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Go to: Nikki Shelton in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The Nikki Shelton Family Volunteers
I’ve always been an adventurer and I was well aware that growing up and studying in Australia afforded me a privilege that can so often be taken for granted. In my 20’s I was lucky enough to combine travel with further studies, obtaining my Clinical Diploma and an MSc in Medical Physics at UCL in London, England.
In 2003 my partner Paul and I cycled 10,000 km across Europe and Asia, a time before GPS, and 3G phones. We relied on maps, a compass and local knowledge to navigate our way from the UK to Australia. The roads were often unpaved and unmarked and the traffic in Asia was total chaos when compared with home. Tiny children would often cycle along side of us on their enormous bikes, yelling and laughing at the two “crazy” foreigners.
Experiencing life at 20km an hour allowed us to experience first hand how much disparity there is between what people have access to in this world, especially in education and healthcare. Yet those who have the least are still welcoming and generous and will always greet you with curiosity and a genuine smile.
It was in Asia that Paul and I made a promise to ourselves. Once we were fully qualified and confident in our careers, we’d return to this region and work towards changing that imbalance.
My now husband and I settled down in Melbourne, both working part time and volunteering in our local community. Our two kids were taught from an early age. Paul followed his passion in Education.
In November 2017, we rented out our house, I took 12 months leave from The Austin Hospital and Paul resigned from his job to move from one iconic part of the world to another. Paul’s role was as a dependent, looking after our two kids aged 9 and 7 and ensuring that our transition to living in a developing country ran as smoothly as possible.
The Cambodia hospital under construction 
From Australia to Cambodia 
The new Cambodian Hospital…. 
… with brand new radiotherapy services for cancer patients. 
Meeting the staff. 
There’s no doubt it’s challenge to ensure better healthcare technology. 
Nikki ready to start her voluntary work with the local staff. 
It’s a very busy place. 
Our temporary family home for the twelve month voluntary work at the cancer centre.. 
It was to be a lifetime memory for Nikki’s family who came with her. 
Yes, definitely a wonderful experience with Cambodian life…. 
…..and Cambodian children… 
…and a different country.
We are now home and I am back working in my old job at the Austin Hospital.
Nikki Shelton
