Speeches
Friday, 12 September 2025
Reception for Birthing Kits Foundation of South Australia
I am very pleased to welcome you to Government House to celebrate this impressive milestone – the 3 millionth birthing kit scheduled for production.
That number represents millions of mothers and babies around the world who’ve had a safer birth and even avoided death because their birth attendant had access to a kit.
I note that this year marks another important milestone: 30 years since Adelaide doctor Joy O’Hazy had a lightning bolt moment at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women and envisioned birthing kits.
Congratulations to Joy along with Dr Julie Monis-Ivett and the Adelaide Hills Zonta Club who helped transform Joy’s idea into a fully-fledged operation producing birthing kits from Adelaide to send around the world.
In the words of the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, it’s about putting common tools in capable hands …
… giving under-resourced communities practical but essential equipment to prevent infection in childbirth while building their capacity to keep mothers and babies safe.
I was delighted to see an Assembly Day in action at Roma Mitchell Secondary College back in May, with students volunteering their time to pack kits.
For these young women and men, Assembly Day imparted some powerful lessons.
That women and their babies, no matter where they live, deserve the chance for a healthy start.
That we all have agency to make change, and small acts can have profound impact – and Adelaide is a great place to get started.
And, that good things come in small packages – or small zip-lock bags.
The birthing kits are compact, lightweight and unassuming – but their contents make a big impact.
A plastic sheet, a pair of gloves, a surgical blade, gauze, cord ties and soap can be the difference between life and death for mothers and babies in developing countries.
I particularly like the Assembly Day suggestions on the Foundation’s website, including assembling birthing kits as a baby shower activity.
What a wonderful way to share the joyful anticipation of a baby’s arrival by helping other women give birth safely.
Friends,
We are lucky to live in a country where maternal and baby deaths are rare. The Birthing Kit Foundation Australia is working towards a world where childbirth is safer no matter where you live.
Congratulations to Joy, Julie, the Board and team on this life-saving milestone.