Meet your GC Certification Committee

Kirsty Storey

I have worked as a genetic counsellor in an adult clinical setting since 2009, following a shift to Melbourne from my home in New Zealand. I’m a mum of two active little boys and as a family we love being outdoors, reading books, and trips to Bunnings. I volunteered for the committee based on my interest in supporting genetic counsellors grow in their evidence-based practice. I find that I also learn a lot along the way when reading submissions which is a bonus!

Anita Gorrie

My name is Anita Gorrie and I am a Genetic Counsellor at Monash General Genetics in Melbourne. I love working as a GC and chatting through challenging cases with other GCs. I recently joined the certification committee to do my bit for the profession and give back a little. It is great for me to keep up to date with the literature and different counselling theories and helps me when supervising associate GCs as well. The workload of reviewing submissions has scared me off in the past but I have found reading through cases super interesting and it is clear we have an awesome GC group in Australasia. 

When I'm not working, I'm a mum to two primary school aged boys. We love surfing and camping, and I enjoy running for some alone time. I recently signed up to be a volunteer U8 footy umpire which is proving to be a lot more stressful than volunteering for the certification committee. 

Helen Curd

Hi everyone, my name is Helen Curd and I joined the certification committee because I wanted to give back to our profession, and it certainly keeps me on my toes - engaging with best practices and maintaining my own professional growth! 

A couple of facts about me: 
Sometimes when I write a to-do list I include something I have already done.. Just for the satisfaction of ticking it off! I am sure I'm not alone... When I am not being a GC, I am spending time with my 3 daughters (getting skincare tips from my 11 yo, handstand lessons from my 9yo and fashion tips from my 5yo!).One of our favourite things to do is jump off the pier at the beach on a hot day. I love finding new places to visit around Victoria or trying to squeeze in some live music... and I may be spotted with a glass of Aldi prosecco in hand! 

Lydon Gallacher

Lyndon is a genetic counsellor based in Melbourne. He works in a combined clinical and clinical research role specialising in paediatric rare disease. 

Ella Wilkins

I am a certified genetic counsellor working fulltime at Victorian Clinical Genetics Services in a clinical role that covers clinics at The Royal Children’s Hospital as well as in regional Victoria and across the Northern Territory.

I am passionate about professional development and enjoy supervising associate genetic counsellors. I joined the certification committee two years ago to contribute to our profession and support the process of certification. I believe the certification process is an important part of our commitment to continuous learning and growth.
 
Outside of work I stay busy with early morning gym sessions and running around after my kids. 

Tenielle Davis

My name is Tenielle Davis and I’ve been a perinatal genetic counsellor for nearly 2 decades. I have worked in IVF, initially as a scientist in the laboratory doing PGT for single gene conditions, then as an IVF/PGT genetic counsellor. I currently work in prenatal genetics in a busy tertiary hospital and supervise/mentor  associate genetic counsellors and genetic counselling students.  I find being a genetic counsellor to be incredibly rewarding and a privilege to be able to share some of the most vulnerable and difficult experiences of people’s lives with them. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, hanging out with my family and 2 dogs, weight training and trying to keep my stupid number of  house plants alive! 

Emma Edwards

I've been a practising GC since 2001 and have had clinical experience in IVF (in the very early days of PGD), as an outreach GC, in the UK, and have found my place in cancer for the last 15 years. I have volunteered time throughout my career initially being state rep for NSW GCs in 2004-2005, instigating access to the Journal of Genetic Counseling for ASGC members. I volunteered teaching time for the Sydney Uni Masters of Genetic Counselling for 8 years, have sat on EviQ Cancer Reference Committee since 2011, NSW GC Advisory committee since 2021 and was a member of the DICE working group from 2020-2022. I gave that up to join the Certification Committee for Genetic  Counsellors, as felt my passion lay with assisting individuals I supervise obtaining certification and progressing in their career. What better way to do that than join the passionate volunteers on the certification committee. Volunteering throughout my career has meant I can give back to a profession I love, given me a better understanding of the challenges that face GCs and helped to progress our role for newer GCs.
Outside my 3 day work week, I have 2 children whom I taxi to various sports/band/social activities, volunteer on the school P&C committee, sing in a chorus and try to keep up with my zumba instructor and new puppy. Throughout the year you’ll find me serving sausages at Bunnings. In my spare time I like to read - although recently that has been relegated to listening to audiobooks in the car. 

Laura Yeates

I’m a cardiac genetic counsellor working and living on Gadigal land in Sydney. I have worked in cardiac genetic counselling for the last 18 years in both clinical and research roles. I recently completed my PhD on “Caring for families with inherited cardiovascular conditions and sudden cardiac death.” I’m a lifelong learner, I joined the Certification Committee to help others as they complete their GC certification (I know I learnt a lot during mine). But I also think I will learn a lot from helping GCs through this process. I love being a genetic counsellor and was excited to give back to our profession and encourage GCs as they complete certification. 

Lara Fitzgerald

I have worked as a genetic counsellor in South Australia and Victoria since 1998, primarily in the areas of reproductive, prenatal and paediatric genetics in public and private settings. It has been incredible witnessing the growth and development of the profession over the years, in terms of workforce, regulation, scope and training. I planned to apply to join the Certification Committee at some stage, having an interest in supporting training and regulation of genetic counsellors, but (like many others) I received a little nudge via colleagues to encourage me to join a few years ago.  I am so thankful I committed to this and would highly recommend becoming involved in any HGSA committee if given the chance.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the committee which has fostered collaboration with, and the opportunity to learn from, fantastic colleagues from across Australasia.  I have also found it a great privilege to review candidate submissions, and the quality of work presented is generally very impressive.  One can clearly appreciate the significant effort that goes into each submission, and I always learn something new from each candidate. I try to provide constructive feedback that encourages open reflection and extension of genetic counselling skills, and that allows candidates to clearly demonstrate the competencies required to achieve HGSA certification.

Rachel Pope-Couston

I came to genetic counselling later in life and have now been practicing clinically for 10 years, with experience in public and private services working in general genetics, prenatal, neurogenetics and reproductive genetics across NSW, TAS, VIC and Aotearoa. In my earlier life, I experienced several medical issues where, looking back, I realised I had not been provided all of the available information, and had definitely not been provided the time or support to properly consider the information to inform the decisions which would change the direction of my life. In genetic counselling, I have found the combination of working with genetics which I love, and working with people to provide them with information in a way that is meaningful to them, and supporting them to use that information. Being part of the certification process is important to me because developing and demonstrating the skills we use in the daily interactions we have with our clients as clinical genetic counsellors (and in all other roles) is such an important component of the genetic counselling profession and part of what makes us unique and valuable additions to any healthcare setting. 

Genevieve Say 

I’m a genetic counsellor with twenty years’ clinical experience in both Australia and the UK, with a particular interest in Neurogenetics and PGT.  I am based in NSW and work remotely with the Tasmanian Clinical Genetics Service.  I still remember the long hours and late nights I put into completing my GC certification many years ago, and the great learning experience that it was.  I then moved to the UK and did the certification process again, but thankfully an abridged version!  Now that both my kids are at school, my life feels a little less chaotic, and I am keen to give back to the GC community.  I am proud of the high standards we maintain in our profession, and I’m looking forward to playing a small part in others’ journeys through certification! 

Anna Jarmolowicz

I am a genetic counsellor in the Familial Cancer Program at Genetic Health WA. I have a special interest in genetic counselling for haematological malignancy and providing support to individuals with conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome through the Adult Surveillance Clinic. I have previously worked within clinical services in Melbourne providing preconception, paediatric, and adult general genetic counselling.  I have volunteered for the Certification Committee this year as the process is so important to the ongoing development of associate genetic counsellors, encouraging candidates to reflect on their practice and develop their skills. While it can be a challenging process, I believe it ultimately benefits not just the candidate but our profession as a whole. In my spare time, you’ll find me taking my dog to the beach or planning my next holiday! 

Alisha Harpur

I’m a genetic counsellor based at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria — though my journey to this role wasn’t exactly linear. I originally trained and worked as a scientist, but eventually found my true calling in the wonderfully human side of genetics. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working across both Victoria and South Australia, gaining insight into diverse genetic counselling roles and meeting some seriously inspiring professionals along the way.
I joined the Certification Committee to give back to the profession. I put my hand up for the secretary role because, quite frankly, spreadsheets and to-do lists spark joy for me (Marie Kondo would be proud). While I’m not reviewing submissions myself, I get a real buzz from supporting candidates — whether it’s helping them interpret guidelines, access support during tricky personal circumstances, or shaping certification policy and practice from behind the scenes.
When I’m not donning my GC hat, I’m usually being bossed around by my two cheeky kids, snuggling my cat, or getting lost in a crochet project (I’ve fully embraced my inner nanna — no regrets).