Judi Thorne (McKenzie)

At school Judi was a good academic.  She was always active and participated and enjoyed netball, swimming, tennis, athletics (hurdles) as well as taking part in drama and choir.

She gained School Certificate and left school to start a career.  She obviously enjoyed a working life as noted by the number and variety of positions she held over her working career.

Judi trained in Psychiatric Nursing, gained qualifications as a TESOL teacher, is a trained hairdresser and a cosmetician.  All the while she and her husband brought up two daughters.  In 1969 she shifted to Australia and has lived most of her life there except for a short stint back in New Zealand to have a go at dairy farming, which her family loved.  Presently she lives on a 40 acre block one hour west of Brisbane.

Not many people would have had such an array of jobs as Judi.  As listed by Judi her work history is as follows:

Nursing, Hotel work in Australia, Hairdressing in Auckland, Governess in Australia, Hotel Receptionist, Computer Data Input, Fabric Store Customer Assistant, Bank Teller, Teacher Aide/School Nurse, Family Counsellor for Christian Charity, House Mother for Private Boarding School, TESOL Teacher, Aged Care Nurse, Cosmetician and now RETIRED!!

She has had some very interesting overseas adventures including travel to PNG, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

Her husband was diagnosed with melanoma and he passed away in Jan 2012.  Judi now lives on the farm with her two dogs, and her days are filled with Community and Church Work, Craft, Family and Friends – as well as five grandkids.