Our National Organisation
Our time line is a work is progress, and subject to continual revision and refinement as we weave together our complex story.
While some individuals have been highlighted in this timeline, when speaking with our former Presidents many echoed the thoughts of our first President Margaret Peters, who says
“I have always seen whatever achievements were made for midwifery, midwives and women when I was in the Chair… as a collaborative team effort”
1899
The Australian Trained Nurses Association (ATNA) and the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association (RVTNA) both undertook supervision of the standards of midwifery practice and training and, with the examinations they held, provided a means by which midwives and nurses could register. This function was gradually taken over by the State based Registration Boards.
As supervision of the standards of midwifery practice, training, examination, and registration began to be taken over by the State based Nurses Registration Boards, the Australian Trained Nurses Association (ATNA) and Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association (RVTNA) joined and evolved into a national body to unite the state and territory nursing organisations called the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF). Midwifery Special Interest Groups in each State met regularly to discuss issues around practice, education, and legislation.
1950s – 1960s
Midwives in the States and Territories around Australia formed Special Interest Groups (SIG) within various nursing bodies of the time. Groups of midwives met regularly to discuss issues affecting midwifery, hold education sessions and conferences, and draw collegial support from all these activities.
Margaret Myles & Marjorie Bayes visit Australia
1970
Margaret Myles (renown Scottish Midwife and midwifery textbook author) and Marjorie Bayes (first Executive Secretary of the International Confederation of Midwives, ICM) visit Australia, touring many States and Territories. Maggie Myles advised that each State Midwives Special Interest Group within the RANF should join the ICM, and arrangements are made for State SIG to apply for membership under their individual state organisations.
State SIGs join the 16th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Washington USA
“The rather odd point about the organisation’s formation was that in 1972 unbeknown to most midwives who lived and worked in the country, Australia had been admitted to the International Confederation of Midwives. An action, auspiced by RANF (they paid the fees), sought and gained by the then Executive Secretary of the Confederation, Miss Marjorie Bayes. She had accompanied Mrs Margaret Myles on a west to east tour of this country and came to understand how large the continent is and how the distances involved tended to inhibit the formation of a national group, so enrolled us into the international fold.”Margaret Peters, ‘Unity in Diversity’ Oration, ACMI Journal December 1995
State SIGs attend 17th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Lausanne Switzerland
1975
Australia took a place at the ICM Council for the first time, with Pat Sparrow and Genevieve Gray from NSW as the Australian representatives at the ICM Council Meeting. Around 50 Australian midwives attended the 1975 ICM Lausanne Congress in their ‘own state’ right, For most Australians attending the conference, this was the first time they were faced with the antagonism felt by many overseas colleagues about the control nursing holds over the practice and status of midwives. Australian midwives returned from Lausanne with a deep commitment to improving communication between various state associations. NSW calls for a meeting from groups interested in forming a National organisation, but nothing comes of it.
“(Australia being admitted to ICM) was a surprise to the Australians who met in Lausanne in 1975. They also noted they had no part in selecting the Australian delegate to the International Council meeting and that lack of involvement was keenly felt.
This insight spurred some of them into the activity needed to form a national group.
Margaret Peters, ‘Unity in Diversity’ Oration, ACMI Journal December 1995
…a group photograph was taken of the fifty Australians attending the meeting. Most of us did not know one another and we were from diverse settings and locations across the country, some of whom had gained their midwifery qualification in Britain and Ireland and accustomed to there being a national midwifery organization. I was in the midst of a study tour during which I had been impressed by the dynamism of the American College of Nurse Midwives and the impact they were having on maternity care models in that country.
Many of us were alarmed that a person purporting to represent Australian midwifery was on the program that was not the choice of midwives; we were impressed that even in what were underdeveloped countries they had managed to form national midwifery groups. During the Congress there had been vigorous debates about who was a midwife, some were not impressed by there being nurse midwives speaking on midwifery matters.
The fifty midwives who turned up for the photograph agreed we in Australia should form our own national organisation.
Margaret Peters, International Day of the Midwife interview with ACM,
A National Midwives Association is proposed
1977
Following discussions since the ICM Meeting in Lausanne, Margaret Peters (VIC) and Pam Hayes (NSW) are determined that a National Organisation is the path forward. At the same time, Jenny Cooling (SA) attends a midwives SIG meeting in Adelaide, where a UK midwife described the organisation in the UK. Jenny subsequently writes to the midwifery SIG/Branches of the RANF, to explore the formation a national midwives association within the RANF.
1978
The 1st meeting to consider forming a National Midwives Association was held in Adelaide on 11-12 March, with representatives of Vic, SA, and NSW.
On 21 July, Vic, NSW, SA, and Qld join forces to become the founding associations of the National Midwives Association (RANF) on 22 July. There was an apology from WA. The National group had 180 members.
“The vision held by the founders of the national group was of a midwifery profession unified and made strong by the bringing together of those committed to the achievement of improved maternity care for women and their families, improved midwifery education programs, a better enunciation of what midwifery practice was and could be in this country, and of the potential of midwives to improve the care of women in their reproductive years.”
Margaret Peters, ‘Unity in Diversity’ Oration, ACMI Journal December 1995
Inaugural President - Margaret Peters (Vic)
1978 – 1983
Vice President, Pam Hayes (NSW)
Secretary/Treasurer, Jenifer Cooling (SA) (read more about Jenny Cooling…)
Committee, Margaret Campbell (Qld)
Margaret Peters, Pam Hayes, and Jenny Cooling were the core group of founders, around which the College as we know it today was built.
National Midwives Assoc (RANF) joins 18th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Jerusalem, Israel
1978 September
The National Midwives Association (RANF), Australia, was admitted to ICM in September.
National Midwives Association (RANF), 1st National Conference, Adelaide
1979 April
The first General Meeting and 1st National Biennial Conference of the National Midwives Association was held in Adelaide.
The S.A. Branch were well advanced in the organization of their State Conference and it was agreed to turn that into the National Conference.
“The first national conference of midwives was held in Adelaide in 1979. The launch of this national grouping of midwives was a joyous occasion participated in by several hundred Australian midwives. I also believe that Conference marked the inception of a body of Australian midwifery literature, as prior to this, little was published under a midwifery banner…
In the meantime we had fought and won the battle to have the letters “RM” accepted for use to describe a person who had obtained a midwifery qualification. Thus we all started to add the hard-won letters after our names and thought we had clearly identified what we were; how little we knew!”
Margaret Peters, ‘Unity in Diversity’ Oration, ACMI Journal December 1995
After a gestational period of 9 months, the embryonic associate’s first baby was born. The first conference of the National Midwives Association was held in Adelaide in April 1979. 400 Midwives from all States came together for the birth. The baby was strong and healthy and with 400 aunts, and the odd uncle, started on the path of life.
Jenny Cooling, ACMI Journal, September 1989
National Midwives Assoc 1st Conference
(L-R) Jenny Cooling SA, Margaret Peters VIC, Pam Hayes NSW, Lesley Barclay ACT, Judi Davis WA
19th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Brighton, U.K.
1981 September
Australia (with 300 members) successfully bids to host the next ICM Congress in 1984.
Margaret Peters (Vic) is nominated President ICM.
National Midwives Association (RANF), 2nd National Conference, Melbourne
In February the 2nd National Biennial Conference was held at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne.
The National Midwives Association achieved their goal of an active Branch (SIG) in every Australian State and Territory when a SIG was formed in Tasmania during their State Conference in September.
President - Pamela Hayes (NSW)
1983 – 1985
National Midwives Association (RANF) 3rd National Conference, Canberra - vote to separate from RANF
1983 April
At their 3rd Biennial Conference, the National Midwives Association (RANF) State and Territory branches unanimously vote to secede from the RANF to be known as simply the National Midwives Association (NMA).
The AGM of a meeting in Canberra in the early 1980s put a motion to the conference to stop us being a special interest group of nursing, affiliated with ANF. This would enable us to develop our own new national body. There was a unanimous vote. We didn’t have a constitution, we didn’t have anything formal at that stage, but we were committed to forming a national midwifery organisation, which was really terrific.Lesley Barclay
Australia host the 20th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives
1984, September 1-8
Sydney
Organising Committee: Pam Hayes NSW; Margaret Peters Vic; Jenny Cooling, SA; Lesley Barclay ACT; Judy Davis WA.
The ICM Congress laid out a clear picture of the work to be done if Australian midwives were to aspire to become equals with midwives from all around the world, with midwifery recognised as a profession in its own right – separate from nursing. We were small in number but we had the energetic leadership of Margaret Peters and Pam Hayes, which meant that we hosted a hugely successful conference, which is still talked about today, and which put us on the map globally.
Lesley Barclay
At the 19th Congress in England 1981, (we) won the 20th Congress for Australia, to be held in Sydney in 1984. Until now, every Congress had resulted in financial loss. Opinion was that Australia would join them, as we were so far away, people would not attend. There were 1300-1500 registrants. It is to the credit of Australia’s National Association that we made a very healthy profit, thus giving the sceptics a lesson in what could and can be achieved in such a short time. It was at this congress that Australia showed that we were determined to make our mark in the ICM.
Jenny Cooling, ACMI Journal, September 1989
President - Beth Waddington (SA)
1985-1987
Highlights:
Incorporation of the National Midwives Association in July 1985
Branches of the College were encouraged to seek autonomy and a number disaffiliated as special interest groups from the Royal Australian Nursing Federation
Proposal to form a National Midwives Trust (scholarship fund) using the profit from the ICM Congress held in Sydney in 1984. Interest from monies invested in the Trust was to be used to fund research, special projects, study tours, attendances at conferences, with Margaret Peters and Pam Hayes as Trustees.
National Midwives Association 4th National Conference, Brisbane
1985 June 11-13
National Midwifery Code of Practice and Objectives for the Midwife were adopted at the meeting in Melbourne in November 1985.
An Australian College of Midwives?
1985
The idea of the Australian College of Midwives was mooted.
Australian College of Midwives (Incorporated) (ACMI)
1987 May 27
The name change to Australian College of Midwives (Incorporated) was adopted.
“Links with RANF were severed in 1983. The courage was found to bid to host the first International Congress of Midwives in the Asia Pacific region in 1984, and the organisation was retitled the Australian College of Midwives in 1987, this was done fully comprehending all that such a title entails. It was a deliberate act undertaken to achieve greater recognition of what midwifery is and of its potential to achieve better care for women through midwives gaining self governance of their profession.”
Margaret Peters, ‘Unity in Diversity’ Oration, ACMI Journal December 1995
1987 5 May
Pamela Hayes distributes our first national newsletter. This newsletter is now known as Australian Midwifery News, the only national magazine dedicated to midwives. Published quarterly, it is 60 pages of articles written by midwives for midwives on a range of clinical and practice matters, research, news, reflection, and international and local issues.
President - Cynthia Turnbull (Tas)
1987-1991
Highlights:
The College has now now published a Constitution and bylaws; Position Statements; Standards; and Accreditation Guidelines
1988 April
The last ten years have seen the National Midwives Association grow from an original membership of 300 to an Incorporated Collegiate body, with an ever increasing membership… In May, 1987, Pamela Hayes distributed a National Newsletter for the National Midwives Association and now, in April, 1988, the Australian College of Midwives Incorporated proudly publishes this Journal. Publishing a National journal within 10 years of formation of a National body, reflects the dynamic nature of Australian midwives and their desire to remain at the forefront of health care delivery to the mothers, fathers and babies of Australia… This Journal is the voice of all Australian midwives… As this Journal grows, the stature of Midwifery in Australia grows. And so, as midwives, we grow.
Martin Goreing, RM, Editor, Australian College of Midwives Journal
The Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal grew and developed into Australian Midwifery, and the Australian Journal of Midwifery, and and is now the highly regarded international journal Women and Birth. With a current impact factor of 3.8, it is indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, Thomson Reuters, Scopus and CINAHL.
ACMI Headquarters Established
1991 April
Following the receipt of a federal grant, ACMI established its headquarters in Melbourne and appointed a full time Executive Officer, Miss Lorraine Wilson. Positions of National Co-ordinator and National Research Officer established, and over the next few years research officer positions were established in each state.
President - Judi Brown (SA)
1991 – 1995
Judy would go on the be elected to the ICM Board as the Asia-Pacific representative in 1993, and later be the second Australian President of ICM.
Highlights:
Consultation between Australian College of Midwives (ACM), Royal Australian College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RACOG) and Royal Australian College General Practitioners (RACGP) formalised, with progressives from each group meeting regularly as National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Joint Committee on Maternity services. Judi chaired the committee 1994-96.
ACMI was keen to support Midwives in private practice (MIPPs) to gain status and recognition in Australia, and established the Office of the Registrar for Accreditation of Independently Practicing Midwives.
Developed Fellowship category for the College. Inaugural fellows were inducted in 1995 at Biennial National Conference in September 1995.
National Midwifery Education Conferences established
President - Dr. Dianne Cutts (Vic)
1995 – 1997
Highlights:
First Investiture of Fellows into the College
Governance of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative was passed the the College. The role of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as part of a global partnership developed in 1991 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
President - Caroline Weaver (Qld)
1997 – 1999
Caroline went on to become the 3rd Australian President of ICM
Highlights:
ACMI Competency Standards for midwives published in July ’97
Independently Practicing Midwives (IPM) Accreditation process continues with now 100 IPM’s accredited
Active collaboration with consumers through participation in the Consumer Focus Collaboration Forum sponsored by the Federal Government
Partnership with ACHS & Quality Improvement Council re Maternal & Infant Care Services Standards, now used in hospital & community service accreditation, incorporating core BFHI philosophy
Code of Ethics for Midwives endorsed
Code of Practice for Midwives endorsed in Victoria & Tasmania, with the National ACMI Code being developed
ACMI Headquarters moves to Canberra
1997
Melbourne office closed Dec 2002 & in early 2003 National office commenced business in Canberra
President - Vanessa Owen (Vic)
1999 – 2003
CEO Alana Street
Highlights:
Created Midwife of the Year in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson
Introducing consumers as part of the ACMI Board
ACMI was an Industry partner of the Australian Midwifery Action Project (AMAP) project and members participated in workshops and discussions to assist in the development of the AMAP report, published in early 2003. Read AMAP report (part 1) here, and (part 2) here
ACMI endorsed the National Maternity Action Plan (NMAP) in July 2002 & participated in the launch across Australia in Sept 2002
ACM contributed Workforce data to the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee Midwifery Labour Force Report 2002 -2012
Established Australian National Education and Standards Taskforce (ANEST) chaired by Nicky Leap, to review, the ACMI Philosophy, Code of Ethics for Midwifery Practice, Code of Practice, National Competency Standards for Midwives & related position statements and policies that make up the ACMI professional standards framework for midwives in Australia
2002
Vic: Australian Catholic University & Victoria University
SA: Flinders University & University of South Australia
President - Marg Phelan (NT)
2003 – 2005
CEO Dr Barbara Vernon
Highlights:
National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation & Referral (1st ed) developed
Wrote joint submission with ANMC to the Productivity Commission’s Review of National Competition Arrangements, highlighting the lack of access for midwives to professional indemnity
Commenced work on CPD framework for midwives
Established Memorandum of Cooperation with Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC), College of Remote Area Nurses, and Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
Australia host the 27th Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives
2005, July 24-28
Brisbane
Australia was first country to have the privilege to host the event more than once. Over 2,000 midwives attended the Congress, with 69 of the 86 member Midwifery Associations attending. Australia is represented by Patricia Schneider and Marg Phelan.
President - Dr. Pat Brodie (NSW)
2005 – 2009
Highlights:
Constitutional Review
MidPlus (Continuing Professional Development) program developed
Midwifery Practice Review program developed
Purchased property for ACMI office in Canberra
Rhodanthe Lipsett Award
2006
In 2006, the Australian College of Midwives created the Rhodanthe Lipsett Award, worth $1000, in recognition of her work.
Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Fund
2009
In early 2009 the Australian College of Midwives established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Midwives Scholarship Fund. In September 2009 at the ACM National Conference held in Adelaide the then President of the College, Professor Pat Brodie, presented an award of recognition to Rhodanthe and announced that the Fund would, from that day forward, be known as the Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Fund. From this the Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwives Charitable Fund was established as an independent charity in 2011.
President - Dr. Jenny Gamble (Qld)
2009 – 2010
Interim CEO Avon Stahl
President - Dr. Hannah Dahlen (NSW)
President - Dr. Jenny Browne (ACT)
2010 – 2011
President - Tracy Martin (WA)
President: Dr. Sue Kruske (Qld)
2012 – 2014
Highlights:
Provided stability to the ACMI Board and College, following a somewhat unsettled period
Successfully worked with Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) to endorse the National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation & Referral (3rd ed)
Unification: Under Sue’s leadership, ACMI successfully negotiated unification, with all jurisdictions agreeing to come together as 1 College with Branches across the country.
Successfully achieved the Nursing & Midwifery Board Australia National Prescribing Formulary for Midwives
Baby Friendly Health Initiative fully incorporated in to the College
Successfully achieved the removal of original Nursing & Midwifery Board Australia homebirth position statement
President - Dr. Caroline Homer (NSW)
2014 – 2017
Highlights:
Unification: Branches agreed to unify & no longer be individually incorporated in each State/Territory. The processes to enact this agreement continued, and ACM was established as 1 College with Branches across the Country.
Unification led to Constitution changes in Oct 2015: AMCI ceased being an Incorporated organisation and became a ‘not for profit company limited by guarantee’, the ‘Inc.’ was dropped, and name changed to Australian College of Midwives. The Term of President changed from 2 years to 3 years.
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill passed in Qld Parliament, 2017, paving the way for National Law to be updated to recognise nursing and midwifery as separate professions. National Legislation passed recognising Midwifery as a distinct profession.
First Midwifery Awards Ceremony
September 2017 and first Midwifery Manager Seminar 2017
Updated the ‘Continuity of Midwifery Care Handbook’ initially developed by Queensland Health, & launched with Qld Health in 2017
Developed new ACM logo 2017
Partnered with CATISINaM, Universities, & Industry in ‘Birthing on Country’ Project.
President - Terri Barrett (WA)
2017 – 2020
CEO Luke Williamson
Highlights:
Continued implementation of changed ACM Constitution & Board and organisational Structure
Structural Review of ACM Sept 2020
Providing leadership, heading a virtual Board, and hosting a virtual Conference through the pandemic
Participation in the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce/Pregnancy & Perinatal Care
Developing a Memorandum of Understanding with RANZCOG
President - Dr. Joanne Gray
2020
Interim CEO Caroline Lamb
Annual National Conference planned for Sydney 2020 is deferred as Covid-19 comes to Australia.
Annual National Conference moves online for 2021
National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation & Referral (4th ed)
Read Joanne’s ACM President’s Report 2021
President - Dr. Michelle Newton
2022 – current
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