An image of the founder and beating heart of Nunyara Care Plus Julie Jordan Ely

Hello, I'm Julie!

“When you’ve lived both sides of healthcare — as a nurse and a mother — you see what really matters.”

The Heart Behind Nunyara Care Plus

For over 30 years, I lived a journey no parent ever expects to walk — supporting my daughter through a complex, life-altering digestive condition that resisted clear diagnosis and standard treatment. We faced countless hospital visits, unanswered questions, and the emotional weight of navigating a healthcare system that often doesn’t accommodate complex or atypical conditions. Like many families, I learned that when an illness doesn’t fit neatly into a category, people can fall through the cracks.

But I refused to give up on her. Working closely with Professor John Hutson AO — a highly regarded paediatric surgeon at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne — I became her advocate, carer, researcher, and voice. I reviewed test results, engaged with clinicians, and explored a wide body of medical literature in search of alternative options.

Over time, this effort led us to a therapy approach that contributed significantly to her improved health. The foundations of that approach, combined with clinical insight and ongoing research, later informed what became the 'Nunyara Bowel Program' — an evidence-informed model of care that supports clients with complex bowel needs.

While each person’s health journey is different, and no single intervention works for everyone, this experience helped shape a new way of delivering care — one built on empathy, persistence, and clinical integrity.

That was the beginning of Nunyara Care Plus.

Nunyara is built not only on my 15 years as a registered nurse, but also on personal experience with long-term caring and health system navigation. We understand what it feels like to be unseen in the system — and what it takes to feel safe and supported again.

At Nunyara Care Plus, we do things differently.

We take the time to listen. We look at the whole person, not just their symptoms. We draw on evidence-based practice while leading with empathy and human connection. Our care plans are trauma-informed, collaborative, and tailored to the real lives of the people we support.

We provide mobile services because many of our clients experience barriers to travel or energy. We work across disability, aged care, veterans’ health, and chronic illness, because high-quality care should be available to everyone — especially those who are often overlooked.

And most importantly, we walk alongside our clients — as nurses, advocates, and people who understand the value of feeling heard and supported.

Our work is grounded in the belief that care should not stop at what’s convenient or routine — it should restore confidence, dignity, and wellbeing. At Nunyara Care Plus, we proudly deliver our signature Bowel Program developed from decades of specialist nursing experience in complex disability, aged care, and community health. Grounded in person-centred principles, our approach combines holistic nursing, advanced clinical protocols, and collaborative training with support teams to promote optimal bowel health, comfort, and dignity. That’s the heart of Nunyara Care Plus.

Disclaimer:

“Outcomes mentioned are personal and may not reflect every individual’s experience. All care is delivered in accordance with nursing scope of practice and relevant clinical guidelines.” The Nunyara Bowel Program is informed by clinical literature and current best practices. It is not a substitute for medical treatment and is tailored to individual needs under qualified nursing care.