Hobsons Bay council is this month celebrating the centenary of maternal and child health (MCH) services in Victoria.
The first baby health centre was opened in Richmond in 1917, in response to about 10-11 out of 100 babies born in Melbourne dying before their first birthday.
Hobsons Bay opened its first centres in Williamstown in 1922 and Newport in 1923. There are now 11 centres providing free services for children from newborn to school age.
Mayor Sandra Wilson said services included regular check-ups, new parent groups, immunisation and education sessions.
“I can speak from experience about how important the support provided by maternal and child health nurses is in terms of encouraging mothers to overcome the challenges of breastfeeding and detect the early signs of post-natal depression,” she said.
Wetlands ward councillor Michael Grech said as a father of two he couldn’t speak highly enough of the service. “Having professional advice available in our neighbourhood has really helped ease the transition to parenthood.”
Last financial year, Hobsons Bay’s MCH nurses provided 13,151 consultations to more than 5000 children. It supported the formation of 262 new parent groups and 18 ‘Baby Makes 3’ sessions for couples with their first child.
About 400 babies and children are vaccinated each month.
