The events are supported by the City of Armadale’s Champion Centre and the EYP to strengthen cultural identity and belonging and improve child health outcomes aligned to the local Community Plan.

Challenge

In Armadale West nearly 1 in 4 children are considered developmentally vulnerable.

Armadale West’s EYP Community Plan Koorlangkas Danjoo Koorliny (Children Coming Together) identified four key priorities to tackle this:

  • Child Development
  • Family Safety
  • Maternal Health
  • Financial Wellbeing

A common goal across the priority areas is empowering local families to access services and get the help they need.

Solution

Local leaders including Elder Vivenne Hanson (Aunty Viv) worked with the City of Armadale’s Champion Centre to host the first Welcome Baby to Country ceremony in 2023:

  • The event involved a smoking ceremony, traditional dancers and a celebration of each infant or child attending.
  • Traditionally, babies are often wrapped in kangaroo skins or possum pelts and given a name during the ceremony.
  • In a modern twist, each baby at the Champion Centre was presented with a personalised certificate that depicted the Nyoongar season in which they were born.
  • The Welcome Baby to Country event also provided an opportunity for local service providers to connect with parents and caregivers.

Impact

  • The success of the first Welcome Baby to Country has led to the ceremony becoming a bi-annual community event.
  • Each event is well attended, with up to fifty children involved, mainly from local families.
  • People have travelled from as far north as Yanchep and south from Mandurah to attend.
  • Attendees are offered resources, information and support in their parenting journey, with child health and development a focus for the service providers.
  • Child health checks, immunisations and general health and wellbeing information are also provided.
  • Referral and follow-up appointments have been completed after the event.

Sustainability

Community participation and interest in Welcome Baby to Country events is rising. The Champion Centre in Armadale West has now held multiple Welcome Baby to Country ceremonies with plans for more in 2026.

People from communities across WA have travelled to Armadale West to experience the event and learn from the EYP’s example. Similar events are also now being held in other EYP communities, including Bidyadanga and Central Great Southern.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work and live, and recognise their continuing connection and care to land, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.