Weipa endorsed midwife Lorraine Woods has been named Midwife of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) Award. Photo: QNMU.
Congratulations are officially in order for Weipa’s very own and beloved endorsed midwife, after she was announced as a winner in the 2026 Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) Awards.
Lorraine Woods travelled to Brisbane earlier this month as one of three QNMU Midwife of the Year finalists, where she was named the top Queensland midwife of 2026.
Despite playing an integral role in her community, humble as ever, Ms Woods said she could not believe she had won when she heard her name called out.
She said she had not even prepared an acceptance speech, which was asked of finalists attending the award ceremony.
“There were five awards in total, and I was the fourth one. I was sitting and listening to these other people accept their awards with their speeches, and I thought, I better do something quickly, so I wrote something while we were eating our entrees,” she laughed.
“Then I heard my name, and I went, oh my god, that’s me. I was really shocked and thrilled at the same time, and really happy for Weipa and Torres and Cape as well.”
Ms Woods has been a key part of the return of birthing to Weipa, supporting mothers and families since the service resumed after 25 years in May 2024.
When she was named a finalist earlier this year, she told Cape York Weekly that the award was bigger than only her, adding that she wanted to highlight Weipa’s achievement as a new, remote birthing service.
However, with the award winner being decided by public voting, the challenge ahead was significant for the small-town endorsed midwife, who was up against competition from Brisbane and Toowoomba.
“It’s just an honour and a privilege that people voted for me and felt that I deserved the award, and it makes me feel that I am a good midwife,” she said.
“I love my women, babies and families, and it’s just lovely to be able to be part of their journey.
“We’ve only just started birthing two and a bit years ago, and I think it’s just nice for Weipa to have a Midwife of the Year working there.”
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chief executive Rex O’Rourke congratulated Ms Woods on her achievement, highlighting the important role she played in the lives of Cape York and Torres Strait communities.
“Lorraine’s recognition is thoroughly deserved and reflects her outstanding clinical leadership, commitment to women and families, and contribution to rural and remote midwifery,” he said.
“As Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s first credentialed endorsed midwife, Lorraine is helping to set a new benchmark for midwifery practice and clinical leadership across our health service.
“Lorraine also played an important role in bringing birthing services back to Weipa in May 2024 after a period of 25 years. This has made a real difference for women and families across Western Cape York, particularly First Nations women, by providing greater access to continuity of care and the opportunity to give birth closer to home, family and community.”
