Norma Lane

2020 was the Year of the Nurse & Midwife. During the global pandemic of 2020, the tireless efforts of our frontline staff and care workers became paramount. Norma is one of nine nurses nominated by our partner, the Queensland Nurses & Midwives Union (QNMU), who have gone above and beyond.

After qualifying as a nurse in 1978 and a midwife in 1986 I have worked in Cape York, Western Australia, Christmas Island and Townsville in primary care, prisoner and refugee health and dementia and delirium.

My current role at Townsville Hospital and Health Service (Townsville HHS) is as a Clinical Nurse Consultant - Indigenous Health, supporting nurses and midwives to deliver culturally appropriate care. I provide mentoring and support for Indigenous nursing and midwifery undergraduate students, including the recipients of the Townsville Indigenous Academic Merit Awards.
In 2018, I received both the Queensland Health Award for Excellence (Indigenous Leadership) and Outstanding Achievement (Regional, Rural and Remote) for reducing discharge against medical advice rates for Indigenous Patients.

My success can be attributed to my supporting parents who instilled the importance of a career, and to be honest, being reliable and respectful while accepting of life challenges. Their commitment to family was to ensure we became independent professionals.

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