Celebrating Father’s Day
This Father’s Day our House of Wellness TV hosts celebrate and honour the men they hold nearest and dearest, and who have played an important role in their lives.
Great mentors leave a lasting impression.
Our House of Wellness TV hosts – Luke Hines, Jo Stanley, Luke Darcy and Gerald Quigley – celebrate Father’s Day by sharing what they have learned from the special men in their lives.
Luke Hines – My dad showed me that love always wins
Life doesn’t always pan out as expected, but Luke learned first-hand from his dad that love and understanding conquers all.
Luke’s story
“My Dad taught me the lesson of unconditional love and that beyond preconceived ideas or beliefs, love always wins,” Luke says.
“When I was 19 I came out to my Dad.
“He had no idea and also had built a completely different vision of what he thought my life trajectory would take.
“Despite the shock, and initial sadness I wasn’t going to fulfil his expectations, he came to understand it didn’t matter who I was or who I choose to love, as long as we had each other, father and son, and that nothing can change that or take it away from us.
“This will stick with me forever, so if I am ever faced with something that is unexpected or challenges my belief systems, I will approach it with openness and compassion, so love always wins.”
- Raising happy adults: Golden rules for parents of teens
Jo Stanley – My husband shows us spontaneity and joy
Jo’s husband, Daz, has showed her life is here to be lived and enjoyed.
Jo’s story
“We’re a small family – just me, my husband and our daughter, Willow,” Jo says.
“In comparison to families with lots of kids, you’d think our house would be quiet and calm. And to be honest, I used to think I’d prefer it that way.
“But my husband is loud. Loud talker, loud laugh, crazy loud sneeze.
“He blusters through a room, telling jokes, sharing stories, bringing chaos – and well, life.
“I tend to be restrained and contained, to the point of fun police.
“Daz taught me the joy of letting go, of freely diving into all the feelings, and just having a laugh. Even when times are hard.
“We’re so blessed to have his boundless energy keeping us afloat every day.”
Luke Darcy – Through Dad, I just felt supported, always
Luke’s publican dad, David, taught him patience, kindness and fairness – values by which he continues to live.
David passed away in August 2020, and Luke thinks of him every day.
Luke’s story
“He was really humble, really fair, always had a lot of time for people regardless of what background they were from or what their status was, he just loved people,” Luke says.
“He was always there to support (us), but he never really overlaid his world on our world as kids.
“I’d ring him when I had something challenging to deal with.
“He wasn’t one to give you the answers but he was a great sounding board for testing your own values and treating people kindly, with empathy and fairly.
“Even though he went to all the games of footy I played, he never once rang and gave me advice or feedback, and certainly never gave me any criticism – which must have taken some discipline, because I’m sure at times he would have had a bit!
“But at the same time he was really clear on what was fair, what was right and wrong, and when you’re around that sort of decision making, you’d hope that’s part of who you become yourself.
“As a dad myself now, they’re the values I try to live every day.”
- Special treat: 7 ways to give your dad a healthy and happy Father’s Day
Gerald Quigley – Dad taught me good old-fashioned values
When House of Wellness pharmacist Gerald Quigley thinks of the influential men in his life and the principle of taking a person at their word, his late father comes to mind.
Gerald’s story
“Dad was in the dairy game, in the days when the local dairy farmers negotiated milk and butterfat prices directly with their local dairy factory,” Gerald says.
“I learned that negotiating was a ‘win-win’ situation, wherein each party mutually gained in an environment of trust and handshake.
“What has gone wrong in modern times? Distrust seems an acceptable position – will the handshake ever return?
“That generation lived through wars and conflict – we are fighting an invisible war on viral infections.
“They survived, and we will, too.”
- Healthy learning: Life lessons by the decade
Written by Claire Burke.
