Sun shines on the 2025 Teddy Bears Picnic

The 2025 Teddy Bears Picnic at the Sydney Adventist Hospital was everything a much-loved bear could wish for.

The sun was shining and hundreds of San babies – born at the hospital in the last two years – were happily showing off how much they’ve grown and developed since their arrivals.

Each mother is traditionally given a small toy San Bear as a gift when she gives birth at the San, and once a year, the giant version hosts a picnic with music, games and entertainment. The event gives the Hospital’s doctors, midwives and nurses an opportunity to reconnect with the families they’ve assisted.

“It’s such a personal experience, having a child and starting a family, and we feel very privileged to play a part in that journey,” CEO Brett Goods said.

“We deliver about two-thousand babies here every year and each one is very special to us. It’s always very touching to see our doctors and midwives reunited with these families because they develop such lasting connections.”  

There were 37 sets of twins in the last two years and the most popular baby names were Charlotte and Noah.  

Among the families celebrating their newborns were a trio of San midwives, who have worked at the Hospital for a combined 17-years, delivering hundreds of babies. This year they each gave birth to a little baby girl – within weeks of each other – bonding the group further with their shared motherhood experiences.  

Their story was captured by the Daily Telegraph – see below.  

Obstetrician and master MC Peter Woods led the crowd through the day’s entertainment of face-painting, balloon play, food and sponsor stalls and lucky door prizes, capped off with a performance by the Tip Toe Giants.