Register here to join a special #CroakeyLIVE webinar on leadership, from 4-5pm AEDT on 9 December.
Panel members will reflect upon their leadership journeys and share advice for others working to advance health equity, especially in a primary healthcare context.
The discussion will be moderated by Dr Tim Senior, a GP working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, who has recently completed a related Churchill Fellowship (read more in his articles for Croakey).
Hear from:
Members of the leadership team at Waminda, South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, which recently celebrated 40 years of Aboriginal Women in Leadership hosting the “Strong Women, Strong Community, Leading the Way” conference in Nowra, NSW. Waminda provides a culturally safe and holistic service, providing women and their Aboriginal families an opportunity to belong and receive quality health and well-being support.
Hayley Longbottom, Jerrinja, Cullunghutti, Wandi Wandandian woman.
“I commenced work at Waminda in 2010, wherein I was supported to gain and develop my skills transitioning through reception and admin to becoming a Health Worker. This led me to Leadership and management and I am now the Chief Executive Leader of Health and Wellbeing. In addition, I am an AH&MRC Human Research Ethics Committee Member and a NAATSIWHP Ambassador.
“I am passionate about the wellness of our community and standing side by side our women and their families on their journey to healing, nourishing and thriving. Being a proud local Koori woman and working for our community in a strong Koori women’s led organisation, I am able to honour the resistance and resilience of our ancestors and elders, while supporting guiding and mentoring our next generation.”
Melanie Briggs, descendant of the Gumbaynggirr and Dharawal peoples.
“I am a mum to two beautiful children and live on the traditional sacred lands of the Wodi Wodi people. I have a Bachelor of Midwifery, Master of Primary Maternity Care and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management.
“I am an Endorsed midwife and manage the Birthing on Country program at Waminda. I have knowledge and experience in the co-design and legislative change for NSW Private Health Facilities Act 2023 for standalone birth centres to remove requirements that restrict and reduce midwifery led continuity of care and autonomy.
“I have been involved in the review and development of national and local strategies, frameworks, governance and policies to enhance First Nations perspectives on cultural safety and the inclusion of raising awareness of racism in the health system, First Nations maternal and neonatal outcomes. My goal is to develop and sustain a culturally safe maternity model of care that embeds culture as the foundation and is Aboriginal women led and governed.”
Dr Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia
Elizabeth has more than 25 years’ experience as a CEO, chair, board director and key executive, driven by a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for all Australians. She was CEO of South East Melbourne Primary Health Network from 2015 – 2021, and chaired the Australian Digital Health Agency for several years.
Learne Durrington, CEO of the WA Primary Health Alliance
Learne is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Sciences, holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and an Honours Degree in Social Work, is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stay tuned for Croakey’s in-depth Q and A with Learne Durrington about her reflections on leadership – and how cycling helps.
This event is sponsored by the WA Primary Health Alliance as part of a Croakey project marking Medicare’s 40-year anniversary.
