Message from the CEO
Hello members,
Warm greetings from Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country. The trees are turning on their Autumn colours, the winter jackets have been retrieved from storage, and we can now use our heaters (apparently a Canberra thing to hold off on heaters until after ANZAC day). I hope you’re all finding moments to breathe amongst the busyness of work, family and community. Wherever this newsletter finds you, I’m sending care and solidarity your way.
I want to start by acknowledging the passing of Dr Naomi Mayers, a nurse who trained in the 1950s, an entertainer (founding member of The Sapphires), and celebrated Indigenous affairs leader. Dr Mayers’ courageous and determined leadership and advocacy greatly influenced the landscape of Aboriginal health in this country. I honour her legacy with the deepest respect.
The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy and rewarding period. Amongst the usual day-to-day administration efforts and partner engagement, I have also had the opportunity to get out-and-about to share some of CATSINaM’s efforts and catch up with members.
In March, I attended the NMBA National Conference alongside our Chief Midwifery Officer, Professor Cath Chamberlain. CATSINaM presented with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and Ahpra on our partnership agreement work that aims to further embed cultural safety within regulation. I was also on a panel with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health regulation leaders speaking on addressing racism through evidence-based and accountable regulation practice.
In May, I had the opportunity to present at the Our Ways Forum in Cairns, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurse and midwife led approaches to governance, leadership and systems change were front and centre. Such gatherings impress on the power we reclaim when we lead from culture and community, and when we centre our own ways of knowing, being and doing. A big thanks to Queensland Health’s First Nations Midwifery Director, Melina Connors, and First Nations Nursing Director, Rosie Borey, for the invitation, and JCU nurse academic, Sammy-Jo Kupfer, and her JCU team, for hosting the event.
We’ve seen some of our deadly health professionals on TV. The impressive Aboriginal midwives from Waminda were featured on SBS’s Our Medicine, caring for community, speaking with authority, and simply being their-deadly-selves. Congrats you mob! I also heard that CATSINaM came up as a question on a television game show, which made me smile… and then pause. How often do First Nations led health organisations enter mainstream awareness like that? These moments, big and small, matter.
In May we celebrated International Day of the Midwife (IDM) and International Nurses Day (IND), and I want to say clearly: I see you. I see the complexity of the work you carry, the systems you navigate, and the care you continue to provide even when conditions are tough. Thank you for leading with strength, skill and culture every day.
I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to awesome nurse practitioner Jo Burton and solid midwife and nurse Rebekah Henderson for working with us to celebrate these important days. It has been a real privilege to witness your beautiful mother–daughter relationship and the intergenerational strength and leadership you bring to nursing and midwifery. If members haven’t seen it yet, please check out our IDM and IND videos on our socials that star Jo & Rebekah.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing for our Governance and Leadership Workshop in July, and I’m really looking forward to coming together to support and strengthen Indigenous leadership across our workforce. If you’ve ever considered stepping into governance or leadership spaces, I encourage you to join us.
Finally, I want to share that I have been reappointed as CEO of CATSINaM for a further three year term. I accept this role with humility and a strong sense of responsibility to you the members, our incredible Board, and the communities we serve. I remain committed to walking alongside you, listening deeply, and advocating for culturally safe systems now and into the future.
Esoau, thanks & yarn you mob soon,
Ali