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THIS MONTH OUR READERS SHARE BITTERSWEET MEMORIES AND STORIES OF MUCH-LOVED FAMILY MEMBERS.
BEST IN SHOW
My 72-year-old brother has shown chooks at the Royal Easter Show for too many years to remember. He’s had lots of success, with champions of the show several times. This year I asked him to buy me a Country Style show bag. Several weeks later, I received a phone call from my beautiful, but very stressed, brother, apologising as he was on his way home and had forgotten my show bag. Next year I’ll go and see his chooks and, oh yes, buy a Country Style show bag! Nell Adamson, WEST KEMPSEY, NSW
NATURE’S GIFT
I’m the mother of two beautiful boys, one of whom has autism and sensory processing disorder. In the June issue, your Feast For the Senses story was exactly what I needed to read, at exactly the right time. I have been planning to create a sensory garden for my sons, with the hope that it will help my little one with autism — your story gave me the design and planting inspiration I’ve desperately needed to get started. Shannon Buttriss, DAKABIN, QUEENSLAND
A FAMILIAR TALE
With much amusement, I read and re-read Annabelle Hickson’s Active Parenting story in the April issue. It resonated with me as eight months ago we packed up our young family to trial a sea/tree change. Our small beachside community has much to offer but — like Annabelle — I’ve found myself driving so much in the hope that my little ones will learn something resembling swimming! Thanks for a good laugh. Olivia Salkeld, APOLLO BAY, VICTORIA
FOND MEMORIES
Each year I host a Mother’s Day lunch for my family. My mum is no longer with us, but celebrating with my 86-year-old aunty, Mum’s sister, is comforting. The next day, the June issue of Country Style arrived. The picture of Tamsin Carvan’s Gnocchi with Tomato and Eggplant Ragu [on page 85] released a flood of childhood memories. Mum made these delicate pillows of fluffy mash for my birthday each year. Such a treat and better than any present! Thanks, Tamsin and Country Style — your magazine is more than just a publication, it’s like a warm hug from a treasured friend. Antonia Spencer, BRIDGEMAN DOWNS, QUEENSLAND
WINNER CHALLENGING TIMES
I grew up in Taiwan, a country smaller than Tasmania with a population that’s bigger than Australia’s. In 2009 I fell in love with an Aussie exchange student who is now my husband, and moved to Canberra in 2011. Although it’s the nation’s capital, to an Asian city girl it’s the equivalent of a quiet country town. Last Christmas I got a subscription to Country Style and the first issue arrived the day I started maternity leave. The first few weeks after Adele was born felt like a lifetime — motherhood has been the most difficult challenge I’ve ever endured. One sleepless night, I read the story in your February issue about Saddler and Co’s Bede and Jemima Aldridge who have five children. I thought, “If they can go through this five times, surely I can survive one.” Adele is now seven weeks old and has started smiling. I know it will only get better, as people keep telling me. Chelsea Wu, DUFFY, ACT