Season’s greetings 2020’s trailblazers including Gladys Berejiklian, Ronni Kahn, Christine Anu, Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy.
Admired for her handling of the bushfire and Covid-19 crises, the Premier of NSW also weathered personal dramas. She loves reality TV and Marie Kondo-style cleansing.
After a year like no other, we asked leaders and tastemakers in a range of fields to reflect on the lessons they’ve learned, and share their hopes for summer and the year beyond.
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF 2020? Managing the trauma and stress people have gone through. I needed to make sure people were getting the information they needed, in the most direct and simple way.
UNEXPECTED HIGHLIGHTS? I love the way everyone has rallied together and really supported each other. I’ve seen a sense of resilience and a sense of love and compassion for others and that makes me feel very proud.
A LESSON LEARNED FROM THIS YEAR? No matter how dark things get, your best days are always ahead of you. HOW WILL YOU BE CELEBRATING THIS FESTIVE SEASON?
With family and quiet times. It’s the only time of the year I actually cook and entertain – I like to make my mother’s dishes, which are very labour intensive. My background is Armenian and we celebrate Christmas on December 25 and again on January 6. Everyone comes to my place on New Year’s Eve and I’ll cook fish-based dishes to serve with salads and vegetables.
FAVOURITE FESTIVE TIPPLE? On a summer holiday I would pick a cocktail, although I don’t normally finish it. I get tipsy before I finish it. I don’t drink a lot so when I do it affects me. WILL YOU BE TRAVELLING OVER SUMMER? I love spending summer in Sydney. I do artsy things associated with the Sydney Festival and enjoy the city without the crowds. ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Somewhere
where I can go for long walks in nature.
WHEN WE CAN FLY AGAIN, WHERE WILL YOU GO? It’s a toss-up between Cinque Terre in Italy or the Greek Islands. Or both. Yes, I think both.
ARE YOU A KEEN HOME DECORATOR? I don’t live in a large house but I am very proud of it. I like to keep it modern and refresh cushions and pillows frequently. I am not sentimental with things and if I buy something new, I give something away. I suppose I am a bit of a minimalist. I don’t like clutter. What’s the name of that organising person – Marie Kondo? I could have a career in organising.
WHAT KIND OF BOOKS DO YOU LIKE? History books and anything that explores changes in society. None of us know what things are going to look like in the post-Covid era, except that the world has changed forever. I read anything that gives me insights into that.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND? Reading and music. I love Ed Sheeran – he’s my favourite. I am quite into classical as well.
HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-HAVES? I follow fashion quite closely. I love wearing Aussie designers like Carla Zampatti, Karen G, Cue, Anna Thomas and Veronika Maine.
FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF SUMMER? Playing with my sisters in the front yard with the sprinkler going – one of those old-fashioned spinning ones. And being in our cossies sliding down the slip-and-slide Dad set up for us.
FAVOURITE SUMMER SCENT? Freshly cut grass. It just reminds me of those long summer days of my childhood.
Also the smell of the ocean.
WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING? I love reality TV. It’s my secret pleasure. How trashy? Where reality TV is concerned, nothing is off limits. I also love documentaries and biographies.
YOUR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR 2021? I just want it to be better and easier for everyone than this year has been. >