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27th ACM National Conference
Join us in the Top End for 3 days of inspiration, showcasing the latest research and innovation in Australian maternity care, including keynote presentations, concurrent sessions, workshops, facilitated conversations, networking events and social functions.
Darwin flights and accommodation fill quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.
Keynote Speakers
Nikki Ayers
Nikki Ayers was training to be an Australian Women’s Rugby Union Wallaroo, when a traumatic knee dislocation left her fighting to save her leg. 16 surgeries in 9 months was the gruelling start of her recovery.
Epitomising resilience, Nikki kept looking for the positives to avoid falling apart. There was one ligament still holding her knee together. She had family and friends encouraging her every step of the way. And para sporting organisations were reaching out within months. She seized the opportunities and pushed herself to make the most of this traumatic injury. Only 8 years later she was standing on the podium at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with a gold medal around her neck.
After some time away in 2022 to pursue further studies and complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies, Nikki’s drive to win gold had not disappeared. Getting back into the boat in 2023, Nikki was selected in the Australian PR3 mixed double. A Paralympic Champion, a former state rugby union player and a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Nikki can finally relax …. until the next dream.
Donna Ah Chee
Dr Donna Ah Chee is the Chief Executive Officer of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, an Aboriginal community controlled primary health care service employing over 500 staff to deliver integrated services to
Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and nine remote communities across the region. She has made a significant contribution to the health of Aboriginal people through her leadership in primary health care, research, education and public health. In 2024, Donnawas the recipient of the Sidney Sax Public Health Medal, the Menzies Medallion and the National Rural and Remote Award for Excellence in Rural/Remote Health Administration.
Donna is a proud Bundjalung woman from the far north coast of New South Wales who has lived in Mparntwe
for over 36 years. She is married to a local Yankunytjatjara/Arrernte man and together they have three children and three grandchildren.
CJ Blennerhassett
CJ is a Registered Midwife with eight years of clinical practice providing primary care to hundreds of families. As President of the Canadian Association of Midwives, CJ has represented Canadian healthcare on the international stage and works with midwifery, government, and health system leaders from all provinces and territories to advocate for the growth of midwifery and ultimately the increased access to improved outcomes for sexual, reproductive and newborn health. CJ is Vice President of the Association of Nova Scotia Midwives and has worked within the provincial government’s department of health and wellness in system integration and health services planning.
CJ is an experienced teacher and clinical preceptor and has extensive speaking experience across interprofessional audiences, appearing at conferences and conducting workshops about the provision of inclusive care for queer, transgender and non-binary patients. CJ strongly believes that the midwifery philosophy of informed choice is foundational to the provision of inclusive health care and that patients should be centered as experts in their own care.
Tez Clasquin
Theresa Clasquin is a Registered Midwife and Nurse who has worked in the health sector for over 19 years. She has contributed to health service delivery in a variety of roles including clinical, education, management, leadership and research. Theresa has spent most of her career working in senior leadership roles in the Northern Territory including most recently as the Senior Midwifery Advisor. She has also worked internationally with Médecins Sans Frontieres in both Papua New Guinea and Yemen. Theresa is currently completing her PhD through the Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights, in partnership with NT Health and a broad range of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in a remote Yolngu community. Her research is focused on reforming health system policies and practices to enable First Nations communities to establish and sustain sexual assault healing services in remote settings.
Theresa continues to contribute to both health service reforms and leadership development in the NT as both the Deputy Chair of the Northern Territory Clinical Senate, and the course coordinator for the Australasian College of Health Service Managers Fellowship program.
Christian Wright
Christian Wright is a nurse and midwife, maternal health researcher and educator, Clinical Council member to Northern Territory Primary Health Network, and Advisory Panel member to the Australasian Birth Trauma Association. Christian has a scope of practice experience which includes metropolitan Emergency Departments and Birth Centres, Public Health and Disaster Teams, as well as remote and isolated communities across Papua New Guinea and Arnhem Land Australia. With a rich understanding of complexities of care across this diversity of cultures, 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.
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Tickets
Earlybird (until 7th July 2025)
Three day registration (includes Gala Dinner)
ACM Member $950
ACM Graduate, Affiliate, Pacific Member $600
ACM Student Member $530
Non-Member $1,400
From 8th July 2025
Three day registration (includes Gala Dinner)
ACM Member $1,150
ACM Graduate, Affiliate, Pacific Member $700
ACM Student Member $630
Non-Member $1,600
Accommodation
We’ve negotiated accommodation discounts and secured a limited number of reduced-rate hotel rooms to make your trip to Darwin cost affordable. Through the travel experts at Accommodation Link, rooms at the group rate are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis.
Flights
We are thrilled to announce that ACM has partnered with Qantas to support our delegates for the upcoming 2025 ACM National Conference.
As part of this collaboration, Qantas is offering discounts on selected flights for all registered delegates who are travelling to the event from within Australia and internationally*. Lower fares may be available on qantas.com at time of booking and discounts may not apply.
Qantas is Australia's most trusted airline, with a reputation for delivering excellent service, safety, and reliability. We are proud to have them on board as our official airline partner for the 2025 National Conference, ensuring delegates can travel in comfort and style to our event.
To find out more about the select discounted flights, delegates can simply book via the dedicated links below using the access code. The access code will be provided after registration is completed. Please forward your registration confirmation email to events@midwives.org.au to be provided with the access code.
Terms and Conditions
*Offer only available to eligible travellers. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion unless otherwise specified. Lower fares may be available on qantas.com. Discounts apply for Q class and above. Please refer to discount table for more information. Selected travel dates apply 1 Sep 25 - 18 Sep 25 for domestic flights and 25 August 25 - 25 Sep 25 for international flights, not available on all flights or days. Discounts are subject to availability and subject to change without notice at any time.
Pre Conference NT Midwifery Study Tour
Tour Leader Alison Weatherstone, ACM Chief Midwife
Explore the dramatically beautiful landscapes of the Northern Territory as you learn about the history and practice of midwifery in the region. Hear about traditional practices, the culture an Explore the dramatically beautiful landscapes of the Northern Territory as you learn about the history and practice of midwifery in the region.
Hear about traditional practices, the culture and customs of First Nations people and rural and remote midwifery. Explore Darwin, travel to remote Katherine and into stunning Kakadu before returning to Darwin at the end of the tour. Cruise through beautiful Nitmiluk Gorge, mingle in Mindil Markets, swim under spectacular waterfalls and in hot springs, and learn about local culture and history ranging from ancient times to the modern day.
The tour is led by the Chief Midwife of the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), Alison Weatherstone, and has been designed as a pre-conference tour for the 2025 ACM National Conference in Darwin (9-11 September 2025).
Highlights from 2024
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