Dr Jeska Rees joins us as a Research Fellow, working on an interdisciplinary research project led by Professor Judith Dwyer and Associate Professor Barbara Baird from the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Jeska most recently worked as a consultant historian and, prior to that, as a program manager at La Trobe University, where she led upgrades to research systems and processes.
What is your role and what does your work focus on?
I have joined the College as a Research Fellow, working with Professor Judith Dwyer on a project to document and analyse the development of the Pregnancy Advisory Centre (PAC) as a centre of excellence for reproductive health care (including termination of pregnancy). Established in Adelaide in 1992, the PAC is unique in Australia for providing publicly funded abortion services in a dedicated space. There is much to learn from its history of service provision and advocacy. The project involves archival research and oral history interviews with key figures. We plan to publish our findings in an academic journal and share a community report in public repositories.
Where did you work before joining CMPH?
Before joining CMPH, I worked as a historical consultant, providing historical research services related to land use around Melbourne for archaeologists and individual clients.
What journey brought you to this point in your career?
I’ve had a few different careers! I completed a PhD in history in 2007, focusing on feminist activism in the 1970s, using both archives and oral histories—skills directly relevant to my current work at CMPH. Since then, I’ve continued working as a historian while also qualifying as a project manager. I spent several years at La Trobe University implementing large change projects and later worked for the Victorian Public Service on pandemic-related initiatives before starting my historical consultancy. I’ve also volunteered my time to secure grants for causes close to my heart, including my children’s primary school, my local sports club, and FairMusic, an organisation that promotes young people’s access to music.
What is something you love most about your work?
What I love most is the sense of purpose I feel when creating change—whether it’s managing a project or securing a grant for a non-profit. As a historian, piecing together the past is like detective work; I find the details, organise them, and draw out key lessons. The most rewarding part is sharing those lessons so others can make informed decisions. Understanding the PAC’s success in providing innovative, accessible, and clinically excellent healthcare is crucial so that it can be replicated. I love maximising the impact of this knowledge by disseminating it as widely as possible.
How do you like to relax or spend your spare time?
I love going to music gigs, though I don’t get to attend nearly as often as I’d like.