About the event

The ACN Melbourne Region would like to welcome you to the annual Gertrude Berger Oration, which honours the dedication and leadership of World War II nurse Gertrude Berger. This year’s Oration theme, “The Future Is Here: Activating the Nursing Workforce Strategy,” will explore how Australia’s National Nursing Workforce Strategy can be translated into meaningful action across the profession.

Through insights from distinguished nursing leaders and workforce experts, attendees will gain an understanding of the strategy’s vision and priorities, learn how healthcare organisations are implementing workforce initiatives to strengthen retention and sustainability, and explore practical actions that nurses at all career stages can take to support wellbeing, inclusion, leadership and workforce growth. Together, these perspectives will highlight how collective action at national, organisational and individual levels can help build a resilient, diverse and future-ready nursing workforce.

There will also be the chance to forge meaningful connections with other attendees while networking and enjoying drinks and nibbles during the evening.

Key Learning Objectives

• To celebrate the memory of Gertrude Berger and her contribution to our nursing profession. 
• Describe the vision, priorities and intended impact of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy and explain how its key principles are designed to strengthen, sustain and future-proof Australia's nursing workforce. 
• Identify practical approaches used by nursing leaders and organisations to implement the workforce strategy, including initiatives related to workforce planning, innovation, professional recognition, workforce sustainability, education and retention. 
• Identify actions nurses can take personally and professionally to support workforce wellbeing, inclusion, belonging and retention within their teams, organisations and communities

About the speakers

Adjunct Professor Emma Saddington FACN - Chief Nursing Officer at Victorian Department of Health and Adjunct Professor of Nursing & Midwifery at Monash University

Emma is the Chief Nursing Officer at Victorian Department of Health and Adjunct Professor of Nursing and Midwifery at Monash University. She is a critical care-trained nurse with multiple degrees in nursing, public health, and health administration. With over 20 years of experience in emergency and trauma care and senior leadership roles, Emma is a global nursing advocate focused on clinical governance, workforce strategy, and improving workplace culture and care quality.

Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe MACN - Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers at Western Health and Adjunct Professor at Deakin University & Victoria University 

Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe is Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Western Health, providing professional leadership to more than 6,500 nurses and midwives across one of Victoria’s largest health services. A respected healthcare executive and advocate for nursing and midwifery, Shane is recognised for his collaborative leadership and expertise in workforce strategy, patient safety, clinical governance, innovation and health system transformation. Through his roles with Western Health, Victoria University and Deakin University, he continues to champion workforce development, research translation and high-quality, person-centred care.

Chris Schildt, Deputy Director of Nursing - Workforce & Community, Mental Health Services at The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Chris Schildt is a senior mental health nurse and healthcare leader with extensive experience spanning clinical governance, education, and workforce development. As the Deputy Director of Nursing for Mental Health Services at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, he oversees community mental health nursing and workforce development.

With a career rooted in improving healthcare safety and quality, Chris has held key leadership positions, including Clinical Manager at IPC Health and Clinical Governance Specialist at Beyond Blue. In addition, he successfully managed large-scale initiatives, including a $3 million anxiety campaign and $4 million in LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention trials. His background also includes academia, having merged his clinical expertise with a passion for professional development as a Lecturer at Deakin University.