Amy Dawes
Founder, CEO, Director
In 2017, Amy launched the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA). She has established a for-purpose organisation focused on the recognition and understanding of birth-related trauma.
With a multi-disciplinary advisory group of clinicians, Amy has developed the resources and strategies to better prevent, diagnose and effectively manage birth-related trauma.
Amy’s understanding of the issues many birthing families face has come from her own experience with the forceps delivery of her first child. Amy’s vision is to make the invisible visible, and she is passionate about educating health professionals about trauma-informed practice so as to continue driving change in current maternity practices in Australia and New Zealand.
Amy is a proud member of the RANZCOG Informed Birth working group and The Caesarean Delivery at Maternal Request working party.
Christine Pistone
Company Secretary & Projects
Christine is mum to her boisterous son who was born in 2014. As a result of her birth-related injuries, she discovered ABTA and joined the team in 2019 as a volunteer supporting project development.
Christine has recently completed the AICD Company Directors course and was appointed as Company Secretary in 2020.
Christine holds a Diploma of Financial Services with over 20 years experience in insurance and management. Christine is passionate about the prevention of birth trauma and her vision is to use her experience to help drive change on how information is delivered to women pre, during and post-childbirth.
Currently Recruiting
Volunteer Coordinator
VOLUNTEERS
Rhiannon Pohlman
Program Coordinator
Rhiannah is a mum of two boys, who’s births did not go to plan. She experienced birth trauma both times, both physically and psychologically. Her first birth resulted in a fourth-degree tear and her second was an emergency c-section. Postpartum she experienced incontinence, a fistula, PTSD, postnatal depression and anxiety.
Rhiannah has overcome her traumatic birth experiences and now puts her energy into advocating for women in the birth, pregnancy and postpartum space, both with ABTA as a Peer Support Mentor & as a Naturopath helping women through their trauma and their postpartum experiences.
She has huge goals to revolutionise the way women experience pregnancy and birth to prevent trauma, postnatal depression & anxiety in the first place. Rhiannah doesn’t want other women to feel the way she did in the depths of her trauma and this motivates her to continue sharing her story, so other women know they’re not alone.
Brendan Lonergan
Finance Manager
Following his and his wife’s experience with birth related trauma Brendan reached out to the ABTA to offer his help in any way he could. He brings skills and experience in financial bookkeeping which is an essential role within the ABTA. When asked what he would like in his bio he simply said
“Louise’s Dad, ABTA’s new Finance Manager”
Daniel Mastrorillo
CTO
As an avid believer in giving back to the community, Daniel has always been passionate about volunteering. He came across ABTA through his work and instantly knew this was the role for him.
Following the traumatic birth of his daughter, Daniel was no stranger to the lack of support for parents both during and after birth. As such, volunteering with ABTA was a chance for Daniel to be a part of something amazing; improving the experience both for his Fiancé as well as parents across Australasia by creating a safe space for parents to reach out and seek support should they need it.
With an exhaustive background in all aspects of Software Engineering, Daniel is extremely excited to be a part of ABTA and to support them in any way possible, so they may provide and extend their services across Australasia.
Gabby Beard
Partnerships and Advocacy
Gabby came across the work of the ABTA after experiencing a traumatic birth with her first child. Passionate about making changes to better support birthing women and families and reducing the trauma that can go along with giving birth, Gabby reached out to ABTA to see how she could contribute to their mission of better births and safer healing. After completing the peer mentor training in 2020, Gabby shifted focus to use her skills in strategic policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement to support ABTA’s operations and impact in the community.
When she is not working, Gabby enjoys getting out in the garden and having dance parties with her husband and two kids.
Currently Recruiting
Events Coordinator (Voluntary)
William Teng
Digital Analyst
We are so grateful to have Will volunteer his time for this role. The information he will provide will be priceless in this web based world. Here is a little about Will.
“I’m a STEM enthusiast, if it means coding up programs to order me UberEats or building robots from junk that shoot playing cards – I’m your guy!
Laura Hewitt
Advocacy
Laura discovered the ABTA when seeking support for the psychological birth trauma she encountered with the birth of her daughter in 2019. She joined the volunteer team in 2021 in an advocacy role, whilst also supporting the ABTA’s development and review of materials for clinicians and consumers. Laura has a clinical background, practicing as a physiotherapist for over a decade in tertiary health services before taking up roles within government which focus on improving quality and safety in healthcare. Laura is passionate about improving the healthcare system to prevent the occurrence of birth trauma, as well as providing better support for women and families who have experienced birth trauma.
Currently Recruiting
Research Support (Voluntary)
Currently Recruiting
Content Creator (Voluntary)
Amanda Turnill
Chair
Amanda is a former lawyer who has been internationally recognised in the area of life sciences and health law. Over her legal career, she held various leadership and management positions and headed up the life sciences practice at three commercial law firms in Australia. She was first made a partner in 2000 with an international law firm in London. She has since held Asia-Pacific and global leadership roles at law firms based in Sydney.
After having a son in 2001 with significant health challenges from birth, she returned to Australia for family support and to work part-time. She also has a daughter who has faced health issues. After both children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Amanda has advocated for neurodiverse children in their schools and medical arenas. In 2019, she founded the Australian arm of a consulting business called auticon Australia which employs autistic adults to advise clients on technology issues.
Before practising law, Amanda completed general nursing training at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital and, after graduation, nursed in the oncology and serious paediatric illnesses ward. During her time nursing, she looked after critically ill new-born babies and understands a small part of the trauma experienced by families from birth related trauma.
Her childhood was shaped by her mother’s distressing birth experience in the 1960s, having a still-born child who was immediately taken away from her without any psychological support. Amanda’s childhood experience, and her own experience as a mother, have led Amanda to appreciate the importance of trained and caring support for women and families, both pre and post-natally.
Venessa Wells
Non Executive Director
Venessa has over fifteen years’ experience driving community initiatives in the areas of health promotion, chronic disease, injury and violence prevention, mental health promotion, and disaster prevention, in Australia and overseas.
She has held both board and executive-level roles, and has designed, managed, and evaluated evidence-based local, state and national initiatives.
Venessa is currently a non-executive director with a number of not-for-profit organisations, is a freelance consultant, and is completing a PhD exploring leadership and decision-making.
Venessa is a mother of two young children. She is passionate about empowering women and children, as well as prevention and trauma-informed recovery.
Gemma Hudson
Non Executive Director
A scientist by background, Gemma has spent 20+ years working in health communications and marketing, spanning the corporate and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and the UK. She is an Executive Director of the Australian arm of a global communications agency and during her career has worked with many of the world’s leading health organisations. Gemma has led teams delivering awarding-winning health awareness and education campaigns targeting both the community and healthcare professionals.
Gemma had her own experience with traumatic birth when her daughter was stillborn in 2019 and then again when her son was born 11 weeks premature in 2020. It was this lived experience that led Gemma to join the ABTA board in July 2022 and makes her passionate about educating the community and reducing the stigma around traumatic birth.
Victoria Lindores
Non Executive Director
Victoria is a Certified Financial Planner, Responsible Investment advocate and mother of two.
With over 15 years in financial markets and experience in innovation and entrepreneurship, Victoria is passionate about helping organisations maximise their impact.
She is passionate about empowering families to make informed decisions that meet their needs and providing support for those who have experienced birth-related trauma.
Victoria is currently a Partner at Koda Capital, an independent wealth management firm, where she manages capital on behalf of individuals, families and non-profit organisations.
Jyoti Haikerwal
Risk Officer
Jyoti Haikerwal is a lawyer specialising in medical negligence litigation. She has represented many women who have suffered from the psychological and physical effects of a traumatic birth. Jyoti is passionate about being involved and contributing to the work ABTA does to support families after a traumatic birth experience.
The ABTA Clinical Network has been established by the ABTA for the purpose of providing expert advice when needed and healthy discussion about clinical aspects of The ABTA’s strategic pillars for awareness, understanding, support and sustainability and to help us achieve ABTA’s vision of Safer Births, Better Healing.
Angela James MACP
Pelvic Physiotherapist
Angela is the Founder & Principal Physiotherapist of Sydney Pelvic Clinic, a specialised pelvic health service for women, men and children. Angela has developed a team of like-minded, highly trained professionals committed to delivering an evidence-based and person-centred approach to improve their patients pelvic health. In addition to her clinical work, Angela teaches locally and internationally, striving to improve the quality of physiotherapy services beyond her own borders.
Fiona Reid
Midwife
Fiona is a practising Midwife with over 34 years experience. She has worked in all areas of midwifery practice in New Guinea, India and Australia; in remote, rural, regional and urban settings. In low risk, all risk, high risk and continuity programmes. She is committed to Public Health and believes that care will be appropriate and best when individualised, provided by the right carer in the right setting and at the right time by people who place the woman at the centre of all care.
Dr Oliver Daly
OBGYN/UROGYN
Oliver is a father of two amazing daughters and married to the wonderful Kathryn. He is a RANZCOG-certified Urogynaecologist and Obstetrician, and clinical lead for Urogynaecology at Western Health in Melbourne. Through his training and ongoing care of women at the Royal Womens Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, Royal Prince Alfred, Gold Coast University Hospital, and now Western Health, he has persevered to raise the important issue of preventable obstetric pelvic floor trauma to improve the care of women.
Through Western Health, the University of Melbourne and Monash University, he runs an active research programme currently undertaking a PhD to investigate obstetric pelvic floor trauma, methods of delivering patient information and improvements in the quality of care provided at a health-system level. To support this research Oliver has received numerous scholarships and grants from the RANZCOG, CFA, UGSA, IUGA and the federal government. Oliver is a member of the editorial committee for ANZJC and ANZJOG, as well as being a reviewer for BJOG, ISUOG and the IUJO. He has served in a number of leadership and representative roles at local, national and international level and serves on the International Urogynaecological Association’s obstetric pelvic floor trauma special interest group to promote improved care at an international level.
Oliver works directly with women both on the birth suite and postnatally to prevent and reduce the effects of trauma but also acts to increase clinician’s knowledge about the risk factors and prevention strategies, and skills to manage such trauma, also encouraging the empowerment of women to direct their care to reduce the risks of childbirth.
Christian White
Clinical Nurse Specialist/Midwife
Christian Wright is currently practicing on Yolŋu Peoples Land in the Northern Territory, as a clinical nurse specialist, midwife, maternal health researcher and educator, and recently appointed Clinical Council member providing strategic guidance and advice to the Northern Territory Primary Health Network Board. Christian has a rich understanding of complexities of care across a diversity of cultures, with a scope of practice experience which includes metropolitan Emergency Departments and Birth Centres, as well as isolated communities across Papua New Guinea and Arnhem Land Australia. As his presence would have been traditionally considered a cultural taboo in some of these remote places, Christian has learned to navigate and iterate his midwifery practice in response to maternal and community needs, both as a male in sacred Indigenous birthing spaces and as a clinician in rural and resource scarce environments. Listening to and advocating for the experience and voice of remote women, their partners, and their families, has become a rewarding focus of Christian’s work and published research.
Sally Ely
Research Support
Sally is a pelvic floor physiotherapist, researcher and policy officer with an interest in informed consent in birth. Like many pelvic floor physiotherapists, Sally had observed that many people are unprepared for the risks that can materialise following birth. These risks, which include sexual dysfunction, incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, can impact many life domains and result in negative psychological sequelae. In 2018, Sally commenced her PhD investigating antenatal and intrapartum consent, and now provides research support to ABTA on a volunteer basis. Sally is a proud member of the RANZCOG Informed Birth working group.
Amy Mageropoulos
Nurse
Amy Mageropoulos is a practising Nurse Educator currently working within the NSW public hospital system. Amy has worked in a variety of clinical roles and currently is involved with development programs for the future nursing workforce including training and support programs for Enrolled Nurses and New Graduate Registered Nurses. After her own experience with birth trauma, her focus is now to advocate for change in maternity and obstetrics services in Australia to improve the patient experience and ensure adequate resources and support for health professionals and patients alike.
Prof H Peter Dietz
Urogynaecologist
ABTA Co-founder, Prof. Hans Peter Dietz was born in Tuebingen, Germany, in 1963. After Primary and Secondary School he studied Medicine at Heidelberg University, Germany. He graduated in 1988 and obtained an MD at Heidelberg University in 1989.
After emigrating to New Zealand in 1990, he arrived in Australia in 1997 and completed his FRANCOG training in 1998 at Royal Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland. Between 1999 and 2002, Dr Dietz undertook urogynaecology subspeciality training in Sydney at the Royal Hospital for Women, St Vincent’s Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and obtained a PhD with the University of New South Wales in 2003.
Since 2008 he is Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. He is active in a number of national and international scientific societies such as RANZCOG, IUGA and ISUOG and has published 351 peer-reviewed papers (H factor 70), and 18 book chapters, the vast majority relating to ultrasound imaging in Urogynaecology. Since 2002 he has organised over 50 imaging workshops at urogynaecological and imaging meetings. In 2016 he was one of the founders of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association.
His current research interests include imaging in urogynaecology, pregnancy and childbirth-related pelvic floor trauma, and the ethics of professional conduct, especially as regards informed consent. He is married with two sons and lives in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, Australia.
Prof Dietz resigned from ABTA in 2017.
Dr Elizabeth Skinner
Midwife
AS/Prof Maya Drum
Dr Jennifer Kruger
Midwife
Dr Jennifer is based in New Zealand, she played a vital role in establishing the ABTA in 2016. Jennifer’s research focus is maternal/child health and she leads the Pelvic Floor Research group at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland. Where they use a multi-disciplinary approach to pelvic floor mechanics and its relationship to childbirth and pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Dr Kruger’s background is in nursing and midwifery, so she is able to recognise the need for evidence based research to better inform women of their choices in childbirth for optimal outcomes.
Kate Waterford
Legal
Kate Waterford is Managing Partner of Maliganis Edwards Johnson, a Canberra law firm. Kate runs a legal practice in medical negligence, representing plaintiffs who have been injured in the health system, with a special interest in birth trauma. An experienced not-for-profit board chair and director, Kate has served on a range of charity and government boards, in human rights, education, professional regulation, and healthcare organisations. Kate is a published expert on human rights and health law, being the current editor of relevant chapters in the legal encyclopedia Halsbury’s Laws of Australia.
Prof Bryanne Barnett
Psychiatrist
Professor (Conjoint UNSW) Bryanne Barnett AM
MBChB, FRANZCP, MD
Bryanne is a child and family psychiatrist with a particular interest in prevention and early intervention in mental health. Her doctoral thesis concerned anxiety and its effects on mothers and their infants. Those studies included the first Attachment research in Australia. In subsequent research she has focused on translating research findings into relevant mental health initiatives, including in primary care.
Currently she holds a conjoint professorial appointment with the School of Psychiatry at the UNSW, where she previously held the first Chair of Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry, establishing services in Sydney’s South West and with Karitane and then with St John of God Health Care, in Blacktown and Perth. She is a Foundation Board member of both Gidget Foundation Australia and the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA).
Bryanne is a foundation member and past President of the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health, the Australian Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and both the International and Australasian Marce Societies.
In 2007 Bryanne was awarded Membership in the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to families and the profession. In 2016, she received a Citation from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and in 2018 she was awarded the John Cox medal by the International Marce Society.
Prof Barnett retired in 2021.
