Staff at the hospital’s 160-year-old maternity unit have seen hundreds of babies born and made thousands of home visits to support generations of families and will host the event in honour of the shire’s children.

Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the collaborative celebration was also an opportunity to acknowledge the important role local services play in supporting families during pregnancy and through the first few years of a child’s life.

In the lead up to the event, Catherine Prestney, who has been a midwife at the hospital for 16 years, met with council maternal and child health nurse, Chris O’Higgins, to leaf through the service’s historic visitor book, which highlights the contribution of local maternity services across the generations.

Lamington drives have been a key fundraiser in support of the Hutton Street facility throughout its history and the traditional treat will be on offer at this month’s picnic celebration, along with face painting, storytelling and a chance for future parents to tour the hospital’s private maternity suites.

Cobaw Community Health will also be involved in activities on the day.

KDH deputy chief executive officer Karen Laing said the milestone celebration was a chance for hospital and council staff to reflect on past achievements and commit to ongoing support for young families in the community.

“The event is an open invitation, but we especially want to welcome people who have been or might become one of the hundreds and thousands of personal stories connected with our local maternity services,” she said.

The Hundreds and Thousands Little People’s Picnic will be held on Friday, September 15, at the Kyneton District Health Gardens between 9.30am and 11.30am.