THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO LIVING WELL WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS
"I have written this guide to encompass the information 'endo warriors' need.
The personal journeys shared, the cold, hard reality of living with a warm heat pack; endo bloat; heavy bleeding at any time of the month; digestive issues; the impact on intimate relationships; the rollercoaster of fertility; the heartbreak of pregnancy loss; reduced social, work and financial security; the ‘endo gender pay gap’; and disrupted social and community life are a call to action.
I have chosen the sunflower to represent yellow, the colour for ‘endo warriors’, and because the flowers follow the sun as they grow. When they reach maturity, their stems become fixed, stuck. This symbolises the life-defining impact of endometriosis for women+. Without a timely diagnosis, treatment and fertility advice, too many become impacted by the life-long disease, which invades every facet of their lives, like the endo lesions.”
Maree Davenport. 'Endo warrior Mum'
Maree Davenport
Former Member of Parliament in Victoria
Master of Leadership (Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Board Member, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research Foundation
Board Member Her Place Women's Museum Australia
Member Chief Executive Women. Ambassador Carlton Football Club.
Ambassador HIA Building Women.
GCertLdshp (Deakin) FacCertComn (Monash) BPRE (RMIT) CertGov&RiskMgt (GIA) G&MAICD
AMDRAS-accredited Mediator.
GENDER CORPORATE ADVISORY NETWORK & GOVERNMENT and CORPORATE ADVISORY NETWORK
BOOK AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER
A MOTHER'S MOTIVATION
Maree Davenport has advocated for women’s health for over 30 years. She is passionate about endometriosis and committed to reducing the diagnostic delay, improving ultrasound and MRI access to avoid invasive surgery, preserving fertility and empowering person-centred, multidisciplinary health and self-care.
She has shared the life-defining challenges of endometriosis and adenomyosis through her daughter, Brianna, who developed symptoms at the age of eight. The challenges, when symptomatic, affect all facets of her life.
Brianna is committed to helping other 'endo warriors' and became a nurse, working through COVID-19 in Monash Health's emergency department. She understands the challenges with fertility and pregnancy risk and is now a fertility nurse. She and her husband, Daniel, a paramedic, welcomed their son in August 2022.
Maree's niece Alicia was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2023 and, after undergoing treatment, welcomed a daughter with her husband Nick in May 2024.
Maree Davenport was Chief Executive Officer of Endometriosis Australia from March 2023 for a year. During that time, she elevated media coverage and government action, resulting in successful awareness campaigns leading to Federal Government funding and subsidies through Medicare. She previously served as Chair on the Board and the Federal Department of Health Endometriosis Expert Advisory Group.
She is on the organising committee for the World Congress on Endometriosis (hosted by Sydney in 2025), Chair of the Patient Liaison Committee.
ABOUT MAREE
Maree was the youngest woman elected to the Parliament of Victoria (28) and the first to have a baby while serving. She was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Housing, Community Services, and Aged Care, among other senior policy roles.
For seven years, until 2020, Maree Chaired the Victorian Minister for Planning's Building Advisory Council and was a Member of the Victorian Building Authority Building Appeals Board. Maree's additional experience includes the Ministerial Roundtable Industry Skills Consultative Committee, the Critical Incident Protocol Working Group (DJCS), the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Industry Leaders Consultative Group and the Building Confidence Report Steering Committee, along with the Victorian Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Committee.
Maree is a strategic advisor, community activist, and Regs and Corporate Advisory Pty Ltd (GCAN) founding and Managing Director; Clients include peak bodies in health, housing, aged care, and community services, building and construction, large iconic charities and health services, property development, pharmaceutical, and health technologies sectors. Her company is approved on the Professional Advisory Services State Purchase Contract Panel (PAS SPC) and the Marketing Services Register (MSR) by the Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria.
She serves on the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Practitioner Panel and specialises in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She has extensive experience in workplace mediation and the strata building and construction sector, specifically with lot owner, Body Corporate, and Owner Corporation disputes in mixed-use settings.
Maree is a sought-after public speaker, delivering keynote addresses and panel presentations for many years, recently for the Chief Executive Women Leadership Summit and for Women in Leadership events nationally, including the Public Sector Women in Leadership.
*1 in 7 diagnosed by their 50th birthday in Australia (AIHW)
+ Born with a uterus, Assigned or Presumed Female at Birth.
