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Famous Aussie singer remembers loving mum Zipporah Whap

Australian singing star Christine Anu has lost her biggest fan with the passing of her beloved mother.

Christine Anu and family with loving matriarch Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.
Christine Anu and family with loving matriarch Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.

Australian singing star Christine Anu has lost her biggest fan with the passing of her mother Zipporah Whap in a nursing home in Rockhampton aged 88.

Ms Anu, who was born in Cairns in 1970 and completed high school in Rockhampton in the 1980s, spent parts of her childhood in the Torres Strait Islands, where she began to engage with the traditional music and island lifestyle under the watchful eye of her mother.

“We (she’s one of seven children) were raised singing our songs and dances,” Ms Anu, who has been a household name since 1995 with her hit cover of My Island Home, said.

“Mum thought I had so much talent.

“She used to say to me ‘you’re going to go a long way my girl’.

Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.
Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.

Mrs Whap hailed from Saibai Island, just off the south coast of Papua New Guinea and her father from Mabuiag Island, closer to the centre of the Torres Strait, which was where the family lived from 1979 to 1985.

“Mum was the one who cared for us, brushed your hair, got your clothes ready,” Ms Anu said.

“It was mum who gave me my confidence and the will, the ‘it’s ok to follow your dreams’ vibe,” Ms Anu said,

“She supported that it was a never a silly idea.”

Ms Anu relocated from Woolongong back to Rockhampton during the 2021 Covid lockdowns to be closer to her mother.

Mrs Whap had been living independently at home after her husband Misron’s passing in 2019 but two falls, type 2 diabetes and mild dementia had forced her to move into aged care.

Christine Anu pays tribute to her mum Zipporah Whap (pictured) after her recent passing.
Christine Anu pays tribute to her mum Zipporah Whap (pictured) after her recent passing.

She passed away on October 29 surrounded by her loved ones.

“I think 88 is a good innings but her body just imprisoned her in the end, not being able to do much,” Ms Anu said.

“But she didn’t want to leave us. She was mothering us right to the end.”

She said her mother was a caring and generous soul who had always put her family first.

“If she wasn’t so busy taking care of us she might have missed her calling in life to be a performer,” she said.

“She’s just a quietly spoken, beautiful woman who was very spiritual, very playful and cheeky with all of us kids.

“She would give you her last $5, the clothes of her back, a really wonderful Christian lady.”

It was her mother’s parental dedication that forced the move to Rockhampton in 1985.

Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.
Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.

Due to the lack of high school education in the islands Ms Anu and another sister had to travel to boarding school in Cairns and then Rockhampton, which involved a light-aircraft milk run flying between islands and cities.

Ms Anu said they were on a small plane between Mackay and Rockhampton after school holidays when one of the propellers failed and they had to make an emergency landing.

“My sister and I thought we were going to die,” Ms Anu said.

“When dad told mum what had happened mum said ‘That’s it! We’re moving down, every time they travel on these small airplanes my hearts is in my mouth’.”

She said they had to live in the Southside Caravan Park for some time before they eventually found a house.

Australian singer Christine Anu and mum Zipporah Whap together before her recent passing.
Australian singer Christine Anu and mum Zipporah Whap together before her recent passing.

“It’s pretty much like it is now,” she said.

“It took me about two years to find a house in Rockhampton.”

After finishing high school Ms Anu shifted to Sydney in 1987 with big dreams, aged 17, to study at a dance school but eventually found her way into live music while performing as a backing singer with Neil Murray and the Rainmakers in 1992.

She is now one of Australia’s most acclaimed entertainers and a multi-award winning recording artist.

Her biography lists her appearances in major films such as Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, The Matrix Reloaded and Dating the Enemy.

Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.
Famous Australian singer Christine Anu's mother Zipporah Whap (pictured) who recently passed away.

She has also starred in many stage productions, including Hairspray: The Arena Spectacular, South Pacific, The Sapphires, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent, Rainbow’s End and Parramatta Girls. She has also performed at many momentous events, including the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony and was given the honour of flicking the switch to launch National Indigenous Television in Australia.

She has been hosting the national Friday and Saturday evening shows on ABC Local Radio.

A family member of Mrs Whap, Mura Buway, posted a notice on Fitzroy Funerals this week, inviting family and friends to attend her funeral service at St Paul’s Anglican Church Rockhampton next Thursday.

“It is with deepest sadness and heavy hearts, we share with you this notice of the passing of our much-beloved Ama, Mother, In-law, Aunty, Cousin, Aka Dhugu & friend,” she said.

“Our beautiful matriarch passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 29 surrounded by all of her loved ones”.

Originally published as Famous Aussie singer remembers loving mum Zipporah Whap

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/rockhampton/famous-aussie-singer-remembers-loving-mum-zipporah-whap/news-story/820b9eef0b5e2a3401fcbf65231f38b5