The first sod is expected to be turned on Waminda’s $22.5 million Birthing on Country facility before the end of the year, providing a culturally safe midwifery service on the South Coast.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips secured funding to build the Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub, and Tuesday 1 October, joined her state counterparts for a tour of the greenfield site in Hillcrest Avenue, Nowra.
State Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park, Member for South Coast Liza Butler and Mrs Phillips visited the site of what will become Australia’s first Aboriginal owned and midwifery-led free standing birth centre.
The Minns Labor Government has committed $45.5 million over seven years for the hub which will support culturally safe holistic maternity care for Aboriginal women and their families in the South Coast region.
Birthing on Country supports Aboriginal women and babies by providing culturally safe continuity of midwifery care including antenatal, birthing and postnatal support.
Mrs Phillips said the Waminda team has been working towards the facility for almost a decade and she was pleased work would commence soon.
“I was proud to secure a $22.5 million commitment from the Albanese Labor Government for the construction of the dedicated centre, and to support Waminda’s vision to improve outcomes for local indigenous women and children,” she said.
“As a mum of four, I understand that holistic health care and support is critical from pregnancy right through to the early days of welcoming a new, tiny person into your family.
“Waminda is a dynamic organisation deeply embedded in our community and they are dedicated to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families get the best possible maternity care for generations to come.”
Birthing on Country models have been shown to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, including women attending more antenatal visits, being less likely to have a premature birth and being more likely to exclusively breastfeed on discharge from hospital.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has worked closely with the South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) to support the implementation of its Birthing on Country initiative.
Waminda launched the Minga Gudjaga Midwifery Practice with the support of ISLHD in May 2024.
This is the first phase of Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative where Waminda’s privately practising endorsed midwives provide labour and birth care to women at Shoalhaven Memorial District Hospital.
Waminda’s Minga Gudjaga and Birthing on Country Manager Melanie Briggs said the facility would cater for women across the south coast and beyond who were seeking to give birth on Country.
“We’ve worked really hard to get where we are today and the work that we’re doing is going to change maternity services for this country,” she said.
“Waminda are honoured to continue our ancestors’ dreams for birthing that is woman centred, sacred and honours LORE and culture at its core.
“Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative is a key milestone for increasing the First Nations workforce that will fundamentally enhance generational wealth and sustainability for our people.
“It’s incredible to think about the women that will be birthing here and that they can feel the sacredness and the powerfulness of Birthing on Country.”
Melanie said the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people will be significantly improved through care that is culturally safe and respectful through Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative.
“Waminda welcomes the Federal, State and Local Governments and their commitment to Birthing on Country to implement and improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes for Aboriginal families on the south coast of NSW,” she added.
Waminda currently employs 10 midwives, including six endorsed midwives, and the Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub is expected to welcome around 130 newborns once the doors open in late 2026.
