While many revellers cradled a sore head on New Year’s Day, few would have been as tired as those who spent the night on Warrnambool Base Hospital’s maternity ward.

Changing the nappy on her newborn Josiah, Caley Hodgetts was counting her blessings for the arrival of a healthy son. “It was definitely an early night on New Year’s Eve,” Ms Hodgetts said. 

“He was due on Christmas Day. It’s going to add to the celebrations. It’s a great day to have a birthday. 

“We didn’t know he was going to be a boy.” 

Josiah arrived just after 4pm, weighing 4.5kg (10 lbs). 

Meanwhile, the drama for Allanah and Dylan Bates began moments after the fireworks had fizzled out over the Portland skyline. “We caught the fireworks before we came in,” Ms Bates said. 

“I pretty much started going into labour at midnight. 

“We were sitting in the Portland hospital for a while.” 

However, the couple had to travel to Warrnambool for the birth after the hospital’s anaesthetist was called away on an emergency. 

Their second child Jaxon was born safely, weighing 4.1kg (9 lbs) just after 5pm.