This award recognises a nurse or midwife who has consistently delivered high-quality care, exceeded role expectations, and contributed meaningfully to their rural community.
Tania Murphy – Finalist
Tania Murphy has spent 23 years at Bunbury Hospital, shaping a child-safe, family-centred paediatric service recognised for excellence across the region. As clinical nurse manager, she championed dedicated children’s spaces, led the Paediatric Assessment Unit’s development, and embedded a care model that keeps families closer to home, reducing unnecessary travel to Perth.
Tania has built a highly skilled nursing team, supported advanced practice training, and strengthened partnerships with community child health, midwifery, allied health and education services. A strong patient safety advocate, she established safe escort pathways and created innovative ward orientation resources for families. Her collaborative, approachable leadership is valued across disciplines and her commitment to upskilling regional staff continues to grow paediatric capability in the South West.
Now stepping into the Health Navigator role for children entering care, she remains dedicated to equitable, coordinated support for vulnerable families.
Amy Pedersen – Finalist
Amy has lived in the Pilbara for 17 years and has more than a decade of experience in remote nursing and education, working with WA Country Health Service and at Pilbara Kimberley University Centres as the Nursing Co-ordinator, where she provides outstanding support to more than 120 nursing students across the Pilbara and Kimberley.
Her nursing experience includes emergency, medical/ surgical, infection control and staff health, with additional qualifications in immunisation and critical care. Amy delivers intensive residential schools, mentors students, and has driven improvements in access for regional students, including securing local training, affordable accommodation and opportunities to complete all clinical placement hours close to home.
A long-time St John Ambulance volunteer, Amy is dedicated to strengthening the local nursing workforce and improving healthcare access in regional WA.
Jane Darlington – Winner
Jane Darlington has been a driving force for paediatric excellence in the East Kimberley for almost 20 years. Trained in the UK and experienced in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital PICU, she brought her expertise to Kununurra, where specialist paediatric skills are vital. As paediatric clinical nurse and later staff development nurse, Jane has strengthened neonatal and paediatric emergency responses and led specialist training for nursing, medical, allied health and support staff across multiple sites.
During the recent rotavirus outbreak, she worked tirelessly for more than two weeks, coordinating care and transfers for critically unwell children. Beyond her clinical leadership, Jane leads annual fundraising initiatives for children’s charities and community health causes. Her dedication, expertise and compassion make her an outstanding and deserving nominee.
Nurse or Midwife of the Year is sponsored by Edith Cowan University.