Winners of Mackay’s cutest baby for 2021 revealed | Photos

Mackay readers have chosen their cutest baby for 2021 and he’s a farm baby through and through, trying to steer the tractor before he can walk. Check out the top 10.

Riley Durnsford and Amy Bentley at Pindi Pindi. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Not yet walking but already trying to drive the family tractor, Riley Durnsford is a farm kid through and through.

Readers chose the smiley blue-eyed nine-month-old as Mackay’s cutest baby for 2021 in the Daily Mercury’s online poll.

HANDSOME FELLA: Pindi Pindi bub Riley Durnsford, 9 months, was voted as Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Mum Amy Bentley said Riley’s five siblings — Paige, 16, Chelsea, 14, Declan, 12, Lacie, 10, and Bailey, 8 — all doted on him.

“He is super spoiled and very well loved by all the kids,” Ms Bentley said.

SMILEY BUBBA: Pindi Pindi parents Amy Bentley and Brad Durnsford with bub Riley Durnsford, 9 months, who was voted as Mackay‘s cutest bay for 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“The girls tend to fight over who’s going to nurse him the most and they take him outside to the chooks and all the animals.

“We live out on a cane farm (at Pindi Pindi) and he enjoys all the tractors and harvesting and anything farming.”

FARM BOY THROUGH-AND-THROUGH: Pindi Pindi parents Amy Bentley and Brad Durnsford with bub Riley Durnsford, 9 months, who was voted as Mackay's cutest bay for 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Ms Bentley said Riley was a “happy-go-lucky”, giggly and cheeky baby whose personality — including a developing independence — was starting to come through.

“When he’s in the tractor with his dad (Brad), he tries to grab the steering wheel,” she said with a laugh.

Coming in as runner-up for Mackay’s cutest baby was three-month-old Fletcher Lowe of Beaconsfield.

SQUEEZABLE CHEEKS: Beaconsfield bub Fletcher Lowe, 3 months, was voted as runner-up for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

When Covid cancelled the international travel plans of mum Angie Wells and dad Kurt Lowe to Canada and Japan, they decided to create their own bundle of joy.

BIG CHUBBA: Beaconsfield parents Angie Wells and Kurt Lowe with their first baby Fletcher Lowe who was voted as runner-up for Mackay's cutest baby of 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“(Fletcher) is my very first baby and he’s a very happy little boy,” Ms Wells said, adding he had quickly gone from being “really tiny” to a “big chubba”.

“He loves being out and about, he’s probably at his happiest when are visiting people or just outside.

BLESSED: Beaconsfield parents Angie Wells and Kurt Lowe with their first baby Fletcher Lowe who was voted as runner-up for Mackay's cutest baby of 2021. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“He’s such a blessing, we’re very lucky.”

Second-runner up was four-month-old Nyla-May Bevin-Hazard, born to Sarina parents Eboni Pitcher and William Bevin.

Sarina parents Eboni Pitcher and William Bevin with bub Nyla-May Bevin-Hazard, 4 months, who was came third in the vote for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Ms Pitcher said her name was a blend of Norah Jean and Isla, two names they were “torn between”.

“She’s a blessing, she’s such a cruisy baby,” the first time mum said.

Sarina bub Nyla-May Bevin-Hazard, 4 months, placed third in the vote for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Blissful Moments Photography

Fourth place was Ronnie Cheshire followed by Matilda O’Connor, Chevy Haidle and on equal number of votes Luxtyn Torkington, Zayd Baker, Hudson Eden and Addisyn Midgley.

Ronnie Cheshire, was third-runner up in the search for Mackay’s cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Matilda O'Connor, 8 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Chevy Haidle, 5 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Luxtyn Torkington, 3 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Zayd Baker, 9 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Hudson Eden, 7 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed

Addisyn Midgley, 5 months, was a finalist in the search for Mackay's cutest baby for 2021. Picture: Contributed