Meet the Maternal and Child Health Team
Published on 13 September 2024
Our dedicated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Team bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles, supporting families across Murrindindi Shire. From providing essential health services to offering personalised care and support, our team is here to help our families thrive. We asked them a few questions to discover more about them, what they love about their work and living in our Shire.
Can you tell us about your professional background?
Susan: After graduating from nursing in 2004 at St. Vincent’s and completing a post graduate diploma of Midwifery in 2007 through an employment model at Mercy Hospital for Women (where I continue to work casually in their Emergency Department), I went on to have three of my own children when the world of MCH called. I completed my student placement with Council mostly at Kinglake in 2018/19 and have continued in a part time role as MCH and immunisation nurse at Kinglake and Flowerdale. Most recently I completed the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant exam in March 2023 so I can offer much needed feeding support free of charge to our families.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Beth: I love working with the amazing families in Murrindindi Shire. I also have the privilege each day I work, to be with a wonderful team of the kindest professionals who do great work. Importantly I feel valued as part of the MCH team.
What does a typical day at work look like?
Nathalie: My days vary greatly week to week, as Coordinator my role is part administrative and part clinical – jack of all trades. Some days I’m attending meetings, completing reporting, service planning and staff support. Other days I could be immunising or backfilling staff leave in the centres, or on the road visiting people’s homes. I enjoy my clinical days as I could be working anywhere in the Shire. I offer outreach MCH support with Natalee S, to families who may not be able to get to our centres or who have a bit going on and need extra support.
What motivates you to come to work each day?
Natalee: Having the privilege of working alongside a team of dedicated and experienced MCH nurses to support vulnerable families within the local community. Although my position is sometimes confronting, it is very rewarding, and every day brings something different. I am motivated by knowing I am well supported by my Coordinator day to day, as well as with monthly clinical supervision. I enjoy constantly learning and expanding my knowledge of ways to support others.
What do you love most about Murrindindi Shire?
Louise: I love lots of things about Murrindindi Shire. I love the weather – that we see and feel the breadth of four seasons I love that my children feel safe and are fairly well known where we live – handy for me as the mother of three teenagers!!! I love my work, my colleagues, and the variety that my roles provide.
Tell us about your role and what you enjoy about Murrindindi Shire?
Faye: I thoroughly enjoy what the nature brings in the Shire in different seasons. I work as a MCH nurse mainly at Yea and I see families and their children until 5 years old. Weighing, measuring, answering phone calls and making appointments are part of my job but there is so much more. My main role is working with families and based on individual needs/concerns/safety to provide information/education/referrals. My assessments include, but are not limited to, children’s primitive reflexes to their fine/gross motor development, their babbles to their speech level, their initial nutritional status to their eating habits. I also include playing to learn their social/emotional/learning skills and the parent/child interaction. Supporting carer(s) and child’s journey as a family, adjustment of parenthood, post birth recoveries, common illnesses and mental health wellbeing.
We thank the MCH team for all the work they do for our community.