A Beaconsfield woman known for her tireless community work is preparing to return home after a challenging medical journey that began in the most festive of circumstances.

Louise Sterling had been decorating the Beaconsfield community Christmas tree outside the local church on Beaconsfield Highway, carefully wrapping tinsel around the structure, when she suddenly fainted. Louise lives with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that can cause dizziness and fainting. The fall resulted in a broken foot, marking the beginning of what would become a difficult few months.

Despite the injury, Louise was determined not to let it disrupt Christmas for her family. After six weeks in a moon boot, she pushed through the pain and limitations to host the holiday at home. “Everything worked,” she said, “just a bit slower.”

However, complications soon followed. Swelling in her foot led to a hospital admission, where she spent 10 days in Kenny ward receiving intravenous antibiotics before continuing treatment at home. A brief readmission followed, just before the Kenny ward closed ahead of Easter, after which her care continued in Burnet. With a new support CROW boot fitted, Louise was able to return home in time for Easter and even make it to her family’s holiday house in Lakes Entrance.

But the setbacks were not over. When a sore developed on her foot, Louise sought urgent medical attention and was scheduled for surgery the very next day. In Florey ward, two more procedures followed - one to apply a vacuum dressing and another to close the wound and insert a PICC line for ongoing antibiotic treatment.

“It’s been a nightmare,” Louise admitted, maintaining her trademark resilience. “But you’ve got to laugh or you’ll cry, and that’s not going to get you anywhere.”

Louise also spoke warmly about the connections she formed during her time in hospital, saying one unexpected highlight was getting to know the nursing and kitchen staff so well. Over weeks of treatment, familiar faces became a daily comfort, with staff not only caring for her medical needs but lifting her spirits through conversation and kindness. “They’ve all been incredible,” she said. “When you’re in that environment for so long, they really become part of your world.”

Now finally preparing to return home, Louise has equipped herself with mobility aids - affectionately named by her children; Formula One fans. Her knee scooter is called “Neil,” while her electric scooter has been dubbed “Charles Le Chair.” A mother of four - three boys who work in the family business, and a daughter who is a pharmacist, Louise jokes that she has been in frequent contact with her daughter to help manage the many medications prescribed since Christmas.

While her recovery continues, Louise’s commitment to her community remains unwavering. She is a founding member of the Beaconsfield Community Committee’s food pantry initiative, which she launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wanting to give back after her family’s business remained open and stable through that time, Louise began collecting fresh produce and donated pantry items from local supermarkets and distributing them daily to those in need. Her community involvement doesn’t stop there. As secretary of the Beaconsfield Tennis Club, she has helped grow membership to the point where open days are no longer needed.

At home, Louise’s compassion extends to animals as well. She recently fostered two beagles rescued from medical research facilities. The first, Edna, bonded closely with Louise but remained wary of her husband. Hoping to help find her husband a furry lap companion, the family fostered a second dog, Elsie - who arrived just one day before Louise’s initial hospital admission. In what Louise describes as a “blessing in disguise,” Elsie formed a strong bond with her husband during Louise’s time in hospital. Both dogs have since been permanently adopted into the family.

Now, after months of treatment and recovery, Louise is looking forward to the simple joys of home life.

“I can’t wait to get back to my husband, my kids, the dogs, and my friends,” she said.

Through it all, Louise Sterling has remained a pillar of strength, humour, and generosity - qualities that continue to inspire all of us here at Mulgrave Private as well as the Beaconsfield community she serves so selflessly. Your surname suits you to a tee Louise!

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