By Kirra Livingstone
LOCAL boxing champ Dana Coolwell and his partner Bec have welcomed their first beautiful son, Iluka, to the world this month.
Iluka was born on August 1, weighing 3.43kg.
The couple told GC&M News, Iluka James-Russell Coolwell’s first name was inspired by the Aboriginal Bunjalang tribe’s word for ‘by the water’, since Iluka was born near the sea.
Dana and Bec said Iluka was proving to be a very calm baby, much like his parents, allowing a smoother transition into parenthood for the pair.
“I think because we are both such calm people, and Dana particularly, it’s probably where he’s gotten his calmness from which is good,” they said.
“We’ve been pretty lucky because he’s been a pretty chill baby and we’ve been able to enjoy it.”
Bec said she had a water birth in the hospital because they tend to be more relaxing on the mother’s body during labour.
Dana, who had a pretty tough upbringing, which included the loss of his father at a young age, said he was determined to give Iluka the best life possible. “It’s pretty important to just be there for him, be a good dad and watch him grow up, and give him something I never had,” Dana said.
“We are grateful that we have parents on both sides and aunties and uncles… they’ve been a good support network for us.”
Iluka’s middle name is a combination of ‘James’, a family tradition on Bec’s side, while Russell is Dana’s late father’s name.
While Dana has slightly backed off training to care for Iluka, he is expecting his next fight could be as soon as October.