Community Awards 2026: Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion - Jeanette George
For more than 20 years, Jeanette George has played a vital role in improving community health and wellbeing in Yarra through her work as a Community Midwife, Women’s Health Nurse and Refugee Health Nurse in Fitzroy.
Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including refugee and asylum seeker families and residents of Atherton Gardens, she has helped make healthcare more accessible, culturally safe and responsive to community needs.
A defining feature of Jeanette’s contribution is the trust and continuity of care she has built with families over many years. Through her compassionate, trauma-informed approach, Jeanette has supported women and families to access maternity, reproductive and preventive healthcare while building trusted relationships that encourage ongoing engagement with health services.
Jeanette’s impact extends beyond the people she has personally cared for. By teaching and supporting students in women’s health, midwifery and refugee healthcare, she has passed on her commitment to culturally safe, equitable and person-centred practice to the next generation of health professionals. Her dedication to advocacy, health education and mentoring future health professionals has strengthened equitable healthcare access and helped create a healthier, more inclusive community where people from diverse backgrounds feel respected, supported and connected.
The nominees for Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion
- Alaa Lattwani
- Ayel Akot
- Chiron Hooson
- Christina Daulo
- Fitzroy Kitchen Project
- Groove Tunes
- Kim Ling Chua
- Language Justice Network
- Maria Jong
- Muoi Tran
- Nicky Chung
- Project Respect’s Community Events
- SalamFest’s Community Events
- Susan North
- T Edgell-Hall
- Tan Tran
- Trinh Lam
- Vietnamese Scouting Youth Group
Thanks to all our nominees for your contributions to life in Yarra.