Barwon Health

We are proud to support National Diabetes Week 2026.

Better diabetes care changes lives. With the right support, education and access to care, people living with diabetes can thrive and achieve their goals.

Our Diabetes Referral Centre team work together with people living with diabetes to provide the best possible care.

Take a moment to see their perspectives to "𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰..." and help raise awareness this National Diabetes Week.

Visit the Diabetes Australia website to learn more and access resources: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/

Birth Trauma Awareness Week | 13–19 July
Up to one in three women and their families experience birth trauma. Behind every statistic is a person whose experience of pregnancy or childbirth has had a lasting impact on their physical or emotional wellbeing. This Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Barwon Health is raising awareness and reminding families that support is available.

The NEST Clinic (Navigate, Empower, Support, Together), based at our Early Parenting Centre, provides compassionate, trauma-informed care for women and families experiencing birth trauma, perinatal mental health concerns, pregnancy loss and other complex challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Our multidisciplinary team of midwives, obstetricians, a perinatal psychiatrist and a mental health social worker work together to provide personalised care through three specialised services:
• Pregnancy Wellbeing Clinic – holistic antenatal care for women with complex psychosocial or mental health needs.
• Birth Debrief Clinic – a safe and supportive space to reflect on and process physically and emotionally traumatic birth experiences.
• Perinatal Loss Clinic – compassionate care for families following miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination for medical reasons.

No one should have to navigate birth trauma alone. Every story deserves to be heard, every experience acknowledged and every family supported.

If you or someone you know has been affected by birth trauma, you're not alone. Support is available.
🔹 Barwon Health Birth Debrief Service
https://bit.ly/3RwnFvL
🔹 PANDA – Childbirth Trauma and Recovery
https://bit.ly/4eSAUjk
🔹 COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence)
https://bit.ly/3SNLFLj
🔹 Birth Trauma Australia
https://bit.ly/4p9WfIs

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐟𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞
"I joined Barwon Health in June 2024 after relocating to Geelong with my family. Before that, I spent most of my career at the Royal Children's Hospital, working across a range of ambulatory and home-based services, most recently as a Care Coordinator with Hospital in the Home.

Now I work as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager at the Early Parenting Centre, leading and coordinating a team that supports families navigating the challenges of early parenthood. We provide care and guidance around sleep and settling, feeding, daily routines and the transition to life with a new baby. Families can attend either day stay or residential programs, and we work alongside them to develop practical, achievable strategies they can continue at home.

One of the most exciting parts of my journey has been joining the Early Parenting Centre before it opened and helping shape the service from the very beginning. It has been incredibly rewarding to see the centre grow into the supportive and welcoming service it is today.

I feel very fortunate to work alongside an amazing team of nurses, midwives, early parenting practitioners and allied health professionals. Everyone brings unique skills and experience, and we learn from each other every day.

The most rewarding part of my role is supporting parents during what can be an exhausting and overwhelming time. It is a privilege to help build confidence, strengthen family relationships and be part of the village that supports families as they raise their children."

🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC Week 2026 | 5–12 July

Barwon Health is proud to recognise NAIDOC Week 2026 and celebrate this year’s theme, “50 Years of Deadly”.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to support local community events and conversations throughout the week.

We encourage our staff and wider community to attend local events hosted by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and other community organisations across the region.

Learn more:
https://www.naidoc.org.au/
https://www.wathaurong.com.au/

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐟𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐰𝐞, 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐍𝐔𝐌 (𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫)

"I have worked at Barwon Health for seven years, starting in 2019 through the graduate nursing program. My first rotation was on Patricia Heath Wing 6, followed by six months in Main Operating Theatres. I quickly discovered a passion for theatre nursing and have continued to build my career there ever since.

After completing a Theatre Specialist Year and postgraduate studies in Anaesthetics, Recovery and Scrub/Scout Nursing, I found my true passion in orthopaedics. I progressed to a Clinical Nurse Specialist role before stepping into the Acting Orthopaedic Theatre ANUM position, which I have held for the past 12 months.

Today, I work closely with surgeons and theatre teams to coordinate specialised equipment, implants and instruments required for surgery, while also supporting staff and helping ensure our operating theatres run safely and efficiently. Alongside my leadership responsibilities, I continue to work clinically as a scrub/scout nurse, assisting with a wide range of orthopaedic procedures.

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is supporting the theatre team and helping create the best possible experience for our patients. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn, and I enjoy working alongside such a skilled and dedicated group of colleagues.

Becoming an ANUM has been a long-term career goal and a role I am incredibly proud to hold. I have been fortunate to receive amazing support from my nursing colleagues, managers and surgeons throughout my journey.

A special shoutout to my orthopaedic colleagues – I wouldn't be where I am today without their encouragement and support. They are a fantastic team to work alongside every day."