Celebrating Tamara Porter – finalist for HESTA Midwife of the Year
Congratulations to Tamara Porter, our Aboriginal Midwife Coordinator and proud Gamilaroi woman, who has been named a finalist for Midwife of the Year at the 2026 HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
The HESTA Awards are among the most recognised in the country, celebrating the nurses and midwives who go above and beyond for their patients, their communities and their profession. And Tamara? She does all that, and then some.
Where culture and care come together
At the heart of Tamara’s work is the BUBUP Clinic, a continuity-of-care service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families that spans multiple sites and ensures families feel supported, connected and culturally safe throughout their journey – from pregnancy bookings right through to postnatal care and home visits.
Tamara weaves cultural practices such as yarning, storytelling, belly casting, possum skin cloak crafting and placental burials into the fabric of care. She has led the transformation of physical spaces where women give birth and receive care, with Aboriginal artwork in birthing suites, clinics and waiting areas across our sites. And she has created opportunities for families to connect (or reconnect) with their culture and identity.
The results speak for themselves
Tamara’s approach isn’t just meaningful, it’s measurable. Under her leadership, antenatal engagement among Aboriginal women has increased, smoking cessation rates have improved, preterm birth rates have reduced, and breastfeeding initiation has gone up.
These aren’t just numbers. They represent families who felt safe enough to walk through the door, and supported enough to stay.
Cheering Tamara on
The HESTA Awards finalists were announced on 14 April, with Tamara among three remarkable midwives shortlisted for Midwife of the Year nationally.
Winners will be announced at the HESTA awards dinner on Thursday 14 May.
Congratulations, Tamara. We’re cheering you on every step of the way.
