Former AFL footballer player, Tony Modra, and his wife Erica, welcomed their son Luke Anthony on January 12. Luke was born prematurely weighing just 1.29 kg (2 pounds 13 ounces), and spent some time in Flinders Medical Centre Neonatal Unit, but he is now at home with his family. Luke Modra joins big sister Hayley, aged 4.

Tony began his career in the SANFL in 1991, playing for West Adelaide, before moving to Adelaide the following year. He retired in 2001 while playing for Fremantle. Since his retirement, Tony has worked as a cattle farmer near Victor Harbor, and plays local football and cricket.

Erica (nee Jacobs) is qualified in Occupational Therapy and Exercise Science, and works in the fitness industry. She and Tony were married in 2008, after fifteen years together. Their wedding took place on the couple’s farm.

Marathon swimmer Susie Maroney, and her estranged husband, Darren May, welcomed a son named River twelve weeks ago. River joins big sisters Paris, aged 3, and Capri, aged 19 months. Paris is the daughter of Susie’s first husband, Robert Daniels.

Susie began swimming at the 4, and began competing at the age of 7. At the age of 14, she gained her first prize for marathon swimming, coming third. The next year, she became the first person to swim from Manly to Sydney Harbour and back in seven hours. That same year, she broke the world record for swimming the English Channel. Susie retired from swimming in 2003, after a career which included winning the Manhattan Island swim race three times, becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to the United States, setting a record time while swimming from Mexico to Cuba, and swimming from Jamaica to Cuba. Only after Susie retired did she reveal that she had been born with cerebral palsy.

Darren is a furniture maker with a troubled past; he and Susie separated after 13 months of marriage while she was pregnant with River.

Cricketer Brad Haddin, and his wife Karina, welcomed a son recently, and have named him Hugo Ross. Hugo Haddin joins older siblings Zac and Mia. Mia is 18 months old and was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but is currently responding well to chemotherapy. We wish Mia all the best with her treatment and recovery.

Brad began his career with the Canberra Comets in 1997, and then switched to the New South Wales Blues, for whom he still plays. He made his international debut in 2001 against Zimbabwe, and made his Test debut in 2008 against the West Indies. Brad also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, and for the Sydney Sixers in Twenty20.

(Photo shows Brad, Karina, Zac and Mia; Christmas 2010)

Golfer Brendan Jones, and his wife Adele, welcomed their son Curtis in July last year. Curtis Jones joins big brother Kieran.

Brendan turned professional in 1999, and has won nine tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour, as well as winning the La Salle Bank Open in 2004. He has twice represented Australia in the World Cup. Brendan and Adele live in Canberra.

I couldn’t find a reference to the birth of Curtis in the mainstream press, but happened upon it on the Brendan Jones official website, which includes a family photo.

Rugby league legend, Darren Lockyer, and his wife Loren, welcomed their second son on January 14, and have named him Flynn. Flynn Lockyer joins big brother Sunny, aged two.

Darren Lockyer is considered to be the greatest NRL player of all time. He played his entire career with the Brisbane Broncos, first signing with them for the 1995 season, when he won the Rookie of the Year Award. He became the Broncos Captain in 2005, and has also played for the Queensland state side and the national team; he captained 22 State of Origin Games and 38 international tests (a record). He won four Grand Finals with the Broncos, a record six consecutive State of Origin series with Queensland, and a World Cup with Australia. The highest-ever point-scorer for his team, he won the Clive Churchill Medal and two Golden Boot Awards.

Darren and Loren were married in 2007.

I was going through my drafts folder and I found this … I guess I thought I pressed submit, but I didn’t – oops! Clearly I was enjoying summer just a little too much.