You share the stories of Toowoomba’s top dads
MOST people would believe their father is the best dad in the world — someone who cares, guides and mentors our next generation.
The Chronicle wanted to find out what the Garden City thought of their dads, so we put the call out to residents for what they thought makes a great father.
The list below is not ranked and there isn’t a winner; it’s a celebration of what makes fathers so special to their families and communities.
1. TOM KEIGHRAN Submitted by Jacquie Keighran
TOM’S wife Jacquie said he adores his new daughter, who was born only a few months ago.
“Tom became a father for the first time in May, and he has taken to it like a fish in water,” she said.
“He works so hard to provide for the family, when he comes home does so much to care for his baby girl, and some how still finds time to study in his bachelor degree.
“He cooks dinner every night, helps bath and dress her, takes her for walks, changes nappies, and even gives her a bottle in the morning, so mummy can get some sleep.
“He makes a conscious effort to spend quality time with her every day, whether it is singing nursery rhymes, simply talking, blowing bubbles or having cuddles.
“You would be hard pressed to find a more selfless, kinder, loving father than Tom.”
2. REVANTH REDDY Submitted by Priya Guduru
ACCORDING to his wife Priya, Revanth is trying to be the best role model he can for his only child.
“(He is) hardworking and sacrifices everything for his only daughter,” she said.
“He lost his dad, so he is showing the best version of a dad to his daughter.”
3. THOMAS MORRISON Submitted by Brydie Morrison
BRYDIE said her husband Thomas had nothing but adoration for their daughter Emily.
“My husband is the most amazing father you will ever meet to our daughter — he puts all of his family’s needs before his own,” she said.
“He absolutely adores his little girl (and) spends every minute with her that he can.
“He is so helpful getting up to do night feeds and staying up with her when she isn’t sleeping. He loves playing rocket ships with her and taking her on picnics.”
4. NIGEL LIMPUS Submitted by Sarah Limpus
NIGEL’S daughter Sarah said she was adamant he was Toowoomba’s best father.
“(Now I’m) at 25, he is still my absolute best friend and makes an effort every day to make me laugh and feel loved,” she said.
“He welcomes others into his home and treats them like his own.
“He always goes out of his way to drop what he’s doing to help others, no matter the day or time.”
5. GARRETT HILTON Submitted by Brandi Brownlie
GARRETT’S partner Brandi said he absolutely adores their six-month-old daughter.
“From the moment she was born she has been the apple of his eye,” she said.
“Along with the usual feeding, dressing and changing nappies, he will dance and sing with her to calm her down, take her on daddy-daughter dates and carries her everywhere instead of using the pram to maximise their time together, as he works during the week.
“He even carried her the whole way on our first family hike.”
6. CHRISTOPHER BENVENUTI Submitted by Sarah Benvenuti
According to his sister Sarah, Christopher is an amazing dad because of his patience and calmness.
“My brother Chris is the best dad in Toowoomba because he shows unconditional love and support to his wife and two sons. Chris puts the needs of his family before himself and makes sure they have a safe and comfortable place to come home to every day.
“Alfie (three) and Teddy (one) love daddy hugs and feel safe and happy when they are with Chris.
“He is patient throughout the testing times and always stays calm and supportive of his family.
“Chris is the best dad in Toowoomba; Alfie and Teddy are very lucky to have a dad who knows them so well and loves them to the moon and back.”
7. OWEN CONNOLLY Submitted by Samantha Connolly
SAMANTHA said her dad Owen was not just a mentor to his own children, but plenty of other kids as well.
“Even though he works fulltime, he coaches two days a week then attends games on Saturday and sometimes this could also be Sunday,” she
said.
“He is always there for the family and others if needed.
“I love my dad and love how he gives to everyone and they don’t even have to be family.”
8. DARCY BURTON Submitted by Karen Burton
ACCORDING to his wife Karen, Darcy has always put his kids before himself.
“He puts his kids first and works hard to provide the best for our (family),” she said.
9. ARTHUR SCHLOSS Submitted by Sonya Nicol
SONYA said her father Arthur’s tough upbringing shaped him into the father he became.
“My dad had a challenging childhood, growing up on a dairy farm near Brigalow in the 1920s and 30s,” she said.
“The need to help with milking and other farm chores meant he had to leave school at the age of 10.
“Working long days from such a young age meant dad continued through life as a hard-worker and someone who never took things for granted.
“Upon leaving the family farm, he had various jobs — owning a newsagency and music shop, being a journalist, radio announcer, public relations officer and a land developer.
“He is a kind, loving and supportive father, grandfather and great grandfather who has made significant contributions to not only Toowoomba’s physical growth through land development, but also its cultural and spiritual strength.”
10. TENZIN NORBU Submitted by Sahadsa Poolsirisook
TENZIN is the owner of the Copper Bench Cafe in the CBD, and his wife Sahadsa said he had been strong for his family during a difficult period in business.
“Due to COVID our family almost came to destruction — Tenzin and myself worked hard to ensure we all survived as our life savings were spent on the business,” she said.
“Tenzin has been working seven days since we opened without a day off until now.
“Despite lots of challenges, anxiety and stresses he still comes home and make sure our kids are always smiling and laughing.
“He made sure we were all OK despite not feeling OK himself.”
11. TIM KRUGER Submitted by Joanne Kruger
TIM’S wife Joanne said her husband was big supporter of their two sons.
“Both of his boys adore him — he coaches my son’s cricket team and is always on hand to play sport with them in the backyard whenever they want him to,” she said.
“He is just an all-round patient supportive father who is teaching our boys what it means to be a good man.”
12. ADAM LEE Submitted by Kirsty Lee
ACCORDING to his partner, Adam has embraced the blended family the pair has.
“He is a father to our twoyear-old son, his 11-year-old daughter, and stepfather to my 11-year-old and 13-year-old sons,” she said.
“He treats all our kids equally and often goes missing with one of my boys to take them on a father-son outing or to teach them something that I just can’t do.
“He works hard and often works away so that I can be the stay-at-home mum that I’ve always wanted to be.
“He meets our toddler at the end of the driveway every afternoon and lets him sit on his lap and ‘drive’ the car into the garage.
“He is our everyday hero and the best dad a kid could ask for.”