After working for four years for the British Military Government as an interpreter, Helga Pettitt went to live in England to take up studies as a nurse. Upon graduating as a qualified nurse (SRN England), she accepted an offer from a London Hospital where, after about a year, was invited to become Charge Sister in one of their 3 theatres. There she met her Australian husband whom she married in London. After having one child in London Mrs Pettitt and her family came to Australia to live. While her children were growing up, she enrolled as a mature age student at Cumberland Campus and completed a Diploma in Community Health (ADCHN), in 1979. She returned to Cumberland after the amalgamation with Sydney University, completing a Grad.Dip.Appl.Sc in 1991.

In 1980, Mrs Pettitt, Dr. Phyllis Watson, AM, A/Prof Elaine Cornell formed the Faculty of Health Sciences Graduates Association, of which Mrs Pettitt has been the President for the last 25 years.

In 1992, Mrs Pettitt was invited to become a member of the then Standing Committee of Convocation and served as President from 1998 to 2000.
Since 2004 she has been a member of the Chancellor's Committee, assisting with the Antiques Exhibition, the Bookfest and in the Clock Tower Shop.