Our Midwife Team
Anne Moore
Managing Director and Endorsed Midwife
Anne completed her midwifery education in the UK where she worked as a midwife in the community prior to relocating to New Zealand with her family. In New Zealand her belief in women and their ability to birth their baby’s with support from a midwife they know and trust became fundamental to her practice. Working in partnership with women is a privilege, with lifelong friendships and wonderful memories.
Since 2000 she has worked in Queensland across a number of different health services, implementing, promoting continuity of care and midwifery. Her midwifery roles have included management and higher levels, continually striving for change and reform in maternity services in Australia.
“Pregnancy and birth are a special time in a woman’s life and I absolutely love working with women, their partners and family, guiding them during their journey,” Anne said. “I have the ability and skills to offer women pregnancy and birthing information that will empower them to look at their options around birthing at home or hospital.”I always use these skills to work in collaboration with other health professionals and if the partnership extends to encompass others, a positive birthing environment can be achieved for the woman and family.
As a midwife I have an inherent belief that childbirth is organic and holistic in context and that it is important that whenever possible the normal physiological journey of birth should progress uninterrupted.”Anne believes in promoting, protecting and supporting normal birth and that all women have the right to self-determine their childbirth experience.
Most importantly, she believes it is every woman’s right to choose the place she births her baby with the support of a skilled midwife and that women have the right to make informed decisions and choices about their childbirth experience.
Cath Williams
Endorsed Midwife and Hypnobirthing Australia ™ Practitioner
Cath is an Endorsed Midwife and Hypnobirthing Australia ™ Practitioner who joined us in 2022 from Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Cath offers continuity of care for families choosing to birth at home or at SCUH, antenatal/postnatal care packages, education sessions and shared care with private obstetricians.
Cath completed her Bachelor of Midwifery at ACU in Melbourne and was fortunate to receive a Graduate position at Joan Kirner (formally Sunshine Hospital) in 2012. Working across all areas, Cath found her passion in antenatal care, with a keen interest supporting women with mental health challenges in pregnancy. ‘The antenatal period is such a transformative time in a woman’s life. The people she encounters during this time and the education, wisdom and care she is shown will have a lasting effect on her, her birth, and her confidence as a new parent.’
Working for ten years in a large, busy metropolitan hospital had its challenges but with them came the opportunities to work with highly skilled professionals and a uniquely diverse population of women from various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. ‘Every day was different; every woman had a new story and something to teach you. Work never felt like ‘work, especially when your colleagues became your friends.’
After birthing her own three babies with the same midwife, Cath understood first-hand the benefits of true continuity of care. ‘Nothing compares to the relationship you have with a known midwife. You trust them implicitly and they in turn trust you and your body and support you in every way possible to achieve a positive and empowering birth.’ Cath feels honoured to be a part of the Coast Life Midwifery team and privileged to be able to offer this model of care to women and their families.
Daniel Evans
Endorsed Midwife and Clinical Midwifery Manager
Daniel has had the privilege of supporting families through pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenthood for over 2 decades. Starting off his career as a Registered Nurse in 2000, with a love for mental health care and families, before undertaking Midwifery studies in 2001. Daniel was always certain of my ‘calling’ to work closely with families.
Daniel has a strong focus on engaging with parents in a way that fosters a deep confidence in the journey through pregnancy and birth – highlighting the innate ability of women to grow, birth and nurture new life. Daniel values partnering with families and sharing tools which support learning and decision making as parents navigate the joys and challenges of the pregnancy care landscape.
Daniel is a lover of learning and sharing that knowledge. Daniel works with families and pregnancy care professionals in the areas of birth and parenting education, fatherhood, maternity emergencies and vaginal breech birth. Daniel has also been working with Southern Cross University as a lecturer, tutor, supervisor and facilitator for our future midwifery professionals for a number of years. Daniel recognises the value of this investment as we grow the confident, competent, questioning and compassionate midwives of the future.
Daniel has experience as a midwife with a history or working with and establishing continuity models across the east coast of Australia is highlighted by experience working as a continuity midwife in public Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and homebirth services (Newcastle, Belmont), Clinical Midwifery Educator and continuity midwife (Coffs Harbour), Endorsed Private Practice Midwife (EPPM, own practice, Newcastle) and Clinical Midwifery Manager/EPPM (My Midwives – Brisbane, Toowoomba).
Daniel’s best achievement to date is ‘home grown’. With a beautiful (and patient) wife of over 20 years and 5 uniquely amazing children of their own – Daniel continues to work on (to varying levels of success) modelling the healthy family approach he promotes – equipping himself with plenty of stories of failure and forgiveness that he gets to share along the way.
Heidi Karleusa
Endorsed Midwife
Heidi is originally from Victoria and has spent most of her life there before recently making the move to Queensland for a tree change with her husband. Drawn to the Sunshine Coast for its warmer climate and more relaxed, outdoor-focused lifestyle, Heidi has embraced this new chapter. While her three beautiful daughters remain in Victoria for now, she is hopeful the family will be reunited in the future.
Since relocating, Heidi and her husband have been busy renovating their home on the Sunshine Coast, a project that keeps them occupied in their spare time.
Heidi began her midwifery career later in life, starting her journey in 2008 after transitioning from a career in banking to healthcare. During Heidi’s last pregnancy, she experienced some complications, and the remarkable care she received from her midwives during her hospital stay left a lasting impression. It was then Heidi realised midwifery was her true calling.
A passionate midwife, Heidi strongly believes that all women deserve individualised care tailored to their personal needs during pregnancy. Her goal is to empower families to feel comfortable and confident in the decisions they make throughout their journey.
Heidi is deeply committed to supporting women in having a physiological experience and feeling truly supported through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
A strong advocate for continuity of care, Heidi became a private midwife in 2020. This allowed her to offer an alternative to hospital-based care, providing women with security and support during a time when they are most vulnerable and ensuring someone is always there to advocate for their beliefs and preferences.
Heidi is excited to continue her midwifery work on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
Rachael Trenouth
Endorsed Midwife
Rachael brings a diverse range of experience to the Coast Life Midwifery Team.
Her many and varied travelling experiences in Europe and Asia provided the motivation to follow her interest in Natural Therapies and on returning to Australia in 1999, she followed her passion. She completed a Degree in Health Science with Charles Sturt University complemented by Advanced Diplomas in Western Herbal Medicine, Functional Nutrition, and Naturopathy. During her studies she also started her own family. It was in this period where her own positive experiences of pregnancy and the birth of her four children had a profound effect, igniting a newly found passion in midwifery.
Rachael returned to university and completed her Bachelor of Midwifery degree at the University of Newcastle in 2013. She then started her midwifery career in the birthing suite of a large tertiary hospital in NSW. Working in this highly medicalised environment for the first seven years of her career was challenging but it provided the opportunity for advanced skill learning. Rachael also worked for two years in Midwifery Group Practice, providing community-based, midwifery led care to low-risk women during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. “I benefited from developing professional relationships with women and their families at a higher level than what was possible in a hospital environment and I enjoyed the responsibility and autonomy that enabled me to support women to make informed decisions in relation to their health, pregnancy, birth and postnatal goals”.
Being a firm advocate for physiological birth, Rachael offers her combined experiences in an open, non-judgemental and supportive way. She understands and respects the wishes of women to birth healthy babies their way but always incorporates her learning in evidence-based practice in everything she does. Rachael loves working with women in the continuity of care model. “It is such a special time in women’s lives, I love getting to know women and their families and sharing this amazing journey with them”.
Continuing with her education, Rachael is now working toward her Masters in Primary Maternity Care with Griffith University. In 2019, Rachael and her family moved to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. She is very excited to work for Coast Life Midwifery, “the team at Coast Life provide an unprecedented level of support to women and their families – it’s like I’ve finally found my tribe!”
Sam Griffith
Endorsed Midwife
Sam completed her Bachelor of Midwifery at Victoria University in 2013. She went on to complete her graduate year in rural Victoria and stayed for 3 more years before continuing her career in Melbourne. Sam spent time volunteering at hospitals in Kenya, working as a midwife, promoting healthcare and educating in areas with minimal resources.
She has worked as an antenatal educator, domicilliary midwife, caseload midwife, in the special care baby unit and as a university academic and can happily confirm that her passion lies in Continuity of Care. Being able to be with a family throughout their whole childbearing journey.
In 2019 Sam relocated to the beautiful Sunshine Coast and now raises her 3 beautiful boys here.
Sam completed her Calmbirth training and is a huge advocate for Calmbirth and truly believes that the mind and body connection is vital in birth. She is committed to empowering and supporting women and their families and feels very blessed to be a part of each unique journey.
Sam first joined the Coast Life team in 2021 before leaving for maternity leave and is happy to be back to providing the continuity of care that she feels every family should have in their childbearing journey.
Renee Opelt
Registered Midwife and Ultrasound Technician
Renee is a proud mother of three and a Registered Midwife at Coast Life Midwifery.
Her journey in the world of maternity care began as a Registered Nurse, and over the years, Renee dedicated her career to supporting families through some of life’s most meaningful and transformative moments. Alongside her midwifery role, Renee brings additional experience as a Baby & Child Sleep Consultant, Family First Aid Instructor, and Early Childhood Educator – all of which contribute to a holistic approach to the families she cares for.
Renee has a deep passion for pregnancy ultrasound and offers specialised non-diagnostic imaging through Coast Life Baby Bump. She especially loves creating unforgettable 3D, 4D, and 5D ultrasound experiences that allow parents to connect with their baby in a truly special way. Every moment is one she feels honoured to share.
At the heart of Renee’s practice is a commitment to providing warm, personalised, and reassuring care. Renee understands how important it is for safe, informed, and emotionally supported care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum and she strives to provide this to every family she meets.
At this time, Renee is available to support clients through Antenatal and Postnatal care packages, provide education, attend home births as a second midwife, and offer emotional and advocacy support during hospital births.
Renee looks forward to supporting you through your journey and she can not wait to meet you and your family soon!
Natalie Douglas
Registered Midwife
As a mum of four and a passionate midwife, Nat brings a beautiful blend of professional know-how and real-life experience to the families she supports. Since graduating from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in 2021, she’s been all in supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and those wild, wonderful early days of parenting.
Nat is especially passionate about antenatal education, believing that when women feel informed and confident, they’re empowered to make the choices that are right for them (because you know what’s best for you). Her care is grounded in a women-centred approach, calm, respectful, and deeply supportive where every voice is heard and every decision honoured.
Nat strives to offer truly personalised care, tailored to each family’s unique story. Whether you’re navigating your very first pregnancy or adding another little one to the crew, Nat is here to walk beside you with warmth, compassion, and zero judgement.
When she’s not in the depths of Midwife Life, you’ll likely find Nat off the grid with her family, camping, exploring, and soaking up quality time in the great outdoors.
Alongside her midwifery work, Nat is also part of the Coast Life Angels team, offering in-home postpartum support to Sunshine Coast families. Because let’s face it, those early weeks can be intense, and every parent deserves a little extra love and support.
Sasha Hopkins
Endorsed Midwife and Educator
Sasha Hopkins is an endorsed midwife and educator committed to restoring confidence in physiological birth, with a passion for breech presentation. Sasha has been practicing in the home birth space since 2020 and as an endorsed midwife since 2022. With experience teaching antenatal education at Coast Life Midwifery prior, Sasha is excited to reconnect with the women in this space.
As the creator of the new Breech Birth Podcast and creator and facilitator of Australian College of Midwives CPD-endorsed breech birth workshop, Sasha offers professional education that blends evidence-based research with grounded midwifery practice. Her work in this space is to reclaim the skills as midwives and give the power back to women to support their decision making. To stay up to date with the podcast and stories being shared head to Instagram @breechbirthpodcast.
In addition to this Sasha facilitates Closing of the Bones Ceremonies for women in the postpartum period and is a qualified KaHuna Massage Therapist with knowledge and skills to provide pregnancy massage. Sasha is also a co-facilitator for the Homebirth QLD north Brisbane homebirth monthly gathering.
Lois Wattis
IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Lois Wattis has 25 years of experience as a Midwife/Lactation Consultant in community/home birth and hospital settings. Lois gained advanced skills in her role as Clinical Midwife/Lactation Consultant for Sunshine Coast Health Service for over 14 years, including medical accreditation to perform infant frenotomy surgeries. Lois’ care and expertise as an IBCLC is well known and respected in the Sunshine Coast community, and she has a 10K following on social media via New Baby 101.
Ruby Rotohiko
IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Ruby brings over a decade of experience as a Registered Nurse, having trained at Mater Mothers’ Brisbane and cared for some of the tiniest and sickest babies in Queensland in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Her passion for supporting new mothers deepened during her own maternity leave, which led her to become a certified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in 2022.
As a mum of two, Ruby understands firsthand the emotional and physical challenges of breastfeeding, adjusting to new routines, and navigating early motherhood.
She offers grounded, compassionate support through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, creating a calm judgement free space for you to ask questions, share honestly and feel deeply supported.
Ruby’s mission is to walk with you through the tough moments and help you feel confident, capable, and connected as you grow into this new chapter.
Our Admin Team
Samantha
Samantha is the Administration Manager and Bookkeeper for Coast Life Midwifery.
“I love my work as I am able to be around women and families experiencing their transition to being parents,” Sam said.
“My work is underpinned by my experiences from birthing my beautiful boys with an awesome midwife, followed by a passion for breastfeeding, the joy of my own mothering and ability to provide consumer support to women, while managing the administration of a busy practice…..” Sam said.
Georgia
Georgia joined the Admin team at Coast Life Midwifery in late 2024, bringing her background in Naturopathy and a deep passion for women’s health and wellbeing. After taking a break from clinical work, Georgia was thrilled to return to a field where she could once again contribute to a supportive environment for women, by joining a team of women dedicated to empowering others.
With years of experience as a Naturopath, Georgia specialised in fertility, preconception care, pregnancy, and postpartum support. She worked closely with medical specialists to integrate natural health solutions, focusing on enhancing nutrition, mental, and emotional wellbeing, while helping women manage and alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms. Georgia also taught pregnancy yoga, creating a safe, nurturing space where mums-to-be could connect with their bodies, their babies, and other women on the same journey.
Georgia’s dedication to holistic health and her love for supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey perfectly align with the values of Coast Life Midwifery. She is excited to continue playing a part in helping women feel empowered, informed, and supported in their unique experiences.
Georgia joined the Admin team at Coast Life Midwifery in late 2024, bringing her background in Naturopathy and a deep passion for women’s health and wellbeing. After taking a break from clinical work, Georgia was thrilled to return to a field where she could once again contribute to a supportive environment for women, by joining a team of women dedicated to empowering others.
With years of experience as a Naturopath, Georgia specialized in fertility, preconception care, pregnancy, and postpartum support. She worked closely with medical specialists to integrate natural health solutions, focusing on enhancing nutrition, mental, and emotional wellbeing, while helping women manage and alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms. Georgia also taught pregnancy yoga, creating a safe, nurturing space where mums-to-be could connect with their bodies, their babies, and other women on the same journey.
Georgia’s dedication to holistic health and her love for supporting women through every stage of their reproductive journey perfectly align with the values of Coast Life Midwifery. She is excited to continue playing a part in helping women feel empowered, informed, and supported in their unique experiences.
Denise
Coming soon…
Courtney
Courtney has joined Coast Life Midwifery as a part of the Administration team. Courtney enjoys being a part of the team as it is a welcoming, calm and women-centered space. Outside of supporting our Midwives, Courtney is a Holistic Counsellor and is passionate about helping others and supporting women through all kinds of experiences.
“I find myself with a genuine care for everyone I come into connection with and am always focussed on making people’s experiences comfortable and reassured, easing their stresses and worries.”
Through her Counselling and Administration Support at Coast Life, Courtney is passionate about offering genuine help and care to women. Whether this be supporting their emotional wellbeing, helping our midwives, and extending her care to the clients we have through our doors making them feel comfortable and welcome when seeing midwives during their pregnancy journey.
Coast Life Midwifery is a wonderful place to be a part of, with such a warm and gentle energy throughout. The Team, Clients and Midwives really do make this a special place to be a part of.