NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Celebrity

Rebecca Gibney remembers her late father in bittersweet tribute

"I choose to remember the good times." - by Alana Mazzoni
  • 25 Apr 2022

This article discusses alcoholism and domestic violence which may be triggering for some readers.

Rebecca Gibney has shared a touching yet bittersweet tribute to her late father Austin on the 40th anniversary of his death.

WATCH: The Back To The Rafters cast get emotional reflecting on the show

Taking to Instagram, the Back to the Rafters actress reflected on her sometimes rocky relationship with her dad.

"40 years ago today we said goodbye to you Dad. If only you had known how loved you were - how we all desperately wanted you to be the Dad we knew you could have been," she penned.

 

rebecca-gibeny

Rebecca shared a throwback photo of her father Austin and mother Shirley.

Instagram

"I choose to remember the good times. The Sunday roasts, the music and the laughter. As Irish as they come. ☘️ And I can feel that in my bones.

"Love you Dad. And still miss you even after all this time," she continued her post alongside a photo of her mother Shirley gazing adoringly at her father.

Rebecca has long been candid about her bittersweet relationship with her father and his struggles with alcoholism,

In 2009, the mother-of-one bravely admitted that she spent years in a downward spiral of depression, after growing up with a Austin, who was violent and unstable.

rebecca-gibney-mum

Rebecca and her mother Shirley share an inseparable bond.

Instagram

"My father was an alcoholic. It scarred all of us," Rebecca told ABC reporter Andrew Denton at the time, adding that her childhood was so traumatic that she has blocked many memories from her mind.

"My mother shielded us a lot from it. I could remember her putting us to bed and I, quite often, would hear Dad come home but she'd always shut all the doors, so you'd hear the yelling and the shouting and the slapping but you'd never actually see it."

"When I was older, she said that, on the odd occasion, he beat her so badly she had bruises for six months."

WATCH: Rebecca Gibney Opens Up On Tackling Anxiety (Article continues after video)

In February this year, the Under the Vines star made an impassioned plea for greater domestic violence awareness after reflecting on her late father's "angry" side.

"Having grown up in that environment I always prayed that with time we would find ways to solve this problem," she penned.

"Unfortunately it's still as bad in NZ as it is everywhere else and it's vital we keep talking about this MAJOR issue. It's not as simple as locking people up.

"Yes we need harsher penalties and yes the laws must change but we also have to find other solutions to this hidden pandemic."

If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Now To Love.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Rebecca Gibney and Kerry Armstrong: ‘We’ll always be there for one another’

Rebecca Gibney and Kerry Armstrong: ‘We’ll always be there for one another’

Rebecca Gibney looks unrecognisable in a throwback of her "mullet"

Rebecca Gibney looks unrecognisable in a throwback of her "mullet"

'First morning of Empty Nest': Rebecca Gibney’s bittersweet milestone with son Zac

'First morning of Empty Nest': Rebecca Gibney’s bittersweet milestone with son Zac

Aussie celebrities who fell in love with non-famous folk

Aussie celebrities who fell in love with non-famous folk

{headline}

{headline}

'I hope you’ll fall in love': Rebecca Gibney on her exciting new gig

'I hope you’ll fall in love': Rebecca Gibney on her exciting new gig

Rebecca Gibney says she loves husband Richard "to the moon" in new birthday tribute

Rebecca Gibney says she loves husband Richard "to the moon" in new birthday tribute

Rebecca Gibney reflects on her "magical" 20-year marriage in anniversary tribute

Rebecca Gibney reflects on her "magical" 20-year marriage in anniversary tribute

{headline}

{headline}

Rebecca Gibney ditches her signature blonde locks for something entirely different

Rebecca Gibney ditches her signature blonde locks for something entirely different

Rebecca Gibney shares behind the scenes glimpse of Celebrity MasterChef

Rebecca Gibney shares behind the scenes glimpse of Celebrity MasterChef

The secret behind Rebecca Gibney’s happy 20-year marriage

The secret behind Rebecca Gibney’s happy 20-year marriage

EXCLUSIVE: Rebecca Gibney and Erik Thomson on the highly-anticipated Rafters reunion

EXCLUSIVE: Rebecca Gibney and Erik Thomson on the highly-anticipated Rafters reunion

Hugh Sheridan: "I was happier when Packed To The Rafters was on"

Hugh Sheridan: "I was happier when Packed To The Rafters was on"

Rebecca Gibney & Erik Thomson delight fans with Packed to the Rafters throwback

Rebecca Gibney & Erik Thomson delight fans with Packed to the Rafters throwback

Packed To The Rafters: Where are they now?

Packed To The Rafters: Where are they now?

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!