With an affectionate tone and a twinkle in his eye, Centenary of Canberra patron Sir William Deane sympathised with the mothers who made all the effort to give birth on the national capital's 100th birthday but weren't actually the ones getting the medal.
Instead, the mums and dads took a back seat to their sweet nearly three-month-olds who on Friday received a special centenary medallion for being born on March 12, one hundred years since the naming of Canberra.
"All we can say to you is, 'Get used to it' because this will last for a long, long time," Sir William said, with a laugh, referring to the new parents' sudden slip behind their babes in the status stakes.
The former governor-general was the brains behind the idea for giving a medal to Canberra's oldest and youngest citizens in this centenary year, those aged 100 or more and those born on March 12.
Sir William said the roll call of names reflected the multicultural nature of Canberra and suggested the infants were lucky to be growing up in such a tolerant city.
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher presented the medallions to 22 babies dressed in special pint-sized centenary t-shirt. She said these new members of Generation Z would very likely live to 100 and see the celebrations for Canberra's 200th birthday.
"I can't think of a nicer way to start the final day in budget week," she said.
Ms Gallagher said she hoped the medals reminded the babies and their parents of their special link to Canberra's centenary celebrations.
"The first three months is really an upheaval in everyone's lives but looking at everyone here, it's so worth it," she said.
Centenary of Canberra creative director Robyn Archer had the parents rocking their babies as she sang All the Pretty Horses and Brahm's Lul-laby and played the ukulele.
Norah Farrall, of Monash, was the first of the group born on March 12, arriving at 2.17am, a day early.
"It's nice to share her birthday with Canberra," dad Ryan said.
Kaicen Kretschmer, of Nicholls, was also born a day early on March 12, at 4.19am.
Mum Sharon Kerr said dad David Kretschmer was particularly pleased about him arriving on the special day.
"The midwife told us straight away, so David starts cheering in the labour ward, he was so happy to get the medal," she said, with a laugh.
Mr Kretschmer said it made the arrival of their first child even more memorable.
"I think it's a special occasion and being proud parents, it's nice our special boy gets special recognition." he said.
Evie Jarrett, of Wanniassa, shares her March 12 birthday with her late great-great-grandfather Denis Drohan. Four generations of her family were at the medallion ceremony including grandfather Noel Gavin and great-grandmother Clare Gavin.
"I didn't know she had the same birthday as nana's father so that makes it extra special," mum Renee Jarrett said.
Mojtba Rizgalla, of Mawson, will be able to take his medallion when his parents Gafar and Amina show him off, with 13-month-old sister Rafa, to family in Sudan later this year.
Twins Braxton and Jordan Runsey arrived at 35 weeks and four days on March 12 and had a tough start to life, with trouble feeding. Parents Amy Henderson and Daniel Runsey, of Fisher, said the medallions would be a treasured memento for the twins, who were now doing well.
"Because they had a rough start to life, it's something positive to add to their story," Ms Henderson said.
Centenary Babies Born on March 12, 2013:
- Archer Oliver Slarke Alcantara
- Jacob Arran Brompton
- Blake Luke Kearon
- Cooper Joseph Kimball
- Kaicen James Kretschmer
- Cohen Paul Parry
- Mojtba Gafar Mohamed Abbas Rizgalla
- Braxton Runsey
- Jordan Runsey
- Thomas Brian Charles Sundar
- Harriet Alexandra Baldwin
- Talitha Emma Drew
- Norah Ella Farrall
- Evie May Jarrett
- Prisha Kochhar
- Jade Olivia Langdown
- Candice Yiyu Li
- Elisha Mary Naiju
- Danica Jenna Ormond
- Tessa Tao
- Alexa May Yeo
- Olivia Ann Young
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