From Jenny Kee to Pip Edwards: 10 women on the best advice their mothers gave them

Ten prominent Australian women share the best advice their mothers gave them – and how that plays into their day-to-day life.

Jenny Kee

Australian icon and fashion designer

My mother, Enid, had a big personality, was ever-present and available to me growing up in the 1950s. I remember her as the most fearless woman I knew. Her best advice to me was “follow your dreams and don’t follow the mob”. I took that on and strived to develop the talents I was born with. I’ve tried to be that role model for my daughter, Grace, and granddaughter, Estella. Mum’s traits had an enormous influence on me. She deliberately chose a different life to that of her peers by marrying a Chinese man in 1940s Australia. I never felt restricted by the social norms of 1950s society, and Mum encouraged me to develop an individuality coming from a place of originality.

Abbie Chatfield

Media personality, featuring in the Power Talks podcast

The best advice my mum, Laura, passed on to me was to never rely on somebody else financially, or do something like open a joint bank account with someone you’re dating. She taught me the value of not depending on someone for financial freedom and I have never contemplated not being financially secure by myself. I’ve learnt to always take care of myself because once you let someone control you financially, the door opens to potential power imbalances and other forms of control in the relationship. Mum raised me and my older sister as a single mother since I was a baby, so seeing her work hard to take care of us made me really value independence.

Virginia Gay

Actor appearing in Safe Home on SBS and SBS on Demand

My mother, Penelope, is the pragmatic and calm one in my family. When I got my contract with All Saints, she was the one who told me I had to buy a house, even if it felt overwhelming or too soon. She said, “This is the only time a bank will ever give you a loan – you’ve got to do it now!” She was absolutely right. Without her sound fiscal advice, I never would’ve done that. We grew up in Summer Hill and I’m still in the inner west of Sydney. Both my parents are supportive of my mad career. They’ve seen me perform in Leicester Square in London, host La Clique at the Spiegeltent, and turned up to watch the shooting of every long-running show I’ve been on.

Pip Edwards

Fashion designer and co-founder of the P.E Nation label

My mum Gloria’s advice has always been around perseverance and resilience. She constantly reminds me to continue to be a super-independent, strong woman, and to fiercely have my own back. It’s been instilled in me from a young age that it’s not an option to give up. She taught me to honour my responsibilities and to be a solid, consistent rock for my son, Justice.

The daily grind and juggle can get the better of me sometimes, but Mum is always there to make sure I stay on track. She says; “The only way out is through”. Her determination in helping organise my life has been the reason I’ve been able to achieve so much while being a single mum.

Katie Robertson

Actor appearing in Five Bedrooms on Network 10

I read Untamed by Glennon Doyle when I was turning to self-help books to explore who I was as a woman and mum. Every chapter was a bombshell; it taught me to be assertive. When I mentioned the book to my mum, Anne, she said it didn’t have the same impact on her. That was a shocking moment; I felt silly when I realised I’d had a living example in front of me the whole time. Mum is independent, assertive and strong-willed – she solo-parented for a lot of my childhood. I love seeing her interact with my son, George. In my early days of motherhood, when I felt overwhelmed, I would look at the way Mum was with him and realise that I wanted to do it that way, too.

Nadia Bartel

Co-founder of the fashion label Henne

I have a very open relationship with my mum, Cathy. She told me anything was possible in life. I try to live by her example, which is the best advice. She is a kind and empathetic person, and taught me to be respectful. When bad things happen, she told me not to dwell on them; to take it a step at a time and do your best every day. That advice has stayed with me: know who you are as a person and life always falls into place. Mum had a very sheltered upbringing – she didn’t go to university and was restricted in her movements growing up. She inspired me and my sister to go to university, to work hard and to achieve. She wanted us to dream big and get on with it.

Lisa Millar

Co-host of News Breakfast on ABC TV

My mum, Dorothy, gave advice through her actions. She passed away in September 2018 on my last day working at the ABC’s London bureau. She worked as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for decades until she was in her 80s, and would never miss a volunteer shift. She never big-noted herself. Mum made me very aware that you could be a good person without needing everyone else to know. She was a woman of great grace. She also volunteered at a school for children with special needs. I remind myself that people don’t need to know what you do. You just need to try to make the world a better place or another person’s life a little bit easier.

Collette Dinnigan

Fashion designer turned homewares designer

My mum, Sheila, was always telling me what to do! But when it came to advice, she taught me to be kind to others and never be jealous. She told me, “Don’t expect anybody to give you anything in life – you must work hard for it.” She also said that feeling entitled is no way to live. Mum was incredibly creative, an honest and earnest person who people often perceived as quite eccentric. I possess a lot of attitude and her love of colour and vibrancy. She was quite mischievous, too. I’m always the one who wants to know what’s behind the curtain, not what’s in front of it, and that stems from Mum’s curiosity. She’d say you have to love what you do, otherwise it becomes work.

Libbi Gorr

Australian broadcaster, speaker and comedian

My mum, Beverley, isn’t a great one for weighing in with advice. She is more of a role model with her actions – she says “loving is doing” – and I see the way she conducts herself with family and friends. Mum recently climbed the dome of Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building, and she’s no spring chicken. She still runs a walking circle, is involved in a hearing aid charity and goes to lectures, theatre and the football. I live life like she does – to the full. She is all about getting involved, not being a bystander. The recent loss of my brother is testament to this. Mum picked herself up with a determination to live life to the fullest, no matter how impossible that felt.

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