Everyday People - Find the adventure - Nettie Gillingham

Nettie’s real name is Annette, but no one calls her that except her mother when she is in trouble. Nettie has an unruly mop of fiery red, curly hair that is hard to tame, a huge heart and a great sense of humour.

At fifty-three years old, Nettie has much to be thankful for.

Nettie was born in Brisbane into a strict catholic household and grew up in Redcliffe. She has four sisters and is the second youngest. With a house full of five girls, Nettie says her dad was always grey.

“Dad had a hard hand if you didn’t do as you were told. That was how kids were brought up then. It was how we learned about boundaries, discipline, and respect. It was a different era. I love my parents dearly for all that they instilled in me.

“But sometimes I think our religions are very limiting. Being open to experience doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human”.

As a child, Nettie liked to read and often found herself carried away on some adventure or another through the pages of whichever novel she was reading at the time.

She also learnt to roller skate from a young age.

“I had the grooviest pair of black suede skates with orange and yellow detailing. They were a much-loved birthday gift”.

Being Catholic, most private schools were all-girls, so things were awkward when Nettie got to grades eleven and twelve, which were co-ed.

“I came from a house of girls and had not had much contact with boys. I dreaded those first few weeks back at school as I didn’t know how to talk to them. I soon figured it out, though".

Upon leaving school, Nettie recalls that she worked in a bakery in Margate owned by Mr Tucker, who was also the baker. He made the best caramel slices.

She also worked for a clothing manufacturer and had big dreams of going into fashion and design. Nettie was a finisher the first time around, sitting at a table cutting threads off clothes before they went to the irons. She was not exactly living the dream. The second time around, she was a cutter and learnt how to grade patterns. This was much more enjoyable.

Life took many twists and turns on the job front. Nettie acquired a Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching and worked in a childcare centre before getting a job with Education Queensland. She had her first contract at Maryborough Central and was also at Kawungan for several years. Seven years in child protection followed.

A couple of years were spent in the Army Reserves in the 140 Signal Squadron at Kelvin Grove. 

“We would go out on the range and fire things, throw grenades, and run through the scrub with weapons. Back then, I was a very girly girl and always had long fingernails. Whenever there was a social occasion, and I would wear my hair down, the others would wonder how I got my hair back up in my hat”.

Currently, Nettie is a disability support worker.

Hervey Bay has been home three times. The first time was when Nettie moved here with her then-husband in 1992. They went on to have four children but parted ways over ten years ago. Her children are all grown now, and Nettie has been with her current partner Rick for about six years.

“I kept coming back to Hervey Bay because of the lifestyle. I also love the ocean”.

 Nettie still loves sewing and has turned her craft into a Facebook side hustle, mainly for family and friends. Her page is called Eenie Gear. She also tries to find an adventure every month.

“A few years ago, one of those wicked campervans went by, the slogan painted on the side read, “Buy the ticket, take the ride”, and that is my approach to life.

“A few years ago, one of those wicked campervans went by, the slogan painted on the side read, “Buy the ticket, take the ride”, and that is my approach to life.

By Kim Parnell

What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine