In recognition of excellence, outstanding achievement and contribution, and long service to ABA
Elisabeth Wilson, TASMANIA
Breastfeeding Educator
Elisabeth was a breastfeeding counsellor for 30 years from 1985-2015 and she has been a breastfeeding educator since 2009. Elisabeth served as branch president for Tasmania Branch from 1993-1996 and is cited as being instrumental in positioning the branch for financial stability in the subsequent decades. She was the national library working group coordinator for some years and later Admin Unit convenor. As a member of the Tasmanian Breastfeeding Coalition Elisabeth was involved in the 'Mums the Word' project from 2001-2004. She has been active on LiveChat since 2019, taking over 300 chats so far.
Lee King, NEW SOUTH WALES
Breastfeeding counsellor and educator
Lee has been a breastfeeding counsellor since 1985 (on call prior to the National Helpline) and a breastfeeding educator since 2009. She started the Helensburgh group and was the group leader there from 1985. She has also held the roles of Regional Rep, NSW Public Relations Officer and National PR Coordinator.
Lee served on the ABA Board of Directors from 2000 - 2006 and as branch president for ACT-NSW Branch from 1995-1997. Lee has held the role trainer and assessor and has been active on Helpline since 2008. She has taken over 1532 calls from mums, parents and families.
Pam Halnon, VICTORIA
Breastfeeding counsellor and educator, Branch training manager, trainer and assessor
Pam has been a breastfeeding counsellor since 1989 and a breastfeeding educator since 2007. During this time, Pam has been local group leader and regional representative 3 times. Pam is currently a trainer and assessor and was part of the national training team for over 17 years. She has held the role of Victoria Branch training manager for 8 years. She has also been a part of the branch team for 14 years.
Wendy Burge, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Breastfeeding counsellor and educator, Learning Progress Support Officer, trainer and assessor
Wendy has been a breastfeeding counsellor since 1992 and a breastfeeding educator since 2009. Wendy served on the ABA Board of Directors from 2000 - 2006, as National President from 2003-2205 and as branch president for SA/NT Branch from 2019-2021. She has previously held the roles of group leader and regional representative. Wendy is currently SA/NT Branch Learning Progress Support Officer and is a current trainer and assessor. She has been active on Helpline since it began in 2008, taking over 828 calls from mums, parents and families.
Honorary membership 2023
Karin Collinson, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ABA is thrilled to have awarded Karin Collinson an honorary membership at the WA Branch conference in October. 2023
Karin has been a member for 37 years and qualified as a counsellor in 1992. She has held several different roles across the Association nationally as well as at branch and group level.
Karin was instrumental in recruiting, inducting and connecting with trainees throughout their learning. Karin has also taken over 1200 calls on the National Helpline.
Karin is an individual who has gone and will continue to go to great lengths to make a significant and positive impact for ABA and for the benefit of families and communities. Her dedication, innovation and leadership have helped to strengthen ABA’s impact, vision and capacity.
No matter what is asked, Karin not only happily accepts, but willingly offers her time to the needed role or task. When anything was dropped from her daily ABA work, Karin immediately looked to fill in the time, whether it was taking extra shifts on the National Breastfeeding Helpline, mentoring volunteers with personal check-ins or picking up a task at group level. Her willingness to step into roles has had an enormous impact on alleviating volunteer capacity.
Karin’s dedication, commitment and passion for making a difference have truly set her apart and Karin is a very worthy recipient of the prestigious honour of an ABA honorary membership.
Pic is of Joy Anderson, Kirsten Tannenbaum, Merrin Carvell, Victoria Marshall-Cerins, Karin Collinson, Emilynne Capelli and Judith Lee. The photo was taken at the WA branch conference after Karin Collinson was awarded an Honorary Membership. All the volunteers in the photo are the WA branch volunteers who currently hold an honorary membership.
Prof Julie Smith 2019
Merrin Carvell 2016
Judith Lee 2015
Christine Hoadley 2015
Leanne Taylor 2014
Leila Forde OAM 2014
Laura Hughes 2014
Deborah Court 2014
Suzanne Groom 2014
Elizabeth Oei 2014
Prof Peter Hartmann 2014
Louise Duursma 2014
Kirsten Tannenbaum 2014
Barbara Glare 2014
Janet Sullivan 2014
Dale Nigro 2014
Emilynne Capelli 2014
Joy Anderson 2011
Desley Hubner 2011
Pauline Delany 2011
Melanie Carter 2011
Jenny Gigacz 2011
Rosalind Escott AM 2007
Sue Cox 2007
Mary Paton OAM 2004
Jill Day 2004
Hilary (Pixie) Endacott 2004
Dorothy Newbold 2004
Lesley Huxley 2002
Dr Wendy Brodribb 1997
Beverley Holman 1994
Lesley Furness 1992
Judith Gifford dec 1991
Margaret McCredie 1991
Helen Paterson 1990
Frances Fiddian 1989
Dr Virginia Thorley 1979
Glenise Francis 1976
Jan Barry 1976
Susan Woods 1976
Pat Paterson 1976
Judith Laird 1976
Bridget Sutherland dec