Our Journalists

Tamara McDonaldDeputy national health editor

Tamara McDonald is deputy national health editor. The award-winning reporter has previously worked as a health reporter at the Geelong Advertiser and The Examiner.

@TamaraMcDonald3

Tamara McDonald

Latest

Conditions

Geelong's Chris Bailey was diagnosed with a Buruli ulcer. Picture: Supplied

My mozzie bite became a flesh-eating ulcer

Chris was bitten by a mosquito and ended up needing antibiotics and surgery. He’s calling for funding to fight the flesh-eating disease.

EXCLUSIVEFertility

Charles (Driscoll) (NO LAST NAME IN STORY) and Emmanuel have spent tens of thousands of dollars on surrogacy with a clinic in Colombia. But three years later they have no baby and the clinic refusing to give them any money back. Picture: Jason Edwards

$65k and we have no baby: Our surrogacy nightmare

An Australian couple paid $65,000 for an overseas clinic to make their parenting dreams come true — but instead, they say they have been subjected to an “emotional rollercoaster of failures”.

Guides

I’ve got an online habit that worries doctors

A chronically ill Sydney woman goes online for this reason, like many of us do. But doctors are alarmed by the trend and are urging people to be careful.

ExclusiveAnxiety & Depression

Kids as young as 6 seek help for suicidal thoughts

Children reaching out to Kids Helpline struggling with suicidal thoughts are getting “younger and younger”, alarming new data shows.

Weight Loss

I’m only 17 and I lost 28kg – this is how I did it

Blake Alford-Ryan may only be 17, but he is already inspiring others with his fitness transformation. This is how he lost 28kg and turned his life around.

Cardio

The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 19 February 2025Fitness Pic - Health Pillar Todd LiubinskasEx rugby player Todd Liubinskas is hosting a fitness racing obstacles course event called Yohka. Picture Thomas Lisson

This Ninja Warrior event will be in the Olympics — is it the new craze?

A high-profile strength and conditioning coach wants this fitness challenge to be the next big thing.

National

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, SEPTEMBER 14. 2021. Prof Pat McGorry at a press conference to talk about the latest COVID-19 situation in Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Sector holds out hope for campaign after budget let-down

Mental health failed to secure any big wins in the budget, and experts are holding out hope the election campaign will see the overwhelmed system in the spotlight.

UPDATEDGuides

Mental health thumbnail for health pillar

Big mental health shock in the budget

Psychologists and psychiatrists have slammed the federal government for ignoring mental health in the budget, saying they are devastated.

Mental Health

Medibank chief executive officer David Koczkar. Supplied

How CEO wards off ‘nasty figures’ in his sleep

Seeking professional help has been key to combating “nasty figures” that appear when Medibank chief executive David Koczkar is sleeping.

ExclusiveMental Health

‘Can’t wait any longer’: Urgent mental health plea

Experts are calling for funding to be poured into the strained mental health system, as new research reveals Australians are feeling more lonely and isolated.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/tamara-mcdonald