International Midwives Day saw the mums and some of East Grampians Health Services’ midwives complete two laps of the gardens.

Young children joined their parents on the walk, with many still in strollers.

The services’ midwifery team leader Kerry Sturmfels said it was nice to see the hard work of Ararat’s midwives recognised.

“It is lovely to see the women who wanted to come along with their babies,” she said.

“It shows they have had a good experience with our team.

“It is positive for us to see these mums here with their young kids.”

There are 13 midwives employed at the Ararat Hospital.

Mrs Sturmfels said the number included 10 full time midwives, one casual and two students still in training.

“We have staff at the hospital that continually want to do their midwives course,” she said.

“Which is also good because it means our staff see it as something that is good to do.”

The services chief executive Nick Bush said the midwives played a crucial role in the Ararat community.

“What we are trying to recognise today is the midwives who run our birthing services,” he said.

“They have an important involvement with babies and their families.

“We can celebrate the crucial role they play in our community.”

Mr Bush said country hospitals often relied on their midwives for birthing services when doctors were not available.

“We are in a situation where we don’t always have a doctor available,” he said.

“The midwives are the lead carers when the doctors aren’t there.

“They are the first point of call when the birthing mother presents to the hospital before they notify the doctor.

“They are crucial and that is a responsibility that is quite large in a country hospital, compared to city hospitals where there is quite a bank of mid-wives and doctors available.”