8/9/96
The days of plain, dull birth certificates are gone.
Western Australians will now be able to commemorate births with decorative certificates featuring native WA flora and fauna, Federation-style borders or gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves.
The certificates are available for people who wish to commemorate their own birth, the birth of a child or that of family members or friends.
Assisting Justice Minister Kevin Minson today presented St James couple Stuart Evans and Andrea Roach with one of the first decorative certificates.
The certificate registered the birth of their second child, Haydn James Stuart Evans, at King Edward Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.
"The Registrar General's office developed the new range of birth certificates in response to the many requests it has received from the public for something brighter than the standard certificate," Mr Minson said.
"It is the first time in WA's history that a variation to the standard certificate has been available. Anyone born in the State can order one - they are not just for newborns."
Mr Minson said similar initiatives in Victoria and New South Wales had proved very popular and predicted that the demand for the new certificates in WA could be quite high over the first few weeks.
"For example, in the 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday, 25 babies were born in King Edward," he said.
The certificates will be available in three series:
the Threatened Species series featuring native WA flora and fauna - the design was developed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Perth Zoo;
the Australian series featuring an ornate Federation-style border; and -
the Classic series incorporating images of gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves with calligraphy.
Mr Minson said the Ministry of Justice would donate five per cent of proceeds from the sale of the Threatened Species series to a Threatened Species Trust Fund administered by CALM and the zoo.
"The zoo will also provide a one year Adopt An Animal membership with every Threatened Species certificate," he said.
"The certificates from all series are printed on high quality paper suitable for framing or family albums and cost $35 each."
They are available from the Registrar General's Office, 10th Floor Westralia Square, 141 St George's Terrace, Perth. A standard certificate, for use in official purposes, is included with each order.
Media contact: Caroline Lacy on mobile 015 083 526
