By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
TO ANYONE who didn’t know the background, the lady sitting in the Casey Council chamber with a baby cradled in her arms could’ve been anyone.
Her name is Renee and she is councillor Damien Rosario’s wife.
The baby she held was their newborn son, Xavier.
It wasn’t just a special moment because it was the first council meeting Xavier, born on 6 January, had attended, but because it came two and a half years after Damien and Renee lost their daughter Amelia, who died at birth.
Amelia was cruelly struck with Patau syndrome – a genetic disorder that produces an extra copy of the 13th chromosome.
It was a tragedy that saw the other Casey councillors and the local community rally around Damien, which culminated in Mayor Sam Aziz inviting Renee and Xavier to this year’s first council meeting.
“It was a journey we all took together – councillors and council officers, the community and my family – and it was nice to get the acknowledgement of that journey for all of us,” Cr Rosario said.
“Everyone was along for the journey, they stuck by us through the hardship and it was nice to now have something positive.
“It was really nice and I felt very honoured that the mayor and council would take the time out to acknowledge us.”
Cr Rosario said the tragedy had had a profound effect on everyone, particularly Renee.
“It was particularly hardest on my wife who didn’t have a baby in her arms, and a baby to take home and that really hurt,” he said.
Earlier this month, when Xavier was born, a new chapter began for the Rosarios.
He is a happy and healthy boy, who shares the same birthday as his mum.
“He’s doing well, he’s a healthy baby and he’s growing quickly,” Cr Rosario said.
“He’s just keeping us up at night.”
Last May Star News reported on Damien and Renee presenting a high-quality camera, ink, paper and printer to St John of God hospital in Berwick to help other families capture memories of their stillborn children.
The camera is engraved in dedication to Amelia.
