Melissa (Mel) Whittaker, with her natural enthusiasm, joined the ABE Australia team in 2022. Mel is the technical officer at the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health in Dubbo, located about 5 hours west of Sydney. She works with academic and clinical-skills educators to support practical classes for Doctor of Medicine students. Additionally, as the technician for the ABE Dubbo distribution hub, she prepares equipment and reagents for regional schools.

ABE Australia is grateful to have Mel on their team. With her “can do” attitude, Mel eagerly supports all aspects of the program—from meticulously preparing and organizing kits to traveling to Sydney to help the Australia team run professional development institutes (PDIs). She took the lead in organizing a PDI at Dubbo, visits schools to ensure the program runs smoothly, and goes above and beyond to promote the program to local (and not so local) communities to recruit more regional schools.

Mel has built strong relationships with the teachers in Dubbo and the surrounding areas, and having a “local” on the ground makes her a trusted source. She is fully committed to the program and dedicated to helping schools implement it. Many regional schools would be unable to access this type of equipment if it wasn’t for Mel.  

Thank you for your dedication to the ABE program, Mel, and your constant determination and enthusiastic attitude!