Father’s Day is always a special time to celebrate our fathers, father figures, or remember them. Melbourne My Style together with Helen Reizer from HRPR are delighted to share with you part two of our Father’s Day celebrations.
In this Father’s Day tribute, we celebrate firstly Matt Hetherington Melbourne singer and actor who has performed throughout Australia and around the world as both a soloist and with his band. Matt is also an award-winning musical theatre actor and has won three Green Room Awards and a prestigious Helpmann Award. Matt has also appeared on The Voice Australia.
Up Close & Personal with Australian Singer and Actor Matt Hetherington, father to beautiful Oscar and 9 and Madeline 6.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
I knew I’d love being a dad, but I didn’t know just how big a deal it would be for me.
Being a parent is my greatest achievement. It’s defined me. It’s a love that I’ve never felt and having a 9vand 6-year-old I’m continually surprised just how much I love the different stages the kids go through.
Of course, I have times where it’s bloody hard, I’m a parent that wants to be there and be a big part of my kids’ lives, it’s created some real challenges. How to balance being a dad and being a provider. It’s an incredibly important balance to get right.
I don’t want to go off and work just to put food on the table, I want to sit at the table and really know my kids and be a welcomed part of their lives.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
Listening and engaging authentically is the key, I think. Kids can tell if you’re being real. I think if children feel that they are, listened to it builds great confidence in them and gives them some great skills to have healthy relationships with the people around them.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
I think I’m very lucky my career allows me to spend a lot of time with my kids. I wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s the greatest gift my life has given me.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
That a sense of play and the courage, to tell the truth, is immensely important.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
It’s nice to have a special breakfast but to be honest, it’s not that different from a typical day. A bit more attention and maybe a lovely gift but the togetherness and love are just like any other day and that I am very grateful for!
Secondly, we celebrate Melbourne-based couple ‘Gogglebox Australia’ stars, Wayne and Tom. The boys instantly became fan favourites on the hit show and went on to write the book “Cocktales on the Couch”. Tom went on to produce and host breakfast radio on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9FM.
Up Close & Personal with Wayne & Tom are fathers to 3 beautiful children that have all grown up, now leaving the nest, Jade, Zac, and Tegan.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
We have loved every minute; it’s been our honour being part of the journey of 3 wonderful people. The joy of fatherhood changed as our kids have grown older, starting at those midnight feeds; when it feels like you’re the only two people in the world, teaching your kids to swim and watching them light up with wonderment as they race to independence and now watching them chase their dreams with drive and dignity. Just being part of their lives has been our greatest joy.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
It starts with unconditional love, but there is no one secret in raising children, as every child is as different as the techniques, we use to navigate our journey through life.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
Being fathers has been, and will always be hard, if it’s not, maybe you’re not taking this gift of fatherhood as seriously as you should.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
That they were loved unconditionally and that we always acted with their wellbeing foremost in our hearts.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is a time for families. We love coming together and being thankful and celebrating all the joys that make up our family unit.
Next, we celebrate Melbourne Fashion Royalty Dom Bagnato. Dom began his fashion career with his wife Pia in the family garage in 1984 and launched his first collection in the same year. 34 years later the Dom Bagnato brand is sold through in-store boutiques within Myer stores nationally as well as boutiques across Australia and New Zealand.
Up Close & Personal with Dom Bagnato father to wonderful Melina and Nunzio.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
What I enjoy most is impacting my unconditional love and devotion, and the opportunity of contributing to shaping my children’s lives.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
I’m not sure as a general question, what I did as a young dad is decided to be their friend. Listening and being present is everything to them.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
I think it’s harder today as there are way more influences, pressures, and distractions, if you don’t have a degree in psychology then get one!
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
Always being present and unconditional love.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
I mostly enjoy the focus on us dads, the opportunity to say, “thank you Dad”.
Lastly, we celebrate Melbourne Barrister Darren Mort. Darren practices solely in the areas of Family Law and De Facto Property Law. In April 2002, he became an accredited Arbitrator on the List of Arbitrators kept by the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators. Darren is also Secretary to the Family Law Bar Association.
Up Close & Personal with Family Court Barrister Darren Mort father to three beautiful children, Georgia, Olivia, and Samuel.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
Observing your children growing up is incredible; watching them learn and trying to make sense of this world. It is their point of view that becomes a focus, together with the blessing of experiencing a family.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
To really listen to your kids and make them understand that you are listening to them. Doing this creates bonds, trust, and respect that last a lifetime.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
I think just different. The world is a very different place now; possessed with its own unique challenges. As parents, we need to evolve and refrain from being lodged in the past. By doing so we allow ourselves to continue to experience growth with our kids – and what a wonderful opportunity that presents.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
It is a bit Forrest Gump, but life is really like a box of chocolates. I want to be remembered for giving most things a try; even if I failed – it is the trying that counts. By doing so I trust that my kids can have the confidence to see the world as their own oyster and give things a shot.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
It reminds me how lucky I am to have three loving individual kids call me Dad. I am their only Dad; I am reminded of that every day, but Father’s Day allows me to breathe in that concept and feel very grateful. It is an honor and privilege to be a parent; none of us are provided with a parent manual; however, we all want to do the best we can, and Father’s Day reminds me also of that real potential to achieve being a decent male role model and making many happy memories for our kids.
Interview by Melinda Sullivan Editor in Chief in association with Helen Reizer from HRPR.
Images Supplied
