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About this episode
What happens when the unimaginable becomes your reality? In this episode of Don't Be Caught Dead, I chat with Rosie Batty, a woman who turned her profound grief into a powerful movement for change after the tragic murder of her son, Luke. Join us as we explore the depths of loss, the importance of community, and the strength it takes to find hope in the darkest of times.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with the incredible Rosie Batty, a fierce advocate for family violence prevention and a beacon of resilience following the tragic murder of her son, Luke. Rosie’s journey through grief, PTSD, and healing is nothing short of inspiring. She shares her candid reflections on the societal perceptions of grief and the importance of having open conversations about death and loss. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that while we may not be ready to face death, we can certainly prepare ourselves to navigate the complexities of grief and healing.
Rosie’s story is one of profound loss, but it’s also a testament to the strength of the human spirit. After losing her son, she found herself thrust into the public eye, sparking a national conversation about domestic violence. Through her memoir, Hope, Rosie reflects on her journey, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way. She discusses the importance of community support, the complexities of friendships during grief, and the need for honest conversations about our feelings surrounding death. Rosie’s insights remind us that while grief can feel isolating, we are not alone in our experiences.
Join us as we explore the nuances of grief, the power of storytelling, and the importance of being present in our lives. Rosie’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is hope and light to be found.
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know!
Share your thoughts, subscribe, and help us spread the word about the importance of discussing death openly.
Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care,
Catherine
Show notes
Guest Bio

Rosie Batty is a tireless advocate for family violence prevention and a symbol of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. After her 11-year-old son, Luke, was murdered by his father in 2014, Rosie courageously spoke out, sparking a national conversation on domestic violence. As the 2015 Australian of the Year, she dedicated herself to systemic change, influencing policy and public awareness. In her memoir Hope, Rosie shares her journey through grief, PTSD, and healing, offering insight into finding light after profound darkness.
Summary
Key points from our discussion:
- The importance of open conversations about death and grief.
- How community support can play a crucial role in healing.
- The complexities of friendships during times of loss.
- The power of storytelling in processing grief.
- Recognising that grief is a personal journey with no set timeline.
Transcript
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Life is too hard.
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Life is too painful.
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I will never be free of this.
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I will always feel like this.
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And I remember looking at the year ahead
and thinking, I don't want to keep going.
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It is
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too hard. ... Read More
1
00:00:02,340 --> 00:00:03,930
Life is too hard.
2
00:00:03,930 --> 00:00:05,490
Life is too painful.
3
00:00:05,970 --> 00:00:08,039
I will never be free of this.
4
00:00:08,550 --> 00:00:10,350
I will always feel like this.
5
00:00:10,650 --> 00:00:14,490
And I remember looking at the year ahead
and thinking, I don't want to keep going.
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00:00:15,060 --> 00:00:15,420
It is
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too hard.
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No matter what I do, no matter how
busy I am, no matter how much energy
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I've put into everything I do to create
change, I can never bring him back.
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I can never reverse this.
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Welcome to Don't Be Caught Dead.
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A podcast encouraging open conversations
about dying and the death of a loved one.
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I'm your host, Katherine Ashton, founder
of Critical Info, and I'm helping to
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bring your stories of death back to
life because while you may not be ready
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to die, at least you can be prepared.
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Don't be caught dead.
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Acknowledges the lands of the
KO nations and recognizes their
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connection to land, sea, and community.
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We pay our respects to their elders
past, present, and emerging, and
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extend that respect to all Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander and First
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Nation peoples around the globe.
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Today I'm speaking with Rosie Batty.
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Rosie is a tireless advocate
for family violence prevention
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and a symbol of resilience in
the face of unimaginable loss.
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After her 11-year-old son, Luke
was murdered by his father.
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In 2014, Rosie Courageously
spoke out, sparking a national
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conversation on domestic violence.
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As the 2015 Australian of the Year,
she dedicated herself to systematic
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change, influencing policy and
public awareness in her memoir.
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Hope Rosie shares her journey
through grief PTSD and healing,
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offering insight into finding
light after profound darkness.
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Thank you for being with me today, Rosie.
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Hi Catherine.
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Now I have had the opportunity
to hear you speak twice.
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The first time I heard you speak
was at the Sorento Writers Festival
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when you had just released Hope.
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That's right.
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And that was in that April last year.
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And then I also had the privilege
of hearing you speak again
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towards the end of last year at
my local library in Frankston.
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And it was then that I reminded
you of the biscuits that I had
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given you with the crazy Don't be
caught dead symbols all over them.
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And you were kind enough to accept my
invitation on coming on the podcast.
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It was special moment.
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Certainly those, you know, the events
that have been created around my book
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and the opportunity to have meaningful
conversations in places like libraries and
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book festivals and other community spaces.
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You know, it has really been a very
special time where I've really understood
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that people are still interested in
what I have to say and are motivated
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into coming and hear me speak.
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And I think, you know, Frankston
was, you know, late afternoon.
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On a Saturday, a little
prior to Christmas.
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And I think if people are taking the
time out of their weekend to come and
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hear me speak, and there were a lot of
people there and it was numbers that they
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hadn't, you know, they haven't had before.
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How honored and you know I am
and how special that is, is
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something I reflect on a lot.
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And what has that experience of,
especially in that last year since
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releasing Hope, what has those experiences
of being in community and those settings
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taught you about, I suppose that
difference between when the first book
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came out, which was a mother's story
in 2016, everything you've experienced
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since then, and then how community has
responded in sort of the last 12 months.
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Um, I think it's now 11 years
since Luke was murdered.
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His anniversary is for coming up very
quickly and initially I think people were.
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Astounded that somebody who'd
experienced a profound tragedy
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like the murder of your own son and
only son, how could you function?
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How could you stand up?
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How could you move forward?
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Because we imagine that we would
never be able to find happiness again.
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We imagine we would never cope.
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I think we have an impression that
people would be bedridden or housebound
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or incapacitated with their grief.
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So I think initially the fact that I was
able to speak out in a very authentic
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and genuine way cut through, and it had
an impact on so many people and family
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violence and the conversation we were
having about it changed from that point.
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I. Now, that wasn't
something I had planned.
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It wasn't something I knew
really what I was doing.
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It wasn't something
that I'd rehearsed for.
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So I was thrust willingly, it would
say, into the public spotlight,
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and perhaps intuitively and without
real, having any idea of how long I
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would remain in the public spotlight.
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I grabbed those opportunities because I
didn't want Luke to have died in vain.
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And so many people who experience
profound tragedy, no matter what it
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is, have that absolute, you know,
calling to make change in one way the
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way they can, because that gives them
purpose and meaning in ways that they
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hadn't anticipated or had planned for.
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It does give you a reason to keep going.
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And I think those decisions I
made helped me move forward.
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But 10 years later when my book Hope was
released, I think people were curious.
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Again, they hadn't seen me in
the media spotlight as much.
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They were curious as to how
was I going on my journey?
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What was I doing?
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Or what am I doing now?
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How am I, am I doing okay?
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How has it affected me today?
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And to look back on that journey now
that I am, through the intensity of so
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many mental health challenges, I can be
reflective and balanced about that journey
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and I can look back with some regret.
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Some things I would've changed
if I could do them again, but
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an awful lot I did at that time.
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Because it felt right and it was right.
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And I think that certainty that family
violence is a societal scourge that has no
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place in our community and in any family.
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That determination to make significant
change to the best way I could
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personally do has helped me enormously.
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Even though the statistics are still
overwhelming, devastating, and it's easy
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to think, well, has that been a waste?
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Has that been a futile exercise?
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All of the energy and everything
I did, has it achieved anything?
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And those are the
questions you ask yourself.
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Because on the news most days
there will be an incident of family
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violence and there'll be a brutal
and horrendous tragedy where a
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woman predominantly has been taken.
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And left family members and children
devastated and having to face the
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same journey that I'm living through.
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And so it is really important to
be able to recognize some changes
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that give you and continue to
inspire you and give you hope.
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And that's what those community
events and public speaking engagements
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in that varying capacities do.
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'cause I'll always have people
come to me and share intimately
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what a difference it has made.
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And now that could be a victim, survivor
and someone who's felt validated and
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inspired to make courageous change.
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It can be someone who's experiencing
childhood loss and sadness and grief that
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needed to hear my words and I don't know.
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What they take away.
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All I do know is in those conversations
I have as I'm reflective and you
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know, discovering more about myself
each time, you know, I have an
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opportunity to talk in this way.
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There is always that this sharing and
this real conversations we don't always
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have or have the opportunity to have.
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Sometimes it's too close and the people
around us aren't comfortable, or we
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are more open with people we don't know
or the environment or the opportunity.
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We're just too busy and
we don't make that time.
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So when we really engage in conversations
that we have sparked our interest, but a
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topic that we may be very immersed in at
that point, or a part of our life journey,
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that is really where we're really stuck.
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I know personally, being
able to articulate and talk.
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To another human being and to
other human beings helps me process
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and progress, and that is my way.
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But other people don't have the words.
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It isn't their way.
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But I think we can all benefit on so
many levels from hearing those stories,
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which is why I see the value of whether
it's podcasts or audio books or speaking
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engagements and things that we can turn
up to either physically or remotely.
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But through other people's
storytelling and shared experiences,
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we realize we're not alone.
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That so many of our feelings are hidden,
suppressed, because we don't, we realize
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people don't want to always be burdened.
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By the reality of the sadness we may
hold, or the doubts that we have or
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the varying conflicts that we manage.
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So, you know, that's where I feel
very fortunate that through the
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most unfortunate circumstances,
I'm invited and encouraged to do
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what I have always enjoyed doing.
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In the past, it would've been
having a decent conversation and a
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meaningful conversation at a barbecue
with a glass of wine in hand.
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But I much prefer that to a loud to party.
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Well, I'm a bit older now, a loud
party, big music, can't speak, can't
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hear anybody, and it's just, you
know, I've never enjoyed those social
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engagements and those, you know, so for
me it's about genuinely meeting people.
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I. Sparking conversations
of death and reality.
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And we need, I think, to be able
to tune into those or to recognize
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the importance of them as part
of our journey through life.
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You know, I viewed life as a learning
journey and I know that I will
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continue to learn until the very end.
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And so for me, I guess I learn a lot
through other people and what I hear and
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see through their actions, through their
words, through their behaviors even.
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And I guess that's what
makes us social creatures.
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That's interesting that the way in which
you view yourself is perhaps, and this
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is something that you talk quite openly
in hope, and it certainly shows your
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self doubt and your vulnerability, but
also just your authenticity as a person,
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that there isn't anything to hide.
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You're very honest in this book.
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But that started off as a
difficult process, didn't it?
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That when you started that
book writing process with Sue?
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Yeah, well actually, I dunno about being
honest isn't a difficult process for me.
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I think I learned as a child,
I dunno whether I learned it or
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I've always been open and honest
getting in trouble at school.
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I told the truth.
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It's one of my biggest values, being
accountable, telling the truth.
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And sometimes I can say that
that could be blunt honesty,
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which isn't always well received.
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And I've understood that sometimes
that has to be more measured or
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sometimes that has to be more timely.
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So I look at perhaps inspiration and
the modeling I've had from my family.
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Who are genuine, down
to earth, honest people.
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And so I have always aspired
to be like them, I think.
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And I think with my book, what was
challenging is that I didn't really want
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to revisit the painful time of Luke's
murder, but what I really did want is the
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book to reflect honestly the challenges
I faced and some of the regrets I had
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or the self lo being I experienced and
the less than perfect person that I am
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because I felt an imposter on many levels.
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People had put me on this platform
that I felt was unrealistic.
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And when we elevate people like that so
frequently, there is only one way to go.
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And that is we also pull them down.
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And I, you know, that's something I
really never want to have experience.
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00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:06,570
So you protect yourself, I guess, as best
you can from, you know, through harm.
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00:14:06,570 --> 00:14:11,250
And you know, you experience a lot of
trolling and everyone has an opinion
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00:14:11,250 --> 00:14:18,150
of you and not everybody sees the
way that you grieve or that you are
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00:14:18,540 --> 00:14:23,910
seeking the media spotlight in the
way that I genuinely go about it,
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which is to amplify the voices of
family violence victims to use my
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00:14:28,890 --> 00:14:31,740
influence to create change where I can.
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00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:37,680
It has never been about ego and being
put famous and being seen on tv.
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It's a means to an end.
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00:14:39,810 --> 00:14:42,960
And every single time I stood
up in front of the media or on
206
00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:47,850
television in the newspapers, I
was on a mission and I still am.
207
00:14:47,850 --> 00:14:52,170
And actually I still find it a little
uncomfortable, but I project myself.
208
00:14:52,545 --> 00:14:53,895
In this way.
209
00:14:54,135 --> 00:14:59,565
'cause I always have, and people think,
oh, she's so confident and bubbly
210
00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:06,315
and personable and warm and friendly
and I am, but I'm also sensitive and
211
00:15:06,315 --> 00:15:09,045
always thinking, have I got that right?
212
00:15:09,495 --> 00:15:10,665
Was I good enough?
213
00:15:11,055 --> 00:15:12,255
Was that okay?
214
00:15:12,590 --> 00:15:18,975
It in that very moment, I'm expecting at
some point to fail and that that conflict
215
00:15:18,975 --> 00:15:24,345
is tiring, but it's, I don't know that
I'm ever not gonna be same person without
216
00:15:24,345 --> 00:15:26,895
it because it's always been with me.
217
00:15:27,375 --> 00:15:30,465
And I guess that is also what
keeps me genuine because I
218
00:15:30,465 --> 00:15:32,265
push through those self-doubts.
219
00:15:32,595 --> 00:15:36,975
You know, I came from a little village in
England and I had to push myself to get on
220
00:15:36,975 --> 00:15:39,435
a plane to Australia traveling on my own.
221
00:15:39,915 --> 00:15:44,235
And I've had to push myself every
step of the way to go further
222
00:15:44,235 --> 00:15:45,615
than I ever thought possible.
223
00:15:45,795 --> 00:15:49,485
You know, the limitations of career
for me was being a secretary.
224
00:15:50,340 --> 00:15:53,340
You know, I didn't aspire and
see anything further than that.
225
00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:59,160
And so, you know, there's been heightened
anxiety and huge self-doubt at different
226
00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:04,650
times where I've surpassed, you
know, even expectations of the small
227
00:16:04,650 --> 00:16:09,060
community I came from in England, and
certainly my family who don't truly
228
00:16:09,060 --> 00:16:12,840
understand the work I do and what I do.
229
00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,290
And because they're in England,
they have no idea of that.
230
00:16:16,290 --> 00:16:19,470
I'm a recognized family
name by so many people.
231
00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:20,430
Mm.
232
00:16:20,820 --> 00:16:25,980
You know what I have found when I
lost my mom and I was only six, my
233
00:16:25,980 --> 00:16:28,200
father was a man of his generation.
234
00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,250
He didn't know how to say he loved
you, he didn't hug you, but it
235
00:16:32,250 --> 00:16:34,110
was always there in his own way.
236
00:16:34,454 --> 00:16:39,105
And I think that little girl has
always been seeking that demonstration
237
00:16:39,105 --> 00:16:41,025
of love and, and reassurance.
238
00:16:41,355 --> 00:16:48,975
And so I guess that's the thing
that I can take from this experience
239
00:16:48,975 --> 00:16:55,305
since losing Luke, is what an amazing
response people have towards me.
240
00:16:55,545 --> 00:16:58,214
And I hope I can continue to honor that.
241
00:16:58,814 --> 00:17:03,194
Never take it for granted, never
assume it, but continue to embrace
242
00:17:03,194 --> 00:17:08,895
it because it holds me, you know, and
never to become egotistical about it.
243
00:17:09,315 --> 00:17:11,355
So I, I am humorous.
244
00:17:11,504 --> 00:17:13,065
I like to have a good joke.
245
00:17:13,335 --> 00:17:17,595
I can be a little bit too down to earth,
so it depends on my company as to whether
246
00:17:17,595 --> 00:17:20,565
my use of language has to lift and shift.
247
00:17:21,135 --> 00:17:25,545
So, yeah, it's really lovely
that people want me to be me
248
00:17:25,964 --> 00:17:26,655
and Rosie.
249
00:17:26,655 --> 00:17:27,944
It's interesting that.
250
00:17:28,349 --> 00:17:33,030
You know, in hindsight, it gives us
2020 vision to look at where we are.
251
00:17:33,270 --> 00:17:33,420
Mm-hmm.
252
00:17:33,510 --> 00:17:37,230
Now and what has led us
to be who we are today.
253
00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:42,420
From my understanding, from what I've
read, it appears that you were propelled,
254
00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:48,690
you had this purpose when Luke died
and you were, I almost feel like you
255
00:17:48,690 --> 00:17:52,320
are sort of like in this whirlwind,
it sort of reminds me of Dorothy and
256
00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:56,160
the tornado of the Wizard of Oz, that
you're spinning and you're off, and
257
00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:59,940
you're off on this path, that you really
don't know where you're going to land.
258
00:18:00,030 --> 00:18:00,120
Mm-hmm.
259
00:18:00,990 --> 00:18:05,970
And at what point in time did your
feet touch the ground and go, whoa.
260
00:18:07,350 --> 00:18:10,290
Well, I don't think they touched
the ground and went, whoa.
261
00:18:10,290 --> 00:18:13,200
In that kind of way, I think hit a wall.
262
00:18:13,620 --> 00:18:20,220
I mean, ultimately I can now
look back and see that I was
263
00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,950
avoiding further pain of grief.
264
00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:26,940
I was experiencing as
much pain as I could.
265
00:18:27,524 --> 00:18:28,274
Deal with.
266
00:18:28,665 --> 00:18:34,125
And in that pain behind the
scenes, I was drinking perhaps a
267
00:18:34,125 --> 00:18:35,715
bottle of red wine every night.
268
00:18:35,774 --> 00:18:38,055
I had taken up chain smoking again.
269
00:18:38,385 --> 00:18:43,725
You know, some of those health issues
I sit with now because of smoking.
270
00:18:43,965 --> 00:18:50,504
But it's very common for trauma affected
people to self-soothe through addiction.
271
00:18:51,435 --> 00:18:57,855
And that's something that I guess for the
first three years or so, I would think,
272
00:18:57,885 --> 00:19:03,254
you know, was a huge part of my coping
strategy and unhealthy one at that.
273
00:19:03,254 --> 00:19:06,315
But sometimes you do
what you can to survive.
274
00:19:06,735 --> 00:19:13,004
I think being constantly busy with
somewhere every other day, literally
275
00:19:13,185 --> 00:19:18,524
every other day I was traveling
somewhere, helped me avoid sitting
276
00:19:18,615 --> 00:19:21,045
alone without Luke in my home.
277
00:19:21,284 --> 00:19:26,070
And I. It gave me a reason
and a purpose to keep going.
278
00:19:26,070 --> 00:19:31,770
And I went to Borneo, I think
it was three years later.
279
00:19:32,100 --> 00:19:36,120
And when I came back, I, I was there for
four weeks volunteering at an orangutan
280
00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:40,740
sanctuary to avoid Christmas actually,
but wasn't successful because I found they
281
00:19:40,740 --> 00:19:43,980
celebrated Christmas there and everyone
was trying to make something of it.
282
00:19:44,010 --> 00:19:45,180
I was like, oh God.
283
00:19:45,450 --> 00:19:46,230
So what did it do?
284
00:19:46,230 --> 00:19:50,550
The one thing they tried to get rid of
rubbing salt in the wound and making it
285
00:19:50,550 --> 00:19:52,800
worse 'cause it was completely isolated.
286
00:19:52,980 --> 00:19:59,250
And, um, anyway, when I got back, it was
at the early, started the year and again,
287
00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:05,220
the anniversary of Luke's death is, you
know, does affect you even if you're not
288
00:20:05,430 --> 00:20:13,200
totally aware of it, sitting there at
that anniversary point, and I remember I.
289
00:20:14,175 --> 00:20:18,285
Just looking at the year ahead thinking,
I just don't wanna keep doing this.
290
00:20:18,555 --> 00:20:20,145
Life is too hard.
291
00:20:20,145 --> 00:20:21,735
Life is too painful.
292
00:20:22,215 --> 00:20:24,255
I will never be free of this.
293
00:20:24,735 --> 00:20:26,565
I will always feel like this.
294
00:20:26,835 --> 00:20:31,245
And I remember looking at the year ahead
and thinking, I don't wanna keep going.
295
00:20:32,145 --> 00:20:32,565
Mm. It is
296
00:20:32,565 --> 00:20:33,375
too hard.
297
00:20:33,765 --> 00:20:37,785
No matter what I do, no matter how
busy I am, no matter how much energy
298
00:20:38,265 --> 00:20:44,895
I've put into everything I do to create
change, I can never bring it back.
299
00:20:45,585 --> 00:20:47,655
I can never reverse this.
300
00:20:48,465 --> 00:20:55,365
And I was in Sydney at one point,
sooner around that time, and I was
301
00:20:55,365 --> 00:21:00,945
traveling from one appointment to
the next in this, you know, busyness.
302
00:21:01,455 --> 00:21:07,260
And I pushed open in a taxi door and I. A
bus came past and took it off its hinges.
303
00:21:07,980 --> 00:21:12,000
And I remember sitting there wondering
whether I was relieved I was still
304
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,270
alive or disappointed I was still alive.
305
00:21:16,050 --> 00:21:16,860
Yeah, wow.
306
00:21:16,860 --> 00:21:20,580
And I think that really helped
me understand very deeply.
307
00:21:20,970 --> 00:21:27,629
I didn't seek to end my life through
tablets and doing something irreversible,
308
00:21:27,930 --> 00:21:33,450
but I wanted to die and I would've
welcomed something happening to me.
309
00:21:33,450 --> 00:21:36,990
I was almost welcoming
getting cancer or something.
310
00:21:38,010 --> 00:21:42,690
And you know, I now can see
that was around three years.
311
00:21:43,470 --> 00:21:48,690
And perhaps people of that misconception
that by then you're getting on with life.
312
00:21:48,750 --> 00:21:51,270
By then you're over
the worst of the grief.
313
00:21:51,540 --> 00:21:55,710
And I think there's many
misconceptions, but one of them is
314
00:21:56,310 --> 00:21:58,770
how it has changed your life forever.
315
00:21:59,505 --> 00:22:04,005
And how you have to find a way to
not just recover from the grief,
316
00:22:04,005 --> 00:22:08,175
or part of that is to rebuild your
life and what that looks like.
317
00:22:08,475 --> 00:22:12,015
And that's a journey that's
individual and it's uniquely your own.
318
00:22:12,705 --> 00:22:14,805
And what works for me doesn't
work for someone else.
319
00:22:14,805 --> 00:22:18,795
So what gives me purpose and meaning
isn't the same for someone else.
320
00:22:18,975 --> 00:22:21,315
And not all of us have got that strength.
321
00:22:21,765 --> 00:22:25,395
And unfortunately, people
do fall by the wayside.
322
00:22:26,055 --> 00:22:30,825
And I feel incredibly sad and sorry
for older people who we never really
323
00:22:30,825 --> 00:22:35,565
appreciate the grief and loss that they
feel no matter what stage of life they're
324
00:22:35,595 --> 00:22:42,525
at, through losing their lifelong partner
or their siblings and all the people
325
00:22:42,525 --> 00:22:46,755
they've ever known of, their era and their
time, and the people they've outlived.
326
00:22:47,235 --> 00:22:51,165
And we expect people to
just get old, get frail.
327
00:22:51,629 --> 00:22:53,250
And then be grateful
328
00:22:53,790 --> 00:22:53,939
for
329
00:22:53,939 --> 00:22:57,330
whatever life they're able
to scratch around and find.
330
00:22:57,330 --> 00:23:00,899
And so, you know, I'm aware
that I'm so fortunate.
331
00:23:00,899 --> 00:23:08,250
I'm able bodied, I'm healthy, I'm youthful
enough, I have enough opportunity that I
332
00:23:08,250 --> 00:23:11,610
can reach out for support if I need it.
333
00:23:11,669 --> 00:23:17,010
I have at certain times, gone to a
counselor and my doctor and people that
334
00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:21,510
know my journey and know me and have
needed to help me at particular points.
335
00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:26,399
I also have friends, and I think
this is where friends are really
336
00:23:26,399 --> 00:23:31,110
important, is some people can't
handle the intensity of your grief.
337
00:23:31,530 --> 00:23:36,540
They don't expect you to have angry
outbursts and unreasonable responses.
338
00:23:36,750 --> 00:23:40,830
Now I can say that could be grief, that
could be trauma, it could be anxiety.
339
00:23:40,860 --> 00:23:45,480
But all I know is that some of
those disproportionate responses.
340
00:23:45,825 --> 00:23:52,965
Left me feeling with great self-loathing,
regret, remorse, and some of those
341
00:23:52,965 --> 00:24:01,635
people have chosen to resist my
apologies and not being able to
342
00:24:01,665 --> 00:24:04,035
find forgiveness or acceptance.
343
00:24:04,035 --> 00:24:09,195
And I think what has helped me
come back to being who I am now are
344
00:24:09,195 --> 00:24:16,185
those people who saw me at my utmost
vulnerable, my utmost broken, behaving
345
00:24:16,185 --> 00:24:19,515
in ways that I have still shame about.
346
00:24:19,755 --> 00:24:21,345
They held the space for me.
347
00:24:21,705 --> 00:24:23,265
They knew that was my pain.
348
00:24:23,385 --> 00:24:27,345
And that lifetime friendship
or the relationship that we
349
00:24:27,345 --> 00:24:29,235
have could be family members.
350
00:24:29,565 --> 00:24:34,185
Even some of my close working
colleagues over those years, the
351
00:24:34,185 --> 00:24:36,195
fact that they are still with me.
352
00:24:36,525 --> 00:24:42,165
The fact that they are still my friends
and colleagues and have helped me find
353
00:24:42,165 --> 00:24:48,975
myself again and shake off a lot of
that regret, remorse and self-loathing.
354
00:24:49,305 --> 00:24:55,335
And you know, that's where I think
that people don't realize the pain.
355
00:24:55,545 --> 00:24:57,195
It is more than physical pain.
356
00:24:57,225 --> 00:25:01,095
It is a pain that takes up
every part of your body.
357
00:25:01,395 --> 00:25:05,955
And so I now understand why people
lose hope and feel that their
358
00:25:05,955 --> 00:25:08,625
only step is to end their life.
359
00:25:08,655 --> 00:25:14,535
I fully understand it, but I
also know now, and I've always
360
00:25:14,535 --> 00:25:16,725
known I will get through this.
361
00:25:17,055 --> 00:25:18,075
It will get easier.
362
00:25:18,105 --> 00:25:24,795
I will find moments of happiness
again, moments of peace, satisfaction.
363
00:25:25,095 --> 00:25:30,735
And I can say now I also
have moments of contentment.
364
00:25:31,305 --> 00:25:35,535
My personality, I don't think,
allows me a constant state.
365
00:25:36,225 --> 00:25:37,395
Filling those things.
366
00:25:37,395 --> 00:25:39,705
I dunno whether there
is any human that does.
367
00:25:40,544 --> 00:25:41,429
No, I don't think there is.
368
00:25:42,555 --> 00:25:49,785
Part of what I do is recognize and say,
Rosie, right now, this is contentment.
369
00:25:50,115 --> 00:25:54,225
This is actually contentment because
I'm always somebody that is restlessly
370
00:25:54,225 --> 00:26:00,675
looking and so I, it's a work in progress,
but to be present, to be mindful.
371
00:26:00,870 --> 00:26:06,780
To not let your worries ruminate, to
be not too immersed in the worrying
372
00:26:06,780 --> 00:26:08,970
about the future and regret in the past.
373
00:26:09,210 --> 00:26:13,860
So I do feel that I'm very aware
of the importance and continued
374
00:26:13,860 --> 00:26:16,290
work that I need to continue to do.
375
00:26:16,530 --> 00:26:18,330
And so, you know, yeah.
376
00:26:18,330 --> 00:26:21,150
I think, I can't remember your question
now, Catherine, but we've got off.
377
00:26:21,885 --> 00:26:23,010
No, no, no, no.
378
00:26:23,010 --> 00:26:26,970
That's, it's interesting that when
you were talking, it made me very
379
00:26:26,970 --> 00:26:32,490
much think of what you were saying,
how we perceive that as you age.
380
00:26:32,820 --> 00:26:37,860
And my grandfather was in his nineties
when he died, and I was in my early
381
00:26:37,860 --> 00:26:43,020
teens, and I recall him saying to
me, oh, all my friends are dead.
382
00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:43,380
Yeah.
383
00:26:43,740 --> 00:26:47,760
And I just, it's something
that I think about quite a bit.
384
00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,190
Well, you know, because I think you.
385
00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:56,200
It's one thing that we think that is
the thing as a society that as you age,
386
00:26:56,260 --> 00:26:57,895
it's a circle of life, you know?
387
00:26:57,895 --> 00:26:58,175
Yeah.
388
00:26:58,315 --> 00:27:01,240
And, and we kind of put that
down to, you know, it's a circle
389
00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:02,889
of life and things like that.
390
00:27:02,895 --> 00:27:04,600
But you see, I guess that's the thing.
391
00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:09,340
I had a grandmother that lived till she
was a hundred, now she died 22 years ago.
392
00:27:09,340 --> 00:27:11,379
There weren't many people
living to a hundred back then.
393
00:27:11,379 --> 00:27:11,440
Yeah.
394
00:27:12,595 --> 00:27:15,399
And she was an inspiring woman.
395
00:27:15,430 --> 00:27:18,639
She was funny, she had
a great sense of humor.
396
00:27:19,180 --> 00:27:21,520
She was kind, she was motherly.
397
00:27:21,550 --> 00:27:24,940
Everybody loved my nana, everybody.
398
00:27:25,570 --> 00:27:27,670
Um, and she was a great inspiration.
399
00:27:28,120 --> 00:27:30,430
But she, yes, she outlived everybody.
400
00:27:31,199 --> 00:27:34,439
Including, you know, one of
my cousins who died tragically
401
00:27:34,439 --> 00:27:36,689
of a brain tumor, she died.
402
00:27:36,929 --> 00:27:42,030
She outlived my mother, who died
tragically and prematurely at
403
00:27:42,030 --> 00:27:45,689
the age of 37 and left three
children under the age of six.
404
00:27:45,870 --> 00:27:50,669
But she didn't dwell and she, you know,
she was a delight for people to visit.
405
00:27:50,939 --> 00:27:51,389
She was.
406
00:27:51,750 --> 00:27:53,190
Still in her own home.
407
00:27:53,460 --> 00:28:01,620
So she had a really lovely older and
older age that I, I'm not sure I will have
408
00:28:01,890 --> 00:28:06,780
with my life choices and you know, like
of family members and things like that.
409
00:28:07,260 --> 00:28:15,510
But it still inspires me and has shown me
how perhaps to look at continuing living
410
00:28:15,510 --> 00:28:17,850
life throughout the course of your life.
411
00:28:18,120 --> 00:28:23,070
But my father, again, he's recently
just died, but still very recent for me.
412
00:28:23,550 --> 00:28:24,930
He was 92.
413
00:28:25,260 --> 00:28:25,950
And do you know what?
414
00:28:25,950 --> 00:28:30,480
He had a packed church because he'd
lived in that area all his life,
415
00:28:30,690 --> 00:28:34,920
but he'd outlived nearly all of
his friends of that generation.
416
00:28:35,190 --> 00:28:40,260
One of my uncles is still alive and
you know, so there's one or two, but
417
00:28:40,470 --> 00:28:43,380
one of the last living friends is.
418
00:28:44,625 --> 00:28:48,495
Of exactly the same age and they
grew up in the village together.
419
00:28:48,495 --> 00:28:52,875
This small little village went to school
with each other, all of those things.
420
00:28:53,175 --> 00:28:57,555
And David is still alive, but
he's, you know, he's certainly
421
00:28:57,915 --> 00:28:59,325
a very elderly gentleman.
422
00:28:59,325 --> 00:29:02,505
And I just feel, my dad
always had the attitude.
423
00:29:02,505 --> 00:29:07,785
He was still driving, he was still living
life up until the day he didn't, yeah,
424
00:29:07,785 --> 00:29:13,305
he still wanted to do what he could do,
visit people, all the things, you know,
425
00:29:13,365 --> 00:29:16,425
he didn't give up, he didn't accept.
426
00:29:16,545 --> 00:29:20,985
So those are the things I think
have, I feel very fortunate that
427
00:29:21,195 --> 00:29:27,795
stoicism strength, some really great
qualities that I think I draw from.
428
00:29:28,110 --> 00:29:33,899
And it's because of the family and the
community that surrounded me and those,
429
00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:40,110
you know, so my link to the UK is still
so strong and conflicted 'cause I choose
430
00:29:40,110 --> 00:29:41,639
to live on the opposite side of the world.
431
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:42,510
Mm.
432
00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:47,730
And so, you know, there is always
that conflict, but I think on the flip
433
00:29:47,730 --> 00:29:54,720
side of that, modeling of stoicism and
strength was a lack of emotional support.
434
00:29:55,020 --> 00:30:00,570
So the emotional support I have needed
as a little girl wasn't available to me.
435
00:30:00,810 --> 00:30:03,870
And it wasn't a fault of my parents.
436
00:30:04,260 --> 00:30:05,820
It was through tragedy.
437
00:30:05,879 --> 00:30:06,840
My mom dying.
438
00:30:07,409 --> 00:30:12,090
And it was through an era where
children were seen, not heard,
439
00:30:12,450 --> 00:30:14,730
their emotional needs were not met.
440
00:30:15,540 --> 00:30:18,780
People coped by compartmentalization.
441
00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:21,540
It's through more recent.
442
00:30:22,815 --> 00:30:27,855
That we understand counseling
is a benefit, that being able
443
00:30:27,855 --> 00:30:33,015
to share vulnerability, but
we still have to be cautious.
444
00:30:33,135 --> 00:30:37,065
We still worry about people's
perception and stigma of mental health.
445
00:30:37,395 --> 00:30:40,395
We still don't openly talk about grief
446
00:30:40,725 --> 00:30:41,505
or death
447
00:30:41,655 --> 00:30:42,495
or death.
448
00:30:42,650 --> 00:30:48,885
And I think many people that have to make
significant change in their life moving
449
00:30:48,885 --> 00:30:53,745
forward because of death of someone close,
no matter who that may be, you know, not
450
00:30:53,745 --> 00:30:55,365
everybody goes the distance with you.
451
00:30:55,755 --> 00:31:01,605
And that for me was something that I
struggled with enormously for at least
452
00:31:01,605 --> 00:31:07,785
the first two years I noticed everybody
that was no longer part of my life.
453
00:31:08,820 --> 00:31:12,959
And I think people exit out of
your life for varying reasons,
454
00:31:13,290 --> 00:31:15,389
but it's like abandonment.
455
00:31:15,389 --> 00:31:22,050
It was a huge abandonment for me and
yeah, really rub, you know, an abandonment
456
00:31:22,050 --> 00:31:27,300
through the loss of my mother has been
something I'm incredibly sensitive around.
457
00:31:27,659 --> 00:31:28,830
And I noticed that.
458
00:31:28,889 --> 00:31:32,010
And I realize that's for me to recognize.
459
00:31:32,250 --> 00:31:37,050
I realize that my connection to some
of those people who I considered
460
00:31:37,050 --> 00:31:39,000
friends at the time was Luke.
461
00:31:39,179 --> 00:31:43,764
And what I have understood as I reflect
back over the last 10 and 11 years.
462
00:31:44,685 --> 00:31:47,805
Those lost connections are
because I've lost Luke.
463
00:31:47,850 --> 00:31:48,139
Yeah.
464
00:31:48,139 --> 00:31:48,899
Circumstance.
465
00:31:49,125 --> 00:31:51,195
And I've had to make new connections.
466
00:31:51,345 --> 00:31:57,254
And so for me, there was a period of
time where I was very focused on my loss.
467
00:31:57,524 --> 00:32:02,565
And now I recognize the wonderful new
people who've come into my life, who
468
00:32:02,565 --> 00:32:07,155
I have relevance and connection with
because we share the same passions
469
00:32:07,245 --> 00:32:08,895
and whatever they may look like.
470
00:32:08,925 --> 00:32:12,345
There's a lot of commonality
and shared appreciation of,
471
00:32:12,645 --> 00:32:14,805
and I realized that is life.
472
00:32:15,195 --> 00:32:19,365
And there was a podium that friends can
be a reason, a season and a lifetime.
473
00:32:20,264 --> 00:32:20,325
Yeah.
474
00:32:20,325 --> 00:32:24,764
And I've realized that yes,
my situation was extreme.
475
00:32:25,004 --> 00:32:26,774
No one wanted to be me.
476
00:32:27,750 --> 00:32:29,700
No one would change places with me.
477
00:32:29,850 --> 00:32:34,500
But the journey of friendship and
the complexities of family relations
478
00:32:34,710 --> 00:32:37,080
are all of, we're all navigating.
479
00:32:37,740 --> 00:32:42,150
And so I've realized that that
was an inevitable pathway.
480
00:32:42,540 --> 00:32:46,230
You know, I had a lot in common
with a lot of people through
481
00:32:46,230 --> 00:32:48,150
Luke, because we were moms.
482
00:32:48,715 --> 00:32:49,650
Yeah, yeah.
483
00:32:49,650 --> 00:32:49,770
And
484
00:32:49,770 --> 00:32:50,850
that changed.
485
00:32:50,850 --> 00:32:55,290
I was no longer able to enjoy
the camaraderie of being
486
00:32:55,290 --> 00:32:57,300
a mom with a small child.
487
00:32:57,810 --> 00:32:59,040
It was painful.
488
00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:04,290
And for them there is perhaps guilt
or awkwardness, but the end of the day
489
00:33:04,530 --> 00:33:06,990
people don't deliberately hurt you.
490
00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:11,190
But I think that removal and
withdrawal, it's difficult.
491
00:33:12,330 --> 00:33:16,650
And Rosie, that's something that you
certainly speak about in the book and you
492
00:33:16,650 --> 00:33:22,320
know, how do you think that you would've
liked people during that time to perhaps
493
00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:25,320
respond to you or just let you know?
494
00:33:25,320 --> 00:33:30,270
Because it's not the only story that
I've heard where people have had someone
495
00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:37,560
die under either public circumstances
or private, but people don't know how to
496
00:33:37,650 --> 00:33:39,540
support someone when they're grieving.
497
00:33:40,110 --> 00:33:44,340
And what would've you found would've
been helpful for someone to have?
498
00:33:45,075 --> 00:33:45,945
Said to you at that stage?
499
00:33:46,635 --> 00:33:49,605
Oh, I think there was a lot
of people helping me with my
500
00:33:49,605 --> 00:33:51,675
grieving in the tragedy of it.
501
00:33:52,125 --> 00:33:56,865
I had people from the Salvation
Army making sure I had toilet
502
00:33:56,865 --> 00:34:01,935
rolls, cooked meals, absolute,
enormous, community kindness.
503
00:34:02,385 --> 00:34:04,665
I had people coming from everywhere.
504
00:34:05,475 --> 00:34:07,185
I had so many flowers.
505
00:34:07,455 --> 00:34:12,405
So many flowers for months that
I couldn't fit them in the house.
506
00:34:12,405 --> 00:34:13,605
They were down the drive.
507
00:34:13,605 --> 00:34:15,014
They were around my garden.
508
00:34:15,885 --> 00:34:21,824
I had letters and cards and gifts
sent to me from across Australia.
509
00:34:22,290 --> 00:34:28,620
Elderly men and women, young people
that went on for months, absolutely
510
00:34:28,830 --> 00:34:33,359
hundreds of pieces of correspondence,
not knowing where to send them to.
511
00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:37,170
Just Rosy Tire, cricket
Club, any of those things.
512
00:34:37,500 --> 00:34:42,029
You know, my house was full of
people coming together in their pain
513
00:34:42,810 --> 00:34:48,779
and shock and disbelief and school
communities that we were connecting to.
514
00:34:48,779 --> 00:34:53,370
Everything that we were connected
into were so much part of that.
515
00:34:54,210 --> 00:35:00,390
And it was an incredible experience
that I think shows the best of humanity.
516
00:35:00,779 --> 00:35:02,460
But the journey is a long one.
517
00:35:03,330 --> 00:35:09,509
Mm. And unfortunately, it is something
to do with yourself in recognizing
518
00:35:09,810 --> 00:35:14,400
the hole and the void that you are
left with is too big for anyone to
519
00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:16,650
fill, but it's painful when you see.
520
00:35:16,950 --> 00:35:20,910
People moving on in their life and
the anger that you can sometimes
521
00:35:20,910 --> 00:35:24,899
feel is your anger, but they're not
doing anything wrong because they
522
00:35:24,899 --> 00:35:28,080
still feel very sad, very sorry.
523
00:35:28,529 --> 00:35:30,899
They still feel those things.
524
00:35:31,049 --> 00:35:36,629
But I realize that one of my neighbors,
and she said, every night I look out at
525
00:35:36,629 --> 00:35:42,240
the moon and I think of, look, I will
always remember him, Rosie, and I thought,
526
00:35:42,779 --> 00:35:48,000
you see Rosie, people might not tell
you every day, but in their own way, at
527
00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:53,310
particular moments, no matter what they
look like, they will always remember him.
528
00:35:54,525 --> 00:36:00,015
And so, you know, because you don't
see them joining you for a fundraiser
529
00:36:00,015 --> 00:36:05,295
or knocking on your door every five
minutes or you know, including you
530
00:36:05,295 --> 00:36:09,735
in things that you perhaps had hoped
that you might get included in.
531
00:36:09,735 --> 00:36:16,065
And feeling left out, these are a
lot of your own very real feelings.
532
00:36:16,425 --> 00:36:22,845
But I think it was for me to recognize
that no one out of, for Luke's
533
00:36:22,935 --> 00:36:28,785
circle of friends, all those kids
and their parents and the community
534
00:36:28,845 --> 00:36:33,675
and large will ever forget what
happened to Luke and who Luke was.
535
00:36:34,635 --> 00:36:39,765
And even now there will be somebody
at some point that will, I will bump
536
00:36:39,765 --> 00:36:45,285
into that will remind me that child
was at school at the same time as Luke.
537
00:36:45,285 --> 00:36:48,795
And they, you know, so
for quite a long time.
538
00:36:49,485 --> 00:36:54,885
I was really desperate to have evidence
that Luke had not been forgotten,
539
00:36:55,635 --> 00:37:04,785
and it has taken some time to realize
that my life and how I rebuild my
540
00:37:04,785 --> 00:37:07,275
life is a journey only I can take.
541
00:37:07,785 --> 00:37:10,065
And yes, I need to know that I'm loved.
542
00:37:10,275 --> 00:37:12,555
I need to know that I'm supported.
543
00:37:13,275 --> 00:37:19,815
I would hate to think that I had to do
this alone, but I realized that those
544
00:37:20,445 --> 00:37:25,275
genuine lifetime friends that have
always been there, and I've got several
545
00:37:25,275 --> 00:37:29,445
in the UK that I grew up with or went
to school with, that I've continued
546
00:37:29,445 --> 00:37:31,095
to have strong friendships with.
547
00:37:31,095 --> 00:37:36,345
Even now, I've got a great family,
even though they live in the uk,
548
00:37:37,005 --> 00:37:44,805
who I know no matter what I need in
support, I. Will always be there for me.
549
00:37:45,015 --> 00:37:51,285
They may not understand my emotions at
times, but I know unequivocally they will
550
00:37:51,285 --> 00:37:57,225
never see me in trouble without stepping
in to help in whatever way they can.
551
00:37:58,064 --> 00:38:03,915
And I think friendships can be more
tenuous and I think those who have the
552
00:38:03,915 --> 00:38:10,665
capacity and emotional intelligence
can have that ability to recognize
553
00:38:10,665 --> 00:38:15,165
that your response to something
is not directly personal to them.
554
00:38:15,464 --> 00:38:17,415
And you really appreciate that.
555
00:38:17,415 --> 00:38:19,544
That deepens and
strengthens your friendship.
556
00:38:19,860 --> 00:38:22,320
And you want to be that friend for them.
557
00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:27,030
And what I don't like is when people
shield me and think, don't let Rosie know
558
00:38:27,480 --> 00:38:29,790
because they think it might upset me.
559
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:32,430
It really is one of the worst
things you can do, you know?
560
00:38:33,075 --> 00:38:36,360
And I think that's largely
being trauma affected as well.
561
00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:37,410
I need to know.
562
00:38:37,410 --> 00:38:40,530
Mm. I don't want people to be
frightened of upsetting me.
563
00:38:40,530 --> 00:38:41,730
I don't want the truth.
564
00:38:42,180 --> 00:38:44,100
I want blunt honesty.
565
00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:46,230
Don't skirt around.
566
00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:51,690
And what I did need, coming back to your
question, which is a very difficult thing
567
00:38:51,720 --> 00:38:57,960
for anyone to do, is actually let me know
when I've hurt their feelings to actually
568
00:38:58,620 --> 00:39:02,130
say to me, Rosie, that has really hurt me.
569
00:39:02,610 --> 00:39:07,740
Or I don't know whether you realize
how that is making people feel.
570
00:39:08,190 --> 00:39:12,750
And to be honest enough, because
sometimes through your pain, you don't
571
00:39:12,750 --> 00:39:14,550
realize you're hurting other people.
572
00:39:15,060 --> 00:39:19,740
And it's not what you set out to do,
but you feel like the pain that you have
573
00:39:19,740 --> 00:39:23,040
inside is visible to those on the outside.
574
00:39:23,399 --> 00:39:31,560
And I think as we are able to forgive,
make allowances and not respond
575
00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:36,870
and react, but I think there is a
time also where that may need to be
576
00:39:36,870 --> 00:39:42,029
acknowledged that there is something
that actually needs to be recognized.
577
00:39:42,390 --> 00:39:48,089
And what I think is very difficult
is for people to be honest and they
578
00:39:48,089 --> 00:39:52,020
remove themselves because either
they see that as a personal attack
579
00:39:52,049 --> 00:39:56,549
on them, that they feel hurt by and.
580
00:39:56,970 --> 00:40:03,180
That the intensity of the grief is
triggering their own stuff and is
581
00:40:03,180 --> 00:40:07,440
frightening to them, or it's intimidating
to them, or it's overwhelming them.
582
00:40:07,799 --> 00:40:12,480
And quite frankly, some people
don't need that in their lives.
583
00:40:12,660 --> 00:40:14,670
They may be going through
a vulnerable time.
584
00:40:15,150 --> 00:40:19,529
They may have their own life pressures,
they may be having their own relationship
585
00:40:19,529 --> 00:40:24,000
breakdowns, and they may need to put
their own boundaries in place because
586
00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:29,400
right then and there and for a period
of time, they can't be available to you.
587
00:40:30,089 --> 00:40:33,330
But I think the trouble is,
Catherine, people aren't able
588
00:40:33,330 --> 00:40:34,859
to feel they can be honest.
589
00:40:35,370 --> 00:40:35,400
Mm.
590
00:40:35,430 --> 00:40:38,790
Because they feel like that is
perhaps gonna be too hurtful.
591
00:40:39,089 --> 00:40:42,839
And so some of those people have
come back into my life and I've been
592
00:40:42,839 --> 00:40:48,089
able to understand through my own
reflections, and without talking too
593
00:40:48,089 --> 00:40:51,870
deeply to these people, that they
were going through their own stuff.
594
00:40:52,215 --> 00:40:56,535
And they were, but their exit out of
my life and the door that they shut
595
00:40:56,745 --> 00:41:00,915
was really hurtful at the time because
I didn't know what I'd done wrong,
596
00:41:01,155 --> 00:41:02,895
but I sensed there was something.
597
00:41:03,255 --> 00:41:07,155
And so now that friendship, those
friendships are in, but that
598
00:41:07,155 --> 00:41:09,045
degree of trust is no longer there.
599
00:41:09,645 --> 00:41:09,675
Mm.
600
00:41:09,795 --> 00:41:15,375
But it's found a friendship that
is comfortable and kind and.
601
00:41:15,870 --> 00:41:16,470
Enough.
602
00:41:17,040 --> 00:41:23,490
So I think it's often we are either to
actually be able to be really honest.
603
00:41:23,730 --> 00:41:24,840
It's not easy.
604
00:41:25,260 --> 00:41:29,880
And I think we all struggle with
that, whether we don't want to be
605
00:41:30,090 --> 00:41:35,400
confronted, whether we fear the
response of that person, whether it's
606
00:41:35,460 --> 00:41:40,680
you expect them to be angry or burst
into tears and be devastatingly sad.
607
00:41:40,980 --> 00:41:46,620
And I feel like we are very closed
to allowing people to be angry.
608
00:41:47,850 --> 00:41:51,210
And it's a very difficult 'cause.
609
00:41:51,210 --> 00:41:57,570
Some of us have been, you know, anger
is a response that we kind of have
610
00:41:57,570 --> 00:42:00,270
perhaps comes from our childhood as well.
611
00:42:00,630 --> 00:42:00,990
You know, I
612
00:42:01,380 --> 00:42:07,410
think it also has a bit to do with
that people don't really understand
613
00:42:07,830 --> 00:42:13,440
grief and what shape and form grief can
come in and it can be ugly at times.
614
00:42:13,529 --> 00:42:15,540
I think that's a huge point.
615
00:42:15,540 --> 00:42:18,720
We don't, but I think
it's all human emotion.
616
00:42:18,750 --> 00:42:21,210
You know, we are
uncomfortable with sadness.
617
00:42:21,600 --> 00:42:25,830
We're uncomfortable with genuine
loss because if it's a feeling of
618
00:42:25,830 --> 00:42:30,960
disappointment, sadness, you know,
we are too readily misinterpreting
619
00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:33,150
that as something abnormal.
620
00:42:33,660 --> 00:42:40,590
And, you know, depression can be abnormal,
you know, in, in its way of lingering.
621
00:42:40,620 --> 00:42:42,690
And we can be incredibly vulnerable to it.
622
00:42:42,690 --> 00:42:44,310
And there's lots of complexities around.
623
00:42:44,310 --> 00:42:49,410
Depression will not minimize, but
it's also something that's telling us
624
00:42:49,950 --> 00:42:52,290
that we need to address in our lives.
625
00:42:53,069 --> 00:42:57,839
And I. I think those courageous
steps about, well, courageous.
626
00:42:58,350 --> 00:43:02,520
It is courageous really to kind of
go deep within and say, what is going
627
00:43:02,520 --> 00:43:08,759
on in my life that is making me, you
know, anxious or sad or, you know, all
628
00:43:08,759 --> 00:43:14,904
of these things because the changes we
need to perhaps look at are overwhelming
629
00:43:15,240 --> 00:43:20,850
or we're unsure, or we are just
uncomfortable and we don't wanna go there.
630
00:43:21,210 --> 00:43:26,520
So for me, I do feel that we don't
understand grief and I do feel that we
631
00:43:26,580 --> 00:43:30,000
want people to be coping rather than not.
632
00:43:31,110 --> 00:43:36,420
And also within a, an expected timeline,
just an, there's an, there's a perceived
633
00:43:36,420 --> 00:43:38,009
timeline of how long that should go.
634
00:43:38,009 --> 00:43:38,069
Yeah.
635
00:43:38,549 --> 00:43:45,240
So I can still remember one of my dearest
fans who I reacted angrily about something
636
00:43:45,240 --> 00:43:47,520
that happened several months later.
637
00:43:47,549 --> 00:43:50,520
It was in the first 12 months, it
was nine months later and it was
638
00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:52,740
approaching Luke's coronial inquest.
639
00:43:53,220 --> 00:43:58,680
And I had recently had bunion surgery,
so I was kind of incapacitated and was
640
00:43:58,680 --> 00:44:00,210
crutch bound and all of these things.
641
00:44:00,210 --> 00:44:04,529
Anyway, either way, there was something
that happened and I was really angry.
642
00:44:04,920 --> 00:44:08,880
And there was another situation
where I was really angry when I
643
00:44:08,880 --> 00:44:10,799
was on holiday with relatives.
644
00:44:10,950 --> 00:44:13,410
And again, it was a traumatic
response to something.
645
00:44:13,740 --> 00:44:19,529
And each of those people that are
related to me, either you know, genuine
646
00:44:19,529 --> 00:44:27,720
relationships or really like lifetime
friends, each of them had said she should.
647
00:44:28,080 --> 00:44:33,000
Be over it by now or her behavior,
which is the same thing really.
648
00:44:33,480 --> 00:44:33,540
Yeah.
649
00:44:33,540 --> 00:44:37,380
This kind of response and
behavior should be over it by now.
650
00:44:37,740 --> 00:44:41,430
And you know, that was within
the first 12 months of a child
651
00:44:41,610 --> 00:44:43,440
being murdered in front of you.
652
00:44:43,890 --> 00:44:45,720
You know, like what are you thinking?
653
00:44:45,990 --> 00:44:52,650
How could you possibly think that
my emotional wellbeing was gonna
654
00:44:52,650 --> 00:44:55,320
be recovered by a particular time?
655
00:44:55,830 --> 00:44:56,730
And so, yeah.
656
00:44:56,790 --> 00:45:02,460
And I think the very energy that I
draw from that helps me survive is
657
00:45:02,460 --> 00:45:09,060
the very energy that bursts out when
not properly channeled or not, I dunno
658
00:45:09,060 --> 00:45:14,730
about properly, because I think it's the
shame that I've sit with through being.
659
00:45:15,210 --> 00:45:17,430
Honestly emotional.
660
00:45:17,430 --> 00:45:21,960
So, you know, you, you suppress
a lot, but I think we all do.
661
00:45:22,080 --> 00:45:23,850
There is a way to project yourself.
662
00:45:24,480 --> 00:45:30,120
So I think, you know, it's understandable
in the moment of absolute tragedy
663
00:45:30,420 --> 00:45:38,430
that we are broken and distraught
and deeply saddened and yeah, so
664
00:45:38,430 --> 00:45:42,840
I think it takes a lot of people
having their own self-reflection,
665
00:45:42,840 --> 00:45:46,230
self-awareness, and self responsibility.
666
00:45:46,590 --> 00:45:48,210
And so a lot of us don't.
667
00:45:48,840 --> 00:45:55,680
I think I try to, it may be delayed
at times where I reflect more later
668
00:45:56,100 --> 00:46:00,420
and then see how that may have
impacted on somebody or how I could
669
00:46:00,420 --> 00:46:04,140
have responded better or differently
and had a different outcome and a
670
00:46:04,140 --> 00:46:07,110
better, better, you know, experience.
671
00:46:07,650 --> 00:46:11,670
And I think that's what you try to do, and
when I say it's a journey of learning, is
672
00:46:12,029 --> 00:46:14,190
you're seeking through wisdom and insight.
673
00:46:14,819 --> 00:46:19,259
To continually be a better
human and I will never be
674
00:46:19,259 --> 00:46:21,779
the perfect human I wanna be.
675
00:46:22,290 --> 00:46:25,830
And I look at some of my
friends whose qualities and
676
00:46:25,830 --> 00:46:29,040
personalities I admire so much.
677
00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:31,200
And they're different to me.
678
00:46:31,799 --> 00:46:37,410
And I think in the same way that they
see me and they admire me in ways
679
00:46:37,410 --> 00:46:40,859
that I don't see in myself, you know?
680
00:46:40,859 --> 00:46:45,480
So I think friendship is tested,
relationships are tested, family
681
00:46:45,480 --> 00:46:47,790
relationships and dynamics are tested.
682
00:46:48,359 --> 00:46:54,569
And yeah, talking about death, people will
say, oh, they'll try, people will try.
683
00:46:54,569 --> 00:46:59,130
And even through the experience of my
dad dying to soften it, to come up with
684
00:46:59,130 --> 00:47:05,910
some kind of more palatable language,
or you just soften it and you go, well,
685
00:47:05,910 --> 00:47:08,580
actually sometimes it is as it is.
686
00:47:08,610 --> 00:47:11,130
And so how do you respond to somebody?
687
00:47:11,135 --> 00:47:14,430
And, and I remember somebody saying
to me at the very time, years
688
00:47:14,430 --> 00:47:16,950
ago, I just dunno what to say.
689
00:47:17,790 --> 00:47:19,860
And I say, isn't that the perfect thing?
690
00:47:19,860 --> 00:47:19,920
Yeah.
691
00:47:20,490 --> 00:47:21,960
I dunno what to say.
692
00:47:22,350 --> 00:47:25,290
I just, I'm just so sorry.
693
00:47:25,860 --> 00:47:27,660
Or I'm just here for you.
694
00:47:28,080 --> 00:47:32,820
And so sometimes there are no words,
sometimes there isn't anything to say,
695
00:47:33,540 --> 00:47:37,110
but the very fact that you've shown up,
the very fact that you keep weathering
696
00:47:37,110 --> 00:47:43,230
the storm, and that's the thing for me
is all the activity that happened at
697
00:47:43,230 --> 00:47:48,930
the time of Luke's murder, but he has
a cricket match that's in honor of him
698
00:47:48,990 --> 00:47:54,930
each year in that the Victorian police
have a team and so they do this match.
699
00:47:54,930 --> 00:47:56,160
You're in honor of Luke.
700
00:47:56,310 --> 00:48:03,570
And I've always feel conflicted because I
see how, you know, how thoughtful that is.
701
00:48:04,500 --> 00:48:08,850
Of the police and the local cricket club
wanting to do something in memory of Luke.
702
00:48:09,150 --> 00:48:11,490
Not just Luke, but for family violence.
703
00:48:12,029 --> 00:48:16,230
But I'm always anxious and nervous
about whether anyone will turn up
704
00:48:17,069 --> 00:48:22,589
and sometimes the people that I had
thought would just don't, and the
705
00:48:22,589 --> 00:48:26,190
people that I'm don't expect do.
706
00:48:26,730 --> 00:48:32,339
And so I see that as just a reflection
of they still remember Luke in their own
707
00:48:32,339 --> 00:48:36,210
private way, and he'll always be happy.
708
00:48:36,270 --> 00:48:39,690
You know, there'll always be a sadness in
their heart about what happened to him.
709
00:48:39,750 --> 00:48:41,340
And you won't be forgotten.
710
00:48:41,880 --> 00:48:48,300
So life keeps going on as you question
your friendships and sometimes you just
711
00:48:48,300 --> 00:48:50,700
have to accept they've run that course.
712
00:48:51,030 --> 00:48:55,290
It's interesting what you were just
saying there, Rosie, in relation to
713
00:48:56,040 --> 00:49:01,080
what you'd said at one stage about
what people can say to you and just
714
00:49:01,080 --> 00:49:02,730
sort of saying, I dunno what to say.
715
00:49:03,240 --> 00:49:06,180
I recall you saying that, and
I think it may have been at
716
00:49:06,180 --> 00:49:09,000
the So Writers Festival and.
717
00:49:11,355 --> 00:49:13,335
Said to other people since Not really.
718
00:49:13,335 --> 00:49:16,455
The best thing you can say
is, I don't know what to say.
719
00:49:16,725 --> 00:49:20,925
Yeah, because it's bloody better than
any cliche you can come up with or any
720
00:49:20,925 --> 00:49:26,775
really bad way of trying to soften the
situation when unfortunately you can't.
721
00:49:27,705 --> 00:49:28,200
You know, you
722
00:49:28,200 --> 00:49:28,480
can't.
723
00:49:28,500 --> 00:49:36,255
And it's, and also if someone tears
up or someone breaks down, it's okay.
724
00:49:37,005 --> 00:49:40,305
You know, people are frightened to
death of upsetting you and that.
725
00:49:41,220 --> 00:49:47,730
You know that pity is wearing and it's
reminds you all the time that something
726
00:49:47,730 --> 00:49:54,240
is wrong with you and your situation
is pitiful and nobody wants to be you.
727
00:49:54,240 --> 00:49:58,170
And it's, you know, my journey has
been quite a weird one to navigate
728
00:49:58,319 --> 00:50:03,029
on, many levels to be admired, and yet
no one wants to be in your situation.
729
00:50:03,029 --> 00:50:07,560
But after such a period of time, I've
navigated it and I'm okay with where I
730
00:50:07,560 --> 00:50:13,259
am and how it's turned out, but it's not
always easy because I, you know, I fear
731
00:50:13,259 --> 00:50:19,170
people's judgment and I'm very conscious
when I walk my dogs or I'm out locally,
732
00:50:19,230 --> 00:50:21,180
you know that I want to be someone that.
733
00:50:21,765 --> 00:50:24,465
Is projecting myself as I normally would.
734
00:50:24,825 --> 00:50:27,705
I'm mindful about not
being rude to people.
735
00:50:27,705 --> 00:50:31,455
I don't want to be rude somebody in
a supermarket because I'm impatient
736
00:50:31,455 --> 00:50:33,345
in being in the queue, whatever.
737
00:50:33,765 --> 00:50:37,725
Because I realize just
how you can affect people.
738
00:50:37,935 --> 00:50:42,770
And you know, I can be that harsh
person if I'm under pressure and I'm
739
00:50:42,970 --> 00:50:48,045
stressed, I can be very direct and I
realize that's not who I like to be.
740
00:50:48,765 --> 00:50:51,015
And there are times where
you need to be that.
741
00:50:51,915 --> 00:50:57,105
But I, I guess because I'm now in
a more balanced state of being, you
742
00:50:57,105 --> 00:51:00,015
know, I can hold myself in check.
743
00:51:00,600 --> 00:51:07,770
If I'm irritated or impatient, and I
try to ensure that I have strategies
744
00:51:07,770 --> 00:51:12,150
in place to be more that person than
the person that comes out of a box.
745
00:51:12,150 --> 00:51:18,120
I don't want be seen as So
isn't that life and who we are.
746
00:51:18,150 --> 00:51:22,710
We have our strong points and are
good points, and we have the other
747
00:51:22,710 --> 00:51:26,340
side of ourselves no matter what that
looks like, that are challenging.
748
00:51:26,490 --> 00:51:30,450
And we seen in others what we
perhaps lack in ourselves or
749
00:51:30,450 --> 00:51:31,950
feel that we lack in ourselves.
750
00:51:31,950 --> 00:51:35,970
Whether that's extroversion
or articulation or, you know,
751
00:51:36,300 --> 00:51:40,350
I just really admire people
who are calm and composed and
752
00:51:41,315 --> 00:51:42,085
even keeled.
753
00:51:42,085 --> 00:51:42,325
Yeah.
754
00:51:42,385 --> 00:51:42,605
And
755
00:51:42,630 --> 00:51:43,230
yes.
756
00:51:43,620 --> 00:51:44,130
Oh gosh.
757
00:51:44,130 --> 00:51:46,560
I would give space to be that person.
758
00:51:46,560 --> 00:51:46,620
Yeah.
759
00:51:46,950 --> 00:51:49,440
And I, and also people would, you know.
760
00:51:50,280 --> 00:51:52,080
Fantastic writing skills.
761
00:51:52,080 --> 00:51:55,080
I mean, mine are good enough, but
you know, that's not my strength.
762
00:51:55,560 --> 00:51:58,830
You've done so much self-analysis, Rosie.
763
00:51:58,890 --> 00:51:59,040
It's
764
00:51:59,040 --> 00:52:00,120
exhausting, isn't it?
765
00:52:00,210 --> 00:52:02,760
Just typing in my shoes.
766
00:52:03,305 --> 00:52:05,070
It's exhausting, but But you
767
00:52:05,070 --> 00:52:06,030
really have, yeah.
768
00:52:06,420 --> 00:52:10,380
Like, you know, and so much personal
growth and understanding, and most
769
00:52:10,380 --> 00:52:16,650
people never get to actually be able
to have or develop the hindsight that
770
00:52:16,650 --> 00:52:18,450
you've been able to develop through.
771
00:52:18,870 --> 00:52:23,040
Do you think the process of writing
and storytelling has helped with
772
00:52:23,040 --> 00:52:23,340
that?
773
00:52:23,430 --> 00:52:28,110
Oh, I am sure it has, but also, you
know, I'm in my sixties and how many
774
00:52:28,110 --> 00:52:34,890
people do we listen to who are older when
they have so much life experience and
775
00:52:34,890 --> 00:52:39,270
stories to share and tell and experiences
of life that we can learn from.
776
00:52:39,750 --> 00:52:39,960
Mm-hmm.
777
00:52:39,960 --> 00:52:42,630
How dismissive are we
in our young arrogance?
778
00:52:43,365 --> 00:52:48,045
And I feel so fortunate that I am
seen as somebody that's got wisdom
779
00:52:48,045 --> 00:52:53,595
to share and insight to be shared
and experience to learn from because
780
00:52:53,595 --> 00:52:57,765
I, that's how I keep learning, you
know, about myself from others.
781
00:52:58,275 --> 00:53:02,235
You know, I feel very fortunate that
even though I'm a woman in my sixties,
782
00:53:02,265 --> 00:53:07,665
I still have a voice and I don't
expect that to change anytime soon.
783
00:53:08,265 --> 00:53:10,395
And I wouldn't want it to Rosie you.
784
00:53:10,395 --> 00:53:10,905
You've, we've gotta
785
00:53:10,905 --> 00:53:14,505
keep that, you know, the
ageism is alive and well.
786
00:53:14,625 --> 00:53:20,505
And I do think we do have a lot to learn
from people who've seen a lot, experienced
787
00:53:20,505 --> 00:53:24,435
a lot, because how else do we really
truly understand unless we've walked
788
00:53:24,435 --> 00:53:27,405
in those shoes, been on that journey?
789
00:53:27,855 --> 00:53:32,235
And as different as it is for each of
us, not one of us goes through life
790
00:53:32,265 --> 00:53:35,865
without loss, without pain, without grief.
791
00:53:37,755 --> 00:53:43,365
I love the fact that you have your
close circle of friends and it seems
792
00:53:43,365 --> 00:53:47,595
to be some of the self care that you
did for yourself over the last few
793
00:53:47,595 --> 00:53:52,005
years has been going on walks with
those wonderful friends of yours.
794
00:53:52,305 --> 00:53:56,145
Tell me what other self-care
activities or what are the sort
795
00:53:56,145 --> 00:53:59,145
of things that you do for yourself
with everything you've been through?
796
00:53:59,325 --> 00:54:03,915
Look, I think, again, everybody's
different, but I grew up on a farm when
797
00:54:03,915 --> 00:54:11,295
I was a little girl and lost my mom, and
I've always known being that little girl.
798
00:54:11,445 --> 00:54:16,485
I have wanted animals to
nurture it in my life and.
799
00:54:16,545 --> 00:54:20,055
It started off when I was little,
having lots of rabbits that
800
00:54:20,055 --> 00:54:21,765
kept reading quite outta control
801
00:54:22,305 --> 00:54:23,310
as rabbits do, as
802
00:54:23,315 --> 00:54:24,195
rabbits tend to do.
803
00:54:24,195 --> 00:54:29,775
Now I have many of those in my paddock
and because they're actually in plagued
804
00:54:29,775 --> 00:54:33,975
proportions here in Australia, but
certainly I don't need any as pets.
805
00:54:34,305 --> 00:54:40,395
But dogs have always been a real
friend, companion family to me,
806
00:54:40,635 --> 00:54:43,215
so they get me up every day.
807
00:54:43,485 --> 00:54:46,545
Walking them every day gives me joy.
808
00:54:46,935 --> 00:54:50,505
My connections are now no
longer as a mother of a child,
809
00:54:50,805 --> 00:54:52,545
but they're mother of dogs.
810
00:54:52,605 --> 00:54:56,115
As we have doggy conversations
with the fellow dog walkers
811
00:54:56,115 --> 00:54:58,335
that you see around and about.
812
00:54:58,905 --> 00:55:05,325
I also have live on property and I
have perhaps made sure that I have
813
00:55:05,325 --> 00:55:08,385
the animals my father would never
let me have when I did live on the
814
00:55:08,385 --> 00:55:11,175
farm, and that is I have two donkeys.
815
00:55:11,355 --> 00:55:12,105
I have a goat.
816
00:55:12,780 --> 00:55:18,120
And recently my purchase
was two young heifers.
817
00:55:18,240 --> 00:55:20,130
Oh, Dougal and Dexter.
818
00:55:20,160 --> 00:55:25,140
I have not had cows before, so
that's a new experience for me.
819
00:55:25,140 --> 00:55:30,930
But I guess what you would say is I've
always had a menagerie of animals and
820
00:55:31,440 --> 00:55:36,900
sometimes I wonder why, because there's
lots of extra work and cost associated,
821
00:55:36,900 --> 00:55:39,870
but that's just part of my every day.
822
00:55:40,380 --> 00:55:43,500
But the, the thing that, you know,
friends are really important to me.
823
00:55:43,890 --> 00:55:45,330
I love going to the theater.
824
00:55:45,870 --> 00:55:54,030
I love food, a nice wine and social
interaction and engagement, but I
825
00:55:54,030 --> 00:55:56,400
also like my own space, so I do need.
826
00:55:56,850 --> 00:55:57,899
That balance.
827
00:55:58,500 --> 00:56:03,390
So I work as hard as I can because
I am that single person to generate
828
00:56:03,390 --> 00:56:09,479
opportunities to go out and be social
because if I don't, I could spend
829
00:56:09,629 --> 00:56:12,180
a lot of my own time on my own.
830
00:56:12,779 --> 00:56:20,069
And as much as I like that, I do feel
that it can be a little detrimental.
831
00:56:20,220 --> 00:56:24,660
If you are feeling a little bit
vulnerable or sensitive, you can easily
832
00:56:24,660 --> 00:56:29,160
slip into a lot of rum ruminating
and all that self-talk that goes on.
833
00:56:29,669 --> 00:56:35,100
So I try to keep connected with
people doing things I enjoy, make me
834
00:56:35,100 --> 00:56:39,720
laugh, make me cry, make me happy.
835
00:56:40,140 --> 00:56:43,020
But this is always so important, I think,
to have something to look forward to.
836
00:56:43,770 --> 00:56:51,120
And I will be going to Malta in June
to one of my old school friends.
837
00:56:51,944 --> 00:56:53,444
Daughter's wedding.
838
00:56:54,075 --> 00:56:54,165
Oh, wow.
839
00:56:54,435 --> 00:56:57,795
So I'll be going there to catch
up with old school friends.
840
00:56:58,305 --> 00:57:01,785
Otherwise, I perhaps wouldn't
visit Malta potentially.
841
00:57:02,234 --> 00:57:05,745
So I travel as I can, as I can afford to.
842
00:57:06,134 --> 00:57:13,154
And of more recent years, I've tried to
do trips that are trekking holidays and,
843
00:57:13,245 --> 00:57:17,984
you know, that's been in the UK so I can
visit family and friends at the same time.
844
00:57:18,404 --> 00:57:24,825
But I have, you know, I've been to
Portugal, Japan, Scotland, you know,
845
00:57:24,830 --> 00:57:29,595
I've, I've done a lot of walking holidays,
which are physically challenging.
846
00:57:30,134 --> 00:57:34,815
And I think that physical challenge
in amazing, beautiful scenery
847
00:57:35,115 --> 00:57:37,995
has been a significant shift.
848
00:57:38,325 --> 00:57:43,455
My recovery journey, you know, it
is, it was incredibly difficult to
849
00:57:43,515 --> 00:57:49,575
push through some really challenging
scenery physically, and that physical
850
00:57:49,575 --> 00:57:54,045
challenge was enough, I think for
you to kind of draw safely from
851
00:57:54,705 --> 00:57:54,735
MM,
852
00:57:54,795 --> 00:57:58,455
to give you the will to continue
to keep moving and getting better.
853
00:57:58,905 --> 00:58:02,625
So I have always had an interest
in walking and I went trekking
854
00:58:02,625 --> 00:58:04,335
in Nepal before I had Luke.
855
00:58:04,605 --> 00:58:07,635
But obviously having a small child,
there's a lot of things you can
856
00:58:07,635 --> 00:58:11,415
no longer afford to do or have the
time to do or the opportunity to do.
857
00:58:12,045 --> 00:58:20,025
So I continue to seek adventure if
I can and what can that look like?
858
00:58:20,025 --> 00:58:24,255
I'm not as ambitious and as risk taken
as I was with my younger years, I
859
00:58:24,255 --> 00:58:29,655
will say, but I still have an appetite
to continue to explore and do other
860
00:58:30,015 --> 00:58:31,245
walking holidays into the future.
861
00:58:32,175 --> 00:58:36,435
And Rosie, when we are looking forward,
what does the next say, 12 months.
862
00:58:37,020 --> 00:58:39,149
Three years, five years look like for you?
863
00:58:39,270 --> 00:58:43,680
You know, I've possibly always been
that person that goes along not knowing.
864
00:58:44,220 --> 00:58:49,410
And I think what I has actually
this morning before we spoke, I was
865
00:58:49,410 --> 00:58:54,689
just thinking that I'm started this
year with greater anticipation.
866
00:58:55,050 --> 00:58:56,310
Than I did last year.
867
00:58:56,310 --> 00:59:02,130
Last year I experienced a lot of
really positive things, but was really
868
00:59:02,130 --> 00:59:06,690
nervous about the year ahead, what
income I was going to generate to
869
00:59:06,690 --> 00:59:11,880
pay my bills and financial security
and superannuation contributions.
870
00:59:11,880 --> 00:59:16,320
So I, I've kind of looked at
what do I need to put in place
871
00:59:16,380 --> 00:59:18,630
to have more financial security?
872
00:59:19,230 --> 00:59:22,560
And so I feel that I
also did that last year.
873
00:59:22,635 --> 00:59:26,220
I mean, this year I think there's
an anticipation now because just
874
00:59:26,220 --> 00:59:30,630
the start of the year, this point
or kind of it was, it's kind of
875
00:59:31,110 --> 00:59:32,280
motoring along a bit, isn't it?
876
00:59:32,640 --> 00:59:39,000
I'm feeling there is more ahead of me that
I would like to be open to explore and
877
00:59:39,000 --> 00:59:47,490
not let my self-doubt and own self-imposed
limitations stop me or prevent me from.
878
00:59:47,895 --> 00:59:49,515
Working out what that looks like.
879
00:59:49,515 --> 00:59:54,404
And so I feel that is this
year is stepping back into and
880
00:59:54,404 --> 00:59:58,395
doing, yeah, stepping back step.
881
00:59:58,424 --> 01:00:02,654
You know how I said earlier, you
know, I, all my changes I pushed
882
01:00:02,654 --> 01:00:04,455
through because of self-doubt.
883
01:00:04,785 --> 01:00:04,995
Well,
884
01:00:04,995 --> 01:00:09,495
I think last year was me really
consolidating and taking stock
885
01:00:09,734 --> 01:00:12,375
and safely extending myself.
886
01:00:12,464 --> 01:00:16,845
And I think I'm ready to perhaps
look at, well, maybe there's more,
887
01:00:17,085 --> 01:00:19,935
but what that more looks like will
be a little bit more of the same.
888
01:00:19,964 --> 01:00:23,055
But I think there is something
that I can't quite see yet
889
01:00:23,595 --> 01:00:25,395
that I will be exploring.
890
01:00:25,754 --> 01:00:27,944
That doesn't give you a very
straight answer, does it?
891
01:00:28,515 --> 01:00:29,535
No, but I love it.
892
01:00:29,535 --> 01:00:33,165
I love the fact that you
recognize that there is.
893
01:00:35,654 --> 01:00:38,895
Opportunities, but you're
looking at them with curiosity
894
01:00:39,345 --> 01:00:40,875
and you're willing to kind of
895
01:00:41,325 --> 01:00:41,625
Yeah.
896
01:00:41,625 --> 01:00:46,035
You know, and I think part of that was the
reflection on a dream I had last night.
897
01:00:46,545 --> 01:00:50,085
I don't always remember my dreams,
but there was something that
898
01:00:50,085 --> 01:00:54,375
I just have a little bit of a
memory of, and that was, I was.
899
01:00:55,050 --> 01:00:56,430
Running and jumping.
900
01:00:56,550 --> 01:00:59,730
And I think it was part of walking,
because sometimes you have to
901
01:00:59,730 --> 01:01:04,350
jump across a creek or kind of
maneuver across stepping stones.
902
01:01:05,040 --> 01:01:08,790
But there was a lightness and a, it
was jumping and there was running.
903
01:01:08,940 --> 01:01:14,700
And sometimes my dreams have been in the
past where something slowed me down to the
904
01:01:14,700 --> 01:01:18,090
point where I, I'm in like unable to run.
905
01:01:18,120 --> 01:01:23,130
I'm so slow, you know, if I try to
run, I just forgotten how to do it.
906
01:01:23,730 --> 01:01:28,500
So I think that's a reflection again,
of feeling stuck of not being able
907
01:01:28,500 --> 01:01:32,490
to move because you, you know, all
of those things we're talking about.
908
01:01:32,490 --> 01:01:37,230
So I think that was what my reflection
was, is interpreting I'm light.
909
01:01:38,040 --> 01:01:45,270
I'm seeing that, you know, there is
energy perhaps in me for what's ahead.
910
01:01:45,690 --> 01:01:47,700
So I think, you know, I'm no brainer.
911
01:01:47,759 --> 01:01:51,839
I'm no dream expert, but
I'm gonna go with that.
912
01:01:52,259 --> 01:01:55,529
I think you should just run with that,
Rosie, and I think that's a beautiful
913
01:01:55,529 --> 01:02:01,740
way to know that you know, there is
only one Rosie Batty and you know, you.
914
01:02:02,924 --> 01:02:05,384
Certainly good enough for us, Rosie.
915
01:02:05,384 --> 01:02:05,984
That's for sure.
916
01:02:06,584 --> 01:02:07,964
You don't need to be anyone else.
917
01:02:07,964 --> 01:02:12,075
Just keep being yourself and I'm
so happy to hear that you have
918
01:02:12,254 --> 01:02:16,214
energy that is coming from your
dreams and curiosity for the future.
919
01:02:16,214 --> 01:02:18,314
So I can't wait to see what that involves.
920
01:02:18,705 --> 01:02:22,455
And so how I applied that burst
of energy, Catherine, is I am
921
01:02:22,694 --> 01:02:24,705
cleaning with a vengeance right now.
922
01:02:24,705 --> 01:02:27,944
So that's just a little household secret.
923
01:02:27,944 --> 01:02:29,234
I've been cob webbing.
924
01:02:29,234 --> 01:02:33,555
I've been looking at nooks and
crannies and corners and going, gosh.
925
01:02:34,064 --> 01:02:34,334
Yeah.
926
01:02:34,334 --> 01:02:39,254
So there's a new renewed energy
behind my house cleaning right now.
927
01:02:39,254 --> 01:02:42,044
So that's how currently challenging it.
928
01:02:43,305 --> 01:02:44,294
Yeah, that's good to hear.
929
01:02:44,294 --> 01:02:44,595
You know.
930
01:02:45,254 --> 01:02:48,134
Well, I can't thank you enough
for being with us today, Rosie.
931
01:02:48,134 --> 01:02:49,455
I really appreciate your time.
932
01:02:49,665 --> 01:02:50,384
Thank you, Catherine.
933
01:02:50,384 --> 01:02:51,404
I've really enjoyed it.
934
01:02:54,100 --> 01:02:57,520
We hope you enjoyed today's
episode of Don't Be Caught Dead,
935
01:02:57,820 --> 01:02:59,560
brought to you by Critical Info.
936
01:03:00,310 --> 01:03:04,600
If you liked the episode, learn something
new, or were touched by a story you
937
01:03:04,600 --> 01:03:06,400
heard, we'd love for you to let us know.
938
01:03:06,670 --> 01:03:10,270
Send us an email, even tell
your friends, subscribe so you
939
01:03:10,270 --> 01:03:12,040
don't miss out on new episodes.
940
01:03:12,190 --> 01:03:16,360
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please rate and review us as it
941
01:03:16,360 --> 01:03:18,100
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942
01:03:18,400 --> 01:03:19,720
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943
01:03:19,870 --> 01:03:20,860
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944
01:03:20,860 --> 01:03:24,790
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945
01:03:24,790 --> 01:03:30,970
media Head to Don't Be Caught dead.com for
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Read Less
Resources
-
Visit the Website: Australian of the Year
-
Watch on Youtube: Rosie Batty AO's Address to the National Press Club
-
Help is Available: 1800RESPECT
-
Make Death Admin Easy with The Critical Info Platform
A simple system to sort your personal paperwork for when your information becomes critical.
-
My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?
Our guide, ‘My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?’ provides practical steps for the hours and days after a loved one's death. Purchase it here.
-
Support Services
If you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, find support through our resources and bereavement services here.

