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 three of our Father’s Day celebration.
In this Father’s Day tribute, we celebrate firstly Australian designer Arthur Galan who founded Australian Fashion Menswear label ‘Arthur Galan’. Arthur Galan’s creation in 1998 of his self-titled label ‘Arthur Galan AG’ has developed into a leading Australian brand, designing signature collections for men.
Up close & personal with Australian Fashion Designer Arthur Galan, father to Beautiful Callista 14 and Daniel 18.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
The way you get to watch them as they grow and how proud you feel of the lives you’ve brought into the world. Before you know it, they have grown into young adults like my son Daniel now doing his VCE and having a driver’s licence.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
The secret is making family time and equally important to spend time with our extended family members, having a European Background these values are instilled in our children from a young age. The Greek guilt works on my son but not on my daughter.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
We are more aware of what’s going on in our children’s lives now, so I think differently. We are around more for them these days. Generally, though they’re not doing much different from what we got up to, apart from social media.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
I want them to remember me for giving as much love as possible. When my 18-year-old recently celebrated his birthday, he read out a speech about me that really pulled at my heartstrings, I was in tears. He has recognised what my wife and I had done in raising him. If they remember that, that’s everything.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
The tradition of everyone getting together around the table, enjoying lunch, and talking over the top of each other!
Secondly, I would like to now celebrate Melbourne’s much loved presenter Mike Larkan, best known for his work on Network Ten’s News, providing weather reports at various popular locations around the City of Melbourne. Mike is also an authorised Marriage Celebrant, Popular Corporate Host across Australia, and an Auctioneer in Real Estate.
Up close & personal with Mike Larkan father to beautiful, Grace 18 and Adam 17.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
Being a father is just wonderful. It’s about responsibility, providing unconditional love for your children; supporting them through their lives. It’s about raising them to be strong, independent, and loving people, to treat others the way they want to be treated. Teaching them right from wrong … and then crossing your fingers!
What is the secret to raising happy children?
I don’t know if there is a secret to raising happy children except reminding them that you’re always there for them and promoting open communication and listening to them, encouraging a two-way conversation. Acknowledging they will make mistakes but not making a big thing of it.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
My children, 18-year-old Grace & 17-year-old Adam, like many others, have had to unfairly endure the challenge of home schooling because of lockdown. Grace completing year 12 last year, Adam year 12 this year. They have also been missing their friends and the normal things teenagers should be enjoying. As a parent, it’s been very important to remind them that things will only get better.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
I’ve been lucky with the hours I have been working which has allowed me to spend time with the children at school events as well as meeting their friends & teachers – something my father, working 9 till 5, and numerous other dads of yesteryear, were not able to do. Also, my father didn’t know my friends’ fathers which is very different from how it is now. I’ve also been in a privileged position to introduce the kids to the theatre, the arts, and sport.
I like to remind them that “the harder you work, the luckier you become”. “You get out of life what you put into it”, and not to have too many regrets. My dad would say to me, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice”.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Generally, Father’s Day means breakfast in bed, unwrapping chocolates, and a bottle of scotch (hint, hint), and then catching up with a few other families for the afternoon.
The word DAD is a great word …
Next, we celebrate retired Australian Rules footballer Anthony Koutoufides from the Carlton Football Club. Anthony is considered one of the most powerful and athletic players of all time. He played almost every position within the game and was often called the prototype of the (modern footballer). Between 1992 and 2007, he played 278 games and kicked 226 goals for the Blues. Kouta, as he’s known to many, was a premiership player and captained the team between 2004 and 2006.
Up close & personal with former Australian Rules footballer Anthony Koutoufides father to wonderful Jamie, Monique, and Lukas.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
I love hanging out with my kids, I enjoy and love training with them and just watching them grow up.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
Building a happy environment, teaching respect and discipline.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
Every generation would say it’s harder, the kids have so much more now than what we had, we must adjust to their way of life, so maybe different.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
Having discipline and committing to my goals, pushing through tough times, and understanding hard work is needed to succeed.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
Being with the family they’re my world and there’s nothing better.
Lastly, we celebrate Melbourne Hair Stylist Frank Ciccone, co-owner of Macleod Salon Hair by Ciccone, and International Barber of the Year by SMHBA. Frank Ciccone is a celebrity hairstylist, having worked on MTV classic channel launch, the ARIA AWARDS, Shane Warne for the cover of Men’s Health Australia magazine, and the Carlton Football Club, to name a few. He also works with many Australian recording artists alongside Michael Stangel Management and has produced the award-winning hair styling product SMASH IT.
Up close & personal with Melbourne Celebrity Hair Stylist Frank Ciccone, father to the delightful Isabella 18 and Mia 14.
What do you enjoy most about being a father?
EVERYTHING. For me, it’s the unknown of raising my children, from their early years to their first day of school, then to them getting a learners/ driver’s license. My eldest is doing year 12 so that’s all new to us. I love that my two girls have very different personalities and attributes.
My life before kids was to build a successful business and future for my wife Helen and I, however when the kids arrived it was all about them and their future. Everything else came 2nd to them.
Also, just to see them grow and them relying on your advice, guidance & protection.
What is the secret to raising happy children?
Lead by example, work hard, and enjoy life even when there are obstacles. There’s always a solution.
Very important to teach them to respect everyone, treat them equally, no one is above anyone else, protect friends from bullies.
But the most important thing for both girls is to look after each other until the end of time. If you get these messages across you will feel like you have achieved something as a parent.
Do you think fathers today have it harder, easier, or just different?
With all the technology and the social media happening, I believe there’s more pressure on kids trying to keep up with their friends in fashion, gaming consoles, etc which I believe there is pressure on dads (& mums) to deliver these high expectations. Unfortunately, men are keeping emotions locked in which has a snowball effect when dealing with family issues.
But on the flip side, there are more open channels for dads to communicate with each other. A perfect example is that I have some great conversations with dads when I’m cutting their hair and they feel a bit of a relief as they have released some weight off their shoulders by communicating.
What is the one thing you always want your children to remember you for?
That I was there for them …. Even when they look back when they are older and they remember their milestones in life, I was there to support them. Also, that they were protected and supported by me throughout their life.
What do you enjoy most about the celebration of Father’s Day?
I get to choose the food we eat that day! I also love that Helen and our girls get together to find a gift that I love every year. I love seeing their happy expressions when unwrapping the gift.
Ps. The eldest has a boyfriend so it’s cool that he’s around as well to celebrate with us.
Interview by Melinda Sullivan Editor in Chief in association with Helen Reizer from HRPR.
Images Supplied
