$22.5 Million for Birthing on Country!
It’s official! In case you missed it, the Albanese government has cemented their commitment to supporting First Nations Women and their families with the announcement of $22.5 million for the advancement of Waminda’s Birthing on Country Centre of Excellence, right here in Nowra.
Melanie Briggs, Waminda’s Minga Gudjaga & Birthing on Country Manager, says that this funding is a huge step forward for Aboriginal women on the South Coast and NSW. “…A First Nations led Birthing Centre of Excellence with wrap around supports, is at the forefront of decolonising maternity care systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in this country. Aboriginal maternity models of care are the answer to improving the outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies.”
Waminda and the Minga Gudjaga program (Waminda’s Maternity & Childcare program) is already making plans to begin construction before 2023. “…We hope to secure land soon, and we will be building a purpose-built facility, so that our mums can birth their babies in this place. We’re designing our birth centre. It’s designed by Waminda’s Cultural Committee and our women in community.”
Waminda would like to acknowledge the Hon. Linda Burney MP and the Hon. Fiona Phillips MP for their endorsement of Waminda’s vision and plans for the Birthing on Country Centre of Excellence and their willingness to listen, support and be led by Aboriginal women in our community. The construction of this Birthing Centre will be a monumental testament to years of dedication from strong women in the South Coast Community.
“[Birthing On Country] is a model that was designed by us, for our Community…”said Melanie Briggs.
“It’s about reclaiming the birth space for our mums and our bubs, our aunties and our elders, who have fought so hard for us to birth in a place and we know is safe and we know our families can be a part of. Waminda is a big driver in the BOC space, especially when it comes to self-determination and our governance for our people.”
– Waminda
