Local jarjums (children) were welcomed to the community at Beaudesert Hospital’s first Welcome Baby to Country ceremony, a milestone connecting healthcare and culture.
The initiative was led by Administration Officer Amy Kreher, a proud First Nations woman, with guidance from Mununjali Elders Aunty Gerry and Aunty Janis.
Amy said invitations to the ceremony, considered women’s business, were extended to all First Nations babies born with Beaudesert maternity services this year.
“The ceremony represents the introduction of new life to the community and a shared commitment between families and community to support jarjums in learning traditional ways,” she said.
The hospital’s Gathering Circle was chosen as the site, joining other cultural celebrations such as NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Day and Close the Gap events. The space has also been used as a place of passing for some First Nations locals.
Amy said that by hosting a Welcome Baby to Country ceremony there, the circle of life had been completed.
The timing of the ceremony was carefully chosen to coincide with the traditional Mununjali Mullet Run.
“This is where the men would leave Mununjali Country to trade with tribes near the coast while their pregnant wives stayed home,” Amy said. “When they returned in late August or September, the babies had been born. They brought back mullet, which gave new mothers important nutrients like iron, zinc and potassium to help them recover.”
Amy explained this period also aligned with the birthing season for many animals, further strengthening the connection between people, land and nature.
Beaudesert Hospital Facility Manager Marg Wendt said the ceremony strengthened trust and cultural safety.
“This is about honouring the bond between families and community in raising the next generation,” Marg said. “By supporting traditions like this, we help our Mununjali community feel heard and connected, while also breaking down barriers to care at the hospital.”