Waminda - Birthing on Country

When an Aboriginal mother gives birth to her child on the lands of ancestors, there is a spiritual connection to the land for her baby. The benefits of ‘birthing on country’ are a key driver to the Closing the Gap targets for Aboriginal health, yet progress has been hindered by red tape, bureaucracy and COVID-19.

Waminda South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation has delivered culturally safe and holistic services to the Aboriginal community on the South Coast of NSW for over three decades.

Birthing on Country has been a long-standing strategic objective, to provide Aboriginal women with a culturally sensitive choice for the delivery of their child.

H/Advisors APA was engaged to analyse why the efforts to date have not translated to a policy or funding outcomes, and then to build a forward facing integrated government and public relations campaign.

In 2022, the ALP pledged $22-million in infrastructure funding to assist with the building of the Centre - a promise quickly enacted after the Federal election in May that year which resulted in a new Australian Government.