Nowra will be home to the first Aboriginal owned and midwifery-led free standing birth centre in Australia, with a significant contribution of $21.3 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.
Waminda’s Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub 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.
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 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.
This initiative will complement the Binji & Boori Aboriginal Maternal Infant Child Health Service, increasing access to culturally safe and respectful care for Aboriginal women and families in Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
We know people across the state are doing it tough right now, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for families in NSW to make ends meet.
Our budget will prioritise building better communities – ensuring we have the essential services the people of NSW rely on, that pays our essential workers fairly and that keeps our communities safe.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park
“The NSW Government is proud to work closely with Waminda to support the implementation of its Birthing on Country initiative.”
“Funding this important service will help meet the social, cultural, spiritual and clinical needs of the local community.”
“Our investment in the Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub aligns with NSW Health commitment to improving maternity care and giving children in NSW the best possible start in life.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris
“This investment in the Waminda Birthing on Country program reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.”
“Aboriginal women and babies continue to experience health inequalities compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Aboriginal babies are more likely to be born with lower birthweights, to be born prematurely and are twice as likely to die in their first year of life.”
“Birthing on Country gives opportunity for the best start in life for Aboriginal babies and their families, a natural transition to motherhood and parenting for women and an integrated, holistic and culturally appropriate model of care.”
Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler
“I am incredibly proud to announce the establishment of Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned and midwifery-led birth centre right here in Nowra.”
“The Minns Labor Government’s $21.3 million investment in Waminda’s Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub marks a significant step towards ensuring culturally safe, holistic maternity care for Aboriginal women and their families in the South Coast region.”
“Birthing on Country models have proven to significantly improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, and Waminda is leading the way for all Aboriginal women to have access to continuous, culturally safe midwifery care, which includes antenatal, birthing, and postnatal support. This initiative is about more than healthcare; it’s about respecting and nurturing cultural practices and ensuring better health outcomes for our communities.”
