International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife celebration

Join us on campus for meaningful connections as we celebrate these important occasions!

Connect with nursing and midwifery students and network with local industry professionals while gaining valuable insights into the field.

We’re thrilled to welcome to Mildura Dr Melissa Deacon-Crouch. Known well to locals, as she grew up in the region, Dr Deacon-Crouch is an Associate Professor of Rural Nursing in La Trobe University’s Rural Health School, based in Bendigo. She brings extensive expertise in co‑leading curriculum development, particularly in preparing undergraduate and postgraduate programs for professional accreditation, ensuring they meet high educational standards and respond to the evolving needs of rural healthcare practice.

In her keynote, Melissa will reflect on her non‑traditional pathway into nursing and midwifery academia and share insights from her recent research, including work exploring how shift work affects circadian rhythms and melatonin levels in breast milk, alongside research into nurse rostering practices and fatigue management.

Following the keynote, Dr Sandy Connor, La Trobe Mildura Head of Campus, will facilitate a panel discussion.

Panel:

• Emma Bath - Cardiac Liaison Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mildura Base Public Hospital

• Bianca Sellens - Infection Prevention and Control Officer, Sunraysia Community Health Services and Nursing Academic, La Trobe University

• Jonathan Boseley - Mental Health Clinician - Older Adult Recovery and Wellbeing Service, Mildura Base Public Hospital

🎉 Bonus for students! Attend on the day for a chance to win a stethoscope!

☕ Lunch following provided by Verdict Catering.

Keynote speaker:

Dr Melissa Deacon‑Crouch is an Associate Professor of Rural Nursing in La Trobe University’s Rural Health School, based in Bendigo. She brings extensive expertise in co‑leading curriculum development, particularly in preparing undergraduate and postgraduate programs for professional accreditation, ensuring they meet high educational standards and respond to the evolving needs of rural healthcare practice.

Originally from Mildura, where she attended Sacred Heart Primary School and St Joseph’s College, Melissa maintains strong ties to the region. She holds qualifications in biological sciences, nursing, education and midwifery, as well as a PhD, and is deeply proud to be a nurse. She is passionate about nursing education and advancing the scope of practice for nurses.

Panel:

Emma Bath

Emma Bath grew up on a fruit block in Coomealla and began her nursing career in critical care, balancing study with family life after welcoming her first child while completing her qualifications in nursing and health science. She returned to Mildura in 2004 and spent many years working in the Intensive Care Unit at Mildura Base Hospital, where she built strong clinical expertise, completed postgraduate qualifications in Critical Care, and developed a passion for education as a sessional educator with La Trobe University.

After years of shift work, Emma transitioned into Community Services in 2020, working in cardiac rehabilitation and chronic disease management. She went on to lead significant improvements in local cardiac services as Cardiac Liaison Nurse and Project Lead for the Cardiovascular Ambassador Project, strengthening care pathways and access for patients with heart disease.

Building on this work, Emma completed her Nurse Practitioner qualification with a cardiology focus in 2025 and is preparing for endorsement, with a strong commitment to expanding high‑quality, patient‑centred cardiac care for the Mildura community.

Bianca Sellens

Bianca was was born and raised in Mildura and completed her nursing studies with La Trobe University, building a career grounded in regional health care. She has worked across a range of clinical and education settings, developing particular interests in paediatrics, student support and quality improvement.

Alongside her clinical work, Bianca has been actively involved in nursing education as a casual academic, valuing the opportunity to support students as they transition into practice. She now works as an Infection Prevention and Control Officer at Sunraysia Community Health Services, where she focuses on evidence‑based practice, safety and continuous improvement.

Bianca has recently completed a Master of Nursing (Leadership) and has growing research interests in rural health models and workforce innovation, driven by a belief that “strong systems create better care” for regional communities.

Jonathan Boseley

Jonathan was born in Mansfield and grew up in the small Mallee community of Walpeup before moving to Mildura for work and study. In 2019, at the age of 23, he began his Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University’s Mildura campus as a mature‑age student, building on his earlier work in aged care.

Jonathan holds a Certificate III in Aged Care (MADEC Australia Community College, 2016), a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Mental Health Nursing, completed through La Trobe University as part of his graduate program.

His current role sees him providing mental health assessments, plus triage and case management for people aged over 65. While studying, Jonathan did not anticipate working in this field, but he values the opportunity to collaborate with doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to support a diverse and complex client group.

Jonathan enjoys challenging stereotypes about mental health and male nursing, regularly using a broad range of clinical skills in his role. Looking ahead, he has a strong interest in exploring work in palliative care.