An equal world is an enabled world – the 2020 theme of
International Women’s Day perfectly sums up the work of Diabetes Victoria’s Deb Gooley. Deb is a nurse, midwife and diabetes educator who has worked tirelessly to ensure that children with type 1 diabetes are supported at school; so that they can thrive, learn and grow just like their peers.
Deb has been a driving force behind two major projects in this space.
Diabetes In Schools, an initiative led by Diabetes Australia, is a program that encourages families, schools and health professionals to work together to support students manage their diabetes at school. Deb was instrumental in liaising with teachers, families and students affected by diabetes, and ensured the training program, resources and content were accurate and easy to understand.
At the same time, Deb was also managing the Diabetes Victoria
Diabetes At School program, where she worked closely with the Victorian Department of Education to ensure all online resources, training manuals and video content was produced to a high standard, assisting school teachers and educators so Victorian families and school aged children affected by diabetes can be safe in a school setting.
Juggling these two projects involving many diverse stakeholders and competing deadlines, Deb’s outstanding work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her peers and colleagues nominated Deb for the Diabetes Victoria
2020 International Women’s Day Recognition Award. Now in its second year, Diabetes Victoria recognises with this award the work of the wonderful women who make up more than 75% of Diabetes Victoria’s staff.
“I felt privileged to have been recognised by my peers for my contribution within our team, for the work that has been done in supporting children with type 1 diabetes, their families, as well as staff in schools and early childhood settings through the Diabetes at Schools program,” Deb said when receiving the recognition.
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March. The theme for this year’s campaign is #EachforEqual which is focused around actively choosing to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. An equal world is an enabled world. We’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions and each one of us can help to create a gender equal world.
