VIP Mum Rebecca Gibney
Rebecca Gibney is one of Australia's best loved celebrities.
The New Zealand-born actress arrived in Australia at the age of 19
and soon after began a long and distinguished television and film
career. She is best known for her roles in The Flying Doctors and as
the title character in Halifax f.p.
Four years ago Gibney, 43, took a break from her career to
concentrate on her biggest role yet – motherhood. The Silver Logie and
AFI-award winning actress recently returned to our screens to play
Julie Rafter in Seven's new drama hit Packed To The Rafters. When she's
not in Sydney filming, she lives in Tasmania's beautiful Tamar Valley
with her four-year-old son, Zac and artist husband, Richard Bell whom
she married in 2001.
Packed To The Rafters is your first full-time television role since
Zac was born. Was it hard returning to the workforce full-time after
being a full-time mum?
It took a while to make the decision as I had deliberately not worked a
lot after having Zac and I wanted to spend as much time as possible
with him. I talked it over with my husband Richard and we decided as
the show was very much an ensemble piece I would still get to spend
time with them both and Richard would also become the major caregiver
for the duration of the shoot so Zac would still have both of us
around. Zac has also started pre-school by the time we started shooting
and was loving it which made it easier for me.
You have virtually swapped roles with Richard while working on
Packed To The Rafters. Was it nice seeing Richard take over as a full
time dad?
Richard loves being a full-time dad but he is also happy when he sees
my schedule and there are a lot of days off for me as it means I get to
hang out with the both of them! Richard is also an artist so he is
looking forward to getting back to painting.
How well do you juggle your new work/life balance?
I’m lucky as I’m about to finish filming for the year and then we are
home to Tasmania where I get to be a full-time mum again. At least
until Packed to the Rafters goes into a second series!
A lot has been said about the fact you have left your rural retreat
in Tasmania to live in Sydney while filming Packed To The Rafters. What
do you miss most about your life in the Tamar Valley?
There is a lot I have missed but mostly the space and peace and quiet.
Zac also adores his home and he can’t wait to get back there so he can
go crabbing! We have a small beach that he plays on every day. I have
also missed my friends down there and generally just hanging out and
being a mum.
You have been involved in some environmental issues down in
Tasmania, most notably the anti pulp mill rally. What do you hope you
can teach Zac about the environment?
I hope to teach him that we only have one planet and we must look after
it while we still can. It seems ludicrous in this day and age that we
can still be considering large scale environmental disasters like this
pulp mill. Not only will it be pumping billions of litres of effluent
into Bass Strait but it will also impact on our native forests and air
quality in an age were we have realised the devastating effects of
global warming. We should be doing everything in our power to preserve
our natural heritage. We also have a small vegetable garden and fruit
trees on the property so he will learn about being self sufficient. And
because of where we are he has spent most of his life here already and
has an appreciation of the environment and the animals that live on our
property.
What is it that you love most about being a mum?
It’s hard to describe how much motherhood has changed me. I feel so
incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to help this
little person on his way in life. He is so innocent and open and I
really hope I can encourage him to be whatever he wants to be while
caring for the planet and those around him.
There must be times you have to spend away from Zac for work, how do you manage this time away?
I miss him like crazy but he always knows that Mummy is only gone for a
short time and will be back very soon. And if I do have to go for a
longer period of time, then Richard and Zac come with me. I have an
incredibly understanding husband.
Who does most of the domestic chores at home? Is Richard ‘hands-on’ around the house? What chore do you simply despise?
When we are in Tasmania, then I do a lot of the chores, although
Richard is a wonderful cook so I get wonderful meals. Since I have been
filming Richard has taken over the domestics and he has done a
wonderful job. I’m not too great if the septic tank gets blocks though!
Life with children can be fairly chaotic, how do you and Richard keep the romance alive?
We try to have date nights or date days where we go to lunch or a
movie. Or even just turning off the TV at night to talk. We love a good
chat so that always helps!
What has been your greatest personal sacrifice since becoming a mum? How has motherhood changed you?
I don’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything except maybe my privacy in
the bathroom! Motherhood has made me a much better human being. My life
is about my son and my husband and all else is simply icing on the cake.
How often do you take time out for yourself?
I love a good massage and facial and when we are back in Tassie there’s
nothing I like more than getting out on our old wooden fishing boat and
throwing a line over.
What's your top tip?
We love putting little frankfurts (little boys) inside dinners rolls
and tomato sauce for the perfect mini hotdog. And we always empathise
when we have to discipline Zac. We say, ‘Yes I know darling, it’s
terrible you don’t get the story tonight because you were naughty. You
just have a good cry, it will make you feel better.’ It tends to lessen
the blow.
Can you tell us about the last time you had a big belly laugh with Zac?
Tickling him on the bed this morning.
If you had just one wish (no matter how fanciful) to change
something in Australia to better support being a 21st century parent,
what would that be?
I love the idea of parenting skills being compulsory for families as I
think there are so many people having children who really have no idea
what they are doing or how they can do it better. You have to have
lessons to drive a car but anyone can have a child and it’s the most
important role we have to play in life. I would also make adoption a
more viable and easier option for those people who are unable to have
children. Having travelled a lot with World Vision I’ve seen so many
children that, through a variety of reasons, have lost their families
and are in dire need of help.
MERCEDES MAGUIRE
http://www.motherinc.com.au/magazine/community/
vip-mums/399-rebecca-gibney-vip-mum
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