Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation ACT 1991. The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.

Meet our board

Tania Brown
President

Tania joined the Board in 2020 as Vice President before becoming President in 2021. Tania was born and raised in Canberra, the youngest of three children to an Aboriginal father and a non-Indigenous mother. Tania’s cultural connection are with the Wonnarua Nation of the Hunter Valley NSW.

She has worked within Aboriginal Affairs for 29 years within the Public Service and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Tania is committed to utilising her policy and research skills in supporting better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and working towards eliminating the health disparities across the board within Australia’s mainstream health services.

In 2015 Tania and her husband moved to Medowie for a bit of a sea change (Port Stephens) which is an amazing community.

Katie Puttock
Vice President

Katie is an experienced communicator with more than 12 years’ experience working on national social policy to support communities.

With a strong background in strategy and social marketing, Katie has worked with government in both political and policy roles within Indigenous affairs, finance, health, aged care, social services and digital transformation portfolios.

She has an extensive network and demonstrated ability to effectively work with stakeholders across a range of sectors to achieve community led solutions to local or national issues. Her strength in community engagement brings strong grassroots focus to effective public relations campaigns, particularly in the area of behaviour change.

Katie’s experience in senior management and advisory roles provides an ability to analysis and understand our client’s objectives. As a former media adviser, she also has a detailed knowledge of the national and local media landscape and producing effective media and digital strategies and products.

As a young Canberra based mum, Katie brings to the Board her passion for community support. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, specialising in Not for Profit organisations.

David Maywald
Treasurer

David joined the Board in 2021. He has previously contributed to seven diverse organisations in a governance capacity during the last 24 years (spanning charities, for-purpose, community services and companies). He has held the roles of Chair, Treasurer, Chair of Audit & Risk, Member of several Committees, Non-Executive Director and Board Member. His board achievements include significant improvements to strategy, recruitment, transparency, investment decisions and communications.

As a Graduate Member of the AICD, David has completed the Company Directors Course. He has a very broad professional network and a successful fundraising track record (including institutional and retail funds, as well as grant wins). With degrees in Economics and Commerce Honours from the ANU, he has been qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst for 18 years. His two-decade executive career in Investment Management spanned all functions from product development to marketing to research to portfolio management to client service.

David is father to a 3-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy, having jointly raised them with his wife. He was the first male at his previous employer to seek flexible working arrangements, moving to permanent part-time when his daughter was born.

Meredith Cale

Meredith joined the board in 2018. Meredith is keen to support an organisation providing vital support to Canberra parents.

Meredith has a background in complex ICT Project and Program Management, governance and risk management for a large federal government department.

When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and one year old son, watching rugby, pottering in her craft room and writing poetry.

Christine Spicer

Christine joined the Board in 2012, and was President from 2014 to 2020. Christine’s passion is to ensure Canberrans are aware of the vital work undertaken by Perinatal Wellbeing Centre and feel the courage to do what she didn’t: to get support if they need it, when they need it.

Christine’s background in the community, private and government sector assures she is a versatile president who uses her skills to ensure the board fulfills its governance responsibilities and operates in an effective and efficient manner while being accountable for their performance.

In her spare time Christine enjoys cooking (particularly on the weekend when there isn’t the rush to get dinner on the table!), watching her daughters play soccer and reading/podcasting/audiobooking.

Elizabeth Sarofim

Elizabeth joined the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre board in 2020. She has held senior roles in State and Federal Government agencies before entering private commercial legal practice in 2010. She was appointed a Senior Associate in 2014 and a Partner in 2019 and has worked at Ashurst, Baker McKenzie and Dentons. She handles both front and back end commercial matters and has acted for clients including Google, AGL, Coca Cola Amatil, Mitsui, Unilever, Afterpay, Bauer Media, Amazon and Government agencies and regulators, including Air Services Australia, ANSTO, NSW Health and the ACCC.

Elizabeth assists private, public government and NFP clients conduct regulatory audits, risk reporting to Boards and with governance. She is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws from UNSW.

Lou Farrer

Lou joined the board in 2021. Lou is a senior research fellow and registered psychologist, with over 15 years of experience developing, evaluating, and implementing digital and other mental health programs in community, clinical, and educational settings. Lou is passionate about increasing the accessibility of mental health support in the community. She is a strong advocate of evaluation and harnessing research and data to understand the needs of population groups and the effectiveness and impact of mental health programs and services.

Lou’s goal is to contribute her clinical and research expertise to support the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre to fulfil its mission and vision.

Lou loves spending time with her family (including 2 young boys), listening to podcasts, and sharing a laugh and a good meal with friends.

Louise Starr

Louise joined the board in 2021 and is a passionate Canberran who believes the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre’s work has never been more important. In particular, Louise appreciates that the challenges that our community have faced in the last few years have been magnified for those journeying into parenthood during these uncertain times.

Louise is a public policy professional whose background includes experience working with communities in fragile environments. She brings policy, governance and risk management skills to the Board.

In her spare time, Louise enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Canberra’s outdoor spaces and seeking balance (literally) in the yoga studio.

Amanda Cook

Latest

Liz Kilby's Mental Health, Exercise and Pelvic Floor Fundraiser

A fundraiser for Perinatal Wellbeing Centre, recognising the relationship between positive perinatal mental health, pelvic floor health and recovery and exercise capability.
Perinatal Mental Health Week 2021

1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety, which is around 100,000 Australian parents each year. We're here, we see you! Join us for National Perinatal Mental Health Week.
Parking for Perinatal

Did you know the average cost of parking in Canberra is $15.50 per day? Put your spare change to work by setting up a recurring donation to Perinatal Wellbeing Centre and help us support local families to have the best start in life.
Parking for Perinatal

How we help you

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre programs are designed to provide the support you need at every stage, and our team of Perinatal Mental Health Workers can work with you to tailor your own pathway through our services. Call 02 6288 1936 and speak to a member of our team about how you are feeling and how we can help. No diagnosis or referral is required.
What we do

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health, it is staffed by experienced perinatal mental health workers and administration staff.
Should you get the COVID-19 vaccination

More information about the COVID-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy.
Donate

Core services at Perinatal Wellbeing Centre are funded by ACT Health, however donations are gratefully accepted and help us to extend our services and reach more families. Your support is greatly appreciated. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable and receipts for all donations will be issued. Please make sure we have your email details so we can send them to you. Our ABN is: 43 775 427 479.
Perinatal anxiety

1 in 4 people will experience anxiety in their lifetime and for women it is more likely to occur during pregnancy or in the year following birth. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal anxiety. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal anxiety.
Perinatal depression

Depression occurs in up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy, and in up to 1 in 7 women after the birth of a baby. Men are also affected by postnatal depression. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal depression.
Our history

The experienced team at the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provide mental health support, education, information and referral for families in Canberra during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.
Support groups

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides support groups aimed at connecting you with others who are having similar experiences. Groups provide an opportunity to share mutual support, as well as looking at strategies to aid in recovery. To access a support group you need to first be a client of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre. To become a client click here.
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.
Self care strategies for parents and caregivers

Caring for a small child can be rewarding, exciting, surprising and frustrating. It can also sometimes be stressful, exhausting and worrying. Check out our list of self care ideas, and think about how these ideas might fit into your routine.