Johnsons Baby Midwife of The Year
Midwife of the Year Award
JOHNSON’S® baby Midwife of the Year Award was launched on International Midwives Day (IMD), May 5, in 2000 to raise the profile of midwives and increase public awareness of the important role midwives play in the care of women and their families before, during and after the birth of their babies.
Although the award is only in its infancy it has already been a wonderful success in lifting the mood, spirit and profile of midwives. This success has the capacity to make this event one that will be clearly recognised and anticipated annually for what it is – a celebration and acknowledgment of the vital role midwives play in our communities.
The JOHNSON’S® baby Midwife of the Year Awards are appreciated by midwives and the Australian College of Midwives values Johnson & Johnson’s efforts in giving new mothers across Australia the opportunity to say a big public ‘thank you ‘ to their midwife. Most midwives love working with women and babies and they don’t expect or even want a public fuss about what they do. But it’s nice to be recognised as having made a difference to a woman’s life.
“This is a fantastic idea and is a symbol of recognition to all midwives. It is lovely to see the profile of Midwives exposed and lifted. Being named Johnson’s baby Midwife of the Year was an extremely high point in my career”
Nominations close on 31 December each year and winners are announced around International Midwives Day, 5 May. the following year.
Nominate a Midwife of the Year
2006 State Award Winners
A total of 1,225 nominations were received from mothers/parents of babies born in 2006; Johnson's Baby and the Australian College of Midwives would like to congratulate all midwives who were nominated for these awards. Below are the state winners:
National and Victorian State Midwife of The Year
Joanne Tuohy - Mercy family Birthing Unit
"Jo's honest and caring nature has inspired confidence and reassurance during the wonderful experience of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Her care has been outstanding and flawless and has ensured a smooth transtion from pregnancy to motherhood. In fact, she has been so inspirational I have decided to study midwifery myself!"
J&J Baby rep with Joanne, floral shirt, Tracey and her family
National Runner-up and Queensland State Midwife of the Year
Sue Hampton - Royal Womens Hospital
"The birth of my daughter was an amazingly positive experience made possible due to the experience and expertise of my midwife. Sue's calm and confident presence, inspiring but not intruding, reassuring when self-doubting, encouraging when tough going, and her extensive knowledge allowed me to birth my daughter as nature intended. I still glow from it."
Sue, left, with Judy and her daughter
NSW
Noleen Lang
- Orange Base Hospital
"We arrive at hospital as Noelene starts work. A trusting warm face. Supportive, attentive, empowering. Four hours later Noelene lets me reach down and deliver our little boy. A country midwife in a country hospital, ensuring regional patients have access to the best midwives in Australia"
Noleen, left, with Genya and her son
ACT
Melissa Pearce - Canberra Midwifery Program
"Her professionalism, support and encouragement during 27.5 hours in labour resulted in me labouring without medical pain relief and an unassisted birth. She provided personal books/ videos for education - resulting in successful breastfeeding and gave confidence to become a relaxed parent, providing a pleasant and enjoyable experience. She earned our complete trust"
Melissa, centre, with Leanne her daughter Madeline and Trudy and son Hunter.
TAS
Terry Stockdale - Independent Practice
"She is Generous, professional and highly motivated: Caring and available, achievements understated; Skillful and adaptable and open to discussions; Confidence inspiring - How come she NEVER rushes? She comforts, Reassures us, Elimates our fear. Yes, Terry Stockdale qualifies for Midwife of the Year!"
Terry, left, with Rory and hisr family
SA
Patrice O'Loughlin - North West Community Midwifery Program
"Patrice's support and care made what would otherwise have been a stressful and frightening time of my life beautiful and fulfilling. I found myself alone, pregnant and living in an unfamiliar area with no family, yet had a beautiful homebirth with my 2 yr old daughter present and now have a perfect baby boy. Words are not enough."
NT
Mo Davy - Darwin Homebirth Service
"She's awesome! Understanding, cares, knows her stuff inside and out, supportive and has an absolute wealth of knowledge and everything she suggested works! I hope Mo stays in practice until I'm done having kids! I couldn't (and don't want to) imagine birthing without her. She's a credit to midwifery, and to homebirthing."
Mo, left, with Sarah and Marshall
WA
Theresa Clifford - Community Midwives Program
"She has supported our choices with love and wisdom during the births of our three sons (two of whom were born at home). Her care extending into our time of grief when our first and third babies died of severe congenital hydrocephalus. She has not only been our midwife, but our guardian angel at the gates between life and death."
Rewards
The Johnson’s® baby Midwife of the Year receives a weekend away including flights, two nights’ accommodation, all meals, a pampering session plus a gift basket of Neutrogena® skincare products.
The finalist in each state and territory receives a night on the town for two, including overnight accommodation and dinner at a luxury city hotel.
The people who nominate the above winners each receive gift packs of Johnson & Johnson products valued at $100 each.
Johnsons baby Midwife of the Year Honours Roll
2005
NSW Jaclyn Hill Smith
ACT Robyn Blake
VIC Helen Van Dooren
TAS Garry Kernan
QLD Donna Lugge
SA Patrice O'Loughlin
NT Jenni Gilbert
WA Mary Murphy (National Midwife of the Year)
2004
NSW Adele Rees
ACT Vera Meisel-Dennis
VIC Leonie Maybury
TAS Deb Clay
QLD Wendy Buchanan (National Midwife of the Year)
SA Wendy Thornton
NT Jane Holland
WA Angie Farley
2003
NSW Lyn Falconer
ACT Anne Wilson
VIC Linda Lawrence
TAS Dianne Summers
QLD Karen Johnston
SA Janelle Whelan
NT Janet Luckett (National Midwife of the Year)
WA Kathy Milstead
2002
NSW Lucinda Russell
ACT Vera Miesel-Dennis
VIC Gentila Rielen
TAS Terry Stockdale (National Midwife of the Year)
QLD Linda Binding
SA Denise Healy
NT Jennifer Gilbert
WA Laurae Delane
2001
NSW Lucinda Russell
ACT Dale Lilley
VIC Barbara kortland
TAS Ruth Forrest
QLD Donna Feichtner
SA Jannine Evans
NT Carolyn Casserley
WA Josie Goh (National Midwife of the Year)