Australia still feels like a holiday

Registered Mental Health Nurse and Clinical Educator Erika Wadlow-Smith is a United Kingdom expatriate who was lured to Sydney over 30 years ago.

5 Oct 2022

Erika, who works at both St John of God Richmond and Burwood Hospitals, said it was the fabulous lifestyle, beaches, bush and mild weather that initially attracted her to make the move to Australia from Birmingham, UK.

“It still feels a bit like I’m on holiday,” she said.

While those lifestyle aspects have certainly lived up to the hype, it’s the opportunities she’s had to grow her career and the people she’s met that have kept her in Sydney since.

As an instrumental member of hospital social club events, where caregivers from multi-disciplinary teams regularly get together outside of work for drinks, meals and activities, Erika loves socialising.

“St John of God Health Care has fantastic hospitals. I’ve had great opportunities to grow and learn myself while I teach others,” she said.

“The people are friendly, they’ve always got your back and are very supportive.”