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 and is often referred to as a ‘Home Away from Home.’
In caring for women the Hedland Well Women’s Centre is caring for the health of families and the Hedland community. We celebrate our dedicated support of the health and well-being of women in our town for the past 28 years.
Our service engages over 12,000 women, children and visitors 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 12 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.
Our Team
Rebekah Worthington – CEO
Rebekah Worthington
Rebekah is a compassionate and innovative leader in women’s issues. A mother and local resident in the Northwest, she is an advocate in the role of CEO. Bringing a collaborative approach and visionary intellect, Rebekah enables the centre to modernise and impart valuable knowledge, empowering others to develop as well as providing a well needed safe place for women.
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 ensure the
office is running smoothly. She is the welcoming face at the door and the
friendly voice over the phone.
Leila Edwards – Communications Coordinator
Leila Edwards
Leila is our communications coordinator, and is committed to sharing our centre programs with the community, and communicating a positive message about women’s health across all channels.
Justine Esmonde – Program Coordinator
Justine Esmonde
With a background in program and event delivery across a variety of sectors, Justine is our program coordinator. She develops and delivers programs to educate and empower women across a variety of areas.
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.
Elyssa Svarc – Health Nurse
Elyssa Svarc
Working in the Hedland community, Elyssa provides preventative health, screening and support to women. She has experience working within the hospital setting, general practice and at the Well Women’s centre for the past 3.5 years. Elyssa is passionate about health promotion, prevention, empowering and educating young women about sexual health.
Simmy Knott – Counsellor
Simmy Knott
Simmy Has lived and worked in Hedland for over 8 years, learning much about the issues in this town. She Is passionate about empowering others, especially women using her social work experience of many years . More recently she has studied and applied Internal Family systems as a gentle reflective and healing model. Member of AASW and ACA
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 also coordinates our cancer support service.
Board Members
Leaine Cornell Chairperson chairperson@wellwomens.com.au
Position Vacant Vice Chairperson vicechair@wellwomens.com.au
Robyn Zadow Treasurer treasurer@wellwomens.com.au
Tricia Hebbard Secretary secretary@wellwomens.com.au
Trish Littlewood Board Member
Sarah Bedell Board Member
Cynthia Dornelles Board Member
Deenie Gumina Board Member
Nat Middleton 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 can be 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.
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.