Group Captain Kath Stein FACN GAICD

For Group Captain Kath Stein, President of the Australian College of Nursing, following in the footsteps of one of her military nursing role models is deeply meaningful.

Kath Stein FACN is President of the Australian College of Nursing and a highly respected senior nursing leader with more than three decades of experience across Defence and civilian healthcare settings. Kath joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1991 through the Undergraduate Scheme and, following graduation from Curtin University, commenced her clinical career at Fremantle Hospital. Since then, she has served in health environments across New South Wales, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, with extensive operational experience through exercises and deployments both in Australia and internationally.

Her career has spanned clinical, operational and strategic leadership roles, including health planning at Headquarters 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing and a range of senior policy and governance roles across Defence. Kath has been privileged to serve as Commanding Officer of Joint Health Unit Northern New South Wales and as Director of Defence Force Nursing, and currently leads national service delivery as Director of National Operations within Defence Health. Kath brings a deeply personal connection to the Bangka Island pilgrimage through her service in the Australian Defence Force and her enduring respect for the legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel and the 21 nurses who were tragically massacred. She is committed to honouring their courage, sacrifice and the lasting significance of their story for the nursing profession. A proud nurse and Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing, Kath is honoured to serve as President. She looks forward to leading this tour and sharing in a meaningful and reflective journey that honours the legacy of the nurses of Bangka Island with those in attendance.