By XAVIER SMERDON
TWO decades after becoming the second ever baby born at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Laura Vranic returned to her birthplace last week to celebrate being one of the first in a long line of people.
Ms Vranic was born on Tuesday 21June in 1994, the day Werribee Mercy started delivering babies at its present location.
The hospital celebrated its 20th anniversary last Wednesday, just days before it will open a new two-storey building.
Since Ms Vranic was born, tens of thousands of other babies have opened their eyes for the first time at the same hospital.
She said her parents had always told her about her special birth and she has kept a newspaper from the day.
“I think it’s pretty crazy,” Ms Vranic said.
“I plan to get my own place soon with my boyfriend and eventually have my own children at this hospital.”
With increased investment projected for maternity services in years to come, the hospital’s 2013 total of 2,394 births is set to grow.
The population of the Wyndham area has risen dramatically during the lifespan of Werribee Mercy from about 70,000 in 1994 to almost 190,000 in 2014.
Such growth has brought a greater need for health services, prompting the development of the new Catherine McAuley Building.
Mercy Health Executive Director Health Services Dr Linda Mellors said the building would provide extra services.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to have rehabilitation services close to their homes and a wonderful addition to the services we provide at the hospital,” Dr Mellors said.
“We look forward to increasing our services in the years and decades to come.”
