CLAIRE ET VALENTINO
The highlight of our year was the wedding of Claire and Valentino at the beautiful Lancemore Lindenderry Estate.
Johanna and I had a magnificent time celebrating their love in a setting that felt magical from the moment we arrived. Claire and Valentino created a weekend to remember with winery tours, health spa sessions, impromptu motorbike rides, a wedding cake made of cheese and dancing late into the night. The food was extraordinary and the celebration reflected the warmth of these two remarkable people.
As father of the bride, the day brought back memories of watching Claire grow into the confident, kind and creative woman she is today, and seeing her walk toward Valentino filled us with pride. Valentino is the calm to her spark, patient where she is passionate and quietly strong in all the ways that matter. They have woven a bond that brings families together with ease and a deep sense of belonging.
The wedding was also a wonderful family reunion. Johanna and I loved spending time with five of our beautiful children David, Rebecca, Lauren, Lachie and of course Claire, and catching up with Jack, little Sophie and Charlie as well. We shared the occasion with my sisters Diana, Philippa and Alison along with Diana’s partner Geert, her children Oliver and Erica and Philippa’s partner Damian.
We danced the night away sang until our sides hurt and soaked in every moment. It was one of those rare occasions where everything feels exactly right, people you love within arm’s reach and a gratitude that settles deeply and quietly.
SOPHIE
One of the greatest blessings was the safe arrival of Sophie Ann, born promptly at the Mater Hospital to her proud parents Rebecca and Jack.
The afternoon before Sophie was born, John visited Rebecca to take her for a long walk, a simple outing that ended up helping things move along perfectly. Instead of needing to be induced two days later, labour began naturally and Sophie arrived quickly and safely. It felt like a small miracle of timing and a lovely memory he will always treasure.
Holding Sophie when she was just 12 hours old was unforgettable. She was beautiful bright and serene and we were instantly smitten. She felt both ancient and new all at once. Sophie has already filled our family with more love than we imagined possible.
DAVID
This year David has been on many adventures. This included a week spent in the outback, camping and catering for a celebrity wedding in dry remote sandy deserts of South Australia.
Early in the year David bought a classic motorbike, which we rode in parallel with him through the wooded hills and twisty turns of the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland in the early summer.
By autumn David moved back to Melbourne and is now living with friends, in a brilliant Collins Street apartment. He has enrolled to start a University course @ RMIT early next year.
He’s working at a quaint Fitzroy pub that absolutely adores him. All year David trained with tremendous discipline for the 42.2 km springtime Melbourne Marathon, which he completed in under 4 hours!
We’re very proud of everything he’s achieved. Here is a picture of him, cool as a cucumber, after the race, with his marathon medallion.
LAUREN
In late 2024, our globe-trotting girl returned home after years of moving through Japan, London, Europe and living in Germany, learning about cultures, building community and contributing to the worlds of art, science, childhood development and healing. Having her home has been wonderful for all of us.
This year Lauren has been managing a popular bookstore in the Brisbane CBD, studying UX and website design, and working across a range of creative projects from drawing commissions to theatrical performances where she always shines. Her artistic depth, literary genius and her ability to bring people together has only grown stronger.
Lauren has also been a devoted auntie to little Sophie. She travelled with Rebecca to Melbourne to support her in the early months, and often drops in on Mondays for auntie time during our special day with Sophie. Watching the way she loves Sophie has been a joy.
Lauren is our creative angel with a generous heart, deeply aware of others and endlessly supportive of the people in her life. We are so proud of how she navigates the world, how she sees what others miss, and how she makes every space she enters better and more beautiful.
LACHIE
This year, Lachie helped the Brisbane Capitals win the 2025 Queensland State League Men’s Title.
In the final quarter, he scored 20 points and nailed 8 from 8 at the free throw line. It was a perfect example of a lesson we learned together over many years: perfect practice, repeated, leads to perfect performance.
Lachie has had a full and energetic year, working hard in the gym (sometimes with his girlfriend Charlie) and travelling to the Gold Coast to spend time with his old school mates.
He has enjoyed plenty of social outings, including boat trips, fishing trips and nights out dancing with his friends. Thanks to his growing skills with rod and line, we have also enjoyed some wonderfully fresh fish this year. His footwork on the dance floor at Claire’s wedding recently proved that all those years of basketball drills paid off.
We had a lovely night celebrating Charlie’s twenty-first in the Valley District, where we also danced the night away. It was a joy to see how warmly her friends and family embrace him.
Lachie has also been working hard as a National Disability Insurance Scheme support worker, helping young men with homework, after-school care and daily activities. He has a huge heart and a natural empathy for young people who are doing it tough, and we are very proud of the way he shows up for them.
Lachie has recently taken up soccer again, much to our delight. A few years ago he had to choose between basketball and soccer. Now that he has a basketball title under his belt, he is making time for soccer again.
VALE GRANDPA BOB
This year brought a tender period for our family with the passing Grandpa Bob, on 27 October 2024.
It has been a busy and emotional time sorting out his estate, selling the family home, and carefully rationalising a lifetime of belongings, memories and stories.
Dad has now been laid to rest beside Mum at the Bellbrae Cemetery near Torquay, the seaside town that was once their romantic getaway when they were young lovers, and later, their retirement community, when their working years were behind them.
It feels right that they are together again in a place filled with so many memories and love.
VALE PAPI IGOR
Igor moved onto his next adventure this year. He was a man whose laugh lifted the air like wine.
He carried the spirit of distant cities and the generosity of a chef who seasoned life itself.
Outrageous yet tender, he flavoured ordinary moments until they glowed.
If you catch the smell of cardamom or rosemary on the breeze, think of him and smile.
GRANDPA JOHNNO
John came out of retirement to train and tackle the hilly Brisbane Marathon again. He matched his time from two years ago, despite a little too much magnesium along the way and cramps in the last 1km.
Johanna cheered again at halfway with a magnesium drink in one hand and a "Go Strategy Guy" sign in the other.
Baby Sophie greeted him at the finish in her tiny “My Grandpa John runs marathons. What does your Grandpa do?” sweatshirt.
REBECCA AND JACK
Rebecca and Jack have done an amazing job as new parents and creating a beautiful home for Sophie to grow up in, alongside their two wonderful dogs, Luna and Leo.
Sophie is such a happy little girl, which is a testament to the love, stability and care they give her every day.
After four months, Rebecca returned to work three days a week, and she and Jack have carved out quality time for their own relationship on the golf course while family members happily queue up for Sophie time.
Jack has continued to take on more responsibility in his work as an electrician across both domestic and commercial projects, while Rebecca leads the push to raise the standard of leadership and executive development at the University of Queensland, where she leads a small team with intelligence and heart.
Rebecca has also entered the draw for the Melbourne Marathon next year alongside David, and the two of them are already encouraging John to consider joining them on the start line.
It has been a joy to watch Rebecca and Jack navigate early parenthood with such maturity, humour and teamwork.
SEAN
Sean began the year in London working for fashion designer Phoebe Philo, an incredible opportunity that immersed him deeply in the world of high fashion.
In September he moved to Paris to begin his master’s degree in Fashion Design at the Institut Français de la Mode, where he will study for the next two years.
Sean recently celebrated his birthday in Iceland, exploring its dramatic landscapes and natural beauty. We are excited to welcome him home for Christmas and New Year.
A highlight of the year was Joanna’s trip to Paris to spend time with Sean, joined by her parents, Pierre and Madeleine. They enjoyed a wonderful spring week together wandering the streets of Paris and reconnecting with family and friends.
CHARLIE
This year we continued getting to know Lachie’s sweetheart Charlie and came to appreciate even more what an extraordinary young woman she is.
She studies hard and works hard and is steadily completing a combined business and real estate degree while managing three days of work each week with admirable discipline and maturity.
Charlie has beauty and style and carries herself with a natural grace that reflects how well she looks after her health and wellbeing.
Charlie has a huge heart and a gentle kind spirit that softens every space she enters.
As we write Lachie and Charlie are boarding a plane for their annual trip to the Philippines to relax after a busy year.
PAST MEMORIES
If you’re trying to remember something from previous years you can easily revisit any of our earlier Holiday newsletters right here.
We’ve kept the full archive so you can look back through the stories, reflections, highlights and family moments that shaped each year.
Simply click the links below to open the editions you’d like to enjoy again and take a little trip down memory lane with us.
JOH'S HOLIDAY
Joh travelled to the States and France during the springtime this year. She flew to LA to spend some time with her brother Tal & his lovely Lauren, chillin' on the coast of Playa Del Ray and soaking in some family time. Joh also spent a few days with her dear friends Debbie and Leah, laughing and shedding nostalgic tears over many cups of tea & sips of wine.
Joh and Debbie then flew to NYC and spent time on the Lower East Side, discovering the Guggenheim, strolling through Central Park, enjoying a Broadway show and tasting the famous street side Pizza by the slice.
She finished her holidays in Paris where she stayed in the Marais with Sean and her parents, falling in love, all over again with Paris and all it's offers. She was all refreshed on her return to Australia & ready to go back to work.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
After a decade together we are very much in love. We endeavor to stay healthy, happy and grateful for the many loving children and family members in our lives.
We wish you, our family a happy holiday and the very best for 2026!
Sending love
John and Joh
