A Local Story of Strength: Ollie’s Journey with Flinders
“We’ve always been part of this community”
Rhiannon and her husband Andrew have lived in Flagstaff Hill for 18 years, raising their three children, Lucy (14), William (12) and Oliver (5), in a community they love.
“We’ve always enjoyed being part of our local area,” Rhiannon says. “We love camping, exploring Sturt Gorge and spending time outdoors. Life was full and busy; I was working locally as a teacher, and we felt really grounded here.”
That sense of stability was suddenly upended during Rhiannon’s third pregnancy. “I developed uncontrollable high blood pressure and was admitted to hospital at 23 weeks,” she recalls. “It became clear that Ollie was struggling. I was monitored daily with scans, and once things reached a certain point, it was safer for him to be born.”
At just 25 weeks and weighing 535 grams, Ollie’s arrival was both miraculous and terrifying.
“The first few days were surreal,” Rhiannon remembers. “There was so much happening, and it felt like we’d stepped into another world. The nurses were amazing; they explained everything and really looked out for us. Ollie was very unwell. He had brain bleeds, underdeveloped lungs and heart issues. We were told to celebrate him getting through each hour.”
Care close to home
Rhiannon says she never considered going anywhere but Flinders Medical Centre.
“We came to Flinders because it’s our local hospital and so highly regarded for pregnancy and birth,” she says. “I was so grateful to live nearby. I could leave home and be with Ollie within 15 minutes, which made my life so much easier. I know many other families in the unit weren’t as lucky as they had come from further away.”
The Flinders Neonatal Unit quickly became a second home. “It wasn’t just Ollie who was cared for; it was all of us,” Rhiannon says. “The doctors and nurses were there through every moment. They explained what was happening, reassured us, and made sure we felt included in every decision.”
Ollie was born right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant Rhiannon and Andrew had minimal contact with family and friends. “The NNU became our community,” Rhiannon says. “We saw the nurses every day. They became like family; they asked about Lucy and William, how we were coping, and were just always there.”
She also formed a lasting friendship with another family whose baby shared a room with Ollie for many months. “We travelled such similar paths, and that connection became a lifeline. We’re still close to this day.”
Compassion, connection and continuing care
Among the many doctors and nurses who made a lasting impression, Rhiannon says Dr Vanessa Ellison stands out. “Dr Ellison has been incredible from the very beginning,” she says. “Her professionalism, compassion and ongoing support have meant so much to us. It’s so clear how deeply she cares for every baby she looks after.”
Rhiannon also remembers the nurses with enormous affection. “Sara, Shell, Fiona, Rene, Bec and Nina, just to name a few, were so wonderful,” she says. “As Ollie grew stronger, we started having more chats and laughs. They made me feel seen and supported, and they made the hard days bearable.”
Even after Ollie came home, the family’s connection to Flinders continued. “In those first few months after discharge, we were back weekly for check-ups. It was always reassuring to be back there; I knew Ollie was getting the highest possible care,” Rhiannon says. “It’s still lovely to go back and see familiar faces. They celebrate his progress with us.”
Living local. Giving local.
Rhiannon says being able to access such exceptional care so close to home is something she’ll never take for granted.
“It’s just brilliant to have this level of care locally,” she says. “It makes everything easier, especially when you have other children and ongoing therapies to juggle.”
That gratitude inspired her to get involved with Flinders Foundation’s Live Local. Give Local. campaign, which supports the hospital and its life-changing work through community generosity.
“After seeing how much of the equipment in the Neonatal Unit is donated, I wanted to give back,” Rhiannon says. “Before Ollie was born, I had no idea that one in ten babies are born prematurely. Without specialised equipment and the incredible staff, many wouldn’t survive. Supporting our local hospital really does make a difference.”
Rhiannon has even helped raise funds for a Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) device, cutting-edge technology that helps tiny babies breathe more naturally. “It felt good to contribute,” she says. “Flinders gave Ollie his chance at life; helping them help other families feels like the least I can do.”
Looking ahead
Today, five-year-old Ollie is a bright, determined little boy who refuses to be defined by his early start.
“He’s fun-loving and so resilient,” Rhiannon says. “He has cerebral palsy from his prematurity, but it doesn’t stop him. He’s loved kindy this year and is so excited about starting school.”
As Rhiannon looks back, she’s filled with gratitude, not only for the team that saved Ollie’s life, but for the community that made it possible.
“I attribute so much of Ollie’s wellbeing and progress to the care he received at Flinders,” she says. “We live local, and because of that, we were able to be together through everything. That’s what makes the Flinders community so special.”
This World Prematurity Day, Rhiannon hopes others will take a moment to recognise the power of community care.
“When you live local and give local,” she says, “you’re helping families like ours, right here in our own backyard.”
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Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
