Meet Our Board Members
ACCYPN Board of Directors
All members of the board for ACCYPN are non-remunerated. Their time and commitment to the association is voluntary.
Jacquie Burton - Chairperson
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Inpatient Coordinator - Cardiac, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Immunisation Nurse at Moonee Valley City Council & Merri-bek City Council
College Portfolios: Conference, Webinars, Media & Communications
Representative: Coalition of National Nursing and Midwifey Organisations (CoNNMO)
Jacquie Burton – RN, RM, BN, PGD Paediatrics, Immunisation Nurse
Jacquie is a highly experienced paediatric nurse and midwife with a career spanning Australia and the UK. She has held senior clinical roles at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Great Ormond Street Hospital, with expertise in cystic fibrosis, palliative care, and complex cardiac patients. Currently a Clinical Nurse Consultant in the RCH Intensive Care Unit, she also works as an Immunisation Nurse and is training to become a Lactation Consultant. A founding Board Member of ACCYPN, Jacquie leads conference and webinar portfolios and represents the College on CoNNMO.
Alicia Bell - Deputy Chairperson
Nurse Practitioner
Senior Lecturer - Teaching Specialist (Clinical/Practitioner), College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University
College Portfolios: Affiliates and Partnerships, Finance Governance and Risk, Credentialing
Alicia Bell MN (Endorsed Nurse Practitioner), GradDipEmergNsg
Alicia is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner, Senior Lecturer at Flinders University, and mum to three boys. With over 20 years’ experience across neurology, rehab, and rural nursing, she spent 14 years in Paediatric Emergency and was South Australia’s first Nurse Practitioner in the field. In 2020, she moved into primary health care and developmental screening, focusing on supporting families through the health system. Alicia holds a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing and a Master of Nurse Practitioner, and is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the role of Nurse Practitioners in child development.
Dr Pam O’Nions - Company Secretary
Sessional Academic, School of Nursing, Curtin University
Non-Executive Director SwanCare
Non-Executive Director CPE Group
Fellow and WA Branch Councillor, Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM)
College Portfolios: Webinars & Events, Finance & Governance, WA Chapter Lead
Dr Pam O’Nions RN BSc MNsg DNurs GDipED DipBus FACHSM CHE MAICD MACN GAICG
Pam is an experienced healthcare leader with a background in paediatrics, holding a Master of Nursing and a Doctorate focused on nurse retention. She also holds qualifications in Education, Business, Leadership, and Clinical Governance. A Fellow of ACHSM and Certified Health Executive, she is active in multiple professional organisations. Pam is a Non-Executive Director for SwanCare and CPE Group, and Company Secretary for the Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses, where she served on the inaugural board. She brings strong expertise in governance, strategic planning, and compliance, with a long-standing commitment to healthcare improvement and leadership.
Dr Alison Bowers
Research Fellow, Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland
College Portfolios: Media & Communications, Conference and Website
Dr Alison Bowers PhD, MClin Res, BN (Child), RN, RN (Child), MACN, MRCN
Alison is a UK-trained paediatric nurse with both UK and Australian registrations. She is passionate about children’s nursing, paediatric palliative care, and child and family health. Her PhD explored the health needs of children with life-limiting conditions in Queensland to inform palliative care service planning. Alison is a Research Fellow at the Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Queensland University of Technology. She is also a Chief Investigator for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Paediatric Palliative Care and a Medical Research Future Fund Clinical Trial, with a focus on health services research and medicinal cannabis in paediatrics.
Charley Brunton
Senior Care Coordinator, Checkin @ Frontyard Youth Services
Melbourne City Mission / St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
College Portfolios: Conference and Position Statements
Charley Brunton BN, GradCertClinNurs (Child & Adol Health), GradCertHumNutr, MPH (Biosec & Disaster Prep), Cert IV TAE
Since beginning their nursing career in 2012, Charley has focused on improving outcomes for marginalised children and young people. They are currently a Senior Care Coordinator with the Check-In Program at Frontyard Youth Services, supporting young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with complex mental health needs. Previously, they worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Complex Care Hub as a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Clinical Data Champion. With qualifications in child health, nutrition, public health, and youth mental health, they bring a holistic, evidence-based approach. As a transgender clinician, their lived experience deeply informs their inclusive, affirming practice.
Prof Ally Hutton
Conjoint Professor in Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney / Sydney Local Health District
Research Affiliate, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSA
Padjadjaran University, School of Nursing, Bundung Indonesia
Conjoint Scholar, Hunter New England Health District, NSW
University Airlangga, School of Nursing, Surabaya, Indonesia
Conjoint Scholar, Central Coast Local Health District, NSW
Australian Pill Testing Ambassador
Fellow CIFAL United Nations
Honorary Professor, University of Newcastle
College Portfolios: Affiliates and Partnerships, Journal of Children and Young People's Health
Professor Alison Hutton PhD MN BN DipAppSc
Ally is a recognised expert in adolescent health, specialising in promoting well-being at mass gathering events. With a strong foundation in nursing and public health, she focuses on creating safer environments for young people at festivals and large-scale events. Her research emphasises harm reduction, health promotion, and co-designed strategies with youth to improve safety and mental health. Collaborating with event organisers, policymakers, and communities, Professor Hutton champions innovative, evidence-based approaches that empower young people to make informed health choices, advancing youth health and safety on a broad scale.
A/Prof Dr Yvonne Parry
Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Future Institute, Flinders University, South Australia
Honorary Associate Professor: UCL, Integrated Community Child Health, Policy & Practice Department, University College London.
Associate Professor (adjunct position): in the College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Chair: Athena Swan Committee CNHS
ICCNHR Trustee: International Collaboration for Community Nursing Health Research
International advisor to the CHAMPIONS Project, University College London (UCL), Integrated Community Child Health, Population, Policy & Practice Dept, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, UK.
Associate Professor Yvonne Parry PhD
Yvonne is a leading paediatric nurse and academic dedicated to improving health equity for vulnerable children and families. Her research focuses on those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and social disadvantage, using co-designed, community-led models that integrate health, education, and social services. Nationally and internationally recognised, she combines applied research with strong community partnerships to drive real-world impact. A pioneer in nurse-practitioner and primary health care models, she is committed to social justice and improving access to care for marginalised populations. Her work bridges academia and frontline care to create lasting, equitable outcomes.
Merilyn Waters
A/Nurse Educator, Postgraduate Paediatric Emergency Course (clinical)
Perth Children's Hospital
College Portfolios: Events and webinars
Merilyn Waters DipAppSc (Nurs) BHSc (Nurs) PGDipClinNurs (Paeds)
Merilyn is a dedicated paediatric nurse and educator with over three decades of experience. Beginning her nursing career in 1987, a paediatric rotation inspired her to shift focus from adult to child health. She has since worked across medical, surgical, and emergency settings, completing postgraduate training at Princess Margaret Hospital. Merilyn has held senior clinical and education roles at Perth Children’s Hospital Emergency Department and taught at both Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities. Currently Acting Nurse Educator, she leads a new paediatric emergency course. Merilyn is an advocate for paediatric nursing through roles with CENA and ACCYPN.
Melisa Young
Lecturer
Course Coordinator, Child and Adolescent Health Specialisation, School of Nursing, Curtin University, Western Australia
College Portfolios: Affiliates & Partnerships, Media & Communications, Newsletter (Editor)
Representative: National Community Child Health Council (NCCHC) and Asia Pacific Paediatric Nurses Association (APPNA)
Melisa Young RN/RM, MN BScN PGDPaeds PGDMid GCertComChildHealth GCertHEDLearnTeach
Melisa began her career in the paediatric graduate program at Princess Margaret Hospital, quickly realising that working with children and families was where she was meant to be. She went on to complete studies in midwifery and paediatrics, broadening her clinical experience across settings in Perth, Kalgoorlie, Canberra, Sydney, London, and Canada, and developing specialist skills in paediatric intensive care. Along the way, Mel developed a strong interest in supporting nurses transitioning into paediatric practice, and the role of education and prevention in improving child health. Most recently, her work has focused on advancing teaching and curriculum innovation in child and adolescent health.