BILLY & NICOLE SLATER 'WE PREFER THE STABLES TO THE SPOTLIGHT'
Woman's Day Australia|February 12, 2024
These high school sweethearts have swapped the footy field for the farm
Jacqui Lang
BILLY & NICOLE SLATER 'WE PREFER THE STABLES TO THE SPOTLIGHT'

For decades, rugby league star Billy Slater captivated footy fans around the country with his sporting prowess. Away from the limelight, the Melbourne Storm champ's wife Nicole was his greatest support, quietly putting her own career dreams on hold to raise their two children. While painting was her passion, "I didn't have time to really focus on it," Nicole explains.

She's certainly making up for lost time now. In the past four years, Nicole, 39, has quietly carved out an international reputation for herself for creating bold and beautiful paintings of horses.

And Billy, 40, couldn't be prouder. "Where Nicole has taken her art in the past few years has been really inspiring for us as a family," he says.

TIME TO SHINE

Nicole's chance to finally thrive at the easel came when the Slaters relocated from Melbourne to a rural property in late 2019, months after Billy retired from footy.

She had a spacious studio built and soon set to work.

"Then COVID came along, and suddenly everyone was in isolation. But we were so lucky - we had so much to do setting up our new home and my studio, and then I got to paint without interruption!" Nicole smiles.

Each day, she'd walk through a paddock, past sheep, goats and horses, to get to the studio.

"Then I'd turn up the music, start painting and the day would fly! Sometimes I'd look up and it would be dark outside!" she chuckles.

Bu hikaye Woman's Day Australia dergisinin February 12, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Woman's Day Australia dergisinin February 12, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

WOMAN'S DAY AUSTRALIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'

We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
Woman's Day Australia

5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH

His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
Rolling the DICE
Woman's Day Australia

Rolling the DICE

Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Woman's Day Australia

UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE

Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach

time-read
3 dak  |
September 16, 2024
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
Woman's Day Australia

OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!

When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!

time-read
3 dak  |
September 16, 2024
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'

The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
Woman's Day Australia

KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'

He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
Woman's Day Australia

GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!

The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian

time-read
2 dak  |
September 16, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman's Day Australia

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
Woman's Day Australia

ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD

He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024