My name is David. I have six children and eight grandchildren.
Z: Six kids!
D: We thought we were going to have four but it just kind of morphed into five and six.
Z: Do you remember what it was like to first become a dad?
D: Oh yeah. There was no manual you could look up when I started having kids—you just had to learn as you went. I think your own childhood gives you some clues, and thankfully I had an amazing childhood and got a lot of good guidance as a youngster.
Z: Was there something you liked about your childhood that you tried to bring into your own family?
D: I grew up in church, which was very grounding for me. So we tried to carry that on and teach the kids Christian values: to be selfless, generous and accepting of others. We also always reminded them that we Beadens are a team—we’re in this life together.
Z: Your children are all very confident and adventurous. I can’t imagine you were helicopter parents.
D: Absolutely not. Obviously you have to be mindful of risks and hazards, but you also have to let kids be kids. It doesn’t matter if they have a buster or scrape their knee here and there—it’s part of growing up and learning.
Z: Tell us about Beadenville.
D: We raised our kids on a bit of property, which we call Beadenville. Growing up it gave the kids a lot of space to run around, which was great. But we’ve also always had extra rooms here for people to live if they need a place to stay—and we love having people here. I think it’s helped the kids grow to be very welcoming and warm towards other people.
Z: What’s something you’ve found difficult about being a dad?
D: Being the main provider, you’re not home as much as you should be—or want to be. My wife carried a lot of the load when the kids were young and she took it in her stride. But it’s hard. You want to provide for your family, but you also want to spend time with them, and those two things often clash.
D: It was also difficult when they started getting older and making their own choices. As a parent you’ve got to let the strings go so they can find their way—though that’s never easy. You certainly pray harder and love harder when they’re adults.
Z: Is there a memory you cherish with your kids?
D: We used to take a week off each year around Christmas. We’d pack up the van, drive through the night and stay in university dorms as the students were all home for the holidays. It wasn’t anything flash, but we were all together and we had a lot of fun.
Z: What’s life look like for you now?
D: Things are starting to break here on the farm so there’s always maintenance to be done and grass to cut. I do a bit of bus driving and support work too. That’s one of the keys to longevity—to keep moving!
Z: Do you have any advice for young men who want to become a dad?
D: Find a good woman! I have an amazing wife. She made it easy because she had a heart for kids and has always been very selfless.
My name is Mike. I have two children and three grandchildren.
Z: Do you remember what it was like when you first became a dad?
M: I loved it! I remember my wife and I being really excited for a future with our own children. We stepped into it looking forward to what challenges and joys it would bring.
Z: What’s a distinct memory you have with your children?
M: We spent a couple of years in the United Kingdom when the kids were young. We bought a car and would drive to Italy or France on weekends or in the holidays. I remember the kids being excited to come along for the experience and try new things.
Z: What is something you found difficult about being a dad?
M: You’re always on the go. You go from getting them ready for school, to making the lunches (that was always my job and I was not a fancy lunch maker), to then picking them up from school, taking them to sport, making them dinner and getting them ready for bed. It never stops.
Z: Is there something you’ve tried to instil in your family?
M: That we’re a family that gets along, forgives and loves one another, regardless of what happens. Although the kids fought a fair bit growing up (as siblings do), we strongly encouraged them not to abandon one another. And today, they still have a lot of love and respect for each other.
Z: I’ve heard your son talk about how much you and your wife’s support helped him turn his life around. What did that look like, especially during harder times?
M: My wife and I decided early on that we’d love and accept our children regardless of their behaviour. There were times where we had to communicate that we weren’t happy with the choices they were making, but we never pushed them away.
Our eldest went through a tough time in his early twenties and got in a lot of trouble with the police. I remember getting to the point where I thought, I can’t deal with this anymore. One night I said to him, “I think you should leave.” But I immediately retracted what I said, because that wasn’t how we’d decided to parent.
There were many moments we disagreed with his choices, but we always kept the door open. That was challenging at times, because when things went wrong, they went wrong for all of us. But in the long run, I think he really appreciated it.
In 2023, our son had an accident where he was placed in intensive care and lost one of his legs. We really had to pull together again as a family during that time, and we tried to bring the in-laws and everyone into that too. Our daughter-in-law often says, “The Lloyds pull together.”
Z: Your family has been through a lot together. How have you processed things during those times?
M: I’m constantly questioning myself as a father. Constantly thinking, Have I done enough? These days I read my Bible in the morning and send a thought to my children. I just feel like maybe they need to hear from their father. For me it’s about keeping those lines of connection open, making sure they know I’m here if they need me.
Z: Favourite phase of being a dad?
M: Being a grandad is good fun. The little ones squeal with delight that you’ve turned up—it’s really special.
My name is Geoff. I have two children and four grandchildren.
Z: Do you remember what it was like when you first became a dad?
G: Two of the happiest days of my life were when my kids were born. But it was a major life change. I very quickly had to become less focused on myself and think about how I would provide for my family.
Z: Did you find it hard to balance work and family?
G: If you ask my wife, her biggest criticism is probably that I failed to keep that balance at times. But it was hard. I was running a business which required a lot of attention to keep going.
Z: How were you intentional with the time that you did have together?
G: We really protected Sabbaths. It was important for our family to spend that day together each week. Rather than our kids buzzing off with their friends, we’d invite families to join us on Saturdays.
Z: What’s something you’ve found difficult about being a dad?
G: When your kids are hurting—psychologically or physically—that’s the toughest. My 13-year-old grandson has galactosemia, an extremely rare genetic condition where the body can’t break down galactose. 80 per cent of babies born with this die within their first few weeks, going into liver failure as soon as mother’s milk comes in. We’re lucky we’ve still got him, but he’ll face significant challenges for life. I really feel for my son and his wife having that over their heads, and for my grandson who won’t have a normal life.
Z: What advice would you give to dads whose kids are struggling?
G: I think as a father it’s important to offer your children advice, even if they don’t like hearing it. My daughter was dating someone in school that my wife and I didn’t think was good for her. I shared my concerns with her and at first she was pretty offended. But she thought it over, ended the relationship and later met a lovely guy who she went on to marry. In the end, I think she appreciated it.
Z: Favourite phase of fatherhood?
G: Having grandchildren is the best! They’re a lot of fun!
Z: How has becoming a father changed you as a person?
G: I think it’s mellowed me. Whether that’s from kids or ageing, I don’t know.
My name is Brad. I have two children and three grandchildren.
Z: Do you remember what it was like when you first became a dad?
B: It was very exciting. You anticipate what it might be like, you prepare the room and talk to other parents—but when it actually happens, it’s still a surprise in many ways.
Z: What did you find was one of the challenges of being a dad?
B: Probably the most surprising part was that you’d have the baby on your chest and the nappies back then didn’t hold everything.
Z: You raised your children in Papua New Guinea (PNG). What was that like?
B: It was an interesting place to raise kids. They got to experience all sorts of things they wouldn’t have back in Australia. The locals always wanted to touch their blonde hair, which our kiddies didn’t like much, but the locals certainly enjoyed it.
Z: Did you notice anything different about how they did family in PNG?
B: I appreciated how close they were with their extended families. Everyone was cousin, brother or uncle. There was a much greater sense of belonging to a broader community.
Z: Do you have a favourite memory with your children?
B: We had a pool in our backyard when we lived in PNG and we’d throw each other around and play for hours. Then often on Saturdays we’d go to bush church and have picnics by the river. Those simple times are memories I still treasure.
Z: How is it being a grandparent?
B: Fantastic. It’s exciting to watch them grow and see their different personalities develop, without having to do all the hard parts of parenting.
Z: What’s a life lesson you hope gets passed down through your family?
B: That success takes more than talent—you’ve got to be prepared to put in the hard work.
Z: What advice would you give to young dads?
B: Enjoy having your kids around while you can because time goes fast. Before you know it, your children have grown up, left home and are starting a family of their own. That’s a wonderful stage too—but make the most of your time with your kids.
