Let’s hear it for great new era of families, writes ANGELA MOLLARD

THERE was so much that was wonderful about the story of William Callaghan.

Mostly the fact that he was found safe and well but also the local bushman’s care upon finding the non-verbal teenager, and the irony that a positive outcome could eventuate from a place with such a cheerless name as Mount Disappointment (explorers were apparently disheartened not to be rewarded a view upon reaching the top).

But there was a footnote to the story which was largely overlooked: the relationship between William’s two dads. In fact, it was just a few words, a verbal hand on the shoulder between two ordinary men, but in our current battle-worn world the exchange between the pair was a lesson in grace.

Reflecting on the days the boy was missing, his stepfather Nathan Ezard gave an insight into how this blended family had coped: “(William’s dad) Phil and I have talked lots over the last few days, and, you know, Phil’s very magnanimous – he said to me multiple times over the years and the last couple of days that, you know, you’re just as much his dad as I am.”

In return, instead of blaming the boy’s father for losing him in the bush, Ezard showed deep empathy. “I’ve been trying to tell Phil, I understand what you’re going through is horrible. The feelings he would have been going through are the worst for any of us.”

I love this story because I am this story. I have a dad and stepdad who have always treated each other with respect and decency.

I’m heartened by the story of William and Nathan and Phil not just because it had a happy ending, but because two blokes effectively made the “unusual” seem completely normal.

Ever since the Brothers Grimm painted Snow White’s stepmother as a jealous and spiteful witch, step-parents have got a bad rap.

The cultural phenomenon of step-parents has barely evolved since Mike shacked up with Carol in The Brady Bunch. Back then, Mike was a socially acceptable widower and no mention was made of Carol’s ex, though the actor who played her, Florence Henderson, would later joke that she killed him.

Yet modern step-parents, far from being an aberration, are some of the genuine pillars of our changing society.

Unrecognised when it comes to Mother’s and Father’s Day, and, to some adult children, a stumbling block to an expected inheritance, they remain status-less however valuable they might be.

You can only hope their prevalence will shift attitudes.

William Callaghan could not articulate his relief when he was rescued. But the image of him being carried out of the bush by his stepfather spoke volumes, not just about hope, but acceptance.