Thursday, 3 April 2025

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (10:03): Eleven weeks ago my husband Fraser and I welcomed our first baby into the world, our son Bobby. In the Warrandyte electorate our local hospitals are Box Hill and Maroondah, and as it turned out I gave birth to my first child at Box Hill Hospital, the same place that my mum gave birth to me as her first child 34 years ago. I have long been an advocate of Box Hill Hospital and all who work there, and today I want to give a shout-out to all the amazing staff there that supported us: from Nicky at the front desk to Shan at the special care unit, Dr Amira and Dr Sandy, thank you for your amazing care and support. Finally, to my midwife Vanessa, thank you. You are an absolute gift to your profession, and we will be forever grateful for your guidance, love and support. The midwifery group practice, MGP, program provides the most wonderful continuity of care for both the baby and the mother, as evidence has shown, and I can absolutely testify to this. And to our baby boy Bobby: we love you. You light up our lives, and we are so proud to call you ours; you are the best.