Helen commenced her Maternal and Child Health journey at City of Kingston in 2002.In the seven years at Kingston Council she worked in various MCH roles -Universal, Enhanced, Breast Feeding Support Service, Sleep Clinic and as a project manager.
In February 2009 Helen took on the role of Implementation Manager, MCH Key Ages and Stages Project, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria Government.
Leading the development, implementation and evaluation of the Statewide Maternal and Child Health Key Ages and Stages Framework, Helen trained over 1,300 Maternal and Child Health nurses throughout Victoria.
During the development of the Key Ages and Stages Framework, Helen worked closely with the Coroners Court Victoria investigation into sleep-related infant deaths in Victoria and was invited to attend National Scientific Advisory Group session exploring the evidence and messaging relating to bed sharing.
Helen contributed to the development and implementation of the MCH Safe Sleeping
Checklist (2009-2012) and the development of the Victorian Government Nursery Equipment Program (2009-2012). This work led to the first Victorian cross-sectional study exploring infant sleep practices and bed-sharing prevalence.
Cunningham, H.M., Vally, H. & Bugeja, L. (2018).
Bed-Sharing in the First 8 Weeks of Life:
An Australian Study. Maternal and Child Health Journal
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-017-2424-7
In 2011 Helen joined Glen Eira Council as Maternal and Child Health Coordinator, ensuring that all Glen Eira City Council children and their families have the opportunity to optimise their health, development, and wellbeing during the period of a child’s life from birth to school age. At Glen Eira she developed a partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia Victoria Caring Mums Program.
Her time at Glen Eira also saw the development of the multi council Maternal and Child Health Graduate Program.
Between June 2017 and October 2021 Helen was Director of Nursing and Clinical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Centre. Working in partnership with families and communities, building parenting capacity and confidence to enable all children to have the best start in life.
In October 2021 to the present-day Helen has been the Director of Clinical Innovation and Development, Queen Elizabeth Centre. This is a key role supporting the Queen Elizabeth Centre as a leader in innovation and development in the early parenting sector. Helen has led the development of QEC’s Model of Care, Outcomes, and Clinical Practice Frameworks which now inform clinical practice and professional development for Early Parenting Centres across the state of Victoria.
In 2024, through Helen’s innovation and leadership QEC partnered with Monash University to create the first Early Parenting University Short Course. Semester One is currently being delivered for the first time, Unit 1: Early Parenting Fundamentals. Semester Two will see the delivery of Unit 2: Early Parenting Practice.
Helen has been a valued member of the Review Committee for the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Nurse Professional Standards for Practice, 2024. Helen was present at numerous meetings ensuring research-based evidence informed clinical practice guidelines were developed for quality, safe, effective and efficient care. The level of professionalism and knowledge she displayed throughout the various stages of the project was magnificent.
Finally, Helen has been a member of the Victorian Association of Maternal and Child Health Nurses Inc for the past twenty-five years. During this time, she has promoted Maternal and Child Health nursing practice at both state and national level and made an outstanding contribution to Maternal and Child Health nursing.
