Mum Ebony Primmer was also the first patient in Warrnambool to receive a birthing stick, signifying a large step forward for cultural healthcare in the region.

A birthing stick is an important acknowledgement of Indigenous birth on country.

"My girl was the first Aboriginal baby born for the year and the birthing stick meant so much to us," Ms Primmer said.

"Cissy was made on a farm in Ellerslie where we were working at the time which had a big band of red gums and a big eagle's nest. To see those on the birthing stick meant more to us than we could say.

"We had the most amazing cultural support at the hospital."

SWH Aboriginal health promotion officer Emily Falla said it was an important connection to culture.

"We want to welcome these babies to the world and acknowledge the country they have been born on," she said.

"We also want to give babies and families a keepsake so they can always remember their journey has started here on Peek Whurrong country, on the land of the Gunditjmara people.

"Having the birthing stick is something they can carry with them throughout their life and know that there is always a connection to culture surrounding them."

It's another step of a suite of changes happening at SWH.

"It's another step of lots of things," Ms Falla said. "Imagery plays a huge part in Indigenous culture, not just for women but all Indigenous consumers who walk through our doors, we want them to see and feel that acknowledgement.

"It puts them at ease and helps them feel like there's some form of cultural understanding in the centre and in the healthcare.

"For women, being able to give birth in an Indigenous birthing suite is just one of the things to make them feel comfortable.

"It's important to foreground culture because through generations we've lost many of our customs and cultural practices that were so important. Birthing on country is something we don't see much of anymore and so it's important that people can have the option to take cultural steps in childbirth."

Cultural acknowledgement in mainstream healthcare is important for many reasons, explained Ms Falla.

"The past has created mistrust in mainstream services such as fear that if you disclose your Aboriginal heritage this could trigger child protection involvement, which goes back to the Stolen Generation."

Ms Primmer is a Gunditjmara woman and her partner Phil Lucas is a Wurundjeri man. She said she was proud and thankful to receive the meaningful gift that her daughter Cissy would be able to have as a keepsake and reminder of her connection to her country.

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