Maternity services funding for BDAC

THE Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) is one of 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) from across Victoria to share in $15.8 million in new funding from the state government to expand its Koori maternity services.

BDAC’s maternity services are primarily based at its purpose-built, multi-million-dollar mixed medical clinic in Prouses Road, North Bendigo, which opened its doors in October 2025 and is twice the size of its predecessor.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO welcomed the funding, emphasising that Aboriginal mothers and their babies deserve the same health outcomes as any other mother and child in Victoria.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally safe care is the foundation of trust, dignity and healing,” she said.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas agreed the services are about “culturally safe care, connection and community”.

The Koori maternity services model provides continuity of care throughout pregnancy and the early postnatal period, with midwives and Aboriginal health workers/practitioners working in partnership with each ACCHO, general practitioners, hospitals and other relevant community-based services.

Desired outcomes include more Aboriginal women accessing antenatal care earlier in their pregnancy, fewer Aboriginal women smoking during pregnancy, fewer Aboriginal babies being born early and fewer Aboriginal babies dying during pregnancy or soon after birth.

The model is unique as it embraces an Aboriginal understanding of health that extends beyond physical wellbeing to include the social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing of an individual and community.