BiOC
Sheree White
Education
- Bachelor of Nursing - LaTrobe University VIC 1996
- Graduate Diploma of Midwifery - Charles Sturt University VIC/NSW 2010
- Endorsed (Eligible) Midwife - Prescribing and Diagnostics for midwives, Griffith University QLD 2017
- Master of Primary Maternity Care - Griffith University QLD 2021
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)- Certified Lactation Consultant IBCLC 2022
Experience
I began my career in nursing 1996, but quickly discovered midwifery in my graduate nurse year at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. I couldn’t wait to get started in the midwifery course. However my travel bug got in the way!
My nursing experience over the years, funding the travel, involved experience in emergency, paediatrics, surgical, oncology, palliative care, refugee health, district nursing and neonatal nursing. This took me to destinations such as Melbourne, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Alice Springs, Darwin, Derby, Woomera, Launceston and New Zealand. This time of travelling was great as I got to see a lot of country and learn about culture along the way, through Indigenous culture in Alice Springs, Derby and Darwin and Māori culture in the Hokianga New Zealand, working in a community run hospital in Rawene.
Back to my hometown of Beechworth in North East Victoria, our two daughters came along with the most amazing midwives supporting and empowering us through two very quick and beautiful homebirths. Then ensued many wonderful years in Beechworth raising our girls, and renovating the home and the garden, a time of hands on learning skills for all, until I could actually get back to the midwifery course planned when the children were older.
Fast forward, my midwifery career began 2010 in Wodonga, a busy time catching many babies. Then onto Derby in the Kimberley region working with Indigenous women, and families experiencing the rich cultural heritage in a small hospital.
A work break travelling with Paul and our primary school aged girls took us overland for one year across South East Asia; Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, then onto Tasmania to settle into various models of Midwifery until I found midwifery continuity of care in midwifery group practice MGP since the program began in Launceston. Getting to know women and their family throughout pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding/parenting is such a wonderful experience, valued by myself and women as we birth each baby together in their family!
From travel bug to study bug I kept on studying, completing Masters in Primary Maternity Care 2021, that focussed on continuity of midwifery care that is culturally safe, responding to women’s individual needs, and a particular independent study supporting and empowering women birthing after caesarean. Further certifications undertaken are Prescribing and Diagnostics for midwives along with IBCLC Lactation Consultant certification.
Midwifery Interest
My midwifery interests are the “tools of my trade” being; continuity, active birth and waterbirth. Empowering women to feel confident with their body and their birthing, parenting and breastfeeding journey, my tools of listening, empowering, having trust and being present for woman and family to enjoy the precious time growing, birthing and feeding baby.
My other midwifery passions are always learning and sharing my knowledge and skills with others. After many years working in midwifery group practice MGP and birth suites, I have also worked in clinical midwifery education roles supporting early career midwives and core midwifery staff enhancing skills, and working closely with obstetricians for higher risk maternity cases.
Personal Interest
Pottering in the garden, tending to indoor potted plants, going for long walks/cycling or at a Pilates class is where you’ll find me on days off. As a family we love to travel together.
Now that the girls are off to university, Paul and I have downsized and moved from little Tassie to Brissie. To embrace this wonderful opportunity to work in the BiOC model with My Midwives, working with Indigenous women and their families, Birthing in Our Community with wraparound family support services is empowering strong culture through the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health IUIH, BiOC and My Midwives Collaboration, a perfect next chapter!
