My mother got up this morning and, as is her habit, swam 20 laps of her local 50m seaside pool. Not particularly remarkable until I mention it’s her birthday today. Happy 80^th birthday, mum!

As I wrote last time, my mother was the pioneer family historian in our family. She is one of those remarkable people who have an affinity with older generations. As a single 20-something, after her grandfather died, she moved in with her grandmother to look after her. When she married and we came along, we stayed – so I spent my childhood years in the home of my great-grandmother. I didn’t appreciate what a privilege that was until much later in my life. But thanks to my mother and her interest in the stories of her older relatives, I was given a pretty good start in my family history journey of discovery.

A few days ago, Sydney Swans AFL player Adam Goodes was named NSW Australian of the Year.

I was driving to the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages when I heard 702 ABC Sydney interview him about this honour. Goodes mentioned that he was in Adelaide, filming for the Australian series of “Who Do You Think You Are?” which airs on SBS.

He was enjoying the experience and was finding learning about his family very interesting. He said that everyone should find out about their background and heritage; to learn about their forebears.