Introducing the Midwifery Council Members

	Dr Sally Pairman MNZM, D.Mid., MA. BM, RM, RGON. Sally Pairman has an extensive background in midwifery education and works at Otago Polytechnic in two main roles; as the Head of School of Midwifery and as the Health and Community Group Manager (with responsibility for the Schools of Foundation Learning, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Social Services). She was President of the New Zealand College of Midwives from 1992 – 1996 and then Education Consultant to the College from 1997 - 2004. She also served a three-year term on the Nursing Council of New Zealand from 1996 - 1999, where she was Deputy Chair and Convenor of the Education Committee. In 2005 she completed a Professional Doctorate in Midwifery. Sally was the only New Zealander amongst four midwives who designed and edited the first Australasian midwifery textbook, published in 2006, ‘Midwifery: preparation for practice’, and in which she also wrote or co-wrote three chapters.  She has written and published extensively about midwifery over the years including writing ‘Midwifery Partnership: a model for practice’ in 1995 with friend and colleague, Karen Guilliland. Sally lives in Dunedin with her husband and two sons. Sally was honoured and excited to be appointed to the first Midwifery Council and she has enjoyed working on its establishment. She is proud of the work done so far. Sally was re-appointed in 2006 for a further three year term ending in December 2009 and during that time she intends to assist in further consolidating and strengthening Council’s policies and functions. Sally was awarded membership of the NZ Order of Merit for services to midwifery in the 2008 Queens Birthday Honours.
	Sharron Cole, QSO, MA, DipEd, DipCBEd, Deputy Chair Sharron Cole is a consumer member of the Council, having been active in maternity issues since the early 80s. She is the Deputy Chief Families Commissioner, Deputy Chair of the Hutt Valley District Health Board, Patron of Parents Centres New Zealand and a member of a number of statutory committees in health-related areas. She lives in Petone and is married with four adult children. Sharron was re-appointed to the Midwifery Council for a further three year term ending in December 2009.
	Sue Bree, RGON, NZRM Sue Bree has been a member of Council since it was established in 1993 and was previously a member of the Nursing Council of New Zealand. She has worked as a self employed midwife in the Bay of Islands since 1990 and as such, her rural work environment incorporates home as well as primary and secondary facilities. She is currently President of the New Zealand College of Midwives.  Sue lives in Opua with her partner and teenage daughter.  Sue was re-appointed for a further three year term ending in February 2009.
	Dr Rea Daellenbach, PhD, MA(Hons)   Rea Daellenbach is a consumer member of the Council.  She became involved in the Christchurch Home Birth Association in the mid-1980s when her first children were born.  From 1992-1997, she was a consumer representative on the National Committee of NZCOM.  At the same time, she completed a PhD in sociology about the home birth movement in New Zealand.  Currently she is a lecturer in the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.  Rea lives with her partner and six year old son in central Christchurch.  Rea was re-appointed for a further three year term ending in February 2009.
	Thelma Thompson, BSc, Dip.Nursing, Dip.Midwifery   Following her nursing career Thelma completed midwifery education at AUT in 1989 and a BHSc in 1997.  She has worked throughout all areas of Women's Health at Counties Manukau, including the high-risk assessment area, with women with diabetes, as a clinical educator and in various management positions.  She is currently the Director of Midwifery at Counties Manukau District Health Board.  Thelma was re-appointed to the Midwifery Council for a further three year term ending in December 2009.
	Mina Timutimu, RN, M, PL, JP   Mina Timutimu is a midwife who works with her iwi establishing and coordinating health services for whanau and hapu.  She has had a long career in health as a midwife, a nurse and as a Plunket Nurse.  She is currently a member of the New Zealand College of Midwives' National Committee where she holds the position of Kuia and a member of the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme Advisory Group.  Mina was re-appointed to the Midwifery Council for a further three year term ending in February 2009.
	Helenmary Walker, RPN, RGON, RM, ADN Helenmary Walker came to midwifery from psychiatric and then general and obstetric nursing in Dunedin.  She completed her midwifery education at ATI and has worked in base hospitals, secondary facilities and primary maternity units in Dunedin, Christchurch, Lincoln and Timaru.  She is currently the Charge Midwife at Botany Downs Maternity unit, a level O Unit in Counties Manakau DHB in South Auckland.  Helenmary is married with three sons. She was re-appointed to the Midwifery Council for a further three year term expiring in December 2008.
	Estelle Mulligan, MA(Applied), RGON, RM, Estelle Mulligan was appointed to Council in December 2006. Of Ngati  Porou descent, Estelle recently returned to Gisborne where she works as a core midwife at Gisborne Maternity. Her midwifery training began at St Helens, Wellington and she completed MA (Midwifery) at Victoria University, Wellington. Her midwifery experience began in Gisborne and includes many years in Upper Hutt, becoming self-employed when the primary unit was closed in 1990.  She then spent five years as midwifery educator at WINTEC within Tihei Mauri Ora Roopu supporting Maori students, then worked in a midwifery professional leadership role within Lakes DHB. Estelle is a founding and active midwife member of Nga Maia Aotearoa, currently Chair, and a Nga Maia midwife delegate on NZCOM National Committee. Her two adult children, both health professionals, have now left Aotearoa on their OE and Estelle has returned home to support her parents.