagnosis may not always be a smooth one and more awareness is needed from all aspects of health care to make an early diagnosis.

What are your favourite pastimes or hobbies?
Hobby wise, a sore knee has curtailed my Olympic badminton dreams but Doug and I go biking most weekends and are chipping away at the New Zealand bike trails. I would love to take time off and do the whole thing. I am in awe of Kate Coatsworth walking the length of New Zealand for BTSNZ, what a fantastic thing to do. I completed my first ever triathlon in February this year and raised around $400 for BTSNZ, planning to do this again in 2021!

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
When I first met my husband, he was hanging upside down in a tree. I was travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne by car with friends and he was biking even further to Sydney with his mates - a huge distance! Our paths kept crossing at various camp sites and townships. We all celebrated a sunny Christmas together in 1987 with a picnic near Melbourne decorating a big fir tree with balloons. We celebrated out 30th wedding anniversary this year.

What’s the last book you read?
I have just re-read “Landings” by Jenny Pattrick, a New Zealand author of historical novels. I love all of her books which are set in New Zealand and Samoa.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This sounds a bit sad, but probably porridge with peaches, a squirt of maple syrup and a few walnuts if I’m feeling decadent. Easy and quick to make in the microwave before work.