The Riverland Mental Health Professionals’ Network brings together mental health professionals from the Riverland region of South Australia (our area will encompass - Riverland locations including Berri, Renmark, Barmera, Loxton, and Waikerie) to connect, share insights, and collaborate in a safe and supportive environment.
Our bi-monthly meetings feature a mix of guest speakers, resource sharing, and case-based discussions, all focused on promoting timely, effective, and multidisciplinary care for Riverland communities.
The network is hybrid, offering both in-person and online participation to make engagement easy and accessible for everyone.
Join the network to be added to the mailing list and receive invitations to future meetings.
**All new members are encouraged to please complete the Express of Interest (EOI) Form**
Objectives of Network:
- Create networking opportunities to reduce isolation among practitioners
- Provide the time and space to support bi-monthly self-care gatherings
Operations of the Network:
- Bi-monthly online meetings with occasional in-person meetings at Coordinator’s discretion
- Invited guest speaker/panel opportunities
- Peer contributions shared and welcomed
- Attendance at a majority of meetings preferred
- Annual review of the group and its function
Save the Dates:
Please mark your calendar with the FY25-26 bi-monthly meeting dates:
- Tuesday 3 February 2026
- Tuesday 7 April 2026
- Tuesday 2 June 2026
- Tuesday 4 August 2026
- Tuesday 6 October 2026
- Tuesday 1 December 2026
Network Coordinators: Carol-Ann Stanborough & Melanie Gilgen
Carol-Ann and Melanie are Mental Health Nurses with a genuine passion for building meaningful connections and championing multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen mental health care.
Carol-Ann Stanborough (Lecturer Rural and Remote Mental Health | Mental Health Academic- teaching and research, Flinders University Dept of Rural Health -Renmark SA)
Carol-Ann is Registered Nurse/ midwife / mental health nurse with 30+ years of living & working in rural and remote areas. Experienced manager, leader, clinical educator and mental health nurse. Her vision is to impart practical mental health knowledge to university staff, students, industry workforce, and local communities through creation and delivery of accessible mental health education and training. Her current research includes the collaboration with UniSA & Australian Teletrials evaluating the 'Hearing Voices that are Distressing' simulation workshops re the impact of having a co-facilitator with lived experience, and how this changes practice of health and social care workers.
Melanie Gilgen (Portfolio Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician, FocusOne Health Berri, SA)
Melanie is Registered Nurse, Midwife and Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with experience across metropolitan, rural and remote communities, acute care, general practice and NGOs. Her vision to create a connected network that supports and nurtures mental health clinicians from students through to experienced clinicians and beyond to feel included, heard and valued in their work, listens to and understands their challenges and provides peer support and guidance.
