My Mum and Dad, and younger sister, Jacky, came down from Darwin to attend my “Diamond Jubilee” (60th Birthday) and stayed for a week in Perth. During their stay my Dad was very keen to have a family portrait – since it rarely happens that all of his family are together at one time.

My family of origin is small, just my parents and younger sister – 4 of us who immigrated from Scotland. My sister has never married or had kids, so the only grandchildren for my parents were my kids – Christina and Kyle. Christina and her husband, Yee, and their three children, Amy 11yrs, Connor 8yrs and Piper 6 yrs were able to be there. But obviously Kyle could not be there, and sadly, as we still aren’t able to see his son, nor could Cash – now 7yrs.

My husband, Vince, set it up to be able to operate my camera on a tripod remotely with his iPhone – so we could all be in the shot. My Dad was very happy with it and I arranged to have it printed on metal and delivered to him in Darwin. It’s a special and precious moment in our family history, and I really appreciate it – but it is bitter sweet because Kyle and little Cash are missing!

The Herriott Family Bloodline (including Christina’s husband – Yee Yeu and my husband, Vince Partridge)

L-R Back Row Standing – Christina (Kyle’s Sister), Yee (her husband), Jacky (Kyle’s Aunty and my Sister), Vince (my husband), Karen (Me – Kyle’s Mum).

L-R Front Row Standing, Sitting, Standing – Connor (Kyle’s Nephew), Piper (Kyle’s Niece), Jock (Kyle’s Grandad), Chris (Kyle’s Nana), Amy (Kyle’s Niece)

I had a broken foot at the time – hence the black Moon Boot, Christina had just had an operation on both of her knees so wore a long skirt, and Chris, has mobility problems and walks with a walker – so it was quite a mission to get us all there in the Wanneroo Pines.