World Children’s Day (20 November) recognises that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.
Whether you approach this from a moral standpoint—believing that caring for children is simply the right thing to do—or from an economically rational perspective, the conclusion is the same: supporting children leads to stronger, more compassionate, and more capable communities.
In my 30 years with Gold Coast Health, I have seen the role of paediatrics evolve markedly. Initially, we focused on caring for acutely unwell children with physical illnesses. Overtime, our role expanded to supporting children more holistically including their development, emotional and mental health, and overall wellbeing.
The health service is now one of the most innovative and productive services that I've ever had the pleasure to work for, incorporating inpatients, outpatients, children's critical care, neonatal intensive care, paediatric surgery, Child Development and Community Child Health Services. Some 450 dedicated staff care for more than 132,000 paediatric outpatients and 30,700 paediatric emergency presentations annually.
We know investing in the first 2000 days from conception to age five, offers children the greatest lifelong benefits, according to evidence-based research.
One of the highlights of my career has been launching one of Australia’s leading Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic clinics in 2014. My passion stems from driving mainstream awareness around this a lifelong stigmatised neurodevelopmental impartment, caused by exposure to alcohol before birth, perceived ties to youth crime, and ensuring healthcare professionals receive the training needed to promote widespread understanding and support. This impairment affects physical health, learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
Over the past 10 years, the Gold Coast clinic has grown into a recognised centre of excellence in FASD multidisciplinary assessment, caregiver support, training, education, and collaborative research; supporting more than 600 paediatric patients and provided training to more than 500 clinicians across Australia and New Zealand.
This clinic and the research we do is vital in providing early intervention and support for vulnerable children.
The other highlight is being the Clinical Director of the best Womens, Newborns and Children service in the country.
World Children’s Day is a reminder that every health decision, every investment, and every act of care directed toward children has a ripple effect.
Whether you’re a policymaker, a healthcare worker, a parent, or simply a member of the community, you have a role to play.
Children are not just our future; they are our present. It’s a day that reminds if we want a better tomorrow, we must invest in children today.
