Berry Springs family welcomes first baby of 2023 at Royal Darwin Hospital

As revellers across the country brought in the New Year, a Berry Springs family were bringing in a new addition of their own. Read their hopes and dreams for one of the NT’s newest residents.

Asher Willett and Hayleigh Ciesiolka welcomed their first child, a daughter named Daisy, at 12.45am on New Year's Day 2023 at Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

Darwin may not have had fireworks to bring in the New Year, but this Berry Springs family started off 2023 with a bang.

Hayleigh Ciesiolka and Asher Willett welcomed their bouncing baby girl Daisy just 45 minutes into 2023 at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Ms Ciesiolka went into labour early on New Year’s Eve and the couple expected their baby to arrive in 2022.

“It wasn’t very expected that's for sure — we thought she’d be here before the New Year,” Mr Willett said.

Asher Willett and Hayleigh Ciesiolka said they couldn’t wait for their daughter to experience the quintessential Territory lifestyle. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

But Ms Ciesiolka said she saw it as a good omen.

“It’s about new beginnings so it’s very exciting and it’s a great way to start the New Year,” she said.

While baby Daisy was beat out for the title of first baby born in the Northern Territory — another family welcomed their child at 12.09am in the same ward — she does join a very exclusive list of New Year’s babies.

The first arrival in Sydney was at 12.10am, while South Australia’s first baby was born at 1.14am.

“Hopefully it’s a tradition that keeps running and she’s the first in everything and she’s a little winner,” Mr Willett said.

As the clock struck midnight and other revellers celebrated, Ms Ciesiolka was well and truly in the end stages of her birth.

“I think I was getting cut open,” she said.

“There were lots of drugs for Hayleigh, she was having a bit of a party,” Mr Willett joked.

The new parents said they were very excited to head home and introduce their daughter to the Territory lifestyle.

“We can’t wait to get her out fishing and get her seeing her first croc,” Mr Willett said.

“She’ll be a little farm baby.”

Ms Ciesiolka said she couldn’t thank the staff at RDH enough for their help during and following the birth.

“Everyone here was so nice, everyone’s been so lovely and approachable,” she said.

“I’d do it again for sure — I think they’re fantastic here.”