How a four minute stare sparked an ex-Premier’s dream wedding

Tasmania’s first female Premier says she has married a “beautiful, smart and caring” man who makes her laugh - but it was a simple task that first sent sparks flying.

Lara Giddings, Tasmania’s first female Premier, has married the “beautiful, smart and caring” man who makes her laugh.

The former Labor MP and Geeveston pharmacist, Ian Magill, tied the knot at Seagrass Restaurant at Sandy Bay on Sunday afternoon.

The couple hit it off after a lunch in 2015.

Ms Giddings was not daunted by Mr Magill having four children.

“In fact it was his response to me being sad about never having had children that made me even more interested in him,” she said.

“He said to me that it was never too late, and encouraged me to look at IVF.

“Natasha (their daughter) is a gift from Ian and her egg donor which has made my life complete.

“I have never known love like that you have for your child. Natasha is the glue that has brought all of our children together as a family.”

Former Labor Premier Lara Giddings marries Geeveston pharmacist Ian Magill at Seagrass Restaurant in Sandy Bay with the bridal party Kiki and Olly Magill, both 14, are the groomsmen, Jack Deveraux-Magill, 6, is the ring bearer, Ginger Magill, 11, the bridesmaid and four-year-old Natasha the flower-girl. Picture: Lana Monks

Former Labor Premier Lara Giddings marries Geeveston pharmacist Ian Magill at Seagrass Restaurant in Sandy Bay. Picture: Lana Monks

All five children were involved in the ceremony. Kiki and Olly Magill, both 14, were groomsmen, Jack Deveraux-Magill, 6, was ring bearer, Ginger Magill, 11, was the bridesmaid and four-year-old Natasha was the flower-girl.

Her sister Sonya de Lacey and Mr Magill’s brother Karl Fitzpatrick, did readings at the ceremony.

Ms Giddings recalled on the couple’s third dinner date she told him that she had read that if you stare into someone’s eyes for four minutes, you fall in love.

“Ian is always up for a challenge. After dinner, we stopped just near the draw bridge on the Hobart waterfront and we stared into each other’s eyes, but I forgot to set my timer.

“Ian had no hope then; it worked!”

Six years later Mr Magill proposed at that very spot.

Ms Giddings loves that he is giving and caring.

“He would do anything for his children and for his community - including sleeping for a week on a couch in his pharmacy during the Geeveston and surrounds bushfires, so that his patients could still get vital medication while protecting their homes.”

Lara Giddings in Parliament. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

She said it was hard to date when she was Premier.

“It was hard because whenever I met men, it was always in the context of being Premier, which can be intimidating for many people, especially as you risked ending up on the front page of the Mercury, as did happen with a boyfriend of mine.”

Mr Magill loves Ms Giddings’ compassion and intelligence and says that together they make a “formidable team in terms of love, guidance for our kids and how we complement each others’ strengths and weaknesses”.

“Lara is amazing - to have gone from no children to five children and kept sane in the process in no mean feat.

“It’s not always easy for her or indeed for the kids having a step-mum, but they all love her and she loves them. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Originally published as How a four minute stare sparked an ex-Premier’s dream wedding