in 2007 Caroline Chisholm awards

Janet Michelmore AO, a tireless women’s health advocate, has been awarded a recipient of the prestigious annual Caroline Chisholm Award for fifteen years of voluntary service with Clayton-based national organisation, Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health.

The award celebrates quiet achievers who work at a local level in their community. Anna Burke MP, Federal Member for Chisholm, is honoring award recipients in a ceremony on Saturday 15 September.

Janet Michelmore directs the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health, set up in honour of her mother, the late Dr Jean Hailes – a pioneer in Australian women’s health, who opened the first menopause clinic in Australia dedicated to the management of women in midlife. “My mother had a vision for women to be strong and healthy and in charge of their own bodies,” she says.

“Because of the initial struggle the Foundation went through it would have been easy to give up, but despite funding, amongst other, difficulties, we persisted in achieving our goals.”   The key, says Janet is that, “there is a real team approach here that is very inspiring. GPs, educators, research specialists work side-by-side with a hands-on approach which means that all sides of the picture is looked at,” she says. “I don’t think I ever come to work and think ‘another day at work.” 

A background in special education gave Janet a wonderful platform to set up the Foundation’s education program, which today offers a variety of learning options for women – and GPs – across the country. Her first teaching job at Sunshine High, “taught me how lucky so many of us are and showed me that there is no one recipe or formula to working with people.”

Janet takes every opportunity to give credit to her staff.  “I’m continually blown away by the enthusiasm, support and real commitment shown by the staff, board and volunteers around me”, she says.   She adds  “they think nothing of ringing late at night with a new idea for the Foundation, a new way to get information out or a new area of community concern.”

Today, Janet oversees this national Foundation in a full-time voluntary capacity, lobbying government, donors, corporates and charitable trusts for funds. She inspires staff and women alike across Australia with her vision, commitment and passion for ensuring Australian women have access to the latest in clinical care, health education and evidence-based research.

Media interviews

To interview Janet Michelmore please contact Aleeza Zohar on 9562 6771 or 0425 758 729.

Content Updated September 12, 2007