Victoria’s first baby for the new millennium Jordan Doelling turns 25 today

He was the first Victorian born in the new millennium. Now, Jordan Doelling is 25 and has an impressive career ahead of him.

Jordan Doelling was the first baby born in Melbourne at the start of the millennium. Picture: Alex Towie

Victoria’s first baby of the new millennium is all grown up.

Jordan Andreas Doelling is 25 today and now a 198cm elite athlete trying to make his name in the cutthroat world of pro American football.

But one thing that will never change is his enviable birthdate of 00:01: 01:01:00 that has delivered him millennium fame.

Millennium baby Jordan Andreas Doelling with his proud mum Monica Doelling after his birth. Picture: Supplied

Jordan Doelling, 24, in New York’s Central Park with his brother Jaxon Doelling, 22, mother Monica Doelling and father Andreas Doelling. Picture: Alex Towie

Jordan made headlines when he was born at the Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne a minute into 2000 as fireworks lit up the Melbourne skyline.

The doctor who delivered him still remembers it well.

Dr Michael Rasmussen has delivered thousands of babies in his long career, but says Jordan’s birth was one of the most memorable.

“It was an absolutely beautiful and normal birth,” Dr Rasmussen said.

“As the baby was arriving we all noticed that it was five minutes to midnight. We did say to ourselves, ‘heavens, this is going to be the millennium baby’.”

Dr Rasmussen said as the second hand struck midnight, fireworks were going off in the city and Jordan was born, “a big, healthy boy”.

Dad Andreas Doelling with Jordan in 2000. Picture: Supplied

He was the first child for Melbourne couple Monica and Andreas Doelling.

The family would be complete when brother Jaxon was born two years later.

“Jaxon is a big reason I am working hard to set an example and a standard,” Jordan said.

His dad says they were not thinking about what time it was when Jordan was born.

“We just wanted a healthy baby”.

Their wish was granted. Jordan has just graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a degree in finance.

While academically gifted, it was his “powerful leg to match his significant frame” that saw the university award him a coveted full football scholarship in 2022.

Jordan Doelling with his proud parents graduating from Florida International University. Picture: Supplied

Jordan was a member of the ProKick Australia squad in Melbourne which helps athletes break into the US college football competition.

He was so good he was recruited as a punter for his university’s Panthers Football team.

While becoming a professional NFL player would be a dream, Jordan told the Herald Sun from Miami that he was not relying on it.

“I know how small the percentage is of making it to the next level,” he said.

“I can’t say no to getting paid millions of dollars a year so I’m going to try, I’ve got a pro day coming up in March. Pro day basically means you show off your skills to a bunch of scouts at your university, but my eggs aren’t all in one basket.”

Jordan has a “back up” plan.

“I’m looking for something in New York, maybe investment banking, private equity, potentially consulting, something along those lines,” he said.

“But NFL is definitely up there as one of the better jobs.”

Jordan Doelling starting school in Melbourne when he was five. Picture: Supplied

Jordan towers over his parents who, with Jaxon, travelled from Melbourne for a triple celebration of his graduation, Christmas and birthday.

They also got to meet girlfriend Gaby Freyre in person.

Jordan and Gaby met at university in Miami. Asked if she knew he was famous, Jordan laughed and said he didn’t realise he was.

“Am I famous in Victoria?” I don’t tell many people I was the millennium baby, although I have to tell you the craziest story ever.

“Last year we were in Mexico, in a line at a festival in Puerto Escondido. It was a New Year’s Eve festival and the countdown was happening. My friend started singing Happy Birthday to me and this guy and a girl come up and asked whose birthday it was? I said it was mine, and he’s Australian and he’s like, it’s my birthday as well.”

Jordan said in an incredible coincidence, he was the first baby born in Brisbane for the millennium, 15 seconds ahead of him.

For now, Jordan is looking forward to celebrating his birthday with his proud family who he hasn’t seen in person for almost three years.

“I do miss my family and friends in Melbourne, but an opportunity to play NFL, that’s too big to forfeit and I don’t think I am finished in the US yet.”

Originally published as Victoria’s first baby for the new millennium Jordan Doelling turns 25 today