Welcome Baby to Country to become a regular event

Local Elder Vivienne Hansen, better known as Aunty Viv, began the community event by saying “Today my heart is happy,” as 35 babies were welcomed to country along with their families in the ceremony in June last year.

Aunty Viv joyfully explained how the ceremony would help maintain cultural practices for families in the area. Local resident and mother Simone Adams attended with 17-day old baby Isabella and said she was moved to be able to take part in the inaugural event.

“I wish I knew about this place when I had my eldest child but now that I know it is here, I will be coming back and if I have another child, I will want them to be part of a Welcome Baby to Country,” said Simone.

The Welcome Baby to Country event also provided an opportunity to be aware of resources, information and support in their parenting journey, with child health and development a focus for the service providers in attendance.

Child health checks, immunisations and general health and wellbeing information were provided, with several referrals and follow up appointments completed after the event.

Feedback from those at the event was overwhelmingly positive, with many who missed it very keen to participate in the future.

Welcome Baby to Country will now become a biannual event in Armadale and will be expanded to encompass a wider age range, and also to include non-Aboriginal families to share culture, knowledge and understanding.

The events’ implementation team are available to share their learnings with other districts if there is wider interest to do similar events on other country.

Participating organisations

• City of Armadale – Champion Centre
• Early Years Partnership
• Child and Adolescent Community Health – Aboriginal Health Team
• Ngala
• Boodjari Yorgas (East Metropolitan Health Service)
• Hope Community Services
• Perinatal Care Team (KEMH and PCH)
• Mercy Care
• Centrelink
• Derbarl Yerrigan