This Thursday is International Midwives Day - a time when we acknowledge the services provided by our dedicated professionals - especially here in Parkes.
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To mark the occasion, a general invitation has been issued to all young mums and their children to join with the local midwives in celebrating the day.
This will be in the form of a morning-tea at the Rotary Arboretum at Memorial Hill commencing at 10am.
For catering purposes those attending are asked to phone 6861 2430.
Midwives from the Parkes Maternity Unit are featured above in the gallery.
Barbara Stokes
Barb’s story began in the middle of the last century, 1950, when she was born at Tottenham Hospital.
After completing schooling at Tottenham, she achieved a Day Stenography/Shorthand qualification at Parkes Technical College.
Her nursing career began at Canberra Hospital, becoming a Registered Nurse.
Barb completed Midwifery Education at the Crown Street Women's Hospital at Surry Hills where the midwifery tutors proved to be a strong influence in instilling a strong advocacy for women.
In 1972, Barb returned to the Central West where she was employed at Parkes District Hospital.
In her own words she believes “this is where I really learnt to become a midwife’’ through the guidance of Sister F Downing, Sister Lee Ramsay, and Sister Jan Freeman, plus the support of GP Obstetricians Dr Waddell, Dr Arnheim, Dr Clement, Dr Thomas and others.
Nikky White
Born in Condobolin, Nikky is married to a paramedic and they have two daughters.
She started her career in local government, then had a career change to nursing with the goal of becoming a midwife.
Nikky completed her midwifery training in 2015.
“I have a passion for rural nursing and midwifery, particular after living in Condobolin and Bourke.
“I consider it an honour and a privilege to be involved in such a special moment of a woman’s life in assisting her to become a mother,” she said.
Nikky loves working with her fellow midwives who she describes as very encouraging and supportive, and also working in a maternity unity that is woman focused.
“I look forward to working in the new model of care KYM (Know Your Midwife).”
Johanne Burke, Maternity Unit Manager
Born in Tullamore, Jo grew up on a farm at Trundle.
Her school years were spent both in Trundle and Parkes.
Jo undertook and completed her Registered Nursing training at Parkes District Hospital before heading off to the Nepean Hospital in Penrith to do midwifery.
Her working years have mostly been in Parkes in the Maternity Unit, and in Forbes for a few years.
Currently Jo holds the position of Maternity Unit Manager of Lachlan Health Service (Parkes and Forbes).
“There were many changes in the old Parkes Hospital and I am now fortunate to work in the new building,” Jo said
“I have seen many changes in the way we manage care of our clients over the years, and am very excited to be part of the KYM program.”
Tanya Bayliss
Born and raised in Parkes, Tanya moved to Sydney to do registered nurse training after completing school here.
Married with four children - two born in Sydney and two here in Parkes - Tanya completed her student midwife year in 2015 .
This included continuity of care for 20 local women.
“During my training I learnt the value of knowing your own midwife and the importance of the woman-midwife relationship in enhancing a woman's pregnancy and birthing experience,” Tanya said.
Today she remains passionate about maintaining a wonderful service to local woman. I just love our rural lifestyle,” she said.
Pat Hele
Pat commenced nursing in the late 60s and then went into retail for a short time.
She has two grown-up children and seven grandchildren.
After returning to nursing in 1988, Pat commenced midwifery in 1989 at Gosford where she stayed for the next 19 years.
Pat transferred to Parkes in 2008 and retired in 2014.
“I got bored at home and volunteered to do a maternity relief position for 12 months,” she said.
“I thoroughly enjoy working holistically with mothers and babies and am currently part of the Casual Midwifery team.”
Kate Blackwood
Kate commenced her nurse training in 1975 in Scotland and then as a midwife in 1980.
She emigrated to Perth, WA, in 1988 with her twins who were five years old.
“I worked in Perth for five years and then Karratha for three years before moving to NSW and working in Trundle for five years,” she said.
“We then moved to Queensland where I did some agency work and then gained employment on Daydream Island in the Whitsundays.”
The family moved ‘back home’ to the UK where Kate cared for her elderly mother.
She returned to Australia in 2013 and commenced working at the Parkes Health Service.
“I enjoy working in Maternity and in all areas of the hospital.
“Having grown up on a dairy and beef farm in Scotland, I have always enjoyed living and working in rural areas,” Kate said.
Anita Jones
Born and raised on a farm near Goonumbla, today Anita is married to Shannon.
She commenced nursing at Orange Hospital in 2007 and then returned to Parkes to work at the local Health Service.
“I went back and worked at Orange Hospital for a couple of years and completed my midwifery training there in 2010 before returning to the Parkes Hospital in the middle of that year,” she said.
Today Anita works in the Emergency department of the hospital, and also as a midwife.
“I enjoy all areas of nursing and midwifery - supporting women and their families throughout pregnancy, birthing and after,” she said.
Breanne Doherty
Breanne is Canberra born and raised.
For 15 years she worked in numerous administration and customer service roles across the private and public sector.
In 2013 she commenced her Bachelor of Midwifery at the University of Canberra.
“My time at university involved a mix of theoretical and practical experience which helped me develop a strong personal midwifery philosophy based on individualised woman-centred care,” she said.
“In 2016 I received a rural/metro new graduate position, with six months at Parkes Hospital followed by six months at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.
“I value continuity of care as it aims to build trusting professional relationships between midwives and women,” Breanne said.
Julianne Ball
Born at the Parkes Hospital, Julianne completed her education here before studying Nursing at the University of Sydney from 1997 to 1999.
Julianne commenced work at the Canberra Hospital early in 2000 before gaining a position at the Parkes Health Service in 2002.
She then undertook midwifery training in 2004 and as part of the course, worked at Parkes, Orange Base and Nepean.
Julianne is the proud mum of three boys, twins born at Orange Base and the youngest at the Parkes Hospital.
Today she is actively involved in preparing and implementing the new KYM Model of Care.
“I love supporting women, babies and their families through the birthing journey and particularly enjoy working with a beautiful team of midwives here in Parkes,” she said..
Kristine Smith
Kristine commenced her nursing career in 1977 and trained in Orange.
She completed her midwifery in 1984 at Auburn in Sydney.
While in Sydney, Kristine worked at the then Prince Henry Hospital in the spinal unit and then on the vascular ward.
She moved back to Parkes in 1990 and commenced work in the Maternity Unit part time, and also with the hospital’s blood bank.
Leaving Parkes again in 2007, Kristine moved to Sydney and worked at the Royal North Shore in Maternity which she describes as ‘a great experience.’
Now back in Parkes, she is once again working in Maternity under the KYM model of care.
Kristine lists her interests as travelling (especially in Australia), sewing and golf.
Cath Byrnes
Cath has been a Registered Nurse for more than 20 years.
During this time she has spent the majority of her career working with families in the area of Paediatrics, Child and Family Health Nursing and Midwifery.
“I enjoy supporting families through the journey of parenthood,” Cath said.
“In particular, I find practising as a midwife in the community in which I live a very rewarding experience.”
Cath said she looks forward to supporting families within the new midwifery model of care.