Beanies for babies: UniSA students contribute to Papua New Guinea midwifery project
By Joshua Owen-Thomas
HEALTH Dr Angela Brown (centre) with PNG midwife buddies Steven Gola Junior and Stacey Mange.In an initiative led by program director Dr Angela Brown, UniSA midwifery students and their families are knitting and crocheting beanies for babies born in remote regions of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Sharing an update from the project on social media.Dr Brown invited her students to contribute the beanies following her recent return from Port Moresby where she participated in the Rotary Club of Morialta’s PNG Midwifery Project.
She donated the yarn and her students and their families volunteered their time to craft the beanies, which she says will serve two purposes.
“They will keep newborns warm and also act as an incentive for women in remote and rural Papua New Guinea to attend health clinics," Dr Brown says.
According to the Rotary Club, more than 80% of people in PNG live in rural and remote locations and have limited access to health care services.
An estimated 250,000 babies are born each year, most of them in isolated areas, and only half occur in the presence of a midwife, who, in some instances, are working in poor lighting or without running water.
In addition, there are only 1000 trained midwives, far below international standards, and a high number of preventable maternal and infant deaths.
“We know that midwifery care saves lives,” Dr Brown says. “So if women attend for maternity care their outcomes are better than birthing without a skilled birth attendant.
“The beanies are a small but heartfelt gesture of global solidarity and a way for students to feel connected to maternal health advocacy beyond the classroom.”
UniSA midwifery student Georgia Lindsay holding beanies made by her mum.UniSA midwifery student Georgia Lindsay says she wanted to contribute to the cause because she is passionate about assisting women who give birth in difficult conditions.
“We were exposed to some stories from midwives who had volunteered in PNG in a first-year subject and it has stuck with me ever since. I told myself I would love to be able to help one day,” she says.
“My mum is an avid crafter and loves to knit and crochet, having made blankets and beanies for others in the past.
“So when Angela was seeking volunteers, it was a no-brainer. I forwarded the message to Mum and within 24 hours she had made seven beanies.”
Dr Brown was one of seven experienced Australian midwives who were selected to participate in the PNG Midwifery Project.
In April, she spent a week in Port Moresby where she participated in workshops and toured local health services and universities. Like her Australian colleagues, Dr Brown was partnered with two midwives from PNG – Steven Gola Junior and Stacey Mange – and worked with them on project ideas and other opportunities for collaboration.
Dr Brown says the experience has had a lasting impact on her personally and on her role as program director of midwifery at UniSA.
“Collaborating with midwives in PNG has deepened my understanding of how local context shapes maternity care and it has prompted me to bring more real-world, cross-cultural examples into my teaching,” she says.
“What has stood out for me most is the strength of midwifery leadership in Papua New Guinea and the resourcefulness of colleagues like Steven and Stacey, who are driving change in incredibly challenging contexts. Their work continues to inspire me and my students.
“I’m also deeply moved by how quickly our UniSA midwifery students have embraced the opportunity to contribute. This speaks to their values, their compassion, and their readiness to engage in midwifery as both a profession and a global movement for justice and care.”
Despite her limited time in Port Moresby, the project continues for 12 months, and Dr Brown remains in contact with both of her buddies.
“I meet regularly with Stacey and Steven via WhatsApp to support ongoing collaboration and share ideas,” she says.
“These conversations have been a valuable way to stay connected and continue strengthening maternal and newborn care initiatives across PNG."
The PNG Midwifery Project is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Morialta, the Australian College of Midwives, the Papua New Guinea Midwives Society, and the Rotary Club of Port Moresby.
The project officially began in 2019, and to date has sent 31 Australian midwives to PNG across five separate workshops. A sixth is currently being considered for next year.
Other Stories
- Flat out Fabulous: Barbie puts her best foot forward over the years
- Back into the closet: Is aged care failing LGBTI+ people?
- UniSA film and TV tutor releases debut feature film nationally
- ‘They are like my children’: research reveals 4 types of indoor plant owners. Which one are you?
- From the Vice Chancellor: Some things change, some stay the same
- Achievements and Announcements
- Beanies for babies: UniSA students contribute to Papua New Guinea midwifery project
- Seven honorary awards conferred in April
- Take a trip through time, drawers and hard drives to preserve UniSA’s past
- In Pictures: UniSA April graduations
- The latest books from UniSA researchers June 2025
