The Rotary Club of Darwin North will honour the first baby born on Australia Day 2009 at Royal Darwin Hospital on Monday.
The baby will receive the Auntie Billy christening cup named in honour of the late Norma "Billy" Pitscheneder.
Mrs Pitscheneder, who lived in Darwin from 1948 until she died in 2002, was a tireless worker for Darwin charities. She first came to Darwin in 1941 as Norma Catherine Nichols but was evacuated during the bombing of Darwin before returning in 1948.
In 1962 she married Peter Pitscheneder and for 12 years she operated the tuckshop at Darwin Primary School. Because the children found the name 'Mrs Pitscheneder' difficult to say she became known as "Auntie Billy".
For more than 20 years she presented a christening cup to the first child born at Royal Darwin Hospital on Christmas Day and, in 1980, was honoured as the Darwin Citizen of the Year by the Australia Day Council.
The cup is now sponsored by the Rotary Club of Darwin North and is presented by the Australia Day Council to the first baby born at Royal Darwin Hospital on Australia Day.
Media please note: There will be a media opportunity at Royal Darwin Hospital on Monday. Please call Cameron Jackson for time confirmation as it will depend on time of birth and parents availability.
Media contact: DHF Media Liaison Officer Cameron Jackson, 0401 116 144
Release date: 26 January 2009
