About Us

Introducing the Australian Nappy Network™

 
In 2006, cloth nappy advocates in Australia began work on establishing a national body – the Australian Nappy Network™ (ANN) – to formalise their existing advocacy activities. The ANN is a not-for-profit organisation, the goal of which is to educate the Australian community on the health, environmental and financial benefits of using cloth nappies.


ANN members also run regular community-focused events, such as classes at maternity hospitals, workshops, markets and expo stalls. Each State and Territory Coordinator of ANN has a nappy sample kit, used to provide hands-on education about modern cloth nappies.

The ANN work programme

 
The Australian Nappy Network™ knows that the task of changing entrenched attitudes to cloth and disposable nappies is a large one. Around 95 per cent of Australian parents use disposable nappies, at a high cost to them and to the environment. In order to redress this imbalance ANN will:
COORDINATE national cloth nappy advocacy activities
CONNECT healthcare professionals, local authorities, businesses and parents
INFORM parents through campaigns/activities with consistent impartial information
SUPPORT parents, the cloth nappy industry and researchers
CAMPAIGN to have stakeholders in the community support our aims
INNOVATE to reduce the ecological impact of nappy use at all points of supply

Reusable Nappy Week (RNW)

Our flagship national event is Reusable Nappy Week™, held in around October each year and is designed to increase awareness of reusable nappy options for our modern times. Reusable Nappy Week™ features events right around Australia, from capital cities to regional centres. Highlights include public information sessions, nappy displays, media events and community gatherings.

2010 will see the fifth annual week long celebration of reusable nappies in October.

Displays, information sessions, gatherings and activities will be held in cities all over Australia, giving you the chance to see a large selection of modern variations on reusable nappy options, and talk to parents who use cloth on their children

Company Directors

 
The Australian Nappy Network™ became a registered Australian company in November 2007. The registered officers are:

LUCY WESTERMAN - Cloth nappy advocate since 2004. She co-ordinated the first Reusable (then Real) Nappy Week in 2006. Instrumental in establishing various advocacy projects and the incorporation of ANN, Lucy was previously employed in the public health sector of State Government.

KELLI HAYNES - has helped organise Sydney based cloth nappy promotions for the last two years and was trained in occupational therapy and has worked predominantly as an educator in the social justice and disability field, advocacy and non profit organisations.

MICHELLE PRINCE - has coordinated countless information sessions, events and activities in her state, while working tirelessly on ANN projects. She has a BA in early childhood education and her past experience in child care is a valuable asset in the ANN’s efforts to inform professionals in the community. Michelle also fulfills the role of the WA Co-ordinator.

ANDREA BENHAM - An active advocate in Queensland, Andrea has a good understanding of business operation matters and is a qualified accountant. As well as her Director role Andrea fulfills the role of Treasurer for the ANN.

KIRA JESSUP- is a former Biomedical Scientist and is now a stay at home mum to two beautiful kids.. After the birth of their daughter, she wanted to start becoming more involved in the advocacy side of reusable nappies. Kira is the Co-ordinator for National Reusable Nappy Week and Volunteers.

NATASHA LESLIE- has been a cloth user for nearly 20 years from terry cloth to MCN's. Trained in electronics and IT and business administration, she has been a member of several boards though is now a stay at home mum. As well as her role as Director Natasha is the SA Co-ordinator and is the ANN Webmaster.

The Directors are all users of Modern Cloth Nappies and have more than 25 years combined experience in cloth nappying their own children.

Please find our current Annual Report below to download if required.

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