YOUNGEST CITIZENS GREET WORLD
TOWNSVILLE’S newest residents were officially welcomed to the community during the first Welcoming Babies Ceremony of 2018.
The ceremony, at Townsville Stadium yesterday, welcomed 165 babies, the youngest just three weeks old.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill welcomed Townsville’s youngest residents at the ceremony, and presented each family with certificates, a gift bag and a plant as a memento of the event with Cr Colleen Doyle.
North Ward mum Karina Farrell said her fourmonth- old bub Archer was really good during his welcoming ceremony.
“I thought ( the ceremony) was really good. It’s something I don’t think a lot of places do,” she said. “It’s something I think is special for my little fella. “Some people get their babies baptised but not everybody does, so it’s a good way to introduce the babies into the community.”
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Early Years Expo to showcase services and support available to families with young children in Townsville.
Ms Farrell said the Early Years Expo was a great inclusion to the Welcoming Babies Ceremony.
“It was mainly informative, it was good to see there were a few things I didn’t realise were out there,” she said.
“Trying to find baby and mum friendly things can be a bit hard.
“It’s helpful, sometimes it can be a bit lonely being a parent so it’s nice to find places to connect.”