A message from our founder

Renee Adair

“With three decades of experience as a natural therapist, doula, childbirth and parenting educator, philanthropist, and creator, I am excited to have merged these offerings with my life’s experiences to light the way for others to fulfil their dreams and visions and to bring positive change to the world”.

Birth & Postnatal Doula, Parenting Educator, Grief Educator, Reiki Practitioner, Aromatherapist, and End-of-Life Doula

With a background in natural therapies, Renee first began working with women and babies and in 1998 and after the home births of her two biological children, began studying and working as a Doula and Childbirth and Early Parenting Educator. 

Renee then transferred her skills to an Australian Red Cross young women’s health program/refuge in Sydney’s East, setting up both the outreach and childbirth and early parenting education programs for that child protection service. 

In 2007 Renee founded the Australian Doula College, Doula Heart Network, the College’s charity arm and then later formalised and founded the Groundwork program.

Working In collaboration, in 2013 Renee helped produce the first research on Doulas in Australia which was published in the Journal of Perinatal Education. She is a regular contributor to radio programmes, conferences and seminars and a range of publications, websites, and podcasts. 

Renee has worked to change the way we think about Doula support launching an End-of-Life Doula Training in 2021 with a view for the wider community to see Doula support though a broader lens, supporting all major life transitions, not just in the birthing space. 

In 2019, Renee proudly partnered with CDU’s Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights to co facilitate Accredited Doula training for Indigenous women in the remote First Nations community of Galiwin’ku.

Renee now sits on the official Galiwin’ku steering committee to restore Birthing on Country and managers the projects Djakamirr coordinator role on the ground in Galiwin'ku.

Renee has sat on the Consumer Advisory Board of the Australian College of Midwives, trained thousands of Doulas and supported hundreds of women, their partners and families through pregnancy, birth, early parenting and end of life, over the course of her career. 

A fierce advocate for human rights, Renee is the proud mother of three adult children and four grandkids. She blends her life’s work with downtime in her garden or on the beach and time hanging out with family, friends, and her fur babies. 

“The B & W photo to the right is me with my beloved mentor, teacher, and friend, Marie Burrows. For several decades, Marie fought hard to ensure better rights and recognition for women, families, independent educators, and doulas. I am so proud to honour Marie’s legacy and those who have walked this journey before me, continuing the fight for better, unbiased education and non-judgemental support throughout life’s journey from first to last breath”.