Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

05/02/2026

Today, 4 February, marks the second anniversary of the passing of our Co-Patron, the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG. Dr O’Donoghue, a Yankunytjatjara woman and one of Australia’s most respected and prominent Aboriginal leaders, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, in her home state of South Australia.

On this anniversary, we are proud to share with you the premiere of 'LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy’ Exhibition – A Documentary.

The documentary showcases the exhibition that was held at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery managed by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia, from 4 June to 25 July 2025. It portrayed Dr O'Donoghue's most iconic, triumphant, and heartbreaking moments from childhood, a career in health, Indigenous activism, high-profile leadership, and stellar career in Aboriginal Affairs.

Video credit: Channel 44

Watch the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkQSWlZ4sM8

To support the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation in memory of Dr O'Donoghue, go to: https://www.lowitja.org.au/lowitja-foundation/donate/

30/01/2026

Round 1 of the Health Workforce Scholarship Program applications close this Sunday!

This program offers scholarships and bursaries of up to $10,000 to support remote and rural health professionals in covering the costs of clinical upskilling, workshops, conferences, or other training.

If you’re planning to attend any professional development or study in 2026, check your eligibility and apply now!

Time’s running out! Applications close this Sunday, 1 February!

https://www.healthworkforce.com.au/scholarship-program

29/01/2026

💡 Did you know CATSINaM members may be eligible for scholarships to support your Professional Experience Placement?

We’ve partnered with a range of funders to offer scholarships that can help cover:
✨ travel costs
✨ accommodation
✨ general living expenses
✨ professional development fees

Visit our website to explore current opportunities and start this Year of the Horse at a gallop! 🐎💥

https://catsinam.org.au/Web/Grow-With-Us/Scholarship-Opportunities

28/01/2026

ICN statement responds to the death of Alex Pretti, US nurse, highlighting the ethical principles that guide nursing practice and warning of broader societal risks when nurses’ human rights are not protected.

Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/3NERCHM

22/01/2026

This January 26, CATSINaM calls on our community to practise an ethic of care.

We may not all hold the same view on this date - but we can choose respect, empathy and compassion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities who are harmed by it, and by the days surrounding it.

Comments are closed on this post to ensure the space remains safe and is not derailed by antagonistic responses.

Take care of yourselves, your families and your communities this January 26.

Below are some links to established lists of events around the country, including marches and rallies, smaller gatherings centring truth-telling and healing, and others. We encourage you to read up on the details of the events near you just to make sure it's the right tone for what you need on the day.

https://www.amnesty.org.au/invasion-day-2026-rallies-events/

https://antar.org.au/issues/survival-day/events-listing/

https://www.greenleft.org.au/2025/1444/news/join-invasion-day-rallies-january-26

18/01/2026

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Ahpra are seeking feedback from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registered health practitioners on the National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020–2025 and to guide the development of the next strategy for 2026–2031.

You can access the survey here - https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=IhutNd7AxE2JgdF8EIsD30UyMwkNhINMva34a7viDuBUQjlGQUdNSEw0M1VQNTdLU0kzODJYQ1czWi4u&route=shorturl

Submissions close 5pm AEDT 28 January.

11/12/2025

Congratulations to Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association and Dr Peter Malouf on his appointment as CEO 👏

AIDA is delighted to announce that Dr Peter Malouf (PhD, MPH, AICD) has commenced today as AIDA’s Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Peter is a proud Wakka Wakka and Wuli Wuli descendant from Central Queensland and a highly respected leader across the health sector.

Bringing more than 25 years of experience as a senior health executive and strong cultural leadership, his vision aligns with AIDA’s strategic direction to embed cultural governance, strengthen the Board–Leadership partnership, and deepen Member engagement and impact.

🔗 Read more: https://aida.org.au/media-release/aida-welcomes-dr-peter-malouf-as-our-new-ceo/

10/12/2025

All women have the right to access culturally safe maternity care.

At some maternity services across Australia, women are being reported to Child Protection Services solely for not attending antenatal care appointments. This practice is not evidence based and should immediately cease as it causes significant harm to both women and their babies, families and communities.

We urge any maternity services upholding such a policy and/or practice to immediately revoke this practice and educate their staff accordingly.

Maternity services should address concerns regarding antenatal care attendance by working with consumer and community groups to identify and address barriers to accessing culturally safe, trauma-aware healing informed antenatal care.

Read the full statement here - https://catsinam.org.au/resource?resource=126

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia SNAICC-National Voice for our Children National Association of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association Indigenous Allied Health Australia Australian College of Midwives (ACM) Women's Health Australia

05/12/2025

✨ Save the Date! ✨

We’re excited to announce that the 2026 CATSINaM National Conference will be held in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) from 17–19 November 2026! 🧡✨

Our Conference webpage is now live — explore a little about Mparntwe, sign up for updates, and check out our Sponsorship Prospectus under the Sponsors & Exhibitors tab.

There’s plenty more to come, with registrations opening in February 2026.
Mark your calendars… it’s going to be one you won’t want to miss! 🌅🎉

https://agentur.eventsair.com/catsinam-national-conference-2026/sponsors-exhibitors

01/12/2025

CATSINaM are proud to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian College of Midwives.

This partnership reaffirms our shared commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and formalises our commitment to elevating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwives in order to strengthen this vital workforce.

"CATSINaM are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with ACM through a shared Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwifery advisory group. This group of exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwives and students will provide critical strategic advice on separate and joint CATSINaM and ACM initiatives. This alignment will help us to achieve our shared goal of supporting midwives to provide culturally safe high-quality care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families through their pregnancy and birth journey. " - Prof Cath Chamberlain, CATSINaM Chief Midwifery Officer

Pictured L to R: ACM CEO Helen White, CATSINaM CMO Prof Cath Chamberlain, CATSINaM President Vanessa Browne, CATSINaM CEO Dr Ali Drummond.

Australian College of Midwives (ACM)

01/12/2025

🎀This World AIDS Day, CATSINaM acknowledges and celebrates the critical role of nurses throughout the AIDS crisis in Australia.

Acting on an ethic of care, nurses drove patient advocacy during a time of entrenched prejudice and led models of care within their own communities, with their advocacy going on to shape contemporary approaches to infection control globally.

Learn more about the invaluable role of nurses during this time and beyond in the recent winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award for the Australian History category, 'Critical Care: Nurses on the frontline of Australia's AIDS crisis', including a chapter co-authored by CATSINaM member Aunty Dr Gracelyn Smallwood!

https://unsw.press/books/critical-care/

26/11/2025

Still buzzing from last Friday! ✨

A few of our team headed to the 7News Queensland Community Achievement Awards, where we were proud finalists in the Konica Minolta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Community Award 🙌🏾

We didn’t take out the category this time, but we did get to yarn with some absolutely deadly people doing incredible work across the state - seriously inspiring stuff 💗

AND… we may not have won the award, but we did win two out of the three door prizes 👀😂 So we’re calling that a solid team effort!

Massive congratulations to all the finalists, winners and sponsors for such a great night. Until next time! ✨