The student and the centenarian
Tempus fugit. Time runs away from us all.
To explore this notion, and how our perceptions of time and its importance may vary during our lifetimes, we posed a series of questions to a current student and a centenarian alum.
The student is a 22-year-old Ngarrindjeri woman studying medicine – the centenarian a 102-year-old historian and nursing education pioneer.
Is there some aspect of your culture or career which may alter your perception of time?
Centenarian (C): Managing time has been important and is one of the things I used to teach my nurses. Nursing is very busy, yet I don’t remember ever feeling completely frustrated by that. I think I accepted that this is a sort of job where time is going to be at a premium and just got on with it.
Student (S): Indigenous people have a different perception of how time operates. Seasonal structures are usually used instead of clocks to know what is happening environmentally and to an individual, during a period. The concept of things happening in their own timing, organically, based on when an individual is ready, instead of structured times, is also another difference for Indigenous people. There are aspects of my culture that make time different for me but regarding my career it’s quite the opposite. Medical professionals have tight schedules and must prioritise a lot. It’s important to recognise both are important to me and to value the times and places where they are prevalent or coincide with each other.
How important is time to you?
C: I have a clock now in my room which tells me the time and day and date. At that level, time is very important to me. Wherever I sit I make sure I can see it clearly, and when I go to bed at night the last thing I ask the nurse to do is move it so I can see it. It helps me keep my timetable.
S: Time is important to me, and I value my cultural perception of time as well as understanding how time is valuable from a western perspective.
What would you do if you had more time?
C: Well, I don’t let it bother me too much. My own state of health surprises me. 102 is an unusually lengthy period of time. Oh goodness, I think I’ve proved I can cope with having more time.
S: If I had more time I’d spend it with my family, friends, travelling and cultural practices. Due to the nature of my degree, I find spending time on these things difficult. I really value these things and spending more time on them would benefit me and those around me greatly.
Do you have any regrets about wasted time?
C: No. I think it’s been an advantage to me not to have been married. I feel that I’ve used my time well. I haven’t had to struggle to have enough time. There has been enough time for me to do what I wanted to do.
S: Not really, I believe that all experiences are valid and happen for a reason, even if they’re perceived as good or bad. I think it’s important to not regret things but take them on board as a lifelong learning experience.
What is the most amazing thing that has happened in the world during your lifetime?
C: To me I think it has been the increasing significance of well-trained nurses in the healthcare service. And the allocation of greater responsibilities to those well-trained nurses. And, as an event, I suppose World War II changed a lot of things for us all.
S: Progression of technology probably has to be a big one. I grew up as a child with curly phones, box TVs and VHS tapes. To see now wireless earbuds, VR headsets and AI becoming a norm is incredibly amazing to witness. I also particularly appreciate the advances in the medical field and seeing the use of technology in that space is amazing. I look forward to more advances over my lifetime.
What is the most amazing thing that has happened to you during your lifetime?
C: Well, it’s a fairly long span of time I’m looking at. I was born in 1922. During World War II I was in England and there was a volcanic eruption in New Guinea where my twin sister was working. For 24 hours, time stopped, and I was in a fog until word came through that she was safe, and working to save others. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for that.
S: There are lots of amazing things. I had the privilege of speaking as a 19-year-old in Parliament, I’ve attended two World Indigenous People’s Conferences in Education and was a youth engagement officer for the 2022 one, and I’ve been able to compete and represent the State and University in sporting competitions. While it’s impossible to pick one, I think celebrating with my family after being accepted into medical school is a top pick.
Does time pass quickly or slowly – and has this changed over your lifetime?
C: It’s not something I can do anything to control. I’m prepared to be content with the way it is now. It doesn’t bother me. My time is still mine to use as I wish even though I’m mostly confined to one room in a fairly big institution.
S: To my dismay, time flies when I’m prepping for an exam! However, I think childhood passed quickly and most things feel the same when you look back on them. I think, as I’ve become an adult, I’ve learnt the value of living in the moment and am trying to stay present more, instead of thinking about the future constantly.
In Memoriam
Lumen editorial staff who worked closely with Dr Joan Durdin and her family to create this article are very sad to advise that she has since been lost to our community, aged 102. The University of Adelaide extends its very sincere condolences to her family and friends. Vale Joan.
Dr Joan Durdin AM, BA (Hons) RN, FRCNA, D Univ (Flinders) was a distinguished nursing education pioneer. In retirement she earned a BA (Hons) in History at the University of Adelaide in 1985, and she was the author of two books on the history of nursing. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 for her contribution to nursing.
Jayde Thyer, aged 22, completed her third year of medicine in 2024. She is active in many advocacy and youth work roles, passionate about First Nations education, and has been involved in World Indigenous People’s Conferences on Education since 2022.
Story created by Mark Douglas, Editor of Lumen. Photo by Isaac Freeman, photographic editor.