A tribute to Sharryn Byers

I first met Sharryn Byers when we were both Neurosurgical NUMs in the late ‘80’s. I reached out to her to help me establish a Sydney Neurosurgical Nursing Unit Manager’s Group – we started with lunch! Not long after that first lunch, we met again in the back of a taxi on the way to another colleagues’ funeral (we laughed about that circumstance recently!) In the back of that taxi we talked of “taking over the world” – at that stage we were thinking of the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA). She went onto become President of ANNA, and I took the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses (WFNN) route! We always kept in touch, more so by phone or email, and although not seeing each-other a lot in Sydney where we both lived, we caught up more at overseas events! Sharryn was known to many overseas colleagues and I know she wanted you to know that she valued these international connections. I last saw Sharryn at her home, about 2 weeks before she passed away. I was really glad I had the chance to see her in person for that last time – even then she was organising her replacement (and who not to employ into her position!) Sharryn was my go-to person for all things neuro, especially political neuro! She always had an opinion and was very fair and ethical. I will miss her advice, her knowledge, her large smile and above all, her friendship.