As we continue to reflect on International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day across Mercy Health, we take this opportunity to celebrate and thank two extraordinary midwives, Monica Buckley and Giselda Bannister.
Their decades of service have left a lasting impression on the women and families we care for, as well as the many colleagues they have supported and inspired.
At Mercy Health, our commitment to safe, connected, effective and personal care is made real through our people. Monica and Giselda have brought these values to life every day, through their compassion, clinical expertise and the genuine human connection they share with every family in their care.
For Monica, midwifery has always been more than a role; it has been a vocation grounded in compassion, respect and an unwavering commitment to safe and personal care. Growing up on a farm in Yea as one of eight children, Monica carries forward the values instilled by her parents into every interaction: kindness, dedication and a deep respect for others. After commencing her nursing training in 1979 and completing her midwifery training at the Royal Women’s Hospital in 1984, Monica found her true calling.
“I absolutely loved it,” Monica reflected. “I thought I would return to neurosurgery after midwifery, but I never did.”
Since joining Mercy Hospital in East Melbourne in 1996, Monica has been a trusted and reassuring presence for countless women and families. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, she helped ensure care that was not only clinically safe and effective, but also deeply personal, taking the time to listen, support and walk alongside families during one of life’s most significant moments.
Over her 40-year career, Monica witnessed extraordinary advancements in maternity care. While technology and models of care have evolved, she believes the essence has remained constant. “I’ve seen huge changes in both technology and care, but the heart of midwifery has always stayed the same,” she said. “It has been an absolute privilege to support families during such an important time in their lives.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Monica’s commitment to connected and compassionate care was especially evident. Supporting women who were separated from their usual support networks was incredibly challenging. “It was heartbreaking at times,” she shared, “but it also showed the strength and resilience of families and staff, and just how important human connection is in healthcare.”
For Giselda, midwifery has always been about standing beside women with warmth, respect and expert care, ensuring every experience is safe, supportive and centred on the individual.
Beginning her career at Mercy Maternity Hospital in 1988, Giselda dedicated 38 years to delivering high-quality, effective care while fostering genuine connections with the women and families she supported.
“While advances in clinical care have transformed outcomes, the essence of midwifery has remained the same,” Giselda reflected. “It is still about supporting growing families through one of the most significant experiences of their lives.”
Giselda has cared for women from an extraordinary diversity of backgrounds, including one year supporting women from more than 120 countries, ensuring care was inclusive, respectful and tailored to everyone’s needs.
Her ability to bring together clinical excellence with empathy and understanding has made a lasting difference to families and colleagues alike.
Beyond their clinical expertise, both Monica and Giselda have played a vital role in shaping the future and upcoming midwives. They have been mentors, role models and steady sources of support for generations of midwives.
As we celebrate Monica and Giselda, we recognise not only their remarkable careers, but the way they embody Mercy Health’s mission, delivering safe, connected, effective and personal care in every interaction.
Their contributions will continue to be felt in the lives they have touched, the families they have supported and the colleagues they have inspired.
We thank them both for their extraordinary dedication and lasting impact.
