Bourke celebrated a special day on Thursday 14 July welcoming 102 children into their local community, reviving a tradition practised in the region for eons. 

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) in partnership with Maranguka Early Childhood and Parenting Working Group coordinated the event inviting families in Bourke and surrounding areas to take part.  

“The event is significant,” said Pat Canty, WNSWLHD Manager Aboriginal Partnerships in the Aboriginal and Wellbeing Directorate. 

“The ceremony is incredibly important for our babies, especially for Aboriginal babies, as they can be born away from Bourke and that can impact their cultural ties to the land,” said Ms Canty.  

“Introducing our babies to community is a traditional practice implemented through generations and it dates back thousands of years.” 

The day was held in Darling Park and forms part of the communities NAIDOC celebrations during the July School holiday period. The ceremony is only the second to be held following the inaugural event in 2021 which attracted 37 registrations. 

The community ceremony was open to all babies up to two years old from Bourke and the surrounding villages, it included a traditional Welcome followed by a formal ceremony. Community Elders led the ceremony with parents and carers also playing a major role.  

The project is a key initiative of Maranguka Early Childhood and parenting Working Group which focuses on improving the lives of Aboriginal children aged 0 – 8 years.

The group is represented by a cross-sector of government agencies, local service providers and community representatives working collaboratively to improve the lives of children with initiatives guided by the Bourke Tribal Council under the Safe Smart Strong strategy.  

Sarah Barton, Chair of the Early Childhood and Parenting Working Group said, “the event is significant for families in Bourke who are unable to birth on-Country, the ceremony is designed to assist and help support families and their children’s connection to culture and Country and provides the opportunity for the community to celebrate and welcome our little people into the community”.  

Funded by the NSW Ministry of Health – the Welcome baby to Community and Country is "an extremely proud initiative" of Maranguka, underpinned by Bourke Tribal Council’s Growing Our Kids Up Safe Smart & Strong Strategy.  

Many local stakeholders contributed to make the ceremony free, including all early childhood services, government and Non- Government Organisations in Bourke. 

“The ceremony is a significant event for our babies to connect to our community, Country and also our Aboriginal elders," Mrs Canty said.

"Each child received a certificate and a gift to celebrate this wonderful event."

All photographs kindly supplied by Maranguka.