Southern Cross University's Birthing On Country initiative - known as SISTABIRTH - has secured the support of three regional and remote Aboriginal health services to help deliver improved maternity care for Indigenous women across Australia.
The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services selected to partner with Southern Cross University are: Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service at Ballina (NSW North Coast); Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation at Mt Gambier (southeast SA); and Urapuntja Health Service at Urapuntja (northeast of Alice Springs in remote NT).
The University's federally funded, multi-faceted five-year Birthing On Country project aims to improve inequities in maternal and child outcomes in Indigenous communities.
Southern Cross University and the ACCHOs are working collaboratively to develop five-year plans for maternity services that are culturally safe and reflect the wishes of each local community. Each plan will also integrate "Indigenous-specific, evidence-based, localised" smoking cessation care through the University's iSISTAQUIT program.
Kym Yuke, a Yugambeh woman from the Gold Coast, leads Southern Cross University's SISTABIRTH project.
"Birthing On Country models of care enable women to feel culturally safe when receiving maternity care which leads to a better start in life for Indigenous mums and bubs," she said.
"The SISTABIRTH approach will provide grassroots information to identify location-specific traditional and contemporary cultural practices and wishes for future services to ensure that a Birthing On Country plan delivers a service that will address disparities in maternal and baby outcomes for Indigenous families.
"The Indigenous leadership, staffing and approach that prioritises Indigenous knowledge and ways of being will result in a five-year plan that is a true reflection of the wishes of each community."
Ms Yuke said the inclusion of smoking cessation is a "vital component" that should have a great impact on improving infant birthweights and maternal wellbeing.
Since Southern Cross University was awarded the project in 2023, the SISTABIRTH team has appointed Indigenous and non-Indigenous midwives and Aboriginal community advisors to provide community engagement and clinical services. These staff are trained and supported to do local consultations and yarning research that informs each community's five-year plan.
SISTABIRTH research, also led by Southern Cross University, will wrap around all aspects of the project and will provide evidence for ongoing Birthing On Country work.
To capture the SISTABIRTH legacy, a book of Birthing On Country stories drawn from each community is being produced. The book will feature photographs and personal experiences as told by women of different generations.
Well-known Aboriginal photographer Bobbi Lockyer has been commissioned for the project. The book is expected to be published in early 2026.
Through SISTABIRTH, Southern Cross University is "building a pipeline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwifery education to increase the Indigenous workforce and deliver more services in the community". It is also an opportunity for the University to broaden its midwifery curriculum with more Birthing On Country and smoking cessation content.
"Southern Cross University already offers a highly regarded Midwifery program at its Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses, with the provision of culturally appropriate care part of the curriculum," said Lisa Charmer, the University's midwifery lecturer and SISTABIRTH's academic/education project lead.
"Not only are midwifery students gaining valuable hands-on experience in community clinical settings, but they are also gaining theory knowledge and understanding from learning materials developed in consultation with the communities and clinicians, with Birthing On Country content embedded throughout the midwifery degree."
To support the development of the next generation workforce for Indigenous maternity services, Southern Cross University is offering financial support to students in two ways: eight Birthing On Country Placement Bursaries, worth $2500 each, to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Midwifery students to attend a placement at one of the SISTABIRTH sites, providing students with valuable experience in community-based healthcare; and two Birthing On Country Scholarships, each valued at $10,000, to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health graduates for an Honours program exploring Birthing on Country.
The aim of the students' Honours project is to increase confidence in providing smoking cessation information for Indigenous women in rural and remote settings; or on another topic related to the SISTABIRTH project, available under any discipline.
More information about the midwifery course at Southern Cross University is available online.
Southern Cross University is bringing together its SISTABIRTH team – including representatives from each partner Aboriginal community health organisation, along with community advisors – for a workshop on August 19 and 20 at the University's Gold Coast campus.
The name of the workshop is Gami, Wahjung, Jarjum njeh Jagun. These are the Yugambeh words for Grandmother, Mother, Child and Country.
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Photo: Photographer Bobbi Lockyer; Kym Yuke - SISTABIRTH project leader; mum Sylvia Ferguson with baby Anthony Walker Junior; Lisa Charmer - Southern Cross midwifery lecturer & SISTABIRTH education project lead; Suzanne Weir - Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service, Research Midwife; and Deekeala (Lala) Glew, Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service - Cultural Advisor. Image: Southern Cross University.
