Our staff

Director

  • Associate Professor James Debenham

    PhD, MSc (MT), BSc (Physio; Hons)

    Director
    Email: james.debenham@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0449 946 669

    Role at Majarlin
    James is responsible for the strategic and operational direction of Majarlin as it pursues its mission. This includes supporting the entire Majarlin team and integrating Majarlin’s activities with those of the University more broadly. James oversees the co-ordination of Majarlin’s three teams: 1) Allied Health, 2) Nursing and Midwifery, and 3) Research.

    Biography
    A Physiotherapist by background, James has clinical and academic expertise in Physiotherapy, in health workforce leadership, and with various research methodologies. James completed his PhD at Curtin University, publishing his thesis "Spring Theory" in 2017, describing a new model to conceptualise the development and management of lower limb tendinopathy. Prior to joining Majarlin in 2022, James was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Fremantle Campus from 2010. James has an interest in the professional issues facing allied health practitioners in Australia. He has published work in this space and has served the profession via senior leadership roles within the 'Australian Physiotherapy Association' and 'Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia'.

Program Manager

  • Ms Kristan Heidel

    Program Manager, Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT)
    Email: kristan.heidel@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0457 217 414

    Role at Majarlin
    Kristan has operational oversight of the National RHMT program for the University of Notre Dame which is a Commonwealth funded program consisting of several Medicine, Allied Health & Nursing departments across 3 states and 7 locations. Majarlin is one of those departments.

    Biography
    Kristan possesses 2 postgraduate qualifications; Business Analytics and Family Law Mediation and is currently undertaking the Master of Business Administration program at Macquarie University (MGSM). She is a highly experienced senior manager with over 20 years operations experience including a work history with five Australian universities.

Administration Staff

  • Serena Craddock

    BAppSc(Hons) Interior Architecture & Graphic Design

    Administration Coordinator
    Email: serena.craddock@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0605

    Role at Majarlin
    As the Administration Coordinator, Serena looks after the administration team and all Majarlin’s resources and supports the program manager in the management and operation of Majarlin.

    Biography
    Serena completed her honours at Curtin University. After a few years of working in the Perth design industry, she moved to Broome and began working at Majarlin in early 2023 whilst continuing her freelance graphic design work.

  • Yasmina Tadic

    Bachelor of Arts (Languages & Intercultural Communication), Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies

    Senior Administration Officer – Broome
    Email: yasmina.tadic@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0605

    Role at Majarlin
    As the Senior Administration Officer, Yasmina looks after the office and supports the Administration Coordinator and Program Manager in the management and operations of Majarlin. She also provides administrative assistance to the Allied Health team and Research team at all levels of operation.

    Biography
    Yasmina has over 10 years' experience working in tertiary education across a number of student support, Indigenous support and project officer roles in Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Darwin. In 2025 Yasmina moved to Broome while completing her Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies.

  • Alena Plompen

    Senior Administration Officer – Broome
    Email: alena.plompen@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0605

    Role at Majarlin
    As the Senior Administration Officer, Alena looks after the office and supports the Administration Coordinator and Program Manager in the management and operations of Majarlin. She also provides administrative assistance to the Nursing team at all levels of operation.

    Biography
    Alena is originally from Switzerland, where she completed an apprenticeship as a dental assistant. After relocating to Australia, she went on to complete a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Interior Design. She moved to Broome with her partner in early 2024 and joined Majarlin in early 2026.

  • Irina Efremova

    Student Support Officer – Kununurra
    Email: irina.efremova@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0460 024 673

    Role at Majarlin
    Irina’s role at Majarlin is to support students while on placement in Kununurra through organising and managing Majarlin resources and offering assistance and guidance to ensure a positive placement experience.

    Biography
    Irina is a hospitality professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism from Russia. With extensive experience in service-focused environments, she combines strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of operations to support students, staff, and the wider community. Having recently relocated to Kununurra, she is enjoying discovering and embracing the unique beauty of the East Kimberley region.

Nursing Staff

  • Sascha Gregory

    BSc (Nursing) - Registered Nurse

    Clinical Facilitator
    Email: sascha.gregory@nd.edu.au

    Role at Majarlin
    Sascha’s role at Majarlin as a Clinical Facilitator is to provide clinical and pastoral support to undergraduates on their remote practicum.  Sascha’s passion for student facilitation originates from her early days as a student and graduate nurse, realising how important facilitator and mentorship is during learning and beyond.   Sascha’s priority is to ensure students have a memorable time in the Kimberley – both clinically, educationally and socially.

    Biography
    Studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Nursing from Curtin University, Sascha relocated to Broome in 2018 to work at Broome Hospital.  Sascha has worked across multiple areas at Broome Health Campus, namely General Ward, Emergency Department in her earlier years and for the last four five years, worked in the Non-Admitted Services across five departments, with many years teaching and facilitating student and graduate nurses. Sascha’s passion is clinical education and is planning post graduate studies in this area.

  • Tamara Fairweather

    Student Co-Ordinator – Nursing
    Email: tamara.fairweather@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0619

    Role at Majarlin
    Tam commenced working with Notre Dame in August 2021 working as VET Admin Assistant and is now responsible for coordinating student placements for the Enrolled and Bachelor of Nursing students throughout the Kimberley region.

    Biography
    Tam and family moved to Broome for a six-month secondment with her husband’s work and 21 years later she is still here, raised her family and loving the lifestyle.

  • Abbie Pittard

    RN (BN)

    Clinical Facilitator - Nursing
    Email: abbie.pittard@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0417 432 781

    Role at Majarlin
    Abbie’s role at Majarlin is to provide support and guidance and act as a role model to Nursing students. Clinical facilitation is something at the forefront of Abbie’s responsibilities at Majarlin and is passionate about giving nursing students an excellent experience in rural and remote health care.

    Biography
    Abbie studied her Bachelor of Nursing at Edith Cowan University Bunbury Campus which she completed in 2014.

    From there, she completed her graduate nursing programme at Bunbury Hospital. She then worked various departments throughout her nursing career, showing a special interest in mental health/drug and alcohol and palliative care.

    Abbie is keen to facilitate nursing students throughout the Kimberley health care system whilst also progressing her nursing career.

  • Robbie Notman

    BSc (Maths, Physics), GDipEd(Secondary)

    Laboratory Coordinator
    Email: robert.notman@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0649

    Role at Majarlin
    Robbie works to support the Laboratory Coordinator and liaises with the facilitators to ensure the laboratory runs smoothly.

    Biography
    Born and raised in Perth, Robbie studied Mathematics and Physics before becoming a teacher. He occupied teaching positions in Perth and Carnarvon for several years before travelling to Broome for a holiday, naturally, he then decided to stay. Robbie hopes to use his experience and training to provide Majarlin students with an excellent experience in Broome by offering support to both students and facilitators in the laboratory.

  • Caroline Goodey

    RN(BN), MN (Perioperative)

    Rural and Remote Lead for Nursing and Midwifery
    Email: caroline.goodey@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0417 211 230

    Role at Majarlin
    Supports the team responsible for preparing and facilitating nursing and midwifery students undertaking clinical placements across the Kimberley, including oversight of the clinical skills laboratory and staff supporting simulation-based learning and training activities, to help ensure students have a high-quality learning experience in rural and remote healthcare settings.

    Biography
    Caroline began her nursing career more than 20 years ago in aged care and surgical wards before discovering a passion for perioperative nursing. After completing her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle, she went on to complete postgraduate studies in perioperative nursing and later a Master of Nursing (Perioperative).

    She relocated with her young family to Kununurra, initially planning to stay for a year but remaining in the Kimberley for five years before moving to Broome. During this time, she worked within the perioperative specialty at Broome Hospital and developed a strong interest in education and supporting nurses and students in rural and remote health services.

    Her clinical experience and commitment to education now inform her work at Majarlin, supporting nursing and midwifery students across the Kimberley.

  • Danica Butler

    RN (BN)

    Sessional Clinical Educator, Nursing
    Email: danica.butler@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0457 630 313

    Role at Majarlin
    Danica’s role at Majarlin is as a clinical nurse facilitator, student mentor, and teacher. She is committed to fostering clinical excellence and providing high-quality education to all nursing students. Danica’s goal is to continuously build strong, supportive relationships with both students and healthcare organizations, ensuring each student has a positive and enriching experience in the rural and remote setting.

    Biography
    Danica completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, before embarking on a graduate nursing program at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where she gained valuable experience in the Operating Theatres and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit. While her foundation in perioperative nursing was solid, her growing interest in Critical Care nursing led her to transition to the Emergency Department, where she has remained, continuously enhancing her critical care skills.

    Building on her background in operating theatres and her passion for critical care, Danica has pursued a Master of Nursing (Research), focusing on the recovery of cardiothoracic patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Danica has worked across diverse clinical settings, including a Metropolitan Emergency Department, Operating Theatre, and the Emergency and Trauma Department in Darwin. She now works in the Broome Emergency Department and High Dependency Unit. With a strong passion for teaching, Danica joined Majarlin as a Clinical Nurse Facilitator to share her clinical experience with undergraduate nurses, particularly in rural and remote healthcare settings, and support their development into confident and skilled professionals.

  • Mia Ballard

    RN (BN)

    Clinical Facilitator, Nursing
    Email: mia.ballard@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0428 504 248

    Role at Majarlin
    Mia's role at Majarlin is to facilitate and deliver positive learning experiences through supporting, tutoring and mentoring undergraduate nurses. Mia’s role is to provide professional guidance and effective clinical support during their clinical practicum. Mia facilitates a comfortable environment for reflective practice, addressing clinical performance, and providing clinical education that enhances students’ knowledge and skills.

    Biography
    Mia studied her Bachelor of Nursing Degree at the University of Notre Dame at Fremantle Campus. From there, she completed her graduate nursing program at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Mia showed interest in Critical Care and advanced her nursing career in the cardiac intensive care unit (coronary care unit). She began clinical facilitating Undergraduate Registered Nurses in this area. Mia found passion in creating positive and high-quality learning opportunities that enhance undergraduate nurses' clinical knowledge and skills.

    After working in the Coronary Care Unit for 4 years, Mia relocated to Broome and began working in the Emergency Department and High Dependency Unit at Broome Hospital. Mia is now working with Majarlin as a Clinical Facilitator whilst also working at Broome Hospital. Mia hopes to use her experience and passion to teach to offer an excellent and memorable experience for Majarlin undergraduate nurses.

Allied Health Staff

  • Kylie Hopkins

    PhD Candidate, MPHTM, M Nutr&Dietet, BSc (Health Promotion), BSc (Nutrition), APD

    Clinical Educator - Dietetics
    Email: kylie.hopkins@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0402 021 937

    Role at Majarlin  
    Kylie works as a Clinical Educator (Dietetics) providing professional support and guidance to dietetic and nutrition students undertaking coursework study and clinical placements throughout the Kimberley.

    Biography
    Kylie is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with 16 years' experience, living and working throughout remote Northern Australia, though calling Kununurra home since 2010. Prior to this role Kylie held senior clinical and management positions gaining experience in primary health, private practice, tertiary and rural/remote settings. Her career has been strongly focused on improving nutritional access and nutrition educational opportunities for regional communities. With a passion for mentoring, teaching and research, Kylie transitioned into academia lecturing in nutrition, public health, rural/remote health care and health promotion at Charles Darwin University in 2020. With a keen interest in research, Kylie began Doctoral studies in 2022. Her research aims to contribute to the development of culturally safe care practices for First Nations people with T2DM and obesity.

  • Negin Loh

    Bsc Physiotherapy

    Clinical Educator – Physiotherapy
    Email: negin.loh@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 08 9192 0622

    Role at Majarlin
    Provides the Physiotherapy component of the Service-Learning Program and supervision to students completing clinical placements.

    Biography
    Negin completed her training at Curtin University and has worked predominantly within the public hospital sector both in the tertiary and rural setting. Since arriving to Northern WA, she has worked across the Pilbara and the Kimberley, including outreach to remote communities in the Fitzroy Valley.

    Negin has a keen interest in a range of clinical areas, in particular rural and remote health, paediatrics, inpatient acute care and rehabilitation. She is passionate about the role of physiotherapy in the areas of patient advocacy, patient education and promotion of self-efficacy to improve function and well-being. Negin strives to share her clinical experience and passion of rural and remote health with her students.

  • Tracy Raymond

    BSc (Nutrition and Food Science), Grad Diploma Dietetics, Grad Cert Diabetes Education, Grad Cert Paed Dietetics, Grad Cert Health Promotion, MPH, APD

    East Kimberley Lead / Clinical Educator - Dietetics
    Email: tracy.raymond@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0407 766 125

    Role at Majarlin
    Tracy works to strengthen partnerships across sectors to support positive outcomes in health and education for the Kimberley community.  As a Clinical Educator (Dietetics) Tracy provides professional support and guidance to dietetic and nutrition students undertaking clinical placements throughout the Kimberley, whilst supporting the broader work of Majarlin in the East Kimberley.

    Biography
    Tracy is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who came to the Kimberley on a one-year Dietitian contract in 2002 with the Division of General Practice (now Boab Health Services). Across the Kimberley and remote Australia Tracy has contributed to various roles within Dietetics, Diabetes Education, Allied Health Management, consultancy, training and board governance.   Tracy brings experience from a variety of Asia Pacific nations as health and nutrition advisor and GEDSI training advisor across development and corporate sectors.
    Tracy has particular interest in effect translation of health messages across cultural groups, disease prevention starting with adolescent health and cross sector health promotion initiatives to support people to stay healthy in their context. Tracy relocated back to Kununurra in 2023, is a mum of two, lover of the outdoors and doing health beyond the health sector.

  • Nikki Hulse

    BSc Occupational Therapy, GradCert HPE

    Allied Health Lead / Clinical Educator - Occupational Therapy
    Email: nikki.hulse@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 08 9192 0621

    Role at Majarlin
    Nikki provides the occupational therapy component of the work readiness program, supervising students accessing placements within schools and aged care.

    Biography
    Nikki graduated as an occupational therapist in 1996 and has extensive experience in generalist roles both in the UK and Australia. Nikki has a keen interest working within the adolescent and youth sector providing holistic OT services. Aside from client-based services, Nikki’s interests also include clinical supervision processes particularly relating to health professional students and graduate clinicians. Previous clinical roles focused heavily on supporting graduates, devising, and implementing preceptorship roles. She currently provides clinical support and mentoring to early career OTs across the Kimberley and Pilbara. Nikki is head of committee for Majarlin Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp that sees high school and allied health students provide respite services for children with disabilities.  Nikki also implements a workplace learning program with high school for students considering a career pathway in allied health.

  • Sarah Mtandwa

    BBus (Tourism & Marketing), MSpPath, CPSP

    Clinical Educator – Speech Pathology
    Email: sarah.mtandwa@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0427 946 681

    Role at Majarlin
    Sarah supervises student clinical placements, supporting emerging speech pathologists to build their skills, grow their confidence, and strengthen their readiness for remote practice.

    Biography
    Sarah is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia. Originally from Melbourne, she first built a career working in hotels and resorts in Port Douglas before later transitioning into speech pathology as her second professional path. She was among the first group of students to participate in Majarlin’s pilot placement program, completing a successful six week placement in the Kimberley. This experience fostered a deep connection to the region, and after graduating she returned to Broome to work as a remote speech pathologist.

    Over the past six years, Sarah has worked as a remote clinician across Broome and the wider West Kimberley and Pilbara regions, providing services through both local and FIFO/DIDO outreach models. She has supported individuals with complex presentations across hospitals, schools, early childhood centres, kindergartens, early intervention programs, aged care facilities, remote Aboriginal communities, and via telehealth. She values the diversity, relationships, and community connection that come with working in remote health.

    Sarah has since moved into the Speech Pathology Clinical Educator role with the Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health, supporting emerging clinicians through student placements and helping to build and strengthen a sustainable, community embedded remote workforce.

  • Brianna Cunningham

    BSc Paramedicine

    Student Coordinator - Broome
    Email: brianna.cunningham@nd.edu.au
    Phone: (08) 9192 0605

    Role at Majarlin
    Brianna is responsible for coordinating student placements for all Allied Health students throughout the West Kimberley. She works closely with Majarlin Clinical Educators, Allied Health professionals and organisations throughout the Kimberley and Universities Australia wide, to coordinate and facilitate quality placements for Allied Health students.

    Biography
    Brianna relocated to Broome in early 2025, making the move with her partner from Perth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine, which she completed in 2020 while working at St John of God Murdoch. Following her degree, Brianna continued to pursue her passion for helping others by enrolling in a Certificate II in Auslan (Australian Sign Language), further expanding her skill set and commitment to inclusive communication.

Research and Support Staff

  • Maria Morgan

    Cultural Security Officer
    Email: maria.morgan@nd.edu.au
    Phone: 0429 928 088

    Role at Majarlin
    Provide cultural support to Majarlin students.

    Biography
    Maria was born in Broome and is from a well-known family with traditional links. Maria is of Yawuru and Karajarri heritage. In her early years, Maria was appointed Liaison Officer for St Joseph’s Catholic School. Maria has worked as administrator at Wyndham’s local resource centre then took on role of Women’s CDEP Co-ordinator. Maria then commenced work for the WA Department of Training for 10 years working with trainees and apprentices in Wyndham and Broome. Maria and her family set up one of the longest running Indigenous Tourism businesses which has led to their children having their own businesses in Tourism. She helped Key Assets establish an office in Kununurra in May 2014 before moving to Broome to commence work as the Cultural Security Officer.

  • Robyn Doney 

    Academic Fellow – Allied Health
    Email: robyn.doney@nd.edu.au

    Role at Majarlin
    Robyn joined the Majarlin team in 2023. She supports ongoing and new research initiatives, as well as working alongside clinical educators to support allied health students completing their placements in Broome.

    Biography 
    Robyn is an Occupational Therapist and has professional and research interests in population and public health in remote regions. Originally from Perth, Robyn moved to the Kimberley in 2009 and has lived in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, and Broome. As an OT, she has worked in tertiary and remote hospitals, schools, aged care facilities, and community settings delivering services to people of all ages.

    Robyn was the Occupational Therapist on the Lililwan Project, Australia’s first population-based study of the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She evaluated the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on motor skills of children in the Fitzroy Valley. Robyn has a Doctor of Public Health, Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy), Bachelor of Business Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in OHS Management from Curtin University.