Wheatbelt midwife Melanie in line for excellence award

Wheatbelt Clinical Midwife Consultant Melanie Woodhams is not only passionate about supporting birthing mums and families in the region, she also works tirelessly to elevate, promote and develop midwifery across WA Country Health Service.

Melanie’s commitment to her profession is just one of the reasons she has been named a finalist in the 2026 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards (WANMEA).

Based at Northam Health Service, Melanie has a broad history with country communities, having worked across the South West, Kimberley and Wheatbelt since 2008.

Melanie provides high-level clinical midwifery leadership, management and governance across the Wheatbelt, including the two Midwifery Group Practices at Narrogin and Avon Valley, as well as the Community Midwifery Service.

“I am very humbled by the nomination, and the acknowledgement of the work I do within my region,” Melanie said.

As an early career graduate, Melanie developed her skillset at both Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital in the Special Care Nursery, later starting her midwifery career in country in Bunbury.

“I am most passionate about developing the profession itself, mentoring junior staff, creating a supportive workplace culture that supports recruitment and retention,” Melanie said.

“I’m also keen to promote service developments that provide both high-quality, evidence-based and woman-centred care but also supports midwives to work to their full scope of practice.”

Category winners of the 2026 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, along with the 2026 WA Nurse or Midwife of the Year, and the recipient of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honour, will be announced 9 May 2026 at the WANMEA Gala Ball.

For more information click here.