Like hospitals across the world last Thursday, Werribee Mercy welcomed newborns who might have to wait a while to celebrate their first birthday.
With 2024 being a leap year, the last day of February was the 29th, a date that only comes around once every four years.
It was appropriate then that when Star Weekly arrived at Werribee Mercy’s maternity ward on Friday morning, four was the exact number of babies left that had arrived on the only quadrennial date on the calendar.
Sophie Belle Ginanne, Ryan Sharma, Isa Isaac and Kiyaan were the names given the quartet who all arrived safely and in good at health at different points between between 12.01am and 11.59pm the day before, though it has since emerged that two others had already departed, meaning a total of six were born on the rarest day of all.
Ritu Sherme, who gave birth to son Ryan, said having a February 29 baby added to what was already a momentous day.
“We are so excited to have had a baby boy born on the leap year. No one else in our family has this birthday so it’s really unique and special,” said Ms Sherme in a statement.
As for the potentially tricky subject of when to celebrate Ryan’s birthday in non-leap years, his parents already had that sorted out.
“We are planning on celebrating Ryan’s birthday on March 1 each year, and then having a special birthday party every four years for his actual birthday,” Ritua Sherme said.
So rather than one birthday every four years, young Ryan will have five instead.
A lucky leap year baby indeed.
Cade Lucas.
