Francis Gilly opens up about dad guilt, Leah Potter whips up Kevin Rudd The Musical and Taryn Hicks celebrates 14 years of love

This week in Cooee From The NT: SEDA College principal Francis Gill reveals his battle with dad guilt and a retired dominatrix whips up an adults-only musical about former PM Kevin Rudd

Principal of SEDA College NT Francis Gill, pictured with his children Harry, 7, Lenny, 5, and Audrey, 3, has opened up about his battle with dad guilt.

You may have heard of mum guilt, but what about dad guilt?

SEDA College NT principal and father-of-three Francis Gill loves being a dad, but he readily admits there have been times he’s been shaken by a heavy dose of dad guilt.

Gilly, as he is known, recently revealed the battle he had as a young dad and star cricketer to balance work, family and his sporting commitments.

Talking to Molly Upstill and Kathleen Gazzola, the hosts of the podcast Mums Gone Troppo, Gilly says he experienced his first inkling of dad guilt when he and wife Jessica moved back to Geelong, Victoria, and had their first child Harry in 2016.

He remembers leaving his Geelong home in the dark for the 90-minute commute to Melbourne, getting home late and heading out the door for cricket practice. It was hectic, he lost his passion for sport and the guilt grew.

“I felt my head wasn’t right, I didn’t want to be at training, I just wanted to be home,” he recalls.

Gilly eventually made the decision to give up playing cricket.

Back in 2014, his first Darwin Premier Grade cricket match, fast bowler Francis Gill took 6 for 16 while playing for Waratah.

“The sport was an easy one (to give up). I’d had my time. And Jess and myself had been together for a long time and she’d put up with a lot of bloody cricket games, and a lot of long Saturdays and couldn’t go on holidays during the summer.

“So I felt I’m at that point … I’d been a bit selfish and now was the time to give back to family and Jess as well.”

Gilly’s comments on the podcast have struck a chord with other busy parents.

“I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by the response,” he admits.

“I’ve had a lot of people reaching out, saying it touched a nerve. And feedback from mates saying, ‘You nailed it – that’s exactly how I felt.’

“It’s got people thinking and talking.”

Back in Darwin for the last five years and loving life, Gilly reckons the dad guilt still raises its head every now and again. But he’s got a better handle on it.

He no longer serves on the Pint Football Club committee, but he’s co-ordinating Auskick, has a short commute to SEDA College and can be home most night with kids, Harry 7, Lenny, 5, and Audrey 3.

He understands not all dads are so lucky, but encourages them to be as present as possible.

“Try not to miss those small moments,” he urges.

“And when you’ve got the opportunity to do something with your kids, take it, because time flies by fast.”

The podcast Mums Gone Troppo has been nominated for an Australian Podcast Award. You can listen to Francis Gilly’s episode and others here

Kevin Rudd The Musical, written and directed by Leah Potter, will be staged in Darwin in February. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Retired dominatrix whips up Rudd musical

When NT comedian and retired dominatrix Leah Potter debuts her production Kevin Rudd The Musical in Darwin early next year, audiences will get political hijinks, adult humour and hilarity.

They’ll also get a brief on-screen cameo by former Prime Minister Rudd himself at the show’s end. That’s right. The ex-PM will add his voice to the colourful multi-media musical where he’s the hero fighting to save the NT from its financial woes.

Talking about the production makes its creator laugh. Leah reckons there’s rich pickings in politics when it comes to comedy.

“And this is just hilarity on hilarity,” she promises. “But don’t bring your kids!”

Kevin Rudd The Musical writer Leah Potter revealed naughty tales of Darwin’s bondage scene at her fringe festival show in 2019.Picture: Keri Megelus

The show is Leah’s first big production. Leah’s written the script and most of the songs and can’t wait to unleash them on an audience.

The cast of Kevin Rudd The Musical includes Shalom Kaa, Prawn Cracker Spice and Leah, with cameos by Larrakia Elder Aunty June Mills and Top End politicians Amye Un and Jeffrey McLaughlin.

The musical is set to premiere in Darwin in February. Keep your eyes open for dates and venue details early in the New Year.

Darwin celebrant Taryn Hicks could write a book about her 14 years in the celebrations industry.

Celebrating 14 years of celebrations

Darwin marriage celebrant Taryn Hicks McCubben reckons every wedding has a story – and she has a pirate outfit to show for it.

After 14 years officiating at weddings, she urges couples planning their big day to focus on what’s important to them and what makes them happy.

So when a groom dressed in pirate costume and waving the Jolly Roger flag reached his ‘pirate wench’ bride by dinghy for a Mindil Beach wedding, Taryn made sure she fit the theme from head to toe.

“They were fully decked out. It was memorable,” she laughs.

The mum of two from Humpty Doo loves helping people achieve their dream wedding – whether it’s a small backyard ceremony with family and friends, a private pirate party or a big event with a large guest list. She says she reminds couple who may be feeling a little stressed in the lead-up to their big day, that everyone attending the ceremony is there because they love them.

This loved up Darwin couple made a colourful entrance at their wedding ceremony earlier this year when they arrived in their “pirate uniforms.”

“At the end of the day it’s about celebrating your love,” Taryn says. “It’s not a stage show and don’t stress over the minor details.”

Darwin and the Top End are rich pickings when it comes to wedding locations. From the surf club on Casuarina Beach, Lee Point and East Point to Pine Creek, Litchfield National Park and the Darwin Botanic Gardens, there’s something for everyone. And it’s not just locals who are hustling here to get hitched, with interstate couples choosing to marry and holiday in the NT.

“We’re spoilt for choice up here,” Taryn says.

The tropical botanic gardens is a magnet for weddings with the Holtze Lawn a beautiful venue.

“It’s named after one of the first garden curators and last year I got to marry his great granddaughter on the lawn,” the celebrant reminisces.

She recently performed her first ‘shortening of time’ ceremony, where couples apply for permission to wed sooner than the required one calendar month due to extraordinary circumstances. The wedding, at the Royal Darwin Hospital, was a beautiful moment and one Taryn will remember forever.

When she’s not wearing her Especially For You – Wedding Ceremonies by Taryn hat, the busy mum is looking after her kids or working as a teacher.

Cooee From The NT is a column that celebrates life here in the Territory. We would love to hear about your milestones, from weddings, anniversaries, births and graduations to business and school awards. Simply email us at [e-mail] and we will be in touch.