MARDI Walker has been a nurse for 28 years, specialising in women's mental health for 18 of those.
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During that time, she has seen a countless number of women in need of adequate care for both mental and physical health issues - a need which she says struggles to be met in regional NSW areas like Wagga.
This was the motivation for Ms Walker, who is also treasurer of CWA's Uranquinty branch, to push the motion of lobbying the NSW Government to fund support services for perinatal anxiety and depression in rural, regional and remote areas.
The motion was raised at today's 93rd Riverina Group Annual Group Conference for the Country Women's Association.
"I now work with Gidget House and their foundation who offers this kind of support to women in Australia, and we are trying to open a branch here in Wagga," Ms Walker said.
"They've been given $3 million by the National Liberal Government to put perinatal mental health care services into regional and rural Australia, and we managed to get Wagga at the top of the list."
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However, another challenge arose after getting the process underway.
"We have the rooms set up, it's all ready to go - we just don't have the psychologist," Ms Walker said.
"It's difficult because it is such a specialised area and it is medicare funded, so getting someone to commit to practicing regionally with less payment is a struggle."
As a result Ms Walker, alongside the Riverina CWA and Gidget House, are pushing for more assistance to fund a remuneration package in order to get a psychologist to Wagga.
"We've exhausted every other avenue in Wagga and the Riverina, but it isn't just here," she said.
"We opened a Queanbeyan branch in June and still have difficulties getting a psychologist, and the same in Dubbo."
The issue, Ms Walker says, is ongoing and pressing.
"I have four girls under me at the minute and I get people referred to me all the time from all across the state and beyond because women just don't know where to go or who to see for the right help," she said.
"The lack of knowledge with GPs and the lack of continuity in care is appalling and we need help to finally step in and make a difference."