Interview with Whitney Luxford

Ex-Student Whitney Luxford (Hughes, 1985) has been instrumental in PLC Sydney’s Rapid Antigen Testing program. Her experience overseeing Qantas’ aviation health programs and leading the development and implementation of Covid-19 clinical protocols has been historic for the airline and Australia. Her career path has been forged by determination and by believing in and harnessing her natural capabilities and interests.

When did you attend PLC Sydney? I started at PLC Sydney in 1979 in Year 6 and graduated Year 12 in 1985. My time at school was fun, and I have very fond memories. I remember being in the old pool doing lifesaving, fully clothed and swimming from one end to the other. The Gym was in the science block. Of course, the school was not how it is now—the buildings and the choice of subjects and co-curricular activities are the most noticeable changes!

What was your plan after leaving school? If I could go back in time, especially during my school days, my life would have been so different. I didn’t know what I wanted to do—I wasn’t a great student. I thought maybe something around nursing, however all my friends were doing accounting and going off to University, but I went straight to work and started working for a dentist. He instilled some excellent business practices in me, so I benefited hugely from working for a small business owner.

Whilst working (and all my friends were studying accounting), I thought I should try my hand at what they were doing, so I signed up for an accounting course with TAFE. After a year, I left the dental practice and worked for an accounting firm in the city, but it was not for me—it was horrible! I was offered a role with Cute Kids Modelling Agency—I was the youngest booker ever. I was filling in for the receptionist, but after the first day, the Principal of the Agency said “no, you are coming to work over here.” She was a great mentor, a strong-headed businesswoman. She saw talent in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. She moulded me and built on the capabilities that I had learnt at the dentist.

I married and initially had two children (Jessica and Saxon), at the time I had friends flying with Ansett Australia. I had applied to Qantas to be a stewardess when I was 21, but I was 4cm too short! It was always in the back of my mind that I would like to fly. In 1994 I started at Ansett and worked there for ten years. Following the collapse of Ansett, I worked for the Commonwealth Bank however should have learnt the earlier lesson that finance was not my forte— and it was time to reassess.

What did I really love? I loved dentistry and the patients, but mostly I loved the medical side of the job. So I applied for NSW Ambulance. I started as a paramedic in January 2004 and worked there for several years, and I loved it. Shift work was hard with the kids; I had four children aged 12-0 by then. Unfortunately, due to family illness I had to leave NSW Ambulance NSW to be there for my four children. I left just three months shy of completing my Diploma in Paramedicine. Leaving short of finishing this was an error, to this day, I am still trying to fix. A little while after this, I started working for Virgin Airlines. They were setting up their international airline with a training centre in Sydney, and I was one Whitney Luxford (Hughes, 1985)

of the first trainers there. Following a number of flight medical diversions, despite the aircraft being equipped with suitable medical equipment, I was asked to review the reason for ongoing medical diversions as I was the only one with medical knowledge on the team. My review resulted in several recommendations one was to develop an in-house medical department (like Qantas). I was privileged to develop and build an in-house medical department and was there until I joined Qantas in 2014. I loved aviation but equally loved medicine—so for me being able to bring those two together was perfect really—I was very fortunate. Whilst at Qantas, I was constantly aware of leaving NSW Ambulance without my full paramedicine certification. My role requires me to provide clinical advice and build protocols and procedures for the airline usually from my desk – so I am required to remain current clinically and to keep up with the latest medical care procedures without being in the field, which at times can be challenging. I completed a Bachelor of Paramedicine, with a Distinction. I’d work during the day, come home and take care of the kids, and then complete the lectures, tutorials and assignments at night. I finished that in 2018.

Many students are interested in learning more about paramedicine - what do you love about the job? The variability is excellent—some days you drive, some days you treat. You could be working with a junior or senior colleague or a student, sometimes you’ll be teaching them to treat or watching them drive—always a bit scary! It’s that unknown factor and making a difference in someone’s day that I enjoy, and for me, it is getting somewhere and

INTERVIEW WITH WHITNEY LUXFORD

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knowing that You. Are. It. You and your partner are there to solve a problem and help. You don’t know what you are walking into—we have had walls which needed to be pulled down and police and fire brigade clearing the weeds just to get access to a patient. So it’s about being able to think quickly and calmly, to identify and problem solve and execute all whilst undertaking treatment and communication with the patient, their family, your partner and others. Always lots going on simultaneously and often changing. Also, you come across so many different people, and you learn so many different things about people. Their medical problem may not be that complex for me, but being able to provide reassurance, give advice and make their day just that bit better. It is a fantastic job and a tough job. The role of a paramedic is an incredible privilege, being there to help someone at what is their worst moment. Epitome of true job satisfaction. My story is a great example of how I’ve used paramedicine and taken it to the corporate world— there are so many transferable skills.

Can you explain what Rapid Antigen Testing is and how your new business opportunity came up? Well, it came up thanks to Dr Burgis and the school. Over the 2019/2020 Christmas break, we had many Qantas staff affected by smoke on the eastern seaboard during the bushfires. One other doctor and I were the only staff working. We had one quiet day, when my colleague said, “Hey, there is this flu floating around in China.” I didn’t think much of it, but he repeated it the next day, and by 20 January, I was fully entrenched in Covid-19. I led two missions to Wuhan in early February 2020 to repatriate Australians and their families. I led a medical team from the Federal Government, and I had to build the protocols for the aircraft very quickly (and it was on a plane I had never been on before— the 747). From that point, I was one of the senior clinical leads to help the airline navigate the pandemic and was deployed at the end of last year to Howard Springs— this was for two reasons. 1. to scope out a base for our crew who were conducting the repatriation flights and quarantining, and 2. to conduct a trial with Rapid Antigen

Testing (RAT) In July 2021, the NSW Premier announced RAT for schools so that the state could proceed with the HSC. Dr Burgis rang me and asked if I could help. We formed a working group, and I quickly visualised and mapped out an area of the school and what we had to do and set about writing protocols for the testing. Then Dr Burgis spoke to other schools about what we were planning, and then phone started ringing, from other schools asking for help. My business works with the primary importer and distributor of RAT tests to Australia. I oversee the clinical governance (management and logistics) of providing RAT testing to businesses and schools in Sydney and Melbourne. The business is called Antigen Logistics. I see this as our contribution to help life to return to some kind of “normal”.

We have proven repeatedly that schools and businesses don’t have to close where there has been a positive test case where RAT has been in place. It is done in such a controlled fashion: you enter the school or your workplace, have the test, and go on with your day after a negative test—potential cases are identified early and leave through controlled protocols to undertake further testing. The aim has been to keeping the big businesses —major logistical hubs for our groceries and essential services— open during the lockdown and as we emerge from restrictions. It has been a real success.

What has been your proudest moment so far? Most recently, the two missions to Wuhan with Qantas—they were history making, and I laugh in retrospect at how we launched the whole expedition. If we knew then what we know now, potentially it may have been different. The first mission was 60 hours, following some rest we went off on launched a second mission within a week. However, on the second mission, the Wuhan Chinese Government wouldn’t permit us to land, so we were delayed for 24 hours on the ground, and we were not allowed off the plane. This is where my skills as a flight attendant came in handy—our support crew and the medical team all remained on the aircraft; however, no one except me knew how to turn on the ovens or make the coffee. After that mission, the Prime Minister came to Qantas and I was awarded us the Spirit of Australia Award, a proud moment. However, it was bittersweet as soon after they announced the stand down of the airline as borders closed around the country and the world. I was so extremely proud to have helped bring those Australians home. Of course, I’m proud of my four children. They are great kids, and with the youngest Piper completing Year 12 in two of the toughest years—I couldn’t be prouder of their achievements—they are happy, well-adjusted adults, living their lives.

What role has PLC Sydney played in your life? It has always been my second home— PLC Sydney was and always will hold a special place in my heart. It truly has continued to keep teaching me well beyond leaving as a student. Every time I spend time here I learn something. PLC has shown me how to live my life with integrity and purpose. Even though the school keeps changing and evolving, there are so many fundamentals that stay the same. I am very traditional, and the school holds a lot of familiarity and warmth for me – every time I come here, it feels the same. Having my girls come here has been quite an achievement and I have had lots of proud “mum” moments.

Speaking of traditions, what are some of your favourite PLC traditions?

We used to have very traditional assemblies using a Hymn book, and we used to sing—yes, me too—I can sing! I love the School Hymn; I love the School Prayer. I love Speech Day—the pomp and ceremony. The Mother-Daughter Dinner or Father’s Day breakfast—any time we can all come together is great. The Open Day and Fair has always been huge for my family—Jess has made so many cupcakes during Piper’s time at PLC! I’ve been involved in the P&F, been President of the Ex-Students’ Union, and have been involved in the Foundation for several years. I am constantly in awe of how this school keeps growing and evolving. These fortunate young women get so many amazing opportunities. If I were allowed to come back as a PLC girl, I would come back today, this time I would partake in every opportunity— PLC is in my DNA!