Meet Our Sisters
 Many friendships are forged in the SISTER2sister Program. Big Sister, Nicole Patterson, shares about the bonds that have been formed with another Sister pair in their mentoring journey this year.
I was initially disappointed the first day of Bootcamp to discover that my little sister wasn’t able to join the 2009 program but after picking up Kirsty for camp on Day 2, I knew I couldn’t ask for a better little sister! Kirsty was recommended to the program by her half sister, Maddie and I think the poor girl thought she was coming to a sport & rec camp but instead found herself at Butterfly Bootcamp with all of the ups and downs involved. She settled straight in, making new friends and became renowned for her methods of vanishing without a trace and keeping the volunteers on their toes late into the night! We have since had a great year together and I’ve really enjoyed watching Kirsty grow and blossom into a beautiful young woman, inside and out.
I think I’ve been luckier than most this year because I ended up with a package deal and gained 2 little sisters and a big sister. Kirsty and I have spent some time outside of the program hanging out with Maddie and her big sister Tilly and the 4 of us have had lots of fun going to the movies, and meeting Natalie Bassingthwaite backstage at So You Think You Can Dance. The girls sometimes prefer to talk about each other rather than themselves too so Tilly and I can keep updated of what’s going on by swapping stories – that’s if the girls ever pick up the phone! Life is sometimes far too hectic to fit a Big Sister into but we find a way eventually.
I am also very grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received from all of Kirsty’s family. Earlier this year Kirsty underwent emergency surgery and I decided to visit her in hospital. I was unsure if I was in the right place until I heard someone yell down the corridor… "hey, isn’t that Kirsty’s big sister?". I spent the morning there and everyone was lovely. Kirsty’s mum and aunty both know of people who have participated in similar programs so they have been very encouraging of Kirsty’s participation.
I love the bond Kirsty and I have formed this year and I really admire her in so many ways. Kirsty is genuine and intelligent and I am always amazed at her forward planning and inventiveness. I can’t remember getting assignments out of the way to make room for my weekend social life but Kirsty never seems to do anything at the last minute. She is particularly good at calling me a couple of weeks before an outing to check the dates and come up with an elaborate reason why I should pick her up rather than having to catch public transport – with such imagination, who could refuse?
Kirsty and I were born 4 days (and many years!) apart and we are looking forward to celebrating this week with Maddie and Tilly at Darling Harbour. |
