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Twins reunite with namesake midwives after 33 years

Tamara and her twin Sally Steensen were called twin number one and twin number two for a week after birth as their mum tried to decide on their names. They were finally named after two student midwives who they finally met after more than three decades.

Twin girls Tamara and Sally Steensen with the student midwives Tamara Benedict and Sally West at Redcliife Hospital 33 years ago. Picture: Supplied
Twin girls Tamara and Sally Steensen with the student midwives Tamara Benedict and Sally West at Redcliife Hospital 33 years ago. Picture: Supplied

SOMETIMES life can take you by surprise and new mum Tamara Walker got the surprise of her life when a sliding-doors moment allowed her to stumble upon the midwife she was named after 33 years ago.

Tamara and her twin Sally Steensen were called twin No. 1 and twin No. 2 for a week after birth as their mum tried to decide on names.

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“Mum says she finally decided to name us after two young midwives who worked at Redcliffe Hospital where we were born. They were Tamara and Sally,” Tamara
Walker said.

“My sister and I have always been aware of that story, but I never gave it much thought.

“Recently my new baby was transferred from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to Redcliffe.

“I was in the nursery and got talking to one of the midwives who works there. She asked me my name and I said Tamara and it was then it became apparent that this was ‘my’ Tamara, the one I was named after. What a shock, it was lovely.”

Former midwife Sally West with Sally Londero, Tamara Walker and baby Tex Walker, 2 weeks old, and Midwife Tamara Benedict at Redcliffe Hospital. Picture: Josh Woning
Former midwife Sally West with Sally Londero, Tamara Walker and baby Tex Walker, 2 weeks old, and Midwife Tamara Benedict at Redcliffe Hospital. Picture: Josh Woning

Tamara Benedict, the midwife, said it was amazing to see that life had come full circle and Tamara had her own baby, little Tex.

“Sally West and myself were student midwives at the time. It was a bit of an honour to be so young and new to the job and have babies named after us,” she said.

“I hadn’t forgotten about what happened all those years ago, but was blown away to accidentally come across Tamara back in the same hospital.

“Redcliffe Hospital has a real family feel about it and stories like this show the warmth of the place.”

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/twins-reunite-with-namesake-midwives-after-33-years/news-story/f7c63025d380e3bf70152ad5c8ef8b70