Outreach and education
Our outreach and education programs engage families, health professionals, researchers, and students, empowering them with knowledge and resources to drive better care and support for women, babies, and families – building brighter futures for all.
What We Offer
We provide a range of initiatives designed to advance research, education, and care for women, babies, and families. Discover our programs below.
Preterm birth prevention outreach and education
This national public health campaign aims to safely lower the rate of preterm birth by combining the latest evidence-based clinical practice with educational outreach programs for health care practitioners and the general public.
WIRF Scientific Dialogue
Our premier scientific event showcases new and innovative home-grown research programs and fosters collaboration.
Anatomy of Complications Workshops
These workshops aim to improve the performance of specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists in the prevention and management of complications in obstetric and gynaecological surgery.
Science in Schools Outreach Program
Our Science in Schools Outreach Program aims to inspire and mentor high school students (years 9 – 10) in Western Australia, with a particular focus on students from rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
In Scientific Dialogue With…WIRF Podcast Series
Our podcast features leading voices in research and healthcare who are driving meaningful improvements in outcomes for mothers and newborns, highlighting multidisciplinary innovation across Western Australia and beyond.
Latest News For you
A community woven together by yarn, kindness and care
The Knitting for Newborns campaign brought together knitters, volunteers, families and supporters from across Western Australia in a celebration of compassion and community. Through handmade gifts, essential donations and fundraising efforts, the campaign helped support vulnerable mothers and babies while highlighting the lasting difference that small acts of kindness can make.
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Perth medical researchers working on artificial placentas for premature babies
For babies born way too early, the challenges are huge. Their lungs are not well developed, their skin is very fragile and they are far from ready to face the outside world. A WIRF research project is working on trying to help those babies through building an artificial placenta.
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Community generosity creates calming space for families facing their toughest days
Families, patients and staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital now have a calmer, more welcoming place to gather, thanks to the transformation of the WIRF Café, unveiled as part of WIRF’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
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National honour for WIRF CEO Deb Portughes
WIRF is delighted to congratulate Chief Executive Officer Deb Portughes on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her outstanding service to the community, including her contributions to wildlife conservation and the health of women, babies, and families.
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From fear to hope: Emily’s journey through placenta accreta
Emily Lopes’ pregnancy with daughter Lillian was marked by the life‑threatening diagnosis of placenta accreta. Transferred to specialist care, Emily was supported by multidisciplinary teams across three hospitals, leading to a complex but successful birth. Her story highlights the critical importance of specialised care, research, and early detection in improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
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Midwife-led birth debriefing shows promise for improving maternal mental health
In 2024, Dr Kate Buchanan received a WIRF Research Acceleration Award to evaluate a midwife‑led post‑birth debriefing tool to reduce perinatal depression and anxiety. Implemented at Fiona Stanley Hospital, the project improved trauma‑informed care, strengthened midwifery practice, informed policy, and supports statewide scale‑up.
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WIRF launches Art of Birthing workshops to strengthen complex birth skills
WIRF’s new Art of Birthing workshops deliver world‑class, hands‑on maternity training for healthcare professionals managing complex childbirth. Building on the internationally recognised DVD program, these accredited workshops support midwives, obstetricians and multidisciplinary teams across Western Australia to build skills, confidence and improve outcomes for women and babies.
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Drs Sean Carter and Erin Johnson appointed WIRF deputy chief scientists
Dr Sean Carter and Dr Erin Johnson have been appointed Deputy Chief Scientists at WIRF, advancing its mission to improve outcomes for women and babies. With expertise in antenatal steroid therapy and preterm birth research, both bring strong clinical and translational leadership to drive innovation and bridge discoveries into real-world care.
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Request information and support
We’re ready to help. Please call us on 08 6458 1437 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm AWST), or fill out the form
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Our partners and sponsors
We are proud to work with leading organisations and sponsors who support our mission.
