Jill Leader

Jill Leader

Born: Davenport, Tasmania

Lives: Geelong, Victoria, Australia

55 years old

My name is Jill, Jillian, Jilly.....depending on the mood and the environment.

I am 55 years young, almost 56 and I honestly feel 36!  My life motto is, ‘it’s never too late to have a happy childhood’ (Tom Robbins)

My story, who I am in this world  - I’ve always been active, I am a contributor, I have trouble sitting still and I often take on more than I can handle.  I am goal oriented, and I used to think this was wrong, because I am often told I should slow down.  

I met my husband when I was 17 and was married a week after my 19th birthday.... I just said yes, I knew he was the one and that we would have an adventurous life together.  He knew I didn’t want to sit still, we have moved house 14 times!!

The latest was just last year as empty nesters, we are now apartment dwellers, living the ‘city life’ but lockdown in Victoria and a health scare means it hasn’t looked like I imagined.  The day we got the keys, my husband was discharged from hospital post surgery.  As he was recovering we heard about Covid and lockdowns for the first time, and then chemotherapy became part of our lives for the next 18 months.   We have faced many challenges together including the loss of a daughter (at 36 weeks pregnant) but our family, our attitudes and similar values have helped us through. 

These moments in life, of varying degrees, come to test our true character. It's ok that I fell, that I failed, that I lost myself for a while, because it’s how I picked myself up and got back on with life that counts.  It’s how I have been able to manage the past 18 months, because I know how bloody strong I am.  

That’s what my mum did ..... that’s what her mum did and the mothers in my family before her. 

We are already rewriting the story for women - 

My mum is still active at 83, still a contributor, she has always had trouble sitting still and often took on more than she could handle !!! The apple doesn’t fall far!  Society forced her to quit work when she got married.  She had six children and rejoined the workforce when her eldest went to university, to help with expenses. She was a force and ran a successful award winning business, with no previous business experience!  

I think of what my mother would have become if she was born 30 years later, when I was born and what she would have achieved now that women have so many more liberties. 

This was my recent realisation as to why I’m always striving to be my best, because I know she would not have taken these liberties I have for granted.  I’m proud of the daughter, the sister, the wife and the mother I am.   I now watch my two adult daughters with pride as they contribute, play and give more than is asked, realising they can do and be anything they set their minds to. 

Story for the future - My belief is that each generation of women will rise to be stronger and better equipped to deal with the world and its challenges, and its offerings.  I’m looking forward to watching my daughters and grand daughters make their mark in the world, and following in the footsteps of their mothers, aunts and grandmothers.

I realise that I am extremely fortunate to live in this county with all the freedoms and opportunities we have and I will never take that for granted.