Vanessa Owen – President ACMI 1999 – 2003

  • Reviewed and updated Midwifery Journal including nominal remuneration for the editor position

 

  • Introduced a Midwifery Newsletter

 

  • Created Midwife of the Year in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson

 

  • Significantly reviewed and modernised the ACMI constitution

 

  • Introducing consumers as part of the ACMI Board

 

  • Moved the National Office from Melbourne to Canberra. Melbourne office closed Dec 2002 in early 2003 National office commenced business in Canberra

 

  • Financial – altered office business practices from cash accounting to accrual in line with best practice

 

  • Reinvigorated BFHI significantly increasing the number of health services undertaking this accreditation

 

  • Formed the ACMI/ICM company to limit the liability for ACMI when hosting the International Confederation of Midwives Conference in 2005

 

  • Ensured the ACMI Executive attended every state and territory to engage with the membership and local branches

 

  • Indemnity Insurance issue for Privately Practice Midwives – lobbied government and private providers at the time

 

  • Supported Bachelor of Midwifery implementation (Vanessa said “I just happened to be the President when this occurred, however the College was a significant contributor to this initiative with Universities and Industry”)

 

  • 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

 

 

 

  • 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

 

  • Emma Baldock Registrar for Independently Practicing Midwife (IPM) Accreditation

 

  • Alana Street resigned as EO Feb 2003. Dr Barbara Vernon Appointed as CEO in June 2003