‘I owe a professional my life’: Kununurra nurse credited with saving patient

Gary Dixon wasn’t too concerned when he developed an ear infection after taking a dip at Swim Beach, a popular watering hole on the Upper Ord River.

But upon being admitted to nearby Kununurra District Hospital, the 63-year-old received some simple advice that would save his life.

“The triage nurse took my pulse and said it was ‘swishy’, so he told me to see a cardiologist next time I was in Perth,” Gary said. 

“When I saw the cardiologist, I was told I had a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).”

A BAV occurs when an unborn baby’s aortic valve develops just two cusps, or ‘flaps’, instead of the usual three.

It’s the most common congenital heart defect and, if left untreated, can cause serious complications including heart failure.

“The Cardiologist said we might need to do something about the valve in five to 10 years, but he asked me to come back in a year for a check up to gauge the deterioration rate,” Gary said.

“I went back in October 2025 and that’s when we found out the deterioration rate had gone from moderate to severe. The valve, which is supposed to be 30mm in diameter, was only 3mm – I could have simply dropped dead at any time.”

Gary was immediately booked in for an aortic valve replacement and underwent open heart surgery a month later.

Now living in the Goldfields, he said the recovery was going well despite an early hiccup that saw him admitted to Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital with pericarditis – swelling and irritation of the thin tissue surrounding the heart.

“That was six weeks after the operation, and I received excellent care at Kalgoorlie Hospital, too,” he said.

“But I would like to thank that nurse in Kununurra for saving my life!”

That nurse was Kim Bunny, who has worked at Kununurra District Hospital for 20 years.

Kim said Gary’s email went where all positive patient feedback goes — straight to the Emergency Department’s “good vibes board”.

“Kununurra Hospital has a pretty good reputation in our town, so we know we do a good job, but it is nice to hear feedback like that,” Kim said.

“It makes coming to work every day easier when you know you’re appreciated.”

Kim – who is a Clinical Nurse, Staff Development Nurse and accredited Advanced Resuscitation Instructor – said he wasn’t the only staff member who cared for Gary on that fateful day.

“I went back and read the notes from the presentation, and Gary did have an ECG (electrocardiogram) while he was here in Kununurra,” he said.

“The doctor listened to his heart and there was a bit of a murmur, so I was just one person in a team response. I’m so glad Gary acted upon our advice.”