Father’s Day is always a special time to celebrate our fathers, father figures, or remember them. This year Melbourne My Style together with Helen Reizer from HRPR take you on a 3-part series celebrating some of Melbourne’s most well-known and celebrated dads.
In this Father’s Day tribute, we celebrate firstly Associate Professor David Brewster currently the Deputy Director of Intensive Care at Cabrini Hospital, Head of ICU Research, the Clinical Dean for the Monash University Clinical School, and a practicing anaesthetist.
Up Close & Personal with Associate Professor David Brewster, father to three beautiful sons; Jonah (9), Alex (6), and Tom (4).
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
Wow. That’s a question. Being a dad is such a privilege. It’s been the most rewarding part of my life. My wife and I are always reflecting on how lucky we are to have three wonderful kids- I love the energy they bring to our lives, watching how much they love life, and the fun we all have together.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
I’d love to know!! Patience – definitely. As much as we try to teach them to listen to us, I think it’s so important to listen to them. I try to get down to their eye level when I have something important to say to them. The boys are so much fun when we are playing footy or just generally mucking around, but I particularly need patience when I’m tired or have had a hard day. I try to stay positive in my interactions with them as much as I can. I remind myself that they are still learning. I try to show them how to listen and be respectful through the way I treat them. I think that’s how they learn best.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
No doubt being a dad is different these days than when I was a kid. The challenges for families nowadays are very different. Add to that the issues of managing screen time, online schooling, and socialising, etc. I don’t know if we have it harder or easier. I think today’s dads are hands-on with their kids from a younger age- it’s great to see dads out for a walk pushing a pram. In our family I share responsibility for the day to day needs of the kids (such as cooking, meals, and shopping) with my wife, I help with school drop-offs and picks ups (when that was a thing!), and I generally spend as much time as possible with the kids when I’m off work. Almost every day I go to the park to kick a footy with my boys. Certainly, while I’m at home the kids take priority.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
Being reliable. Someone they can trust and come to if they ever need help. Hopefully, through all the fun, they know how much I love them and that there is nothing they can’t share with me or a problem that I won’t help them fix.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Time with my wife and kids. Usually, we have a family breakfast together. We go and see my dad too. It’s always a real family day. Just spending time together is the best part of the day.
Secondly, I would like to now celebrate Melbourne based Chef & Restaurateur Johnny Di Francesco the director of Gradi. Johnny who originally went to university to begin a degree in engineering, found himself daydreaming during his first year of studies about the physics of pizza dough, and he realized he was taking notes on the wrong subject. Johnny politely excused himself and never returned. His life as a restaurateur began. Gradi Group now expands across Melbourne from Brunswick to Essendon, Eastland, Yarra Valley, and Crown Casino, across the border to Adelaide, overseas in Kuwait, Bahrain, New Zealand, and now Texas.
Up Close & Personal with Restaurateur Johnny Di Francesco, father to 3 beautiful children Stephanie 20, Daniel 18, and Claudia 16.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
I love watching my kids grow. As my kids are getting older, I am learning more about being not only a father but a friend. I love seeing their personalities mature.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
Quality family time, instilling family values and encouragement of their passions, and laughter, not taking yourself too seriously!
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
I think different. With social media, it’s changed the way children see things and are influenced.
Parenting in general is much different from the way it used to be. My children grew up in our business and are very much a part of our day-to-day life – I am grateful for that!
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
The lessons I have taught them about life. And my stories!
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Being able to spend more quality time with my kids, being so busy, it’s very valuable to me.
Lastly, we celebrate Melbourne entrepreneur Nick Russian. Nick who studied a Bachelor of Business Marketing is remembered for the successful running of popular nightclub Eve Bar. Nick a Self-employed business owner and investor for the past 20 years has a strong background in hospitality and is well known and loved by many around Melbourne with the success of Together Events, ‘a luxury lifestyle and events brand created for sophisticated, fun, and fashion-conscious individuals’. Nick also recently ran for the position of Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Nick now embarks on a new adventure Bar Bambi which is set to open later this year.
Up Close & Personal with Melbourne entrepreneur Nick Russian, father to beautiful Willow 7 and
Kingston 4.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
My kids are my world and I get the most enjoyment from just seeing them happy and laughing.
At times they write you a little note or you hear them tell their friends or teacher about how much they love their dad, and it melts your heart. Everything I do is for them!
What is the secret to raising happy children?
Always be positive, show them love, and give them attention.
My mum always said to me. “You only get back what you put in with your kids”
SO TRUE! I was lucky to be brought up in a loving household and try to do the same for my kids with my amazing wife & backup support from my parents.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
Every generation has its own challenges. Nothing is ever easy, but I can’t say our generation is easier or harder.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
Just being a good dad. I’ve been lucky to have the best dad ever, he has always been my idol growing up. If my kids have the same love for me as I do for my parents, then I’ll be happy.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Dads play such an important part in kids’ lives as do mothers and grandparents, and it’s a day I enjoy acknowledging this.
Outside of COVID, I love spending time with my parents’ wife and kids.
Family is what life is about.
Interview by Melinda Sullivan Editor in Chief in association with Helen Reizer from HRPR.
Images Supplied
