Rescue1st
Robyn Neilson
Robyn Neilson, keynote speaker for Day One of Showcase 2020, is a trained nurse having worked as a clinical nurse, nurse educator, director of nursing and general manager of clinical services for St Luke’s Nursing Service (Anglicare) Queensland. As Founder and Director of the Rescue1st charity, proudly sponsored by the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland Foundation, Robyn is the pioneer and innovator of the patented revolutionary system that creates Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) from mobile phones (Patent Pending).
Raised on grain, sheep and cattle properties and later owning family cattle stations in New South Wales and Central Queensland, Robyn developed an early passion for farm safety, encouraged by her mother as a nurse and father from the military.
A passion that would eventually enable her to save the life of her neighbour Gayle Shann, following an horrific farming accident. Their story and Robyn’s efforts as First Responder was recorded by the ABC’s Australian Story. “With This Ring” is reportedly the most requested episode in the history of the program.
Robyn shared the harrowing tale of saving her neighbour's life with us at Showcase 2020, and the social and psychological impact of that day. Her story and the advice she gave based on that experience left the room so moved and quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. Unsurprisingly, she was met with a standing ovation and importantly; began many important conversations about the need for healthcare professionals to take care of their mental health too.
