Some moments feel less like coincidence and more like destiny. For one local family, the same hospital and the same midwife have created a remarkable full-circle story.
At 4pm on December 8, 2025, little Wyatt Brice Perna made his debut at Mackay Base Hospital, weighing 3.6kg and measuring 51.5cm long. He is the second child of Aiden and Jeena Perna of Sarina Range, and the baby brother of 16-month-old Charlette.
Wyatt’s arrival carries a very special family connection, one that spans generations.
He was delivered by Mackay Base Hospital Midwife Unit Manager (MUM) Kylie Clark, the very same woman who delivered his dad Aiden, 23 years earlier, in the very same hospital.
Aiden was born on 27 March 2002, just a year after Kylie began her midwifery career in the maternity ward.
Back then, Kylie helped welcome young Aiden into the world, never imagining that one day she’d also deliver his son. Making the moment event sweeter was that Aiden’s mum Jodie Perna (née Moren) had actually gone to school with Kylie. They have now known each other for more than 30 years.
“It’s really very special to deliver a second generation,” Kylie said.
“It does happen from time to time but not that often.”
After Charlette’s quick arrival, her care team decided to induce Jeena a week early this pregnancy given their home on Sarina Range is a 45-minute drive away. Little Wyatt was also in a hurry and made his entrance in under two hours.
While Jeena was in labour, staff from the Maternally Yours Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), who knew Kylie had delivered dad Aiden, made sure she was notified of the impending arrival of his second child so she could be part of the extra special delivery.
“It was lovely to have Kylie deliver Wyatt after she was there for Aiden’s birth 23 years ago,” Jeena said.
“It’s a really great story we can share and is a wonderful reminder of the very special time when our son was born.”
Wyatt may be smaller than his big sister was at birth, but he’s already a big deal being the first grandson for the Perna family of Marlborough Sarina Road.
As their family grows, the couple have vowed to continue another proud family tradition.
Wyatt and his big sister will be the fourth generation to attend Swayneville State School, following in the footsteps of their dad, grandmother and great-grandad Clive.
Congratulations Aiden and Jeena on the safe arrival of your beautiful son and well done Kylie for such a wonderful midwifery career which has enabled you to deliver another generation of local families.