The inaugural meeting of SAWMA was held in late 1991 and the first election of committee members held in February 1992. Since that time there have been many committee members who all have made valuable contributions to building and developing the association. SAWMA sincerely thanks all past and present committee members for the selfless giving of their time, knowledge and commitment.

The Office Bearers provide vital support the committee and general membership. Positions are: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Officer. Each Office Bearer has designated responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the association and its activities. SAWMA greatly appreciates the significant time and effort contributed by the Office Bearers throughout the history of SAMWA.

Two other key positions on the SAWMA committee are the newsletter editor and representative to the committee of the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA). These roles ensure that information and contemporary issues are communicated at a state level - to the membership of SAWMA and at a national level – to AWMA. SAWMA values the considerable contribution made by its members who have fulfilled these roles.

A key position within the committee is the President. The President of SAWMA has a pivotal role in providing leadership and vision to the committee and the association. SAWMA acknowledges the contribution of the Presidents and extends them sincere gratitude for their dedication and guidance.

I am a clinical tutor with the University of Adelaide and am active in a number of professional groups. I regularly provide wound management education to nurses of all levels in a variety of settings. I have published locally and nationally and presented at conferences and seminars. I am the editor and author of several chapters of the Ausmed Publications book: Wound Care Nursing: A Guide to Practice.

Discipline: Nursing
I cut my teeth in the battle zone of General Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine prior to finding my place in Hyperbaric Medicine (Royal Adelaide Hospital), where I have fostered a keen interest in managing wounds, with a focus on complex chronic wounds. Along the way to my current position as Associate Clinical Services Consultant (Clinical Nurse in the old money) I have dabbled in Intensive Care, Occupational Health and Safety and teaching and training.

I have recently completed my Masters of Nursing Science – Nurse Practitioner. I also hold a bachelor of Nursing Science and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. In addition to my academic qualifications I am also a Clinical Lecturer in Hyperbaric Nursing Science for the University of Adelaide, where I co-ordinate the Graduate Certificate of Hyperbaric Nursing Science. My teaching responsibilities also extend to a variety of nursing diploma’s and undergraduate courses, including Orthopaedic Nursing, Acute Care and Burns Nursing. I also coordinate training curricula for the Hyperbaric Technicians and Nurses Association.

I am currently attempting to establish the Wound Management Nurse Practitioner Role at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). I am the current chairperson for the RAH Wound Management Interest Group – a multidisciplinary committee focused on standardising and improving wound management throughout the hospital.

Discipline: Podiatry
I have worked at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) since 2002 as the Manager of Podiatry services. The Podiatry Department at FMC specialises in wound and high risk management of the lower limb and works within a multi-disciplinary framework.

Since my graduation in 1992 my role in Podiatry has involved working in rural settings through the states Mid - North and the Murray Mallee regions. This incorporated a broad scope of service provision including wound management to isolated rural communities.

I have an avid interest in wound management and working towards raising the profile of podiatry intervention and scope of practice.

Discipline: Nursing
My initial interest in wound management began when working in the RAH Acute Spinal Injuries area in 1981, followed with time spent in the Plastic Surgery area in 1984. I was then the CNC of the Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Unit at Hampstead centre from 1985 until 2001. The majority of readmissions to the Rehab Unit were for pressure wound prevention and management, which further developed my interest in this area. I now work for PARAQUAD SA in the community, with a component of my workload continuing with this.

I have been the Membership Secretary of SAWMA since the early 1990’s and I was honoured with Life Membership in 2004. I was the Membership Secretary on the AWMA National Committee from 2000 – 2004 and during that time was also a member of the AWMA sub committee, which developed and published the Australian Wound Management Association “Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prediction and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers”. in 2001. As a result of this I have also been involved in a wide range of educational presentations since that time.

Discipline: Nursing
I have worked for Clinical Nursing Specialist Services since 2004. I currently hold the position of Clinical Nurse. The company specialises in Wound, Stoma and Continence Management. I also work for FMC in the Plastic/Orthopaedic Ward part-time.

My background has mainly been Burns and Plastic surgery. I have worked in Scotland, England, Canada, Middle East and New Zealand. I have found wound management very challenging and it has been very interesting to experience each countries approach to it.

I hold the Post-Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy and the ENB Certificate in Burns and Plastic Surgical Nursing from the U.K.

Discipline: Nursing
I have worked as a Registered Nurse in the Treatment Room, Outpatient Department, Flinders Medical Centre since 2004. My main interest is in Plastic, Reconstructive and traumatic wounds. I have recently established, in conjunction with Dr Nicola Dean [consultant] a nurse led seroma draining clinic at FMC. I am passionate about raising the profile of Outpatient Department nursing. I have been a member of SAWMA since 2007 and a committee member since 2009.

Discipline: Nursing
I trained at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital and then went on to do midwifery at the Queen Victoria Hospital. I have previously worked as an Occupational Health and Safety Nurse for a large manufacturing company. I spent twelve months working for a group of Dermatologists which gave me not only vast experience but also a keen interest in wound management. In 1995 I completed my Bachelor of Nursing at Flinders University. I am presently working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital as a Clinical Nurse in the Outpatients Department. One of our many specialities is Dermatology and where there are Outpatient clinics, Day Surgery and a Day Unit to manage the many different skin conditions. I have also spent two days a week for the past two years in Research. I have always had an interest in wound management and joined the SAWMA in 2003. I have found this to be invaluable for education and networking.

Discipline: Nursing
My interest in wound management dates back to 1986, when I worked on the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Unit at the RAH. After completing the English Nursing Board’s course in Burns & Plastic Surgery Nursing in the UK, I worked in that specialty until moving into Rehabilitation Nursing. I am currently CSC of the Orthopaedic, Amputee & Burns Rehabilitation Unit at the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. An active member of SAWMA, I was Treasurer for many years, & was honoured with Life Membership in 2004. I was the SAWMA State Representative on the AWMA National Committee from 2002-2006, and have been the AWMA National Membership Secretary since 2006. My legal background enabled me to oversee the revision of the Constitutions for both AWMA and SAWMA.

Discipline: Nursing
I trained as an enrolled nurse at Flinders Medical Centre in 1981. I have worked in many different areas since then including:
- Clinic 275 sexual health
- Australin Red Cross Blood Service
- Royal Adelaide Hospital Dermatology Department, primarily in the Dermatology
Day Unit (current).
I became a member of SAWMA in 2007; I was inspired by Margi Moncrieff. She made me realise that I could make a difference to the outcome of patient wounds. I have found the education evenings informative and interesting, which then moved me to become a committee member.