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2007
category
winners
2007
northern
territory
nurse of the
year
Gill
Gorham was
the exceptional
finalist at
this year’s
awards and
was awarded 2007
Nurse of The
Year. Gill is
also winner
of the Acute
Care Award and
has been providing
outstanding
care in the
specialist
field of Renal
Nursing to
Territorians
for many years.
Gill has been
providing
outstanding
care in the
specialist
field of Renal
Nursing to
Territorians
for many years.
For the past
three years
Gill has been
working in
the Acute
Care Service
Planning Division
with responsibility
for coordinating
and leading
the development
of the Renal
Strategy for
the expansion
and provision
of Renal Service
across the
NT. She is
also developing
the National
Guidelines
for Renal
Dialysis and
transplant
for Remote
Areas.
She
has
been
a
nurse
for
28
years
and
has
worked
in
the
NT
for
the
last
20
years.
Gill
has
been
the
Nurse
in
charge
of
the
Medical
Ward
at
RDH
and
the
Darwin
Renal
Unit
and
has
been
instrumental
in
setting
up
and
designing
most
of
the
renal
units
in
the
Territory.
In
addition
Gill
has
developed
a
renal
resource
video
to
assist
with
the
education
of
Indigenous
clients
and
a
key
Renal
Training
Manual
for
Aboriginal
health
Worker
education.
Category
2: Aged Care & General
Practice
Jennifer
Messell is
the winner
of the Aged
Care and General
Practice Award,
Jennifer has
worked in
the Territory
as a nurse
for about
20 years,
working for
11 years at
Juninga Centre,
residential
aged care
and also dedicating
many years
to the Stuart
Park Surgery.
At Juninga
Centre Jennifer
was an RN
and has been
Director of
Nursing for
the last year.
Jennifer
particularly
enjoys
the
clinical
challenges
presented
by
caring
for
Aboriginal
clients,
and
also
finds
that
interaction
with
a
different
culture
interesting,
saying
she
learns
something
new
everyday.
Category
3: Community
Care
Robyn
Wardle is
the winner
of the Community
Care Award,
Robyn has
been lauded
by her colleagues
as "showing
that the sky
is the limit
for a nurse
with talent
and dedication".
She has worked
as a Clinician,
Educator and
Program Coordinator
at Family
Planning in
Darwin and
has over 20
yrs experience.
During this
time Robyn
has trained
and supported
literally
hundreds of
Remote and
Urban based
nurses in
the area of
women's health,
screening
and sexual
and reproductive
health. Robyn
is well known
throughout
the Territory
and is held
in high esteem
by peers,
colleagues
and others
working in
Government
and Non Government
Organisations.
Now
the
CEO
of
Family
Planning
NT,
Robyn
continues
to
practice
as
a
nurse
and
remains
passionate
about
promoting
and
improving
the
health
of
women
in
the
Territory.
Category
4: Graduate
of the Year
Carolyn
Lloyd is
the winner
of the Graduate
of the Year
Award and
was nominated
on the basis
of her strong
interest and
performance
while on rotation
to a remote
area clinic.
Arriving in
this community
for a four
month placement,
Carolyn very
quickly made
her mark in
the community
and in the
clinic, with
two long-serving
Remote Area
Nurses recognised
her obvious
potential
as a clinician.
Carolyns personal
qualities
quickly saw
her become
a valued and
trusted member
of the community
and was invited
to participate
in all aspects
of community
life including
cultural activities.
Carolyn was
even invited
to return
to the community
as a Remote
Area Nurse
in her own
right.
Category
5: Living
Legend
Joyce
Bowden is
the winner
of the Living
Legend Award and
was nominated
under the
heading of "a
role model
for nurses".
Joyce began
work as a
general nurse,
Midwife and
Maternal and
Child Health
Nurse at Alice
Springs Hospital
in 1964. Over
the next 40+
years Joyce’s
commitment
and contribution
to nursing
and health
services in
Central Australia
has been immense.
Joyce
has
provided
acute
and
community & child
health
services
in
the
town
and
town
camps
and
ambulance
retrievals
escort
services.
She
progressed
Matron
at
ASH.
Joyce
has
been
Director
of
nursing
education,
Director
of
Community
Health
and
Educational
Services
in
central
Australia,
even
General
Manager
for
ASH
and
Tennant
Creek
hospitals.
Joyce
was
awarded
an
OAM
for
her
services
to
Health
and
a
Fellow
of
the
Royal
College
of
Nursing.
Category
6: Mental
Health
Martin
Musco is
the winner
of the Mental
Health Award and
began nursing
in 1986. Martin
has been a
General and
Psychiatric
Nurse in the
Northern Territory
since1993.
Currently
performing
the
role
of
a
Community
Liaison
Nurse
in
the
Inpatient
Unit,
Martin
is
involved
in
the
important
business
of
discharge
planning
for
admitted
clients.
In
addition
he
works
liaising
with
NGO's
in
and
around
Darwin
and
remote
communities.
There
he
provides
a
vital
link
between
the
Inpatient
Unit
and
other
agencies
to
make
transition
of
clients
back
into
the
community
as
smooth
as
possible.
Martin
says, “the
attraction
of
working
in
the
Northern
Territory
is
there
is
no
other
place
quite
like
it!”
Category
7: Midwifery
Desley
Williams is
the winner
of the Midwifery
Award maintaining
an exemplary
level
of practice
in the
NT for
almost
20 years.
For almost
a decade
Desley
was the
Manager
of Maternity
Services
in Katherine
Hospital
and she
has been
involved
in improving
systems
to promote
quality
service
delivery,
in particular
perinatal
data collection.
Delsey
spent four
years in
Papua New
Guinea
on a Maternal
Child
Health
Project
and since
returning
to the
Territory,
has taken
up the
role of
Remote
Outreach
Midwife
where
she provides
a leadership
role and
supports
some of
the most
isolated
midwives
in the
country.
Delsey
is Currently
a Director
on the
Board of
the Australian
College
of Midwives.
Category
8: Remote
Margaret
McLean is
the winner
of the Remote
Award and
has spent
the past 30
years of her
nursing career
managing and
coordinating
the provision
of primary
health care
services in
rural and
remote communities.
Although Margaret
has worked
in a number
of locations,
she is recognised
for her work
as a Remote
Area Nurse
at Elliott.
Also for being
the Rural
Systems Manager
for the Coordinated
Care Trial
Information
System, which
provided the
basis for
the territory
wide Primary
care Information
System.
Margaret
is
a
staunch
advocate
for
Aboriginal
Health
Worker
training
and
has
mentored
and
supported
Aboriginal
Health
Workers
as
integral
members
of
the
primary
health
care
team.
Category
9: Enrolled
Nurse
Marlene
Herron is
one of the
joint winners
of the Enrolled
Nurse Award.
Marlene originally
came to Darwin
in 1977 from
New Zealand,
and has spent
22 of the
last 26 years
working as
an Enrolled
Nurse in Intensive
Care and the
High Dependency
Unit at RDH.
In that time
Marlene has
seen many
developments,
including
growth of
the Unit from
5 beds to
an 18 bed
level one
unit, staffing
four intensivists
and over fifty
full time
highly skilled
nurses. She
says she “feels
very privileged
to be working
in such a
diverse, busy
and rewarding
stream of
nursing.”
Maureen
York is
another winner
of the Enrolled
Nurse Award,
Maureen has
worked for
the last 23
years for
the Department.
For the first
nine years
she worked
as a surgical
EN at Alice
Springs Hospital,
and has been
working as
an Enrolled
Nurse for
the past 14
years in Community
Health. Maureen
is recognised
as an Exemplary
Practice EN
and specialises
in Wound Management
and Stomal
Care. In fact
Maureen is
the stoma
resource nurse
for Central
Australia,
providing
ongoing post
operative
care, education,
advice and
counselling
for clients
locally, plus
long distance
advice and
information
to staff in
urban and
remote communities.
2006 category winners
2006 northern territory nurse of the year
Mary Williams – Acting General Manager/DON, Tennant Creek Hospital
Mary is the Acting General Manager and Nursing Director for the Tennant Creek Hospital.
The role of the CNM in Tennant Creek Hospital is quite diverse and keeps Mary very busy. On an average day Mary could be working in the Emergency Department, then rushes off to Operating Theatre while trying to finish the nursing roster. She has an extremely good sense of humour which helps deal with almost anything.
The experience Mary gained in Tennant Creek enabled her to cope following a tragic bus accident that occurred in Egypt in January this year. Twenty-six people were injured at the scene that needed triaging and transportation to the nearest hospital. Mary’s triage skills enabled her to prioritise the injured for transport, perform basic treatments as there was minimal resources on hand. Of the 26 transported to hospital all survived. Unfortunately five people on the bus were killed instantly and one died at the scene. Mary’s skills and experience assisted her in coping with this horrific tragedy and offer support to those around her, including her family.
Mary has thoroughly enjoyed 32 years of working as a nurse. The many friends and peers that Mary has, and the inspiration she has obtained from other nurses means that she would recommend nursing as a career to others.
category 1: acute care
Mary Williams – Acting General Manager/DON, Tennant Creek Hospital
Mary has been the Clinical Nurse Manager of Tennant Creek Hospital since December 1996 and during this time she has regularly acted as the Director of Nursing. Mary is currently Acting as both General Manager and Nursing Director.
Her greatest aim is to support all the staff in the Tennant Creek Hospital and is fortunate to be working with a great team in Tennant Creek.
Many of you would have read about Mary’s involvement in the bus crash in Egypt earlier in the year while she was on holidays with her family there. Mary, you are certainly an inspiring role model of the capacity of the Australian Nurse, both in the NT and overseas.
category 2: aged care & general practice
Mary Greenup – Tiwi Gardens Aged Care, Darwin
Mary is the Site Manager and Director of Nursing at Masonic Homes Tiwi Gardens Aged Care facility, which is a 50 bed high and low care facility for Darwin residents. She also oversights the Darwin Masonic Homes, a 30-bed independent living home for older people.
Mary began her nursing training in Sydney, and has worked in Alice Springs and Darwin and has dedicated her career to aged care in the last 25 years. She has been the Director of Nursing since 2004.
Mary has lived in the NT for over 30 years, raised five children while carrying on a professional career.
category 3: community care
Tim Emerton – Alcohol & Other Drugs, Darwin
Tim is the Clinical Nurse Manager at the Darwin Withdrawal Services, Coconut Grove which is a key part of the Alcohol & Other Drugs Unit. In this role he has managerial duties and an active clinical role in assisting people dependent on a range of legal and illegal substances to withdraw.
Tim became interested in nursing when he worked in the Air Force as a medical clerk. He went on to become an Enrolled Nurse, then onto University to become a Registered Nurse.
Tim finds alcohol and other drug nursing to be a challenging and an extremely rewarding career choice and is excited about advances in the field and how this will change his nursing practice.
Tim was nominated because he is regarded by his colleagues as being a champion of ongoing personal and professional development. He is a committed nurse and is studying towards an Advanced Nurse qualification and is hoping to become one of the first Nurse Practitioners in the Northern Territory.
category 4: graduate of the year
Bridget Franc – ICU/HDU, Royal Darwin Hospital
Bridget was nominated because throughout her graduate year, she demonstrated outstanding qualities, and is an advocate and a professional role model for the nursing profession.
Two examples of Bridget’s initiative are that, while on rotation on the Medical Ward, Bridget identified that nursing handovers could be streamlined and the ward has now implemented this new process. During her time on Surgical Ward, Bridget identified a need to improve her knowledge on wound care. She researched wound care and then made a pictorial flip chart presentation on the basic principles of wound care to her colleagues, which enhanced other student nurses’ clinical abilities.
category 5: living legend
Nan Miller – Centre for Disease Control, Darwin (retired)
Nan Miller is a living legend, not only in the Centre for Disease Control where she worked for many years, but throughout all health providers in the NT. Nan’s name has become synonymous with immunisation achievement throughout the NT, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
In 1989 Nan become the Senior Immunisation Project Officer at the Centre for Disease Control in Darwin and remained there for 15 years, being responsible for organising the mass vaccination programs throughout the NT, including the national Meningococcal C program which aimed to immunise all children between 1 and 19 years of age. She also coordinated the vaccination of 400 Timor refugees in 1999 during a measles outbreak.
Nan pioneered safe vaccine storage guidelines throughout the NT, ahead of other jurisdictions. These eventually formed the building blocks of ‘cold chain’ management throughout Australia. Nan’s recommendation and diagrams are included in national publications, including the current Australian Immunisation Handbook (8 th Edition).
Nan completed a Masters in Public Health, concentrating on Hepatitis B disease. She then developed the NT Hepatitis B Vaccine Policy & Public Health Management Guidelines, and provided education programs for health professionals, as well as the Police and other emergency service workers.
Nan worked in Papua New Guinea for three years as the Cold Chain Logistics Adviser and the Expanded Immunisation Program Adviser to the Women’s and Children’s Health Project in Port Moresby. She implemented a Train the Trainer program there on cold chain management and logistics. Recently she participated in the planning and development of the national Supplementary Immunisation program.
In 2000, Nan was the inaugural winner of the National Immunisation Award and stands alone as a Living Legend.
category 6: mental health
Deborah Spurgeon – Top End Mental Health Services, Darwin
Deborah has been with Top End Mental Health Services since Feb 2000 and is currently the Community Mental Health Nurse for the Darwin Remote Mental Health Team.
Deborah enjoys the challenge of providing visiting mental health services to remote communities, clients, families and assisting, supporting and guiding primary health care providers to care for mentally ill clients.
Deborah is motivated because she believes her work makes a difference to the clients and their families.
She loves the people, the beautiful country and with no office she believes she has the best job!
category 7: midwifery
Heather Hancock – Homebirthing Services, Alice Springs and Darwin
Heather was employed by the Department of Health & Community Services to implement its home birth service in Darwin and Alice Springs.
Heather has completed this project with professionalism, integrity and efficiency. She networked with a vast range of stakeholders who held a wide variety of views and opinions to develop a service that is credible, professional, sustainable and widely accepted. Through her strong but gentle character Heather has been successful in engaging difficult clinicians in the required consultation process.
Heather has a number of postgraduate qualifications and is a “Doctor of Midwifery”.
category 8: remote
Janet Rigby – Wadeye Health Centre
Janet is a Remote Area Nurse Manager at Port Keats having previously worked as a RAN at Oenpelli. Six months ago Janet returned to Wadeye, the largest remote health care centre. Since her return, Janet has made many improvements and kept the service functional during some very challenging times.
Janet has built excellent relationships with the community, nursing staff and Aboriginal Health Workers at Wadeye. She has also developed a newsletter to the community to keep them informed of health matters and activities of the health centre.
Janet was nominated for her personal commitment to Indigenous Health, her team at Port Keats and to her colleagues.
2005 category winners
overall winner northern territory nurse for 2005
Simon Murphy – Palliative Care, Royal Darwin Hospital
Simon has been in the palliative care service since 1997, the last five years as Clinical Nurse Consultant. Before that he was a clinical nurse specialist with a background in Community Health and aged care which has spanned a 15 year period.
Much of Simon’s work has involved the treatment and care of Indigenous people and their families while working in the rural remote areas of the Top End and as Palliative Care CNC at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Simon will complete a Master of Public Health this year. His other qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Gerontology (1993) and Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care (1998).
category 1: acute care nurse of 2005
Simon Murphy – Palliative Care, Royal Darwin Hospital
Simon is described as a committed and professional nurse who maintains high standards and supports others to do the same: colleagues of Simon use words like “inspirational”!
Simon’s current role includes providing support to other health professionals who have commented how Simon is always so accommodating, supportive, and willing to share knowledge with others.
Simon’s manager says he is client focused, non judgmental and a true team member; always considering the needs of indigenous clients and their cultural needs when advising on the delivery of care and support.
Simon supports the development of nursing and nursing knowledge having been involved in research for indigenous palliative care as well as currently being involved in the development of the Nurse Practitioner model. Simon has assisted with the development of the Nurse Practitioner nurse evaluation and business case for the project and has clearly identified, along with the Palliative Care Director, the significant potential contribution of a Nurse Practitioner in the Territory.
.
category 2: aged care nurse of 2005
Rosemary Jeffery – Terrace Gardens, Farrar
Rosemary has been working in aged care since 1986. She is passionate about aged people’s rights, especially when they are admitted to residential care.
Rosemary has worked at all levels including direct hands-on care of residents through to Senior Management. Besides her nursing qualifications she has completed a Certificate in Gerontic care as well as a Graduate Diploma in nursing though University of New England. Rosemary also has a certificate in Aged Care External Assessors and has been very active as a member of the National Rural Health Alliance promoting aged care issues in rural and remote Australia.
A friend who has known Rosemary for over 20 years has nominated her in the Aged Care category. The nominee also states that Rosemary assisted her daughter whilst she was undertaking her nursing degree, providing support and sharing her knowledge. Rosemary, a Darwin resident for 24 years, is a mother of four children.
category 3: community nurse of 2005
Marg Tyrrell – Community Health Centre, Alice Springs
Marg has been demonstrating outstanding practice in Community Health Nursing in the Territory since 1987. She has obtained a Masters in Public Health and continues to strive for innovation, development of the broader concepts of “health, not just illness”, is the driving force behind the Quality Management Committee and described as a “fantastic” change agent and strong advocate for interdepartmental and agency collaboration. Marg has presented papers at national and international conferences and has a number of publications to her credit.
A parent of four, Marg also has a strong commitment to the community, plays two instruments (not at the same time) in the town band, holds a position on the Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Central Australian Branch and is a volunteer at the Araluen Arts Centre.
category 4: mental health nurse of 2005
Brian Mitchell, Mental Health Unit, Alice Springs Hospital
Brian was nominated by a colleague and has provided stability and consistency in a rapidly changing work environment for the past five years. He has provided continuously outstanding care to mental Health clients and has always demonstrated the highest professional standards.
Brian is known for his outstanding “diplomatic” skills and leadership, shares his knowledge and skills with staff, especially in the management of workplace aggression and violence. He demonstrates time and again, in the most trying and stressful situations, the ability to defuse and minimise aggression.
The nominee states, “I hold Brian in highest regard, as many of his work colleagues do, and can only hope to be as outstanding a mental health nurse as he is”.
category 5: midwife of 2005
Theodora Allen - Congress Alukura and Departmental Homebirth Midwife, Alice Springs
This is the second year that Theodora has been nominated. She has been nominated by clients and colleagues for her outstanding quality in midwifery practice and especially her sensitivity to Aboriginal clients.
One client has commented that Theodora demonstrated, “exceptional high level quality care and with a commitment to safety. As a health care professional myself, I am impressed by her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to women and advocating for alternative options and choices to hospital births”.
Theodora has also worked closely with the Department of Health and Community Services since November 2004 to deliver Homebirthing Services in Alice Springs and work on a model to be available in Darwin.
category 6: remote nurse of 2005
Remote Nurse of the Year - Janet Fletcher , Ngukurr
Janet reflects attributes of many “standing out from the outstanding”. An Aboriginal Health Worker colleague has nominated the Remote Area Nurse. Her service spans 29 years, 15 of which have been in the NT.
She has recently been named as the Territory’s Barnados Mother of the Year as well as winning an Australia Day Council Regional Local Hero Award. Somehow Janet has managed to find time to be mum to four children, a wife, a remote nurse, complete her Masters degree in Remote Health Management and be an inspiration to many.
2004 category winners
Acute Nurse of the Year - Fred Miegel
The recipient of the Acute Nurse Award for 2004 was Fred Miegel from the Central Australia, Palliative Care Service.
Fred is described as the backbone of his service area, with an outstanding level of patient care and a commitment to ensuring that people have a quality service.
Fred is a "practical clear thinker" who "cares not only for the patient but for everyone else, including staff". Involved in promoting and sustaining his programme, his vision for nursing is to ensure that nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry out best practice in their field.
Community Nurse of the Year - Maureen Egan
The recipient of the Community Nurse Award for 2004 was Maureen Egan from Casuarina Community Care Centre.
Maureen has been working as a "Bush Nurse", in the Northern Territory since 1978, in remote communities at Oenpelli, Kalkaringi, Lajamanu, Mataranka, Maningrida and Bagot Community Darwin.
In 1982 Maureen took up the position of Aboriginal Health Worker Educator in Katherine for 12 months.
In 1984 she commenced the Diploma of Community Nursing and after maternity leave went to work in Community Health and Community Care Centres specialising in Child and Family Health.
Maureen is described as "wonderful, and very caring for her clients and peers", "always going the extra mile, and doing a lot of work behind the scenes". She has been instrumental in developing "family-friendly programs" and assisted in establishing the NT Child and Family Nurses Association.
Mental Health Nurse of the Year - Vicki Norton
The recipient of the Mental Health Nurse Award for 2004 was Vicki Norton from the Mental Health Unit, Alice Springs Hospital.
Vicki was nominated for her outstanding care and advocacy to clients, particularly for her work with indigenous clients and community organisations. An example is her work in coordinating community volunteer organisations to assist in improving accommodation for clients.
Maureen also assists undergraduate student placements in the mental health unit and in the community.
Midwife of the Year - Cynthia Prime
The recipient of the Midwifery Award for 2004 was Cynthia Prime from the Maternity Unit, Katherine Hospital.
Cynthia was nominated by her colleagues for her outstanding quality of midwifery practice, especially her sensitivity to Aboriginal clients. The hospital where Cynthia works is well known for its women-sensitive models of birth care and excellent collaboration across professions and the community.
Cynthia provides support and leadership to her colleagues, while supporting her own and others continuing professional development. She also reaches outside the hospital to the community contributing to programs supporting mothers, families and their children.
Remote Nurse of the Year - Sharon Weymouth
The recipient of the Remote Nurse Award for 2004 was Sharon Weymouth from Yirrkala Health Centre.
Sharon is a dynamic, highly motivated and clinically excellent nurse and midwife. Sharon's boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity for nursing and caring for others has a profound impact on those around her.
Sharon's role modelling, support and mentoring is highly recognised and appreciated by her colleagues.
Overall Winner - Northern Territory Nurse for 2004 - Sharon Weymouth
The overall winner, the NT Nurse of 2004, recognised for outstanding achievements and contribution was Sharon Weymouth from Yirrkala Health Centre. Sharon was the winner of the Remote Nursing Award.
Sharon brought her family to the Northern Territory in 1997, soon becoming a highly respected member of the maternity team with her outstanding clinical skills and commitment to midwifery care. Of particular interest was learning about what was important for Aboriginal women to ensure their birthing was culturally safe and appropriate.
Sharon went on to work in the Emergency Department, Children's Ward and as the After Hours Coordinator, with a high desire to improve her knowledge and skills-base. Whilst working in the Children's Ward, she also undertook a Paediatric Nursing Course through the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide.
Taking up the position of Women's Health Nurse, which involved visiting remote clinics and developing close relationships with Aboriginal women, this nurse grasped the opportunity, to utilise her artistic talent along with her clinical knowledge to develop teaching materials relevant to each community.
A skilled teacher, she has provided education programs on women's health, and is always willing to share her knowledge. Sharon has practiced nursing in Katherine and Gove and has also done remote area nursing.
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