Hello everyone  

My partner and I had a lovely break in Far North Queensland at the start of the month – but I am back to Melbourne reality now with cold nights and clear days and some much-needed rain this week. Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the seasonal contrasts that this time of year brings.  

Firstly, our warmest congratulations to former ABA breastfeeding counsellor and ongoing ‘Friend of the (ABA) Show’, Professor Lisa Amir. Lisa was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List for ‘significant service to women’s health, particularly breastfeeding research and support’. Lisa is a medical practitioner, Principal Research Fellow at the Judith Lumley Centre at La Trobe University, Editor-in- Chief of the International Breastfeeding Journal and also works in breastfeeding medicine at The Women’s in Melbourne. ABA has utilised Lisa’s research many times to inform the evidence-based information and resources we produce for breastfeeding mums and families and the health professionals supporting them. Lisa has also supervised many breastfeeding researchers who have now become part of the broader community of breastfeeding scholarship. It is wonderful for Lisa’s work to be recognised at this level. 

I want to quickly mention World Breastfeeding Week here. The theme this year is ‘Prioritise breastfeeding: create sustainable support systems’. The ‘warm-chain campaign’ acknowledges the need for multi-level commitments to breastfeeding-friendly environments that work synergistically to support breastfeeding mums and families. 

As expected, there will be plenty going on for ABA this year from Friday, 1 to Thursday, 7 August and there will be more information available on the ABA website and socials next week about all the events and special treats on offer. You won’t be able to miss it!  

Our next Professional Express will also be published just as WBW2025, starts with more information and fun nerdy breastfeeding stuff.   

Talk to you again then. 

Jen Hocking  

Lactation and Breastfeeding Content Expert Advisor