2026 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards finalist: Jane Darlington

Since migrating from the UK to Australia four decades ago, before settling in the East Kimberley in 2005, Jane Darlington has been a driving force for paediatric excellence across the region.

The Kununurra-based staff development nurse has championed improved outcomes for children, strengthened neonatal and paediatric emergency responses – and led specialist training for nursing, medical, allied health and non-clinical teams.

It’s this important work that has seen her nominated as a finalist in the Nurse or Midwife of the Year category at the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards.

“Accessible hands-on education is important, from senior doctors through to hospital orderlies,” she said.

“Practical paediatric nursing skills are vital for all staff as over 30 per cent of our presentations are children.

“The special conditions seen in Aboriginal health in the tropical north of WA, mean it’s particularly important to ensure all staff learn how to deliver culturally appropriate and safe care for all.”

Jane’s role has seen her work across three hospitals and two remote clinics, often driving hundreds of kilometres at a time, to coordinate and train staff in the region. 

It’s a far cry from Oxford University where she trained in orthopaedics, for paediatrics and general nursing before emigrating to Australia from England in 1985.

Jane said she was honoured to be nominated by her peers ahead of this year’s awards.

“I hope it shows others that it doesn’t matter what role or location you work in – be it remote, rural or the city – we all have something to offer our teams, and we should all strive for excellence,” she said.

“As nurses and doctors, we learn best by seeing and using practical skills and by promoting education.

“In the words of Nelson Mandela – ‘education is the most powerful tool to change the world.’”

Jane also works with a number of charities; including the Humpty Dumpty Foundation which provides vital paediatric and neonatal training equipment across the Kimberley; as well as Red Cross, Children’s Cancer Foundation and Variety Club.

The WA Rural Health Excellence Awards are hosted by WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony during the WA Rural Health Conference on Saturday, 14 March 2026.