City of Armadale hosts inaugural Welcome Baby to Country

The City of Armadale hosted their very first Welcome Baby to Noongar Boodja Country and Smoking ceremony for the community, held at the Champion Centre in Seville Grove on Friday 23 June, 2023.

Mayor Ruth Butterfield said welcoming a baby into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a cultural practice that involves the whole community.

“The ceremony is an acknowledgement of an infant’s connection to the traditional lands on which they are born, and a celebration of their birth.”

The City’s inaugural ceremony began with families warmly welcomed by local Elder Vivienne Hansen, better known as Aunty Viv in the local community.

Aunty Viv’s opening words were, “Today my heart is happy,” and you could see the joy in her eyes as she explained that today was an important part of maintaining cultural practices for families in the area.

An Aboriginal dance performed by Aunty Viv and other women from Demar Djookins (Grandmothers/Aunties) Dance Group, is designed to cleanse the land of bad spirits and prepare it for the attending babies to take part in the Smoking Ceremony.

The Smoking Ceremony was introduced by Aunty Viv’s husband and Elder Mort Hansen in traditional Noongar language as mums, dads, grandparents and the babies made their way through the smoke.

Local resident and mother Simone Adams attended with 17 day old baby Isabella and was so 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.

As part of the event, babies had their hands and footprints imprinted on colourful paper with their names along with a special photoshoot that was exquisitely set up with kangaroo skins and local flora.

Families were gifted with beautiful Aboriginal designed homewares, clothing and toys and each baby received a commemorative certificate that depicted the Aboriginal season in which they were born.

“With such incredibly positive feedback already received, the City is looking forward to hosting the next welcome Baby to Noongar Boodja Country later in the year,” said Mayor Ruth Butterfield.