A baby girl named Remi, born just minutes into the new year on the NSW midnorth coast, is believed to be the first Australian birth of 2025 – and the first of “generation Beta”.
Tzu-Ling Huang and Liam Walsh had a quiet New Year’s Eve planned at their home in Comboyne, but their daughter surprised them and arrived two weeks early.
Remi was born at 12.05am on Wednesday.
The parents said the arrival of their first child was momentous.
“The attention is exciting,” Walsh said. “We thought Remi might be the last baby of 2024 and it was a surprise to be the first of 2025.
“We just want to provide a happy life for Remi to grow up and live how she wants.”
Family members from Newcastle travelled to Port Macquarie base hospital for their first cuddles with Remi. The family plans to travel and visit more family once Remi has her passport.
Obstetrics and gynaecology registrar Dr Sarah Keenan, who worked with midwives to deliver Remi, said she was “so absorbed in the moment” she “completely missed the clock ticking past midnight”.
“I was so excited when our midwife called out the time of birth at 00.05,” she said.
“It was a surreal experience and an unforgettable way to celebrate the new year that I will cherish for the rest of my career. The midwives in our team on the night were incredible and I want to thank them.”
NSW Health was unable to confirm whether Remi was officially the first child born in the country in 2025, as they do not have oversight of other jurisdictions. But when compared to other 1 January babies, Remi appears to have been the first.
The first Sydney baby of the year, Shawn Cedric Biansi, was born at 12.32am at the Royal hospital for women in Randwick.
Baby Pippa Elliot was born at 12.19am at North Canberra hospital.
In Victoria, baby Hannah Nguyen was born at 12.16am at the Joan Kirner women and children’s hospital.
A baby boy born at Mandura’s Peel Health Campus at 12.41am was one of the first in Western Australia.
And in South Australia, baby Tallulah Webster was born at 7.33am at the Women’s and Children’s hospital.
All these 1 January babies are among the first children belonging to generation Beta, spanning those born between 2025 and 2039.
They will be the children of younger millennials and older gen Zs, according to market research firm McCrindle Research.
By 2035, they are expected to make up 16% of the global population, and many will live to see the 22nd century. The previous generation Alpha spans 2010 to 2024.
“While Generation Alpha has experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life,” the research firm said.
“They will likely be the first generation to experience autonomous transportation at scale, wearable health technologies, and immersive virtual environments as standard aspects of daily life.
“Their formative years will be marked by a greater emphasis on personalisation – AI algorithms will tailor their learning, shopping, and social interactions in ways we can only begin to imagine today.”
