The Team

Sarah Hunstead

RN (B. Nurs), Cert IV TAE, MN (Clin. Prac)

Founding Director

In 15 years of paediatric emergency nursing, Sarah Hunstead has treated children with all kinds of injuries and illnesses. She has also seen countless parents come through the doors of the Children’s Hospital, distraught that they didn’t know how to help their child.

Becoming a mother reinforced to Sarah how valuable her professional experience was. “I realised how lucky my husband and I were – as paediatric nurses, we’d know what to do if anything ever happened to our girls,” she says. “It got me thinking about how wonderful it would be if every parent and carer was armed with that knowledge, and the confidence and security that come with it. I wanted families to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to act quickly and help save their child’s life, rather than feeling powerless should the unimaginable happen.”

Determined to share her knowledge, experience and passion for paediatric care, Sarah founded CPR Kids in 2012. CPR Kids delivers a range of classes taught by experienced clinicians, nurses and midwives, with a focus on hands-on learning and real-life scenarios. From intensive sessions to seasonal refresher courses, each class is tailored to suit participants and address the specific needs of babies, toddlers and older children.

A life. A finger. A pea up a nose.

Sarah’s book A life. A finger. A pea up a nose: a practical guide to baby and child first aid was first published in 2013 and is now in its third edition. The title was inspired by an incident where Sarah’s toddler stashed a pea in her own nostril, in case she got hungry later!

Sarah has a Masters Degree in Clinical Practice, and has held various roles in paediatric emergency departments in Sydney and Melbourne, including Nurse Unit Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Sarah lives with her husband, two daughters, dog and fish. When she’s not teaching, writing or speaking at events, Sarah likes to explore the bushwalks and beaches of Sydney’s National Parks with her family. Already inspired by the difference their mum is making to so many lives, Sarah’s daughters want to grow up to be doctors, nurses or wildlife warriors.

Nicole Ovens

RN, CM, NICC, Dip Admin (Nursing)

Operations Manager

My nursing career spans many years and I have vast experience caring for babies, children and their families in many settings. Though my practice has been diverse, I know that the goal always remains the same and encapsulates not just love and care for children but also requires exemplary skills & knowledge in order to achieve the positive health outcomes we strive for. I have 2 young adult daughters and more than 20 nieces & nephews ranging in age from newborn to adults so I also bring my experience as a mother and aunt. I consider myself lucky because my life is filled with the joy of children. When I’m not at work I help my daughters at their dance school. This means I am surrounded by an abundance of healthy, happy and bubbly 2 – 10 year olds six days a week. I am deeply honoured to be able to share my knowledge and experience with so many so that children, our most precious commodity, can live the healthy life they deserve. I am passionate about equity in health for all children and am driven to achieve this by empowering parents and care givers with the knowledge and skills they need if ever faced with an emergency. I know you can do it! Have faith in your ability. We’re here to guide and support you.

Lisa Hewitt

Customer Service

From the day my son was born, I started to think about what would happen the day he decided to jump off our fireplace calling out: “Mum, I can fly!” or the day he cut his lip or bumped his head… The list could go on! Knowing that these things can happen in a split second, I armed myself by attending a CPR and First Aid class and instantly felt better prepared in knowing what to do. It’s so important to have the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency situation. It’s something we all should have as it’s such an important tool – as a parent, guardian, carer, grandparent, aunt or uncle. I love working for CPR Kids and hope you enjoy your class with us. I also hope to provide you with an excellent customer service experience!

Cherie Nelson

Sales & Account Manager

As a parent of a little 2 year old, and with a background in sales, I am passionate about being involved with a team that makes a difference to people’s lives, especially something as important as child first aid. It is a joy to be involved in bringing confidence and knowledge to parents of young children, like me.

Casey de Farria

BBus

Social Media & Digital Community Co-ordinator

I completed a CPR Kids class with my Mum when my daughter was starting solids and I was returning to work. We both wanted to make sure we knew what to do in the event of choking, and in any emergency situation for that matter.

I instantly loved what CPR Kids offered. The class left me feeling confident and prepared with such an important set of skills and knowledge. Being a part of a company I am passionate about and working to spread the word about what we do is so important to me – I wish I could tell every single person how beneficial it is to know baby and child first aid.

Allison Roberts

RN. BHlthSci. Grad. Cert Paediatric Intensive Care. Grad Cert. Certificate Midwifery

Educator

I have over 20 years of nursing and midwifery experience both in NSW and Victorian hospitals. I have worked in various nursing fields including, midwifery, community nursing and Dermatology nursing. I also worked as an intensive care nurse at Sydney Children’s Hospital and during this time I completed my paediatric intensive care certification. I hold a graduate certificate in midwifery and practiced at Fairfield hospital. Since having 3 children (now 16, 17 and 19) my biggest achievement has been surviving motherhood and keeping my kids relatively safe (more good luck than good management perhaps). I am a dedicated surf lifesaver and I love teaching people their Bronze Medallion and competing in various masters events, and most of all I love the people I meet. Parents and carers often don’t back themselves and realise how much knowledge they actually have.  I believe that as parents we should trust our instincts more. Prevention is always key but even with the best intentions your kids and other peoples kids can still become unwell or get injured.  Knowing what to do might be the difference between an amusing story told later or a devastating hospital admission or worse.  That’s why I love teaching first aid and CPR to empower people and give them an improved level of their own instinctive skills. I enjoy seeing people go from “oh my goodness I couldn’t cope – to ‘this isn’t so hard when you understand why’.

Alyce Hicks

Educator

RN (B Nurs)

I am a registered nurse with over 10 years experience in paediatrics and neonatal nursing. My training was based at one of the Sydney Children’s hospitals where I worked predominantly in a busy paediatric emergency department. My current role is working in special care nursery, and as an educator for CPR Kids. I am also a mother to three beautiful children who keep me on my toes, and an Aunty to five nieces and nephews. Throughout my career and my personal life, I have seen first hand the importance of learning CPR and first aid. So as an educator for CPR Kids, I hope to share my knowledge, experience and skills to empower families and carers on how to recognise a sick or injured child and to give them the confidence to respond in an emergency situation

Angelique Brady

RN (B Nurs), Grad Cert in Critical Care Nursing

Educator

I am an emergency trained Registered Nurse who has specialised in paediatrics and am currently working in one of Sydney’s major trauma hospitals. I have always had a love for emergency nursing and most, if not all of my training has been in advanced life support and higher acuity resuscitation for both kids and adults. I am blessed with two children, a 3-year-old and a 9-month-old, who always keep me on my toes. Being a mum has been my greatest achievement and although challenging, has taught me how quickly these resilient and inquisitive little creatures can get themselves into trouble. Having the knowledge and skills to help when it is needed is both empowering and invaluable as a mum!! As an emergency nurse, I have witnessed first-hand the role parents play in recognising and responding to their sick or injured child in the event of a medical emergency and how different the outcome can be for that child. Prevention is always the key to avoid a hospital presentation but even the most experienced of us have had a child who has been injured or become very become very unwell quickly. The difference is knowing what to do!! I work for CPR Kids because I am passionate about empowering parents and carers of kids with knowledge and skills to act calmly and confidently if ever presented with an emergency situation and being apart of something that might one day save a child’s life. Jessie Hand, RN (B Nurs). I am a paediatric registered nurse with a background in oncology/haematology nursing, working in a major children’s hospital. Prior to that I worked in the medical assessment and isolation unit. As well as being a nurse, I am also a mother to a very busy toddler and I have had to put my medical knowledge to use many times with him. I am passionate about empowering families to confidently provide effective first aid and I love sharing my experiences both as a nurse and as a mother.

Bradley Toole

RN (BNurs) Grad Cert (Paed & Emergency) – Educator

Educator

I am a registered paediatric nurse, working within a major paediatric teaching Hospital.  I am driven by a passion to empower others and provide exceptional education & assistance to better the lives of others.  Becoming a parent has only further increased my desire to share my knowledge & to support educating the community to know how to respond in an emergency with their baby or child.

Daive Crookston

RN (Dip. Children’s Nursing) Grad Cert (Children’s Intensive Care)

Educator

I have been a paediatric critical care nurse for over 10 years working in intensive care units and emergency departments. I have seen both positive and negative outcomes of varying levels of resuscitation.  I work for cpr kids as I share the same passion and beliefs that everyone should be able to perform basic life support to a child.  I have a young family and value the reassurance that if illness or injury were to occur, people would feel empowered and able to recognise and respond confidently.

Jessie Hand

RN (B. Nurs)

Educator

I am a paediatric registered nurse with a background in oncology/haematology nursing, working in a major children’s hospital. Prior to that I worked in the medical assessment and isolation unit.

As well as being a nurse, I am also a mother to a very busy toddler and I have had to put my medical knowledge to use many times with him.

I am passionate about empowering families to confidently provide effective first aid and I love sharing my experiences both as a nurse and as a mother.

Kirsten Newton

RN (B.Nurs), Grad Certificate Paediatric Critical Care, Grad Certificate Neonatal Intensive Care, Graduate Diploma Child and Health, MN (Clinical Leadership)

Educator

I am a registered nurse with over 20 years’ experience in paediatric and neonatal intensive care. Many parents don’t know what to do when their child is sick or injured. Knowing what to do and having the confidence to respond can make all the difference.  I am also a mother to two teenage boys. With two adventurous, unpredictable boys who have no fear, I have had to put my first aid skills to the test many times. I have learnt that children are unpredictable and things can change in an instant. Knowledge is the key. Working with CPR Kids allows me to share my knowledge and experience with families. It allows me to empower families with knowledge and skills so they can recognise and respond to their sick or injured child calmly and with confidence.

Nikki Rae

RN (B. Nurs), Grad Cert. in children nursing

Educator

I have almost 10 years experience working as a paediatric Registered nurse in a children’s hospital. During this time I have specialised in cardiology and emergency nursing.

I am a mother to an adventurous and inquisitive 18 month old daughter. She keeps me on my toes and has taught me that children can always surprise you with how quick they develop and learn how to do new things.

It is my passion to share my experiences and help families gain the confidence in how to respond to an emergency situation. Through my own hands on exposure with being a paediatric nurse and mother, I feel that I am in a great position to make a difference. There is always something new to learn and I am excited to share my knowledge- as knowledge is very powerful!

Noni McNamara

Educator

I have been a paediatric Registered Nurse since 2010. Working in major children’s hospitals I have gained experience throughout different wards, however most of my experience comes from paediatric intensive care. Whenever the job gets tough, the kids always give me the motivation to get through. I am an extremely proud aunty to three little rascals who love swimming, trampolines and their farm. And with many of my friends and extended family also having children I am often surrounded by children and their happy but sometimes overwhelmed parents, aunties, uncles and grandparents. We all know how unpredictable kids can be, and you never plan on being involved in a life threatening situation. It always happens to someone else right? But having an underlying knowledge of what you can do to help if the situation were ever to occur can be very empowering. It is a real privilege to be able to work with CPR Kids, and help spread potentially life saving knowledge to anyone seeking it.

Sue Jones

MSc, Community Specialist Practitioner (Community Children’s Nursing). BSc, (Hons), Child Health Nursing. Dip, Nursing Child Health Branch

Educator

I am a registered paediatric nurse with over 20 years paediatric nursing experience working in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. I have worked in a wide range of paediatric specialities including general medicine, medical specialities, palliative care, nephrology and school nursing within the hospital, community, hospice and school settings. I am the mother to two very cheeky children under the age of 4 years – an accident prone 3.5 year old boy and a fearless 19 month old little girl. Life is more than a little hectic! I am a keen paddler and active member of Sydney Outrigger Canoe Club competing in outrigger regattas throughout NSW as well as further afield. If I wasn’t a nurse, and had slightly better sea legs, I would follow another passion and work as a scuba diving instructor. Sharing your knowledge and passion with others allows you the privilege of seeing the difference this newly acquired knowledge and skill can make to a person. Through my work as a paediatric nurse, my role as a mother, an auntie and friend I have experienced first hand the devastating effects accidents can have on children and their families and how quickly things can change. I want to be part of this journey and help prevent accidents occurring in the first place whilst arming parents and carers with the skills to safely and confidently manage situations. Knowledge is key and I’m excited to be sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.

Zoë Koopman

RN (B Nurs)

I am a paediatric Registered Nurse, working within one of Sydney’s major Children’s Intensive Care Units and more recently and importantly a Mum!  Having lived in the UK and the Middle East and despite all the stark differences in cultures – there is a common thread – the love and protection parents and grandparents feel for their children. In Australia we are fortunate enough to have access to amazing advanced healthcare, but until that help arrives, there are ways we can prevent and promote with skills and knowledge – so we know we have been able care for our children the best we can. There can be two children in the Intensive Care with the same injuries but yet we see very different long term outcomes due to the way in which their carers responded – this is what motivates me to be an Educator.  A favourite quote of mine said by Nelson Mandela – “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”

Zorica Rajchinoski

RN (B Nurs), Grad Cert in Paediatric Nursing

I am a Registered Nurse with nearly 10-year experience working in paediatric medical, surgical, emergency, neonatal and immunisation nursing in varies roles, including as a paediatric clinical nurse educator. Currently I work in the general paediatric ward at one of the busiest tertiary trauma units in South Eastern Sydney as a Paediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Paediatric Diabetes RN.

Most importantly, I am a mum of two adventurous toddler girls, who have had numerous medical issues and hospitalisations over the years and give all the boys a run for their money on the number of bumps and bruises they have sustained.

I came on board with CPR kids as I am passionate about empowering as many parents and carers out there with lifesaving knowledge and skills.  My advice to parents is simple. The best gift a parent, grandparent or carer can given to their child is being prepared; so, if the unpredictable occurs you can calmly and with confidence spring into action.