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.

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!

Georgia van der Meer

BSc (Pysch), Grad Cert (HRM)

Bookings, Customer Service & HR Support

As a parent of an active primary school boy, I am constantly aware of the risk of a potential broken arm, head injury or other bump or bruise that might need First Aid attention.  CPR Kids gives every parent and carer the confidence to respond calmly, without panicking, when disaster strikes!  With my extensive background in Health human resources and an eagerness to show love and support to families, I am immensely proud to be working with CPR Kids to help empower every person, who is responsible for a little snuggly bundle of joy, inquisitive toddler, or rambunctious kidlet, to know what to do!

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.  I have also worked in medical assessment and isolation units.

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.

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 young children – an accident prone 8 year old boy and a fearless 6 year old little girl. Life is more than a little hectic! I am a keen paddler and active member of canoe clubs, 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.

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.

Alyson Chapman

RN (B. Nurs)

Educator

I have been working in healthcare for over 15 years with paediatric nursing experience in Australia, the UK and the developing world.  As a Registered Paediatric Nurse, I have spent most of my career working in the neonatal intensive care setting. I love the challenges of the ICU environment but by far the best part is sending babies home with their families.  I think it is so important to equip parents with the knowledge and confidence to keep their kids safe at home.  As a mum myself I know how challenging and scary that can be sometimes!

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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’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.

Angelique Brady

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

Educator

I am an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in child and family health, working with vulnerable families with kids ranging from 0-2 years of age.  We are a child protection supported program that specifically works on attachment between mums and their babies as well as supporting child development. I’ve moved into this role after 8 years of Emergency Nurses at one of Sydney’s major trauma hospitals, where I specialised in paediatrics and was specifically trained in advanced life support and higher acuity resuscitation for both kids and adults.

As an emergency nurse, I witnessed first-hand the role parents and first responders play in recognising and responding to sick or injured kids in an emergency, or children affected by adversity in the event of a crisis, and how that directly impact children’s outcomes. This is why I chose to become part of preventative management, inclusive of CPR Kids because I passionately believe you can do so much to improving the outcome of your kids, with recognition and knowledge.

I am blessed with a 5-year-old and almost 3-year-old who always keep me on my toes. I often take for granted my exposure and past experience with injuries or sick children. That being said, both children challenge me in different ways which I am sure many of you have had or had experience with. We are all capable of learning and knowing more about kids. I am driven to be a part of something that may one day save your child’s life.

Christine Page

RN and Midwife

Educator

I have over 37 years of Nursing experience in a variety of areas including Intensive care, Cardiac, Midwifery, Neonatal Intensive Care, Paediatrics and Education with both students and members of the community. I currently work across all areas of Midwifery and in education at a leading Sydney Hospital. More importantly I am a mother of two with over 25 years of experience in the field of parenthood. This by far is my greatest asset. Let me tell you, it was the steepest learning curve ever! more like a trajectory. They are now reasonably unscathed healthy young adults. Yay !!! I don’t think anyone or anything can ever prepare you for the fears and challenges of parenthood and the mischief they can get up too. My son was inquisitive and fearless, with absolutely no sense of danger. We called him the unguided missile and my husband and I quite literally needed eyes in the back of our head. Needless to say there were brakes, slings, stitches, a few hospital admissions and even a Helicopter Rescue. Even the most vigilant parents can get caught out, but if you arm yourselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to rise to any occasion you can dramatically decrease the chances of a tragic outcome. My daughter on the other hand spent most of her young life wrapped around my leg which bought with it its own set of challenges, luckily none requiring first aid. I am passionate about educating parents by sharing my knowledge and experiences and empowering them with the skills and confidence to respond calmly to any child in an emergency and help keep our precious little ones safe.

Danika Biddle

RN (B. Nursing), Grad Cert Paediatric Critical Care   

Educator

I have been a Registered Nurse for over 17 years. Most of this time I have spent working in Paediatric Intensive Care at one of the major Children’s Hospitals in Sydney and in London. I am currently completing my Master of Nursing. 

As a mother of three young children, I certainly know that accidents and illness can happen at any time, and anywhere. With my critical care background, I know how to respond, this helps me to keep calm and think clearly so I can react as needed. 

I have looked after many lucky children who have had positive outcomes because CPR or first aid has been initiated by families or bystanders. I am excited to pass on my knowledge and experience by educating families and carers with the skills and confidence to handle any situation their kids might come across.  

Erin Bruce

RN, Grad. Cert. of Nursing (Emergency)

Jane Townsend

RN (Dip Nursing), Grad. Cert. Critical Care, Grad. Cert. Vocational and Workplace Learning, Cert IV Training
and assessment, Registered Nurse Immuniser.

Educator

I was born in the UK but have lived in Australia for over 20 years. I have been a Registered Nurse for nearly 25 years.
The majority of my experience has been in Critical Care settings, predominantly in the Emergency Department of a major Sydney teaching hospital where I cared for adults and children alike, and spent several years as a Clinical Nurse Educator.
More recently, as a busy mother of two teenage girls, I have “changed pace” somewhat and now work as a Practice Nurse in a busy, forward-thinking medical practice based on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
Now, as well of spending lots of time immunizing and checking “well” infants and children I can also utilize my Emergency skills to triage, clinically assess and recognize and treat unwell or deteriorating patients efficiently and effectively.
Education has played an important role throughout my nursing career – either imparting my knowledge to others or through enhancing my own knowledge and personal journey – I still believe that I learn
something new every day!
I consider myself lucky to have become part of the CPR Kids team. It enables me to do something I love whilst empowering parents, grandparents, and carers to provide optimal care when faced with an emergency situation involving someone they love. To recognize, react and respond in a calm and confident
manner, and to be able to make a difference.

Katie O’Connell

RN (B. Nurs), Grad Dip. in Midwifery, Grad Cert. in Clinical Nursing (Child and Adolescent Health)

Educator

I absolutely love being a Paediatric Registered Nurse, and I have worked on a busy Medical / Surgical Children’s ward as both a RN and Clinical Nurse Educator in a private hospital in Brisbane for the last 13 years. I’m also proudly a Midwife with a special passion for working in caesarean births, postnatal care, and special care nursery.

Most recently- I’m also a Mum! I have 2 beautiful boys, Hudson (3.5) and Finley (7 months) who certainly keep me on my toes, and with having 2 boys I am anxiously anticipating many a trip to the emergency department in the future!

My experience as a Mum has shown me how incredibly quickly children can get themselves into mischief; and my experience as a paediatric nurse has allowed me to see first hand the huge difference that immediately knowing what to do in an emergency involving a child can make to a good outcome. I am so excited to be working for CPR Kids as it gives me the opportunity to educate and empower all adults caring for a child with the knowledge and skills to save their child’s (or someone else’s!) life- and nothing is more important than that.

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.

Lucy Colombo

Dip HE Nursing Studies (Child Branch), Grad Cert Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing

Educator

I have been a registered paediatric nurse for the best part of 15 years with a background in and a love for emergency nursing. As well as being a nurse, I am a mum to a very active little girl who is often putting my first aid skills to the test with all manner of things! I am passionate about empowering families and carers of children to feel prepared to deliver lifesaving CPR and effective first aid should the need ever arise.

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 leading 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!

Rachel Lam

RN (B. Nurs)

Educator

I am a Registered Nurse with 10 years’ experience working with children & families, across many different services, including in the hospital setting & community service. I also have extensive experience in the field of Child and Youth Mental Health.

I’m also a mum of a 19 month-old toddler girl, who keeps me busy all the time! Since becoming a mother myself, I’ve come to realise that little humans are very good at giving you surprises by falling over, touching things that are not safe, or putting dangerous items in their mouths!

I’m passionate in teaching and now, more than ever, I want to share my experience and knowledge, as a nurse & mother.  I can’t wait to meet you and to give you the confidence to look after those precious little ones safely and to know what to do when the unexpected events happen!

A little extra about me, I am also fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, and I’m very excited to meet families in our Mandarin classes!

大家好，我是一名有十年在澳工作经验的注册护士， 并拥有多年照顾儿童的经验。我拥有在悉尼多个大医院和社区服务中心工作的经验， 除了普通医疗科目，我还有非常丰富的儿童心理学临床经验。

我本人也是一名母亲，目前有一个19个月大的女儿。自从当上了妈妈，我发现小孩子真的会不经意就发生各种意外，让父母忙的目不暇接。

自此以后，作为一名护士和母亲，我发现了拥有婴儿与儿童急救知识的重要性，并且非常希望能和更多的家庭父母分享这些知识！

我非常热爱教学，并且非常期待在课堂上与大家分享我的知识和经验，从此希望大家作为父母有更多的自信去安全的照顾孩子。

我本人掌握熟练的英语，国语，粤语， 并且将负责教授普通话课程，期待与大家见面!

Sallie Neville

RN (B. Nurs), Graduate Certificate Critical Care -Emergency

Educator

I have had the good fortune to be a Registered Nurse now for over 25 years, both here in Australia and Overseas.

My experience ranges from Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist for Paediatrics and Adults, Cardiology, Oncology, Recovery and anaesthetics, Opthalmology, Paediatric Dental, Palliative care, and more recently my current role as a School Nurse in a Primary School setting. I have seen first-hand the positive outcomes that acting calmly and confidently and providing good quality CPR can have on a person’s survival and quality of life afterward.

I believe that Nurses are innately natural educators and after having twin girls of my own, I realised the importance of being able to impart our knowledge of CPR and other life-saving information onto other Parents to be vital. Being equipped with the skills to save your child’s life if required, will be the greatest thing as a Parent, you can do.

In my spare time, I love to travel and explore the World and its many cultures, bushwalking, lazing by the ocean, dining out with Family and Friends, spending quality time with my Hubby, our girls, and our four-legged family member Piper (The cutest Mini Schnauzer that I know).

I truly believe that we are always learning. As Parents, we have a natural instinct to protect our children from danger – which is key. However, that does not always mean that danger does not find them.

I work with CPR Kids so that we can empower you and share with you the knowledge required to recognise when your child is sick and may need help. Let us teach you how to behave calmly and confidently when your child needs you the most.

Stephanie Crescini

RN (B. Nurs)

Educator

I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinical Nurse Educator in the Operating Theatres, Anaesthetics and Recovery, in one of Sydney’s paediatric hospitals. I absolutely love being a paediatric nurse! I truly have a passion for working in partnership with vulnerable children and their families in reaching optimal patient care during their surgical journey. Most importantly, I am a full-time mummy to a cheeky, almost 12-month-old rascal who keeps me on my toes! Recently becoming a mum made me realise how blessed I am to have the clinical knowledge and skills under my belt, enabling me to spring into action when my son gets himself into a sticky situation. Now more than ever, I am passionate about empowering families through teaching and sharing my experience as a mum and a nurse, to confidently recognise and respond to their children when they are sick or injured.

When I am not working as a nurse, I love to bake and cook for my family. I am nearing completion of my Post-Graduate Masters of Advanced Nursing in Education and Paediatric Nursing.

I can’t wait to meet you and share my knowledge, love and passion

Tara Boyd

RN (B Nurs). Grad Cert. Critical Care (Emergency). Cert IV Training and Assessment

Educator

I have 20 years nursing experience in a variety of settings including medical, surgical, palliative, emergency and school nursing. I am a mum of two very active, sport-loving boys. We are always on the go! In my spare time, I love reading and am part of a book club, love watching tennis and eating out with friends and family. Since the dawn of time, babies and children have been inquisitive and adventurous. No matter what precautions we take, there will be occasions when they reach for that small object that looks tasty, fall, get stung or run toward that pool. Fear and panic create a barrier and stop us performing under pressure. I am passionate that at CPR Kids we empower and equip caregivers of children so they can react and calmly provide appropriate care to a baby or child in need. My most important piece of advice for parents and carers is arm yourself with theoretical and practical knowledge so you can spring into action at a moment’s notice. We should all have the opportunity to learn CPR and First Aid. They are essential life skills for any parent, grandparent or caregiver.

Trina Gill

RN (B. Nurs).

Educator