Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath has today launched two new limited edition birth certificate designs, allowing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents to celebrate their baby’s arrival with a commemorative certificate reflecting the hugely popular Deadly Choices brand.

The certificates have been developed as the result of a partnership between Queensland’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH).

The two designs pay homage to Deadly Choices program partners the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans NRL clubs and feature the work of local artists Charlie Chambers and Christine Slabb.

From next week they will be available to parents through IUIH’s member network of 18 community health services in South East Queensland. Children aged up to five years old who are patients at one of clinics and who are up-to-date with their health checks and vaccinations will be offered the commemorative package (including a standard/legal birth certificate plus a commemorative certificate – valued at $59) along with a limited edition onesie.

Mrs D’Ath said she hoped birth registrations would increase as a result of the initiative.

“By tapping into the hugely successful Deadly Choices campaign and making it available to children up to five years old, we are hoping to pick up children who may not yet have had their birth registered, and make sure they have a birth certificate available to use in time for them to enrol in school,” she said.

“Even if a child’s birth has been registered, it can sometimes still be hard to get a birth certificate down the track.

“We know parents will be excited about these designs and hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate their child’s arrival with one of these limited edition certificates.”

IUIH chief executive officer Adrian Carson said that making the birth certificates available through its member clinics would add to the Institute’s comprehensive, evidence-based and integrated approach to meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in South East Queensland.

“South East Queensland is home to the fastest growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia,” Mr Carson said.

“Offering these birth certificates will increase our engagement with families of new bubs, making it easier for families to access services including health care and education – services that are essential to closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.”

New mums Amanda and Kiara attended the launch with babies Rebekah (11 weeks) and Harper (17 weeks).

“I love the Deadly Choices shirts, I make sure I get my health check every year so I can get the new designs,” Kiara said.

“I can’t wait for Rebekah to get her onesie, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the design on her certificate.”

Community Liaison Officer at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Belle-Locke, will be available to help families complete the paperwork required to access the certificates. Victoria will make personal visits to IUIH member clinics and be available via email and telephone for families.

About the artists

Charlie Chambers

Charlie Chambers was born and raised in Cherbourg, Queensland and has been painting most of his life. His heritage is Kiullill and Kookimijii. His art is inspired by the country where he grew up and the stories passed on to him by the elders of the Cherbourg community.

He uses techniques of dot work and cross hatching in his painting. The dot style is from his mother’s tribe who came from Western Queensland and the cross hatch style is from his father's people who were from north Queensland.

Charlies' art tells the story of his culture and tribal dreaming. His work also takes on an additional dimension of reawakening his people and broader society to the depth and value of Aboriginal traditions. As well as painting, Charlie spends time in schools and prisons teaching stories of the Dreamtime and the importance of cultural maintenance. He has exhibited extensively both nationally and overseas and received numerous awards for his artwork.

Christine Slabb

Christine Slabb is an Indigenous artist and graphic designer. Christine‘s love for her culture and coastal lifestyle inspires and strengthens her with everyday moments in everyday life.

Christine’s paintings can be found throughout Australian as well as in Japan, the United States, South Africa and Denmark.

Her talent has been recognised with multiple Aboriginal art awards, she was named North Coast TAFE Indigenous Student of the Year 2014.

Christine says of her work, “Designing for myself, mainstream or for my Indigenous Community, I love the creative process from simple sketches to watching them develop to seeing the final outcome.”

About Deadly Choices

Deadly Choices in an initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) in South East Queensland and is funded by Queensland Health.

Deadly Choices aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families – to stop smoking, to eat good food and exercise daily. Deadly Choices also encourages our people to access their local Community-Controlled Health Service and complete an annual health check.

Governments have committed to ‘Closing the Gap’ in Indigenous Health, but only our communities can make this happen.

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