Join us on campus for a morning of coffee, breakfast canapés and 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. Yangama Jokwiro, Head of the Department of Rural Health Sciences at La Trobe University, as our keynote speaker. Dr Jokwiro is an award-winning academic specialising in nursing education and digital health transformation. As Head of the Department for Rural Health Sciences at La Trobe University, he has led the development of postgraduate micro-credentials in digital health, equipping rural health nurses with essential skills. As co-founder of the Vaka Health Foundation, a pioneering social enterprise, Yangama drives digital health initiatives to enhance healthcare accessibility across Africa.

Panel:

Dr Yangama Jokwiro - Head of the Department of Rural Health Sciences, La Trobe University
Katrina Allen - Executive Director Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Mildura Base Public Hospital
Carly Batson - Midwife, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Mildura Base Public Hospital
Brooke Higgs – Midwife, Family and Child Hub, Sunraysia Community Health Services

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

☕ Breakfast canapés provided by Verdict Catering.

Speakers:

Dr Yangama Jokwiro, Head of the Department of Rural Health Sciences, La Trobe University
Yangama is a registered general nurse with over 19 years of experience in various clinical settings, including leadership roles in community and acute care nursing. He has spent most of his clinical career in emergency departments. For the past 8 years, he has focused on teaching undergraduate nursing students and developing his academic career, emphasizing student-centered learning. Yangama maintains clinical currency by holding a casual position with a major health services provider in Victoria. His experience spans both the medical model ("Save one life at a time") and the public health model ("Save a million at a time"), with formal training in public health. He has managed community care programs such as the Veterans Nursing Program and Home and Community Care (HACC), and his research interests include the care of older people across the health service continuum.

Katrina Allen, Executive Director Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Mildura Base Public Hospital
Katrina has worked in the healthcare industry for almost 36 years. She has extensive leadership experience across a diverse range of healthcare settings, both at Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH) and other providers in the region. Katrina has held senior management roles in hospital access and flow, perioperative services, aged care, inpatient services, Masterplan redevelopment and design and now holds the position of Executive Director Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer at MBPH.

Katrina is passionate about providing exceptional patient care and keeping the patient at the centre of all that we do while delivering health care in innovative and contemporary ways to achieve this.

Carly Batson, Midwife, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Mildura Base Public Hospital
Carly Batson is a midwife and proud Barkandji/Ngiyampaa woman, balancing her career with being a loving mum to three children. Born in Adelaide, Carly's education began at Chaffey Secondary College and continued at Mildura Senior College. During her time in Year 12, she welcomed her first child, which shifted her focus to raising her baby.

Determined to pursue her passion for healthcare, Carly completed a Diploma of Nursing at SuniTAFE. She then advanced to La Trobe University, where she earned her Bachelor of Nursing. Her commitment to midwifery led her to further her education with a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery from La Trobe, while working at Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH).

Currently, Carly continues her work as a midwife at MBPH and dedicates three days a week to running the antenatal program at Mallee District Aboriginal Services. This role allows her to provide continuity of care for First Nations mothers, a cause she deeply values. Carly's blend of roles enables her to make a significant impact in her community, supporting and empowering mothers throughout their pregnancy journeys.

Brooke Higgs, Midwife, Family and Child hub, Sunraysia Community Health Services
Brooke Higgs began her career in healthcare as a Mental Health Nurse, demonstrating her dedication to mental health and patient care. She furthered her education and received advanced standing to then complete a Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University in Mildura. Brooke gained valuable experience working at Mildura Health Private Hospital before she turned again to furthering her career with study. Brooke’s passion for women’s health led her to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery through La Trobe University while working at Mildura Base Public Hospital.

Presently, Brooke thrives in her position at the Family and Child Hub, where she cherishes the opportunity to spend more time with clients and build meaningful relationships with families. In addition to this role, she dedicates one day a week to supporting local expecting mothers working with a local private obstetrician.