Our Story
Sydney mums Nadine Meehan and Dr Annette Katelaris first met in the offices of Australia’s leading medical newspaper Australian Doctor. They have been friends ever since, and hoping for a time when they would work together again.
That day came in the form of Juno ChildSafe.
Juno started as Nadine’s “lightbulb moment”. While attending a paediatric First Aid course, she learned that parents, grandparents and other carers of small children were unwittingly putting children at risk when they carried medication unsecured in their bags or around the home.
The solution seemed simple – develop a bag to carry medication that is challenging for a child to open
When Nadine pitched the idea to Annette, she immediately saw the potential for the product as she recalled a case she had seen of a little girl who was blinded after ingesting medication she had taken from her grandmother’s handbag.
Annette and Nadine are now committed to raising community awareness of accidental childhood poisoning and reducing the incidence with the use of Juno ChildSafe.
“Annette and Nadine are now committed to raising community awareness of accidental childhood poisoning”
Nadine was the Editor-in-Chief of Australian Doctor until the arrival of her twin boys 12 years ago, followed three years later by her daughter. She continues to dabble in medical journalism. She is now director of Juno Group.
Annette was a GP for 20 years before entering medical journalism. She was Editor-in-Chief of Australia’s most prestigious general medical journal The Medical Journal of Australia and Medical Editor of Australia’s leading medical newspaper Australian Doctor. She is now Associate Professor and Director of Professional Medical Education at University of Sydney, Australia. She is a mother of three, and director of Juno Group.
Gary: With over 25 years’ experience in industrial design and design management, Gary Bortz, Principal Designer and Director of Bortz Product Design Pty Ltd, was the ideal person to bring to life Nadine and Annette’s vision – to create a lock that would keep children out while being user-friendly for adults, fit onto a zippered bag, and look fashionable all at the same time. Gary is an accredited designer and fellow of the Design Institute of Australia, a SolidWorks Certified Professional and an Advanced Surfacing Specialist. Thankfully for all involved, he also has unlimited patience and a very cool head. Check him out at www.bortz.com.au