218218 marieclaire.com.auMELISSA
DOY L E
The journalist and Sunday Night host
reveals the women who inspire herHT
EWOM
ENWHO^ MAD
E(^) M
E
at school. We didn’t know
she was getting it. The
headmistress made a speech
saying the loveliest things
about this young woman, and
when she said Talia’s name I
burst into tears! All the other
parents looked at me. It was
one of my proudest moments
as a mother. I thought, ‘That’s
all I want: to know you’re a
good, kind young woman.’
I’m especially proud that
Talia, now 13, did it on her own.
I try hard to not be a helicopter
parent who interferes. I also
try to teach both of my kids
[Talia and son Nick, 16] to
be independent and to make
their own decisions.
That’s probably the
hardest part of parenting:
stepping back and letting your
children find their own way.
It’s made easier knowing that
Talia is strong, sweet and has
guts. I admire her for that.
From left: Mel’s best friend Catriona; the only surviving Lin
family member, Brenda Lin; and Mel’s daughter Talia.
MY BEST FRIEND
CATRIONA
I first met Catriona in a
mothers’ group at the baby
clinic when we’d both just
had our first babies. I can
remember her walking into the
clinic with her daughter in
the capsule crying. Catriona
covered her up and said,
“She’ll be fine”, and I knew in
that moment I wanted to hang
out with her. We hit it off
straight away. We both had
a relaxed attitude and weren’t
trying to be those perfect
mothers teaching their
six-month-old babies French.
That was 16 years ago and
we’ve been best friends ever
since. Catriona’s the friend I
turn to when I’m doing it
tough. When the kids were
little and I was working early
mornings [on Sunrise], she
would leave a lasagne on the
back doorstep for dinner.
When I’m having an issue with
the kids, she’ll tell me I’m a
good mum and I’m doing
a good job. To have her on my
cheer squad is really powerful.
BRENDA LIN
Every time I interview a
woman, I learn something from
her – whether it’s Katy Perry or
[London terror attack victim]
Candice Hedge. It’s the harder
stories, though, that I’ve gotten
the most inspiration from.
I interviewed Brenda
Lin [the sole survivor of the Lin
family massacre] this year and
she had a big impact on me.
She lost her mother,
father, aunt and two brothers
at age 15, so it was a really
emotional interview. Brenda
was strong and stoic, but also
vulnerable. She wanted to
share her story to help others.
To go through that and still be
able to find positives in life is
extraordinary. She lost nearly
everything, but still found the
strength to hold her head high,
finish her schooling and put
herself through university.
For Brenda to come
out of that horrific experience
with dignity and purpose is
inspiring. I think it’s a really
good lesson for all of us.
MY DAUGHTER
TALIA
In grade six, my daughter
Talia won the citizenship award
“Every time
I interview a
woman, I learn
something from
her ... [Brenda]
had a big
impact on me”
EDITED BY ALLEY PASCOE.
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