Some of the fun things I got to do as PFLAG Leader
Mardi Gras
Overall, I have marched in about eight Sydney Mardi Gras with PFLAG and have been on a float with the group Free Gay N Happy at least four times. Best of all, in 2012, I was asked to lead the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. The theme was ‘Family’. So, James, my husband Don and I sat on the back of a convertible in drizzling rain, waving to the crowd and having fun with PFLAG marching behind us.
Queensland Senior Of the Year and Other Awards
I was awarded Queensland Senior Australian for 2011, a real shock and a real honour. Honestly, I had no idea who nominated me for the award. Not until one day in Sydney, a stranger walked up to me, introduced himself and told me he’d nominated me for the honour. I was shocked. I didn’t know him at all. But let’s be honest, it was such a lovely gesture, and I will always appreciate his efforts.
This was not something I expected to win at all. One of the other finalists was a person who made wheelchairs for people in Gaza. And I thought they would automatically win, and rightly so. But no, I won. I was shocked. I sat in my chair, stunned. I stood up laughing almost hysterically, and when I looked at the stage, poor Anna Bligh, our Premier at the time, was looking quite bewildered at me.
When I walked onto the stage, she quietly said, “Didn’t you know?” Of course, I didn’t, but fortunately, my ego was big enough that, luckily, I came prepared with a speech. A few months later, I met a man who had been at the ceremony, who told me I was the best entertainment he had seen in a long time.
Australian Story
One of our PFLAG parents worked for ABC and he attended the launch of my first book, Opening the Door. From this came the idea of doing an episode of Australian Story about me. The episode was called “Mums the Word”. The show aired on the 19th of July 2010.
It was very funny because it seemed everywhere I went for the six weeks they were filming; they were there. Even when I went to London to see James, I had a cameraman with the big camera following me.
Fortunately, I arrived a couple of days before they began filming the London section of the story. It was incredible, it took twenty minutes of filming suitcase wheels and my feet. Then it took a few minutes of getting the knock on the door done properly before I actually got back inside the house.
The program was nominated for an award. It didn’t win, but it was a finalist.
100% Brisbane – Exhibition at Brisbane City Hall Museum
The Museum of Brisbane collaborated with celebrated Berlin-based theatre company, Rimini Protokoll, to create a powerful and unforgettable exhibition, which brought together 100 residents who call Brisbane home. Fascinating and deeply moving, their personal stories are revealed alongside beliefs and attitudes that shape who we are, creating a real-time snapshot of our city.
Being chosen to be part of this world-first exhibition came as a complete surprise to me. Worse still, even when chosen, I had no idea what it was all about. But again, it was an honour to be asked. As well as having my photo taken, I was filmed singing. Because I cannot sing, I asked if I could do some actions while singing. I thought this might distract the audience from my voice, which, fortunately, it did. I was told everyone loved the video. The exhibition ran for three years.
Written Two Books
The first book, Opening the Door, published in 2010, is the story of our “coming out” as a family. The book describes how, when I recognised my son was gay at the age of 11 years of age, I decided we would have a gay-friendly house. I didn’t want him to feel he was terrible or deviant. I didn’t want him to lose his self-esteem; he needed to know his family loved him. The book talks about the struggles his father had and how I was terrified something terrible would happen to him.
The second book, Just a Mum, written with Leanne Edmistone and published in 2019, is about my life, my achievements and what gave me the strength and the tenacity to never give up. Both of these personal qualities helped me successfully lobby to bring change for my son, James, and the Rainbow community as a whole.
A Living Book
This was an initiative I had never heard of before. The main library in the city asked me if I would be a living book. I said “yes” but didn’t know what to do. I learnt quickly that it was all pretty simple. It was just a matter of telling your story. However, in my case, many asked about what they should do regarding coming out to loved ones.
Order of Australia Medal
In September 2006, I received notification I would receive an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day 2007 for my work of increasing understanding and support of those living in the LGBTQIA+ community. This, to me, was an absolute honour and something I had never imagined receiving. Quentin Bryce, the Governor of Queensland, then presented me with the medal. Plus, it was lovely for my family and those who nominated me for the award to attend. Later, we went to lunch, and James, my son, presented me with the largest bunch of tulips I have ever seen.
Portrait Painted for Archibald Prize
This to me was something I would never have imagined in a million years. I was away on holiday when I received a call from Iain Scott Wallace asking me if he could paint my portrait for this amazing art competition.
I said “yes” but really expected nothing to come of it, but I had only been home a short time and he called again asking if he could come and see me and take some photos. Again, I said “yes” but my expectations weren’t high.
Then a few weeks later Iain invited me to Sydney to see how far he had gone. When I saw the painting, I was shocked, but very excited for him and me. The painting didn’t win, but to me that didn’t matter.
Come Prepd
It was great fun doing these adverts with these young men. For the first couple of minutes, they seemed shy. But they soon realised I had a sense of humour, and we were all best buddies, and I quickly learned I have led a sheltered life.
The adverts were produced by Qld AIDS Council for a new drug that was to keep people safe from HIV, which it has done. I believe the idea from Canada or America was called Four Gays and a Girl. Except I called it Four Gays and a Granny.
