Gympie 2022 flood baby crowned region’s cutest winter baby

The parents of Gympie’s cutest winter baby found themselves cut off from Gympie during the devastating February floods, and nearly didn’t make it to a hospital at all.

Twelve-week-old Sienna Bergholz was born in the Hervey Bay Hospital during the February flooding, which left Gympie and much of south east Queensland devastated.

This week, with a solid 34 per cent of the vote, Sienna was voted by Gympie Times readers, to be Gympie’s cutest winter baby.

Coming in a not-too-distant second, with 23 per cent, was Hudson Gallaher, and coming in tied third with 8 per cent of the vote each was J.W. Bell and Beatrice Tibelius.

Sienna’s proud parents, Brodie Bergholz and Emma Downes, welcome her into the world on February 28, 2022, weighing a healthy 6lbs1oz (2.75kg).

Sienna’s family became cut off from Gympie and the Gympie Hospital by the rising floodwaters of late February, and when it became clear Sienna was on her way, had to head for the Hervey Bay Hospital – mum Emma only just made it there before the roads were also cut in Hervey Bay.

Looking back, Ms Downes said the family was lucky they left the hotel for hospital when they did.

Sienna arrived safely at 4.44am, and was brought home soon after.

Sienna Bergholz is now six kilograms at three months of age.

Her mum describes her as a very sassy, very cheeky baby, full of smiles and giggles.

“She’s my rainbow baby,” Ms Downes said.

As a first-time mum, taking Sienna home was initially a bit stressful for Ms Downes, but everyone has now settled in with full support from the family.

Sienna also loves spending time with her four-year-old big stepsister.

“I hope she grows up and learns to love herself,” Ms Downes said.

Congratulation Sienna – you had an exciting entry into the world and you are as cute as a button.