Two of the Women’s champions for women’s health – one in Indigenous health and the other in urogynaecology – have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The Women’s Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Badjurr-Bulok Wilam Program Coordinator Aunty Gina Bundle has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to Victoria’s Indigenous community
Urogynaecologist Dr Marcus Carey has been made a Member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia for his contribution to women’s health.
The Women’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Sue Matthews congratulated Aunty Gina and Dr Carey on their awards.
“Aunty Gina and Dr Carey have dedicated themselves to improving the health and wellbeing of women and families in their respective fields, and it is wonderful to see this recognised,” she said.
“The impact of their work reaches far beyond the walls of this hospital to benefit communities across Australia, now and into the future.”
Aunty Gina Bundle is a proud Djiringanj Walbunja woman. Since she started at the Women’s in 2015, Aunty Gina has worked to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, babies and families receive culturally safe care as they navigate the hospital system.
She said while the award can be complicated for her people, given the ties to colonialism, it was a huge honour to join a growing list of Elders who have been recognised – and one she is still wrapping her head around.
“When I received the email just to say I had been nominated, I couldn’t believe it. It was very emotional,” she said.
“It’s a real recognition of what our people are doing and have done in the community.”
Dr Carey has been a long-standing staff member at the Women’s, and was the former Head of Urogynaecology.
The Women’s Philanthropy Ambassador, Lord Mayor Sally Capp, and former CEO Dale Fisher were also recognised as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.
This is the first year women have outnumbered men on the Honours List.