Our Midwife Team
Anne Moore
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
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
Coming Soon….
Heidi Karleusa
Coming Soon….
Sam Griffith
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.
Megan Maxwell-Smith
Megan is a mother of three beautiful children, two out of the three are now adults and a Nannie to her grandson. Megan’s journey to becoming a midwife began shortly after having her third child. Megan wanted to be able to provide the care that she gratefully received throughout her pregnancies, labours and births; to others and so; here Megan’s journey began.
Megan completed a Bachelor of Midwifery in Christchurch, NZ in 2011. Since graduating Megan had the pleasure of working as a midwife providing continuity of care to many women and their families within Christchurch and the surrounding Selwyn district in NZ.
Megan said ‘Pregnancy and childbirth are exciting life events. I also understand that this time can also be an uncertain and challenging time for some. I believe being a midwife is a privilege and something that I am proud of being able to do. It is rewarding to work with women and their families and be able to guide, educate, support, and empower women on their own unique journeys. I respect that families have their own cultures and beliefs and aim to provide individualized care based on individual needs.’
Megan is a huge supporter of natural physiological birth but also recognize that some labour’s can become complex and plans/wishes need to change for the health of mother and or baby. Megan works with women and their families as well as other health professionals to ensure that you receive the best care for your individual needs.
Over Megan’s time as a midwife, she has supported low risk women to birth at a place of their choice whether that be at home, within a primary birthing unit or at the tertiary hospital.
Megan is excited and looking forward to beginning her journey in Australia as a midwife with Coast Life Midwifery at the end of Jan 2024.
Renee Opelt
Coming soon…
Sasha Hopkins
Coming soon…
Natalie Douglas
Coming Soon…
Lois Wattis
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.
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.
