The people of Calvary John James Maternity – Celebrating 30 years

Despite living thousands of kilometres away, Central Queensland Police Officer Donna Davis will always be the start of the maternity story at Calvary John James Hospital in Canberra.

On 6 September, 1994, Donna was the first baby born at the newly opened maternity unit.

“It is a part of my identity in a way. I moved to Queensland when I was about six years old, so being the first baby born in the maternity unit at John James Hospital has been a foothold for me in Canberra. It is always my claim to fame and my personal fun fact,” Ms Davis said.

A few years ago, Donna, and her parents Marianne and Gerard visited Calvary John James Hospital. To their surprise, the same midwives who helped birth her were still working in the maternity unit.

“I was gobsmacked that after all these years they were still working at John James Hospital. It wasn’t a planned visit, so it was really special that they happened to be there on the same day we were visiting,” Ms Davis said.

Mum Marianne, recalls the visit fondly.

“Our delightful midwife, Cheryl Guthrie, has always been part of our wonderful memories of our 30 years association of John James Hospital. We were incredibly lucky to be greeted by Cheryl on a visit a few years ago when we were taking Donna back to where it all began. It was such a delight for Donna to meet her.”

For Calvary John James Registered Midwife, Ms Guthrie, Donna’s arrival into the world is an occasion she will never forget.

“We got the call that mum Marianne was on her way in. I was straight on the phone to Dr Graham Bates to let him know to start making his way to the hospital quickly,” Ms Guthrie said.

“Marianne was in good labor and had already had six boys, so we knew it was going to be quick. I think Dr Bates arrived just as Donna was being born. It was a perfect birth.”

Ms Guthrie remains a midwife at Calvary John James and her long career means she is a recognisable face for many in Canberra.

“People often stop me in the supermarket and ask ‘do you remember me?’ and they will have their six-month-old or two-year-old with them. Recently I ran into a woman at the shops who gave me a big hug. She had her 18-year-old son with her, who I helped birth. He was getting ready to go off to university,” Ms Guthrie said.

Cheryl is one of the many staff members that makes the maternity unit at Calvary John James Hospital what it is today.

“We feel very fortunate in the leaders we have. Calvary John James Hospital as a whole is a community and everybody helps one another out,” Ms Guthrie said.

Reflecting on the maternity unit’s 30-year anniversary, Calvary John James Hospital’s General Manager, Daniel Wood, said the maternity unit was part of the hospital’s fabric.

“The Calvary John James Hospital maternity unit is synonymous with the ACT community,” Mr Wood said.

“The fact people return to have their second, third or fourth baby here is a reflection of the care we provide. We are incredibly privileged to provide a service that is central to when a couple becomes a family.”

Calvary John James Hospital is the only private maternity unit in Canberra, providing care for high risk pregnancies from 32 weeks. The unit is made up of 24 postnatal beds, four birth suites and a ten-bed special care nursery.

For more information on how to access the Calvary John James Hospital Maternity Unit, click here.