Jess Davidson is the new general manager of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has been an essential touchstone for the community for nearly 40 years.
The not-for-profit provides free or low-cost and affordable medical, allied and complementary health care as well as health and well-being programs, groups and education to improve women’s health.
The centre – and its leaders – share in a proud history of women’s activism above and beyond the services it provides.
Most recently it was the key driver behind the establishment of the world-first Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, after an arduous battle on behalf of women and children who have fled family violence.
Now the centre has a new general manager at the helm in Jess Davidson.
Self-confessed lover of good food, good coffee and good wine, Jess has worked in the community services sector for more than 20 years.
Previously a regional manager at St Vincent de Paul where she oversaw programs targeted at refugees, people with a disability and those at risk of homelessness, she had also worked on the ground offering casework and counselling in women’s services.
“I’ve always loved working with people, and I’m really passionate about creating systems that support people long term,” Jess said.
“It’s such a privilege to walk alongside someone in their most vulnerable times and be part of creating more just systems and a more just, equal, compassionate society.
“We need to look at how we can bring people from the margins towards the centre.”
Jess, who relocated to the Illawarra from Sydney 18 months ago, said she was keen to build on the centre’s legacy of advocacy, as well as supporting staff to provide care to women in need.
She said when systems better supported women they were less likely to end up in crisis, a win for everybody.
Jess said birthing services at the new Shellharbour Hospital and access to abortion were two key issues for women in the Illawarra.
“Women should be able to have access to local birthing services,” she said.
“They shouldn’t have to travel long distances to give birth.
“In the Illawarra we know there are a significant number of medical practitioners who are conscientious objectors, so it’s difficult and expensive to access abortion services.
“We want to make it easier and more accessible, so women have equal rights and opportunities.”
Alongside the supports the service has traditionally provided, Jess said she’s keen to see it expand its offerings, particularly as the new site at North Wollongong becomes more established.
She believes the centre is at its best when its listening to the community and adapting to the changing needs of the women who rely on the centre.
For employees – including herself – she said the secret to giving back without burning out was all about boundaries and mindset.
“Most importantly, when you are exposed to so much trauma, complexity and injustice on a daily basis you need to create room to see the good in the world,” she said.
“You need to see the small successes, to see the resilience in so many of the incredible women we work with.
“They continue to turn up, choose hope and be generous to each other.
“If we can focus on those things there is a lot of joy in that.”
