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In loving memory of Lesley Cusworth, 2 September 1952–12 January 2022 (Adelaide)
by Victoria Stevenson RN CDE
I first met Lesley at the International Diabetes Institute in Caulfield (IDI), Victoria. She was buzzing around ensuring everyone was organised for the day, chatting happily to everyone in sight and welcoming newcomers; a delightful lady with whom you immediately wanted to rub shoulders with and get to know.
Lesley was an outstanding nurse who completed her training at Prince Henry’s Hospital and midwifery at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital. In the late 1970s, she commenced work as a diabetes educator at the Diabetes Foundation of Victoria (now Diabetes Victoria) with Gwen Scott. In 1980, Lesley moved to the Diabetes Centre at Southern Memorial Hospital, Victoria, which shortly after became the International Diabetes Institute where she worked with Professor Paul Zimmet AO and Dr Matthew Cohen.
Lesley Cusworth with her dear friend and colleague Christine Crosbie
Lesley helped establish and shape education services at IDI and encouraged educators to be open-minded in their work to benefit people with diabetes. Self-blood glucose monitoring was still very new in the late 70s and early 80s and Lesley spent many additional work hours travelling all over Victoria with Matt and Paul teaching other health professionals and encouraging them to integrate this new tool into their practice and patient care.
As a result of this outreach work and conversations she had with interstate colleagues, Lesley and others realised that many people around Australia were working in this new field of diabetes care and education. Clearly, there was value in sharing experiences, discussing cases, and pondering questions and challenges to better support health professionals and people with diabetes.
Paul Zimmet remembers Lesley as a fine and inspirational health professional with a vibrant personality, lots of enthusiasm and creativity, a wonderful sense of humour, and strong leadership qualities. Lesley was held in very high esteem by colleagues and patients. Paul credits Lesley amongst others for helping him establish the IDI as a National and subsequently International Centre of Excellence in diabetes education and care.
In 1981, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) was formed with an initial membership of 248, comprising a cross-section of health professionals, including some diabetes industry representatives.
Lesley Cusworth in an early edition of the ADEA newsletter
Following her first 12 months of actively serving on the ADEA Steering Committee, Lesley helped others in developing the constitution and the Rationale Aims and Objectives of the ADEA. Lesley was then elected as the Inaugural President of ADEA in 1982. Key developments from her two years in this role included:
In September 2001, during the Annual Scientific Meeting at Conrad Jupiters on The Gold Coast, ADEA celebrated turning 20. Lesley was the invited guest of honour and spoke of the beginnings of ADEA. As part of the celebrations, Lesley acknowledged and congratulated ADEA on its achievements. She then joined past Presidents and others in cutting the amazing 20th-anniversary cake.
Lesley Cusworth cutting the ADEA’s 20th-anniversary cake
In the February 2002 edition of the ADEA Magazine, Lesley further reflected on her time as President. Lesley highlighted the following accomplishments as some of her main contributions:
When Lesley was asked about the main things she learnt from her time as President, her reply spoke of the power of working together as a team to facilitate and enable many things, and the passion and commitment of those involved that helped to communicate a vision for ADEA. Lesley felt that the creation of positive, long-lasting relationships and working together willingly created something of special significance.
After leaving IDI, Lesley, her husband Bob, and their family moved interstate and then overseas for a few years, for Bob’s work. Lesley went on to complete further studies. In 2006, she retired from Burnside Hospital, SA, after many successful years of working in a diverse number of clinical and managerial roles. Lesley had been much admired and respected by all at Burnside Private Hospital. In later years, Lesley enjoyed and excelled in volunteer work with the Guide Dogs of SA/NT.
Lesley was devoted to Bob, their three daughters, and five gorgeous grandchildren. She had many friends, both personal and professional, and enjoyed spending time with them.
Lesley was a true professional who maximised every opportunity to progress the development of ADEA and in doing so made a significant contribution to diabetes care and education in Australia. This was recognised in 1984 when she delightedly received her ADEA Honorary Life Membership Award. We are thankful that Lesley helped shape and forge a path for us all.
It was an honour to have known Lesley.
Victoria Stevenson RN CDE
In loving memory of Lesley Cusworth, 2 September 1952–12 January 2022 (Adelaide)
by Victoria Stevenson RN CDE
I first met Lesley at the International Diabetes Institute in Caulfield (IDI), Victoria. She was buzzing around ensuring everyone was organised for the day, chatting happily to everyone in sight and welcoming newcomers; a delightful lady with whom you immediately wanted to rub shoulders with and get to know.
Lesley was an outstanding nurse who completed her training at Prince Henry’s Hospital and midwifery at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital. In the late 1970s, she commenced work as a diabetes educator at the Diabetes Foundation of Victoria (now Diabetes Victoria) with Gwen Scott. In 1980, Lesley moved to the Diabetes Centre at Southern Memorial Hospital, Victoria, which shortly after became the International Diabetes Institute where she worked with Professor Paul Zimmet AO and Dr Matthew Cohen.
Lesley Cusworth with her dear friend and colleague Christine Crosbie
Lesley helped establish and shape education services at IDI and encouraged educators to be open-minded in their work to benefit people with diabetes. Self-blood glucose monitoring was still very new in the late 70s and early 80s and Lesley spent many additional work hours travelling all over Victoria with Matt and Paul teaching other health professionals and encouraging them to integrate this new tool into their practice and patient care.
As a result of this outreach work and conversations she had with interstate colleagues, Lesley and others realised that many people around Australia were working in this new field of diabetes care and education. Clearly, there was value in sharing experiences, discussing cases, and pondering questions and challenges to better support health professionals and people with diabetes.
Paul Zimmet remembers Lesley as a fine and inspirational health professional with a vibrant personality, lots of enthusiasm and creativity, a wonderful sense of humour, and strong leadership qualities. Lesley was held in very high esteem by colleagues and patients. Paul credits Lesley amongst others for helping him establish the IDI as a National and subsequently International Centre of Excellence in diabetes education and care.
In 1981, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) was formed with an initial membership of 248, comprising a cross-section of health professionals, including some diabetes industry representatives.
Lesley Cusworth in an early edition of the ADEA newsletter
Following her first 12 months of actively serving on the ADEA Steering Committee, Lesley helped others in developing the constitution and the Rationale Aims and Objectives of the ADEA. Lesley was then elected as the Inaugural President of ADEA in 1982. Key developments from her two years in this role included:
In September 2001, during the Annual Scientific Meeting at Conrad Jupiters on The Gold Coast, ADEA celebrated turning 20. Lesley was the invited guest of honour and spoke of the beginnings of ADEA. As part of the celebrations, Lesley acknowledged and congratulated ADEA on its achievements. She then joined past Presidents and others in cutting the amazing 20th-anniversary cake.
Lesley Cusworth cutting the ADEA’s 20th-anniversary cake
In the February 2002 edition of the ADEA Magazine, Lesley further reflected on her time as President. Lesley highlighted the following accomplishments as some of her main contributions:
When Lesley was asked about the main things she learnt from her time as President, her reply spoke of the power of working together as a team to facilitate and enable many things, and the passion and commitment of those involved that helped to communicate a vision for ADEA. Lesley felt that the creation of positive, long-lasting relationships and working together willingly created something of special significance.
After leaving IDI, Lesley, her husband Bob, and their family moved interstate and then overseas for a few years, for Bob’s work. Lesley went on to complete further studies. In 2006, she retired from Burnside Hospital, SA, after many successful years of working in a diverse number of clinical and managerial roles. Lesley had been much admired and respected by all at Burnside Private Hospital. In later years, Lesley enjoyed and excelled in volunteer work with the Guide Dogs of SA/NT.
Lesley was devoted to Bob, their three daughters, and five gorgeous grandchildren. She had many friends, both personal and professional, and enjoyed spending time with them.
Lesley was a true professional who maximised every opportunity to progress the development of ADEA and in doing so made a significant contribution to diabetes care and education in Australia. This was recognised in 1984 when she delightedly received her ADEA Honorary Life Membership Award. We are thankful that Lesley helped shape and forge a path for us all.
It was an honour to have known Lesley.
Victoria Stevenson RN CDE
