New role brings change for First Nations women, children and families

Tara Denaro, MN Nursing and Midwifery Director, First Nations Women, Children, and Families

In late 2025, Metro North Health made history by establishing the first-ever Nursing and Midwifery Director, First Nations Women, Children, and Families (Identified) role in Queensland. This significant milestone represents a commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Proud Mununjali woman, Tara Denaro (pictured), was appointed to this inaugural position in a powerful step forward to ensure that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across the Metro North catchment are heard, and that their needs are met through culturally appropriate and holistic care.

As a registered nurse, midwife, and child health nurse, with over 20 years of experience in both Queensland Health and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health sector, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal connection to her work.

“I strongly believe that improving maternity care, and care for our children and young people will improve longer term health and wellbeing outcomes as people get older. Women, children, and families need to have their voices, their wants and needs, heard and respected,” Tara said.

One of Tara’s top priorities in this newly established role is to ensure that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, women, and children are reflected in the new Ngarrama Maternity Service at Redcliffe Hospital. This service, set to be introduced in early 2025, will provide a continuity of care Midwifery Group Practice model covering the antenatal, birthing, and postnatal journey, initiated through the Growing Deadly Families Strategy.

As well as focusing on the new service at Redcliffe Hospital, Tara is committed to bringing together the three Ngarrama Maternity Services within Metro North Health to unite as one strong team, focused on the shared goal of providing high-quality, culturally informed maternity care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“I look forward to working with families to create new pathways for women and families who are not receiving care with Ngarrama and starting to work with services that support our children,” Tara said.

“Our young people are the next generation who will continue our culture into the future, who will be sharing this with their children and grandchildren. I am excited to share how our families and communities provide for and cherish our children when we are strong and connected to our culture and each other,” said Tara.