Longreach residents Wendy and husband Moe had a surprise arrival on Australia Day, when daughter Claire decided to join the family early.
“Claire wasn’t due until 31 January, but decided she preferred to come on Australia Day, which was a lovely surprise for us,’’ Wendy, Claire, weighing in at 3170g, arrived at 9.16 am on 26 January.
She joined Wendy and Moe’s first daughter, Amelia, who was born in 2024.
“It was so special for us having Claire on Australia Day. We were so happy,’’ Wendy said.
“It was really incredible to give birth at Longreach Hospital and the maternity unit staff and midwives looked after us so well.
“We are both so grateful to them and I’d like to give them a big thank you because they were so great.’’
The Central West Hospital and Health Service maternity service provides care for women and families right across the region, as well as a birthing service at Longreach Hospital.
Central West Health Child, Youth and Family Health Nursing Director Amanda Hackett said between 70–80 babies a year are born at Longreach Hospital.
She said 85 babies were born at Longreach in 2025 and seven so far this year.
“We also provide antenatal and postnatal care for about 120 women a year through our maternity service,’’ she said.
“In the Central West, maternity care providers include midwives providing care via a continuity of care midwifery group practice model, GP obstetricians, and the allied health care team, with ongoing follow up and referral to child health services.
“Women also have the options of shared care with their regular GP or private obstetrician.’’