Meet Our Board Members

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  RN 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 Jessica Appleton

Senior Lecturer & Honours and Higher Degree by Research Coordinator, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney

Dr Jessica Appleton PhD, GradCert Child and Family Health, GradCertChildren's Nursing, BN (First Class Honours)

Jessica is a registered nurse, lecturer, and early career researcher with expertise in paediatric and child and family health nursing. Child and family health and well-being have been part of her clinical practice and research since becoming a registered nurse. She is a strong advocate for improving outcomes for children and families through strengthening the nursing workforce, with a focus on education, research capacity building, and evidence-informed practice. Her work research focuses on early childhood health, health promotion and support for families, and emphasises translating evidence into policy and practice.

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, GradDip Youth Mental Hlth, 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.

Tegan Budd

Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery, Teaching Specialist (Clinical), Flinders University

Tegan Budd RN, MEd, GCHigheEd, GCWPMHE, BN (Hons), RM BM, MACN, FHEA

Tegan is a Registered Nurse and Midwife with extensive experience in paediatric nursing, maternity, community, acute care, and higher education settings. She is a Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery at Flinders University and is passionate about preparing and supporting the next generation of nurses and midwives at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her interests include clinical placement preparation, student support, and creating positive learning experiences that build confidence and readiness for practice. Tegan is also committed to advancing sustainability in healthcare and nursing education. Her current role as Vice President of the Australian Nurse Teachers Society contributes to the support and development of nurse educators across Australia.

Samantha Fox

RN GradCertHllth (Child, Adolescent and Family Health Nursing)

Child Health Nurse/Nurse Immuniser,  Little Pears Family Practice SA

Sam Fox, RN, Grad Cert Health (Child, Adolescent and Family Health Nursing), is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years’ experience across child and family health, community nursing, immunisation, perioperative and emergency care. At Little Pears (Pear Tree Family Practice, Glenelg), she provides developmental assessment, health promotion, immunisation, and specialised support for children and young people with complex needs, including dysautonomia and POTS. Previously, Sam spent 15 years with CaFHS delivering universal and targeted programs. She holds a Graduate Certificate from Flinders University and is recognised for her expertise, collaborative practice and commitment to family‑centred, trauma‑informed care.

Dr Huaqiong Zhou (Jo)

Senior Lecturer in Curtin School of Nursing

College Portfolios: Journal Children and Young People’ Health

Representative: Asia Pacific Paediatric Nurses Association (APPNA)

Huaqiong Zhou (Jo) RN BSc MCN PhD

Jo has over 30 years of paediatric inpatient care experience and currently work as a Clinical Nurse of long term complex surgical ward in Perth Children’s Hospital. Jo is a Senior Lecturer in Curtin School of Nursing dominantly teaching research project units of Master by Coursework program since 2014. Jo has special interest in leveraging AI to support capstone research project student of masters by coursework program. Jo’s research area is healthcare service safety and quality with a particular interest in developing and validating predictive models for health outcomes. Jo works as a senior research fellow with the Safer care for children in hospital Project across Curtin University, Perth Children’s Hospital, Western Australia Country Health Service, St John Ambulance Western Australia.

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.

Annabelle Santos

Course Coordinator, Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne

Clinical Nurse Specialist, paediatric cardiac and renal ward, The Royal Children’s Hospital

Annabelle Santos RN BN PGDip Advanced Clinical Nursing – Infant, Child & Adolescent Master of Advanced Nursing Practice 

Annabelle is a Course Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing at The University of Melbourne and a Clinical Nurse Specialist on the paediatric cardiac and renal ward at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Annabelle has had 26 years of paediatric nursing experience; she has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Nursing and a Master’s in Advanced Nursing practice. Her past roles have included Peritoneal Dialysis CNC, Cardiac and Renal ward Clinical Support Nurse, and Immunisation Nurse. She is passionate in supporting nurses gain competence and confidence in clinical practice and to develop their leadership skills.

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.