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 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 2019-2020 Annual Report.
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.
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.
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 and events 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.
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.
Jill Byrne – Cancer Support Coordinator
Jill Byrne
Jill is here to assist and support those on a cancer journey. Jill will help connect you with services who can help ease some of the burden and offer support as you navigate the cancer path. Having been on her own cancer journey for the past 4 years, it is a cause close to Jill's heart.
Board Members
Robyn Zadow
Position Vacant
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
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.
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.