One started her medical career in South Africa more than 40 years ago. The other started as an accountant. Despite taking two very different paths, Staff Specialists Marian Bray and Elizabeth Parkinson (Parky) have found the same reward in helping Bayside families through some of life's biggest moments.
Marian has witnessed enormous change during her medical career of more than 20 years at Redland Hospital and decades across different continents.
"We've gone from gas anaesthetics to intravenous anaesthetics," she said.
She said new airway devices had also transformed patient care, giving anaesthetists more options during surgery and making treatment safer for many patients.
"We didn't have laryngeal masks. Every patient either needed a breathing tube, or we held a mask ourselves," Marian said. "Now we have more options. They've saved lots of lives."
While Marian has watched the specialty evolve over four decades, Parky took a very different path into medicine.
"I was an accountant before, and I didn't find it very morally fulfilling," she said. "I then went back and studied medicine, did two years of intensive care and then jumped to anaesthetics.
"I love it. It's a great environment, and you really can help patients. We're meeting people at a vulnerable time, and they trust us. It's quite a beautiful thing."
Working in maternity is one of the most rewarding parts of the role.
"I find, particularly in emergency cases, women are anxious, and they just want their baby to be safe," Parky said. "If we can help support them through that, then in recovery, they're so grateful. It's a really intimate and an amazing experience to be part of."
For Marian, it's often the smallest moments that stay with her.
"I think it's the thank-yous. When you get a thank-you, it just lightens your day. You know you've really helped them."
Marian has worked at Redland Hospital for more than 25 years and has watched the anaesthetic department grow from just two doctors to the busy service caring for the Bayside community today.