ABA exceptional achievers

Emma was the reason behind the formation of the Leadership Engagement and Support Team working group in 2021 and the coordinator of the group until the end of 2023. Emma was instrumental in the work to acknowledge, resource and support leaders across the association and she continues to offer her commitment to ensuring ongoing support of leaders in ABA through her contributions to the LEST group as a member. She has also taken on extra roles of Region Rep, on top all other ABA roles, on top of study and family. Emma demonstrates great team spirit by checking in with her regional rep team and is quick to ask if they need help, stepping in when they do.

Rebecca is dedicated to supporting volunteers in their beginnings as a breastfeeding counsellor. Since the beginnings of the practicum program in 2012 Rebecca has always been ready and excited to support, guide and encourage new volunteers (a total of 33 to date). Rebecca has real skill in nurturing a new counsellor's confidence and supporting the growth in their skills through their first experiences in counselling.

Charlotte has made a significant impact to volunteer support within the TAS branch, by organising the successful submission for a financial assistance grant from the state government of Tasmania. This funding has allowed us the branch to support volunteers, attract new members and trainees, and promote ABA to health professionals and the wider community.

Celeste has gone above and beyond for both her local group, and for the Branch in both of her roles. She has been a driving force behind a pitch to the State Government to secure ongoing funding for the Branch, as well as involved in coordinating other group and branch activities such as group meetings, breast pump hire, conference committee, expo, regular Helpline shifts, and in particular, significant efforts fundraising for the Branch. 

Laura has shown an outstanding commitment to NMAA/ABA for more than 30 years and is well-known and respected across the Association. She is a core member of ABA's training team, running sessions and supporting trainees across all units and with a deep understanding of the course content. Laura supports mums in her local area with breast pump hire and education. She has taken 1073 calls on the National Breastfeeding Helpline since its establishment and many more before that. Laura is conscientious, kind, supportive and consistent. 

Keith has been involved from the 1980s and since, mainly regarding digital progress - like computerising the group membership list at the very beginning (so we could print out bulletin address labels, etc)

Keith has worked tirelessly to design ABA resources in new formats and provided ABA leadership at the highest level. He has project managed the new ABA resource Bf A practical guide; been the lead in the conversion of ABA resources to be available in a downloadable form and provided long term technical support for the creation of Breastfeeding Naturally, ABA Booklets, Essence

Debbie has been part of the Essence team and an ABA volunteer for over 17 years. She has held a range of positions, including editor, assistant editor, and designer (at one point she was both the editor and designer!). Debbie has a passion for helping others in particular training and mentoring someone who has no formal experience or training in design as she took on this role with no formal training or experience. Debbie has also served as a good mentor sharing her enjoyment training Essence’s new designer as well as others in the Essence team, giving Debbie much pride and joy. 

Claire is a proactive and supportive volunteer, who has made a difference in her local community and across the country. She has taken shifts on Live Chat since qualifiying, supporting 317 mums and parents on chats since 2019, with one mum sending in feedback that she 'cannot recommend her highly enough' - a testament to the wonderful support that Claire gave. As Group Leader since 2021, Claire has built a supportive and welcoming group for local mums and parents, becoming known in the local community through outreach and media opportunities and supporting local volunteers, who report that she is a supportive and encouraging Group Leader who keeps in touch with local volunteers and brings people together.

Maria took on the Group Leader role in 2022 and has been instrumental in the growth of Orange group, taking the group from strength to strength and supporting mums and parents in the area. The efforts of the group volunteers, led and supported by Maria, have seen the group support many local families with BEC and local group activities, building a strong presence in the local community.

While only recently qualified, Ashley has stepped up with both enthusiasm and commitment to activities at not only her local group level, but also to support the Branch on a national level. Ashley's willingness to put her skills to use for the Branch in all areas has been greatly appreciated. She is not afraid of a challenge, and gives well and truly above and beyond normal expectations to everything that she does. 
From Ashley's Group Leader (Corinne Reynolds, Adelaide Northern Suburbs Group): "Ash, your consistent efforts are so appreciated - always bringing your creativity and energy to our group, region and branch. Crafting, innovating and offering support. Thank you".

Tanya stepped up to breastpump hire working group and unofficially keeps the very large North Brisbane group on track. She support the finances of the super group and coordinated the planning and organisation of group and region activities. 

Catherine actively updates her skills, provides unwavering support to our trainees, and pivots to the needs of her group, demonstrating exceptional adaptability and leadership qualities that significantly contribute to the success of ABA locally. 

Rebekka has made outstanding contributions as a regional representative, demonstrating strong leadership and dedication. She fosters an inclusive and approachable persona among local volunteers, mentoring and supporting them effectively. Her social activities within the region further enhance our volunteering community.

Supported many of the groups of Gippsland as the merger into a super group,as well as facilitating and supporting training for Gippsland volunteers. Ange is also a wealth of knowledge for her fellow volunteers and has been an active volunteer in the VIC branch for many years. 

Nominated by NSO, for her valuable contributions in her role managing ABA booklets for almost two decades. Joy has gone above and beyond in her work on ABA's valuable resources. Not just booklets but also Breastfeeding Management, Breastfeeding Naturally and Breastfeeding Review.

Melissa has been our TAS Branch Helpline Coordinator since 2012 and gently guides our Tasmanian Breastfeeding Counsellors as they support callers to the National Breastfeeding Helpline.  She is a trained Breastfeeding Educator and Counsellor herself and has actively volunteered in many ways, for example as breast pump hire officer, group leader and antenatal talk leader over many years. 

Nominated by NSO, Liz is a member volunteer who joined the National Social Media Team in September 2022. Since then, Liz has consistently been one of the key contributors to the team and her skills and effort have made a tangible difference to the type of content we're sharing with mums and families. Liz’s creations have elevated our reach and engagement.

Bronny is the towns longest serving ABA counsellor.  She worked at the local hospital where her breastfeeding skills were utilized despite not being a midwife.  She has held group meetings at her home regularly & she hosts in such a relaxed manner that the group regularly get 20 mums & way more babies & toddlers to the meetings. She is nominated for her incredible support to other volunteers, mums and bubs

Lynsey's exceptional achievements in establishing Baldivis group discussions have earned her this award. She demonstrated exceptional organisational and leadership abilities, increasing attendance and participation and establishing a safe and confidential environment. Lynsey's friendly demeanour connected people and fostered collaboration, making her contributions invaluable to the group's success.

The amount of time Natasha spends volunteering for ABA is amazing. All whilst working part time and with three children all under 6! She is co group leader, does breast pump hire from her house, presents BECS 4 times per year, Helpline every week and has recently organised the group to do a feed and change tent at our local show. Natasha organises a lot of the communication in the Tarragindi group to keep us going and inspired. Natasha does everything quietly, never drawing attention to the amount she does and she really deserves the accolade.

Jeanette is nominated for her exceptional work - raising awareness in the community, linking with hospitals and other health community partners, increasing the group size (through regular meetings) and providing additional inclusion options. Jeanette has also provided in-depth analytics to both NSO and branch. She has increased ABA group profiles across multiple communities, help promoted meetings and other events, assisted groups who don’t have resources to promote their events. She has also held leadership roles and run a much-loved group project (the calendars)

Libby is recognised for her collaborative, grassroots advocacy work, which is inspirational. She was instrumental in a submission to the Department of Agriculture Senate Committee Inquiry into Food Security to make the case for the importance of breastfeeding and breastmilk for food security for infants.

Rebecca qualified as a Breastfeeding Counsellor in September 2021 and straightaway started taking regular shifts on the National Breastfeeding Helpline. In 2022 she became Group Leader of Hobart and Surrounds Group.  She is a committed and reliable volunteer and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the mothers she supports, whether it's face to face or on Helpline.  She works confidently and quietly in both spaces, thanks to the strength of the ABA training she received

Kirsty-Anne , from the Katherine group, is nominated for her exceptional effort to revitalise both the Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy groups.
In her capacity as group leader for Alice Springs, she travelled to meet with midwives and lactation consultants at the Alice Springs Hospital, as well as speaking at a parenting class hosted at the parenting resource centre.
In her volunteer role in Katherine, she managed to make some connections to reach out to potential volunteers in Nhulunbuy and provided resources for the health clinics there.

Susan is an excellent group leader, going above and beyond what is expected. She makes herself available for debriefing and support whenever her volunteers need her and privately follows up with volunteers to see how they are doing. Susan supports a strong team spirit within the group, ensuring people are heard. The group volunteers feel supported, particularly trainees; and the group appreciates Susan and notice that she has been quietly working, largely behind the scenes, for a long time!

Steph Cox has made exceptional and significant contributions to the Swan Mundaring group. She consistently attended group discussions over the past few years and made valuable contributions to discussions with her level-headed and reassuring approach. Currently, she serves as the group treasurer and Group Communications Facilitator, leveraging her expertise in local area grants and experience serving on a local playgroup committee to assist in various capacities. She provided support during breastfeeding education classes as an exceptional demo Mum. This award acknowledges her continuous support as an ABA member and volunteer.

Donna goes above and beyond within her group leader role in the South-West of WA. She coordinated two group mergers in two years. Her hard work and attention to detail were crucial to the mergers' success, working tirelessly to ensure that these were completed successfully and efficiently. Donna also provided valuable feedback for the ABA website when the Capes group were trialling different features. This award is a testament to her dedication and commitment to ABA.

Debbie is an incredible asset to the branch and the association. She has given many years of her time in volunteering as a breastfeeding counsellor and breastfeeding educator. She is a key to the VIC training and assessment team, as one of the local Learner Progress and Support Officers for almost 8 years, as well as an assessor. She is such an encouraging and supportive member of the branch training team. Debbie is generous with her time, and also an incredible support to our branch president.

Jess has been the group leader of her local group or 9 years, keeping the group operating effectively through the pandemic, facilitating discussions and chat & play sessions, as well as overseeing breast pump hiring for many years, including through the pandemic. Jess has provided online support throughout COVID and beyond.
Jess gives so much time and energy to her group, her region, our branch and to the national organisation. She has been a stalwart volunteer and deserves full recognition!

Nominated by NSO for her tireless work on the website throughout 2022, so much of which was voluntary. Without her unwavering commitment to just getting it done, even when it needed to be done again and again,  we would not have been able to go live with the outstanding site that we did.