Gulagbi founder Shelly Langford recognised for service to maternity care in remote communities

Shelly Langford pictured alongside Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and other winners of the 2025 Cairns International Womens Day Awards. Image: THE CAIRNS POST.

Gulagbi Founder Shelly Langford has received the Women’s Recognition Award at the 2025 Cairns International Women’s Day Awards.

Recognised for her outstanding contributions to maternity care in remote communities, the award announcement applauded Shelly for demonstrating excellence in her field, inspiring women and girls through her work.

As a birthworker, perinatal bodywork therapist, and community leader, she has dedicated her life’s work to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum while transforming maternal care in Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland..

She is the founder of Gulagbi, a not-for-profit organisation supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Papua New Guinean women to birth on country, preserving cultural birthing traditions.

Ms Langford has self-funded her work in remote communities across FNQ and PNG, providing essential maternity care where mainstream health services do not reach.

Her contributions also extend globally as a volunteer with the Lao Birthwork Project, training doctors, midwives, and mothers in life-saving birthing techniques.

She is also an ambassador for Breech Without Borders and a recognised Spinning Babies practitioner, sharing her expertise worldwide.

Empowering women through education, advocacy, and hands-on support, Ms Langford continues to uplift the community through mentoring birthworkers, hosting homebirth support groups, and financially supporting other female practitioners.

-Cairns Regional Council

Shelly Langford accepts the Womens Recognition Award and $2,000 prize money at the 2025 Cairns International Womens Day Awards. Image: THE CAIRNS POST.

Upon accepting her award, Shelly was overcome with emotion and gratitude for the unexpected but appreciated recognition.

“It is with immense gratitude and humility that I stand before you today as a recipient of this award. This recognition is not just a personal milestone; it is a celebration of the collective efforts of countless individuals dedicated to uplifting our communities, empowering those around us and supporting those in need. They inspire us with their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

For over a decade, I have had the privilege of serving pregnant mothers and families in Far North Queensland as a birthworker and body worker. Helping them build confidence and strength, know their rights and autonomy, finding information and research to help make informed choices, listen to their innate knowledge and instincts and take responsibility. My journey has taken me to the remote reaches of FNQ and Papua New Guinea and each encounter has deepened my understanding of the strength and resilience of women, and reinforced my commitment to this vital work.

 As a long-time foster parent, my journey has been nothing short of a unpredictable and challenging emotional rollercoaster. I have experienced moments of joy and success, but we have also faced heart-wrenching challenges, including the emotional, mental, and physical toll that comes from caring for traumatised children. Each child in our care has a unique story, and it is both a privilege and a responsibility to provide them with a safe and loving environment where they can begin to heal and thrive. This experience has deepened my understanding of unconditional love and resilience, teaching me that strength often emerges from vulnerability. It has shaped me into a more compassionate advocate for children and families, and I am committed to ensuring that the children I care for feel valued, loved and supported.

Over the years, my commitment to supporting vulnerable people has led me to become the founder and one of the Directors of the Gulagbi Collaborative Sustainable Developments. This initiative is dedicated to empowering remote communities in Far North Queensland (FNQ) and Papua New Guinea (PNG), with plans to expand into other countries. Gulagbi is established as a charity with the primary objective of alleviating the distress and suffering of vulnerable or underprivileged individuals and communities facing poverty or illness. Additionally, I have volunteered with Jenny Blyth and the Birthwork Project in Laos, where we focus on improving outcomes for mothers and babies by equipping healthcare workers in remote areas with updated skills. Despite the challenges posed by limited medical resources, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that every mother receives the care she deserves.

A key aspect and passion of my work is advocating for First Nations mothers and their families to birth on country, reconnecting with their traditions and the land. Gulagbi’s vision is to create opportunities and provide funding for culturally supportive birth care and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and midwives. By honouring these practices, we not only support the health of mothers and babies but also strengthen the our communities.

In addition to my direct work with families, I am passionate about giving back to the community by supporting local women in business. By hiring local practitioners, photographers, web developers, marketers, and copywriters, I aim to create a network of empowerment that uplifts us all. When we invest in one another, we build a stronger, more resilient community.

To the young women and girls in the audience, I want to say this: You are the future of change. Your voices matter, and your passions can create ripples of impact that extend far beyond what you can imagine. I encourage you to follow your dreams, to support one another, and to always strive to uplift the women and families around you. The ripple effect of touching someone’s life, helping them find their voice, and empowering them to make informed choices can create a positive future for generations to come.

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Cairns International Women’s Day Awards for this recognition and everyone involved working hard to create this event, to my dedicated and hard working husband and my family for their support and patience, to my dearest colleges and friends Jaye Seal and Jo Bartholomew for their unwavering support, help and advice, my incredible assistant who keeps everything running and me organised Michelle Daga, and to every individual who has entrusted me with their stories, journeys and bodies. Together, let us continue to lift each other up, advocate for those in need, and create a brighter, stronger more equitable future for all.

Thank you.”