Hi everyone — have you listened to Nursing Australia’s Summer Series yet?

For this special three-episode run, Suzanne Blackeby joins Matt as his summer co-host, and together they introduce us to the 2025 APNA Award winners.

I’m going to start with our most recent release — episode three, which came out on Monday. Matt kicks things off with a very funny story involving a far too-tight wetsuit and dangling from a helicopter… before he and Suze wonder aloud whether they might be getting old and a little jaded.

Then we meet Matthew Fox, the 2025 APNA Nurse Graduate of the Year. Matt is a fourth-generation nurse — but he didn’t start his nursing career until after a life-changing event in his twenties. His story is honest, moving, and quietly inspiring.

Working backwards to episode two, Matt and Suze chat summer plans — including Suze’s new slushy machine, which she’s commandeered from her son — and Matt reveals his very intriguing past on a reality TV show in the jungle… stay tuned for the outro.

But at the heart of episode two, we meet Bell Davis, winner of the Pursue Excellence Award. Bell is coordinating a groundbreaking new model for ADHD co-management — the first of its kind — promising to change how people with ADHD and neurodiversity can access diagnosis and ongoing care.

And all the way back in episode one, Matt and Suze unpack the APNA Awards and introduce us to positive disrupter Hayley Hodgson — an advanced practice nurse and rural health innovator leading bold primary care models that improve access and strengthen care in rural communities.

We hope you enjoy meeting all of our APNA Award winners in this special Summer Series and enjoy a few conversations with Matt and Suze.

🎓 Proudly brought to you by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Amazing Nurse Stories | Nursing Australia Summer Series 2026

This summer, the Nursing Australia Podcast presents a special three-part Summer Series: Amazing Nurse Stories — profiling some of the most inspiring nurses of 2025 and the real-world impact they’re making across Australian healthcare.

Suzanne Blackeby is back too! She co-hosts with Matt throughout the all Summer Series eps - yay!! 🎉🏄🏼‍♀️🍸

We've saved the best 'til last.

Episode three features Matthew Fox, winner of the 2025 APNA Graduate Nurse of the Year Award. Matt transitioned to nursing in his late 20s after a life-changing event.

Five years ago, he could never have imagined himself working as a practice nurse in regional NSW and being the winner of an APNA award.

Today, that’s exactly where he is. Along the way, Matt has tapped into a deep passion for nursing and primary healthcare that’s opened up a new sense of direction. In this episode, he reflects on small-town ideals, the tunnel-vision that helped him stay focused through change, and the goals still pulling him forward.

Help - the Matts are taking over!

Southern Cross University Post-Graduate Courses in lifestyle medicine courses

Primary Healthcare Nurses Day - Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2026

Festival of Nursing

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Amazing Nurse Stories | Nursing Australia Summer Series 2026

This summer, the Nursing Australia Podcast presents a special three-part Summer Series: Amazing Nurse Stories — profiling some of the most inspiring nurses of 2025 and the real-world impact they’re making across Australian healthcare.

Suzanne Blackeby is back too! She co-hosts with Matt throughout the all Summer Series eps - yay!! 🎉🏄🏼‍♀️🍸

Episode two features Bel Davis, winner of the 2025 APNA Pursue Excellence Award. Bel is an ADHD Co-Management Co-ordinator in Northern NSW. She enables access to ADHD care through GPs in order to reduce long wait times needed to see specialists. The new model is the first of its kind and promises to change the way people with ADHD and neurodivergence can access diagnoses and care. To find out more about Bel's work, visit hnc.org.au

Hosted by Matthew St Ledger, Suzanne Blackeby, and Leith Alexander, and produced by Leith Alexander and Matthew St Ledger, this bite-sized Summer Series is designed for nurses, health professionals, and anyone interested in primary care, rural health, advanced nursing practice, and healthcare innovation.

🎓 Proudly brought to you by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Short, inspiring, and easy to listen to — Amazing Nurse Stories is your summer soundtrack for nursing leadership and the future of healthcare.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger