Lorna Freckleton was offered a position with similar requirements 10 years ago, and on Friday was honoured with an award for her long service to Queensland Health.

Camooweal local Ms Freckleton was on the look-out for a new calling and when the Camooweal Primary Health Clinic was in need of a cook, she put up her hand up for the job.

"When I came back to Camooweal no one wanted the job at the clinic because you had to work Saturday and Sunday and most public holidays," she said.

"I gave it a go and I never left."

Ms Freckleton said she remembered her grandmother was a nurse at the clinic years ago and was known for curing almost everyone she helped.

"She'd call up the doctors in Townsville and find out what medicines she needed to give people to make them better," she said.

"Once she took a man that had been shot in the hand in a buggy to the hospital at Cloncurry.

"Every hour she would stop on the side of the road, get a fire going and boil up some water to clean and dress his wound - that man never even lost a finger."

Ms Freckleton said she wasn't responsible for doling out medicines or treating illnesses, but did her part to keep the clinic's patients fed.

"I was in charge of cooking and dishing up meals," she said.

"I used to do some washing too, and all things related to house keeping really."

She said desserts were very popular with patients, especially the old fashioned bread and butter puddings.

"Most of the patients of Home and Community Care (HACC) have kidney problems so we try not to serve too many salty or fatty foods," she said.

Home-made damper and a picnic on the river bank was another treat Ms Freckleton and the HACC staff used to indulge their patients with.

Looking back on her 10 years with Queensland Health she said she doesn't know what she will do with herself when she retires but was grateful for the opportunity to work with the clinic.

"I was lucky to get a job there and I will always be grateful for that," she said.