Maroubra locals adopt dumped baby girl to give her proper burial

A Sydney family has adopted a baby whose remains were found on a beach last year, in an effort to give her a name and a proper funeral.

On November 30 last year the body of an unknown baby was found on Maroubra Beach. Despite efforts by police to locate the baby's mother, the newborn's identity was never confirmed.

Bill Green and Filomena D'Alessandro made the decision to give her the respectful farewell they say she deserves.

"We were at Filomena's sister's house and she read in the paper that the baby was going to get a destitute burial. She looked at me and said 'that's not going to happen'," Mr Green said.

Mr Green said his wife is "a very determined woman" and he supports what she has done "100 percent".

He said they made the decision to find a way to give the baby a proper burial in February, and have spent the months since ensuring "nobody's toes were stepped on".

They have also had to ensure everything passed through the proper channels as police continued their investigation.

They have since adopted the baby, naming her Lily Grace, and have arranged for a memorial service to be held in a designated area for children who have died without a family.

Lily Grace will be the first child ever to be buried there.

Mrs D'Alessandro has invited the public to attend the funeral service, which will take place at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park in the South Chapel at 11.30am on Wednesday, April 29.

An annual ceremony will be held at the same location in honour of Lily Grace and other children like her.

"What my wife has done ... Words cannot say what she's been able to achieve," Mr Green said.

The father-of-three said he hoped Lily Grace's mother may hear about the funeral and decide to come forward.

"Nobody knows what the contributing factors were," he said.

Mrs D'Alessandro said the funeral would not have been possible without the assistance, dedication and generosity of the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park and Joseph Medcalf Funeral Directors.

The Maroubra real estate property manager is also raising funds for the Newborn Care Centre in the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick to purchase three UltraBlenders at a cost of $5,000 each.

The UltraBlender provides an accurate mix of oxygen and air to the exact concentration of oxygen required by the baby.

The exact amount is important, as too little or too much oxygen can be harmful and affect the development of the baby's brain.

Each year more than 1000 babies are cared for in the Newborn Care Centre, many of which require special support due to their prematurity.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, visit royalforwomenfoundation.org.au/donate or give.everydayhero.com/au/maroubra-baby. Donations can also be made at Wednesday’s funeral service, and cheques can be dropped off at Raine & Horne Maroubra, 200 Maroubra Road, Maroubra.