The final babies are set to be born in the old Cowra Maternity Ward before the service moves into brand new facilities as part of the town’s hospital redevelopment this December.
For the nursing staff, the move is both exciting and bittersweet, as the old ward has been a cornerstone of the community for generations.
Nurse Manager Mia Chong said the upcoming births will carry a special significance.
“They’re all nursing staff, and they’re planning on having their baby at Cowra Hospital in the old maternity unit, because we move into the new hospital at the beginning of December,” Ms Chong said.
“They’ll be the last few babies born in the old maternity ward."
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Reflecting on the change, Ms Chong said, “it’s a bit nostalgic, because the hospital maternity unit’s been very crucial to the community”.
“A lot of babies have been birthed in that unit," she said.
“It’s the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.”
While there is a sense of sentimentality around closing the doors on the old ward, staff and the community can look forward to the new hospital’s modern birthing suites.
The redevelopment is progressing on schedule and is expected to deliver significant benefits for local families.
“The hospital redevelopment is going as planned and the new birthing suites will benefit the community,” Ms Chong said.
For decades, the old maternity ward has been the setting for countless family milestones, with generations of Cowra residents born within its walls.
As the final few babies prepare to enter the world there, the ward’s legacy will remain woven into the fabric of the community.
The move to the new facilities in early December will mark the beginning of a new chapter for maternity care in Cowra, one that blends the proud history of the past with the promise of modern healthcare for the future.
