This panel is hosted by ACM Chief Midwife, Alison Weatherstone and features Kristie Watego, Cherisse Buzzacott and Narelle Brown.

Panelists
Kristie Watego
My name is Kristie Watego, a proud Aboriginal Women with connections to the Bundjalung Nations. My Mother is the youngest of 12 and I am the oldest of 4. My Hubby and I live on Yugumbah speaking country raising our 3 boys together. Professionally my strengths are within People and Program Management leading ‘Birthing in Our Community’ with Institute for Urban Indigenous Health for the past seven years. With a strong focus on ‘harnessing early intervention and prevention’ I am now leading the Service Development and expansion of the Birthing and Early Childhood programs across Southeast Queensland

Cherisse Buzzacott - Chair of Rhodanthe Lippsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund
The Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund provides scholarships to First Nations midwives and midwifery students. Named after renowned midwife Rhodanthe Lipsett AOM, the fund aims to bring to fruition her dream for all First Nations women and babies to have improved outcomes through culturally safe care from First Nations midwives.

Narelle Brown
My name is Narelle Brown. I am a proud Koori woman of Gundungurra and Yuin descent. I live on Dharawal country and am a mother of 3. I’m a 3rd year Bachelor of Midwifery student and Aboriginal Midwifery Cadet. Midwifery is my passion, with my interests including Birthing on Country and maternal mental health. Alongside clinical midwifery practice, I will pursue a career in research and education to promote and contribute to the efforts to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes.