ELDERS and community leaders welcomed 11 new babies to Wamba Wemba community, culture and Country last week as part of an annual ceremony.
Mallee District Aboriginal Services facilitator Malinda Loats said the Welcome Baby to Country ceremony is a heartfelt tradition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, celebrating the birth of a child.
“This beautiful gathering was more than just a celebration, it was a reminder of the strength, resilience, and living spirit of culture, and the importance of passing it on to the next generation – it is not just a welcome into the world, but also into the deep cultural and spiritual life of the community,” she said.
“It affirms each baby’s place on Country, relating to the land, waterways, skies, and all living things spiritually connected to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The ceremony included traditional songs, dances, storytelling and a smoking ceremony to cleanse and protect the little ones.
“Aunty Vicki Clarke lovingly anointed the booris (babies) to Wamba Wemba Country, marking their connection to this land and its people.”
Iree Paul performed a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, while Conner Arif, Imparja Pettit, Jordan Johnston, and Shannon Polglase brought the celebration to life with a lively dance to 1000 Feet by John Williamson and Warren H. Williams.
“The dancers asked if they could perform for Welcome Baby to Country as they wanted to be involved in the ceremony, and worked hard on the dance for four weeks,” Ms Loats said.
“It was great to see our next generation part of the celebration.”
Mother Carmen Kelly’s daughter Nayvalee Kelly is the last of her children to be welcomed in the ceremony.
“It’s very important for our children to be welcomed to their Country, to learn about their history and their culture,” she said.
“It was amazing to see so many parents and children coming together to be welcomed in this beautiful ceremony and acknowledging our strong connection to our ancestral land and community.
“I hope it becomes a generational event and continues on, it’s really good to see it bring some much-needed significance to our babies and to be a part of that.”
For mother Maddison Haley-O’Bree, the welcome of her daughter Aylah-May Lolicato was an opportunity for her and her family to reconnect with their culture.
“I don’t really know much about my culture which is a bit devastating, so it was great to get out in the community and be a part of it,” she said.
“I was so amazed by how many people were a part of it this year and it was great to see everyone there.
“I loved what Aunty Vicki said to Aylah when she was putting the emu oil on her, I felt as though Aylah was really welcomed into her culture.
“It was really heartwarming and special, and I felt a real connection.
“Thank you to Mal and the team at MDAS for the great set up at the ceremony.”
The ceremony is scheduled to align with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, dedicated to celebrating children on August 4 since 1988.
The day celebrates the strength, resilience and potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, so they can thrive and be proud to come from the oldest living culture in the world, as per the National Voice for our Children.
