Audience member proposes on stage during Trent Dalton’s Love Stories at Playhouse Theatre
A man who tragically lost his wife and two young girls in the Port Arthur massacre has made the ultimate romantic gesture at a Brisbane preformance of Love Stories to ignite a new love story of his own.
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A man who tragically lost his wife and two kids nearly 30 years ago has made the ultimate romantic gesture, shocking the audience at a Brisbane production after proposing to his partner on stage.
Having met seven years ago during an ocean swim in their hometown of Byron Bay, Walter Mikac took to the stage at Trent Dalton’s Love Stories on Wednesday night sharing a heartfelt moment with his partner Bridgette Pinnock in front of the gasping crowd.
But within their own journey of love lies a history of grief and tragedy, with Mr Mikac losing his wife Nanette and two daughters Alannah and Madeline in the Port Arthur Massacre
Now, 28 years on, Mr Mikac said it was love that helped him survive the grief and he saw no better opportunity than to propose after a performance that celebrates love in all its forms.
“I felt I wanted to take that leap of faith to committing to Bridgette because I couldn’t think of anyone better that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” Mr Mikac said.
“Being with Bridgette, and this came up in a number of the stories in the Love Stories book, is that you feel at home with this person.”
The plan was thought out a few weeks in advance, and while attempting to get into contact with Mr Dalton himself, Mr Mikac decided to take a chance and ask a QPAC employee to lend a helping hand on the night.
Not knowing whether the plan would happen or not, it was not just Ms Pinnock who was surprised to find Mr Mikac walking up on stage and speaking about their own relationship.
“I knew that I’d be with Walter for the rest of my life no matter what that looked like, but I could never have imagined a scene like that to be honest…Walter is very private, and so for him to do it so publicly and with his whole heart, it was beautiful,” she said.
“And the play, it’s all about love enduring pain, love enduring suffering, love enduring joy and we’ve been through that together, Walter has been through his own pain and suffering before we met but we’re still very solid and here for each other.”
In leading the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, including the annual Giving Day which falls on September 17, having the right person by his side to support his goal in advocating for children experiencing family violence was an important aspect Mr Mikac looked for in a partner.
“We can honour the past and wish that they were here, but live in acceptance that they’re not and do our best, and Bridgette is definitely able to do that and do it with joy,” he said.
“I think the perspective that grief gives you is that love, that intangible thing, that bond you have with your family or loved ones is the most critical part of living - that is your number one motivator.”
The ring itself, a stunning purple amethyst, the couple stumbled across in Melbourne one month ago and immediately caught Ms Pinnock’s eye through the display.
“When I saw it in the cabinet, and saw it was an amethyst. Purple is the colour of the foundation and purple is very significant about the girls (Alannah and Madeline).
“And so that Walter went back and bought that ring for me was just beautiful and I just feel there’s always someone above, one step ahead,” she said.
The heartfelt moment has been viewed tens of thousands of times across social media and while the virality of the proposal itself was an added surprise to the happy moment, Ms Pinnock said she just feels blessed to have Mr Mikac at her side for many years to come.
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