The front page of The Canberra Times put a Hackett family of 11 in the spotlight on this day in 1972, with Margaret and John Moore welcoming triplets to their clan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The birth of three girls at the Canberra Hospital meant a total of eight girls for the family, and just one boy. The triplets were the sixth set to be born in Canberra since 1964.
"We thought we might have got a boy out of these last three," Mr Moore said in the Times' story.
"We were organised for this Sunday but she jumped the gun."
Mr Moore was looking to accommodate his eldest children, 15-year-old Mary-Ann and 13-year-old Jane, in a caravan once the babies came home.
"He owned a block of land at Weetangera and would probably have to soon consider building there," the story read.
"The family had been living in their four-bedroom Hackett house since moving from Sydney five years ago."
According to textbooks, the chances of a triplet birth were one in 6400, Mr Moore said.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
