THE WOMEN WHO MADE ME REBECCA GIBNEY

The local actor tips her hat to the strong leading ladies in her life

- Courtney Thompson

SHIRLEY GIBNEY

I was the youngest of six kids and my mum was just always there. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family: my father was a violent alcoholic and was prone to episodes, so whenever he would come home and have one of his rages, Mum would always shut the doors, put us to bed, and sing us to sleep – then invariably have to go deal with him and be the victim of domestic violence. She always protected us. Considering the childhood that we all did have and the traumas that we’ve all since had, the fact that we still love and care for each other, and all of us would be there for each other in a heartbeat, is a testament to her as a mother.