What I've Learnt About Fatherhood

My dad, Angus, was a tough but very wellmeaning old taskmaster. My brothers and I used to call him “singlet” because he was always on our backs.

I remember him saying to me when I was about 12 or so, “Whatever you do in life, remember you go to your grave with just one thing, and that’s your reputation”. What he meant by that, I think, was to live a life that you’re proud of – with no wrinkles anywhere.

Dad was, and is, a sheep farmer. The days were pretty simple when I was a kid – if the sun was up then my brothers and I would go out and help him with whatever needed doing, and when it was dark, we’d go home for dinner. We were always outside with him learning about the stock and the land.