A LETTER to my MENTOR

“For a young girl who was used to feeling abandoned and at times unloved, you gave me time, showed me love and, most importantly, guidance”

Dear John,

I didn’t have a dad growing up – and I didn’t know something was missing until you came into my life when I was eight. You came to Australia at 23, to play rugby with nothing but a backpack and a credit card. When we met, I’m sure I didn’t make it easy for you – I was protective of my mum. You were just a kid, you didn’t have to take me under your wing. But you did, instinctively, with such pride and with such ease – and slowly but surely you won my heart. As a child, you taught me how to use a knife and fork properly, you sat with me and did my homework and helped make sense of things that didn’t make sense. And I can safely say the reason I am the grammar police now is because of you!

You taught me manners and instilled in me so many of