ABOUT US
The Well Women's Centre
was established in 1991
The Centre provides a free service that offers support for women in all aspects of their lives, in particular aims to improve the women’s health and wellbeing in Hedland and surrounding areas and is often referred to as a ‘Home Away from Home.’
In improving the health and wellbeing for women, the Hedland Well Women’s Centre is also improving the health and wellbeing of families and the Hedland community. We celebrate our dedicated support in improving the health and wellbeing of women in our town for the past three decades.
Our service engages thousands of women and families each year. You are welcomed and cared for in an open, non-judgmental atmosphere and confidentiality is assured at all times. Our staff take a holistic approach to women’s issues focusing on physical, emotional, social and mental health.
Our programs and services are open to all women living in or visiting the Hedland area. Dedicated staff are supported by a volunteer Board of Management made up of local women.
Many of the Centre’s activities are run in collaboration with other service providers. The Well Women’s Centre pride themselves in working collectively and with the community on achieving better outcomes for the great town in which we live.
Our funding and support comes from the State Government Health Department and locally through the BHP community partnership.
Here you can view the Hedland Well Women’s Centre Constitution and our latest Annual Report.
Our Team
Johanna Ward – CEO
Johanna Ward
Jo is our Chief Executive Officer. She is a passionate advocate for those who are marginalised and through her various roles has always sought to improve the health, wellbeing and life outcomes for service users, particularly those living in remote locations.
Beccy Fogarty – Office Manager
Beccy Fogarty
Beccy is our bubbly Office Manager, providing effective management of the Centre's administrative operations to ensure the office is running smoothly.
Nicole Bathurst – Dietitian
Nicole Bathurst
Nicole is a qualified dietitian who specialises in women’s nutrition. She can assist with developing healthy eating and lifestyle habits for physical and mental health. She can also advise on diets for pregnancy, allergies, eating disorders, and other conditions such as IBS.
Anthea Dhu – Admin Support
Anthea Dhu
Anthea provides admin and clerical support to the team. She is the welcoming face at the door and the
friendly voice over the phone, ready to assist you with your enquiries.
Leila Edwards – Communications Coordinator
Leila Edwards
Leila is our communications coordinator, committed to sharing our Centre's programs and services with the community, and communicating a positive message about women’s health across all channels.
Taren Copeman – Health Nurse
Taren Copeman
With a background in Nursing for more than 30 years, Taren is our Registered Nurse. Our women's health clinic offers cervical screening testing in a comfortable and safe environment. Taren is a gentle and caring nurse who is passionate about women's health.
Narelle Bettini – Student Counsellor
Narelle Bettini
Narelle is practising in a Counselling role with the Centre while attaining full accreditations with the Australian Counselling Association. With skills and training in CBT and psycho-somatic therapies, Narelle is passionate about guiding and supporting women to realising their full potential.
Laura Philpott – Program Coordinator
Laura Philpott
Laura is our program coordinator and is responsible for planning and delivery of the programs and events at the centre. She has a strong background in health and fitness and is passionate about educating and empowering women.
Karen Cooper – Advocacy Support Worker
Karen Cooper
Karen helps women who come to the Well Women's Centre to find support and connections in the Hedland community. Karen also supports those facing a cancer journey, connecting people with available supports and assisting with gaps in service delivery where appropriate.
Gloria Lockyer – Full Time Counsellor
Gloria Lockyer
Gloria is Counsellor level 2 member of The ACA, accredited to deliver therapy in Indigenous Narrative, CBT, DBT, Schema, EMDR, holistic and group therapy. She is a local woman who understands many of the challenges we face in the North West. She is passionate about supporting women taking a holistic approach which strengthen women and in turn the family and community.
Board Members
Annalee Le Roux
Tricia Hebbard
Leaine Cornell
Sarah Bedell
Deenie Gumina
Janine Cox
Amanda Sweet
Sandra Gibson
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Chantel Cullen
Chairperson
Amanda Sweet
Vice Chairperson
Penny Forshaw
Treasurer
Tricia Hebbard
Secretary
Sarah Bedell
Board Member
Janine Cox
Board Member
Tara Atkins
Board Member
Narelle Hines
Board Member
Port Hedland
Most of the time having come from a metropolitan environment and have often travelled interstate or inter country, for many women making Hedland home can be an adjustment.
Adjusting
In your home environment you may have been strongly connected to family, friends and their community and have left these behind. Moving to Port Hedland maybe the first time living outside that environment.
Adjustment can be difficult especially when partners work long hours and the environment and climate is harsh. Even for those who have settled well, the transient nature of the town means regularly saying goodbye to friends and after a while it might feel like it is simpler to give up rather than start again.
It is too easy for women to become isolated and relationships strained resulting in anxiety and depression. The Well Women’s counselling statistics reflect the majority presenting with issues of stress, relationships and anxiety.
We strongly believe women who are connected and not socially isolated stay and create strong communities. We believe that by supporting women in this town we are contributing to healthy relationships and happier community members. We have seen many women not connected and supported unfortunately leave and the town loses families and skilled workers and the community as a whole suffers.
Hedland is an awesome community to be a part of and the Well Women’s Centre enjoys supporting women and families and assisting them in making Hedland Home.
For more information about Port Hedland visit the Town of Port Hedland website and be sure to check out their Events Calendar to find out what’s on.
Board Members
Rebekah Worthington – CEO
Rebekah Worthington
Rebekah moved to town 8 years ago with her family to join the mining game in safety and training management. But a passion for women’s health, a growing love for…
Nicole Bathurst – Dietitian
Nicole Bathurst
Janine Rowley – Admin Support
Janine Rowley
Leila Edwards – Communications Coordinator
Leila Edwards
Justine Esmonde – Program Coordinator
Justine Esmonde
Gloria Lockyer – Full Time Counsellor
Gloria Lockyer
Gloria is an expert in narrative therapy and community and group therapy. She is a local woman who understands local culture and the harsh North West environment. Her passion is…
Elyssa Svarc – Health Nurse
Elyssa Svarc
With experience in community health and general practice, Elyssa's role at the centre is to offer women support in preventative health. Elyssa has an amazing skill at working with and…
Simmy Knott – Counsellor
Simmy Knott
As a client centered Counsellor, Simmy has a strong desire and ability to assist and support clients through stages of their life journey. She has many skills under her belt…
Jill Byrne – Office Manager
Jill Byrne
Jill is here to assist you with any inquiries, she is the welcoming face at the door and the friendly voice over the phone. Jill has called Hedland home on…
Vision
Connecting, Empowering
and Advocating for
women in a Safe Place.
Mission
We provide a holistic, women-centred approach to health and wellbeing. We empower women of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations and backgrounds to make informed life choices and grow within themselves. We do this by:
– Providing a safe space for women and children to access a range of services.
– Educating women across a range of areas.
– Providing health and counselling specialists for women.
Our approach is focused on supporting and treating the whole women, and by early intervention reduces future health costs by uncovering underlying issues that can lead to many physical and mental health issues.
Become a Member
Well Women's Centre
Join or renew your membership for just $20 and enjoy access to all Centre services and programs and keep up to date with what’s on through our monthly newsletter.