BRONWYN BISHOP
Bronwyn Bishop was a federal member of parliament for more than 30 years but over all her years in parliament, family has always been instrumental. With two daughters, Angela and Sally, the 79-year-old says granddaughter Amelia is one of her most treasured joys.
Darling Amelia,
You are the most wonderful happening to come into my life. The thought of becoming a grandmother was a bit daunting, but your arrival was a burst of great joy for me, your Mummy and Daddy and all our extended family.
You were a beautiful baby girl who had to undergo surgery when you were only two days old to open a valve in your heart to make it work. This was a tense time, but the successful surgery meant that you could come home in a few days and grow into the gorgeous teenager you are today.
I was so proud of you when you were eight years old. You stood and addressed 600 people telling them about the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead where you had your operation and appealed for generous support for the Centre, which they gave. Mummy still works hard to raise funds for this wonderful centre so other babies can get the help they need.
As you started preschool and then kindergarten at the school where Mummy and Auntie Sal went, in your little red shoes, I started to wonder where your life would head. Your ability in mathematics soon emerged, as did your love of music and drama and later a love of books and reading. One of my favourite books is the one you wrote, Friendship And Magic, a book of 18,000 words.
All of these things make me very proud of you as does your sincere belief that people are intrinsically good. Your heart is generous and your ability to argue for individuality is strong and passionate.
Now you are 14, I can see traits of both Mummy and Daddy reflected in your personality. I know Daddy would have been so proud of you, just as Mummy is. You certainly have inherited your mother’s trait of wanting to help people and I love having you with me as a collector for the Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal.
Your great-grandmother, who was an opera singer, would have been overjoyed to hear your lovely singing voice which has earned you a choir pocket for your blazer.
I grew up learning about the achievements of my ancestors, who are also yours. I hope you will take pleasure in finding out about the contribution your extended family has made. They were an inspiration to me and I hope you will be inspired by them too. Some of their history goes back to the early 14th century.
Through your life there are bound to be challenges just as there have been for me but the love and support of your family will always be there to back you up as it has for me. You have an inner strength which I love and admire which will help you to always believe in yourself and what you can do.
Our country is a wonderful country where you can, as long as you really set your mind to it, achieve anything. Many times people told me what I wanted to achieve was too difficult or impossible but I knew it was possible and kept going.
I love you Amelia. I am a very proud grandmother who will always be here for you.
Much love, Bibi
Our country is a wonderful country where you can, as long as you really set your mind to it, achieve anything