Latest news with #Braybrooks
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Traditional but unconventional': Sussan Ley pays tribute to mum at funeral
Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley has told of how her mother Angela Braybrooks, as a psychiatric nurse, saved the life of a patient and made it "much better than before". The remarkable legacy was one of many recalled as the member for Farrer gave the eulogy for the 93 year-old who died on May 17, four days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party. Family and friends gathered at St Matthew's Anglican Church, where Mrs Braybrooks had been a devoted parishioner for decades, for the farewell conducted by Father Peter MacLeod-Miller. Among the mourners were former National Party leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce and Liberal senators Anne Ruston and Michaelia Cash, who sat on a front bench of the nave. Albury MP Justin Clancy and Albury councillor and former mayor Kylie King also attended. Ms Ley said her mother's life, which included 61 years of wedlock to Edgar Braybrooks, who died at 103 in 2021, was "traditional but also unconventional". It included meeting Mr Braybrooks through a dating service and then following him to Nigeria, from where he proposed via telephone while working as a policeman. "A loving marriage to my father was at the centre of her world, but it did not completely define her," Ms Ley told the congregation. "Her training as a nurse, her attachment in later life to the Anglican faith, her love of birds and the stars, and her passion for helping those struggling with mental illness, also formed the person she became." English-born Mrs Braybrooks' professional skill was evident when she migrated to Australia in 1974 and nursed in mental health wards, becoming the psychiatric nurse in charge at a Canberra hospital, "a role she excelled at and loved". "Only a few months ago, I received an email from a woman who had been looked after by my mother, saying, 'I shall not ever forget the love, care and wisdom she showed'," Ms Ley said. "'The support saved my life. "'Not only that, gave my life back to me much better than before. "'Since little was known about mental illness then, and little to help families, your mother was sent from up above'." Mrs Braybrooks, growing up as an only child, had to cope with the turbulence of a father who "either did not speak or said horrible things". He had been a World War I soldier before becoming an Anglican vicar. "She would say that it took her half her life to get over her childhood," Ms Ley said. "She turned away from religion for many of her adult years until she realised, through training as a mental health nurse, that her father had clinical depression. "She understood that his experience, in the trenches of the Western Front, had encouraged him towards both a belief in God, but had also sparked his illness. "When she finally forgave him, she allowed herself to come back to the church, even studying for a diploma in theology." Mrs Braybrooks' religious fervour was to the fore in the service, which included an array of hymns, Bible readings and a prayer linked to explorer Sir Francis Drake. Granddaughter Georgina Ley, whose words were read to the funeral after she was unable to attend due to illness, told of her grandmother's temporal loves, which ranged from Lady Grey tea to cooking to just sitting quietly. "Granny always had a very full life," she said. "She was very good at sewing and embroidery, making everything from cushions and dresses, when we were little, to dolls and our library bags for school." Father MacLeod-Miller, described as Mrs Braybrooks' salvation and friend by Ms Ley, ended the funeral by saying the bells of St Matthew's, "which were also cast in England", would "not be tolling out of sadness, but pealing out of joy". He then joined Ms Ley in planting Winston Churchill daffodil bulbs in the church grounds at the relatively recent burial site of Mrs Braybrooks' cat Little Tree. A photo portrait of the pet and a snapshot of Father MacLeod-Miller and Mrs Braybrooks had sat on the coffin throughout the funeral. Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley has told of how her mother Angela Braybrooks, as a psychiatric nurse, saved the life of a patient and made it "much better than before". The remarkable legacy was one of many recalled as the member for Farrer gave the eulogy for the 93 year-old who died on May 17, four days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party. Family and friends gathered at St Matthew's Anglican Church, where Mrs Braybrooks had been a devoted parishioner for decades, for the farewell conducted by Father Peter MacLeod-Miller. Among the mourners were former National Party leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce and Liberal senators Anne Ruston and Michaelia Cash, who sat on a front bench of the nave. Albury MP Justin Clancy and Albury councillor and former mayor Kylie King also attended. Ms Ley said her mother's life, which included 61 years of wedlock to Edgar Braybrooks, who died at 103 in 2021, was "traditional but also unconventional". It included meeting Mr Braybrooks through a dating service and then following him to Nigeria, from where he proposed via telephone while working as a policeman. "A loving marriage to my father was at the centre of her world, but it did not completely define her," Ms Ley told the congregation. "Her training as a nurse, her attachment in later life to the Anglican faith, her love of birds and the stars, and her passion for helping those struggling with mental illness, also formed the person she became." English-born Mrs Braybrooks' professional skill was evident when she migrated to Australia in 1974 and nursed in mental health wards, becoming the psychiatric nurse in charge at a Canberra hospital, "a role she excelled at and loved". "Only a few months ago, I received an email from a woman who had been looked after by my mother, saying, 'I shall not ever forget the love, care and wisdom she showed'," Ms Ley said. "'The support saved my life. "'Not only that, gave my life back to me much better than before. "'Since little was known about mental illness then, and little to help families, your mother was sent from up above'." Mrs Braybrooks, growing up as an only child, had to cope with the turbulence of a father who "either did not speak or said horrible things". He had been a World War I soldier before becoming an Anglican vicar. "She would say that it took her half her life to get over her childhood," Ms Ley said. "She turned away from religion for many of her adult years until she realised, through training as a mental health nurse, that her father had clinical depression. "She understood that his experience, in the trenches of the Western Front, had encouraged him towards both a belief in God, but had also sparked his illness. "When she finally forgave him, she allowed herself to come back to the church, even studying for a diploma in theology." Mrs Braybrooks' religious fervour was to the fore in the service, which included an array of hymns, Bible readings and a prayer linked to explorer Sir Francis Drake. Granddaughter Georgina Ley, whose words were read to the funeral after she was unable to attend due to illness, told of her grandmother's temporal loves, which ranged from Lady Grey tea to cooking to just sitting quietly. "Granny always had a very full life," she said. "She was very good at sewing and embroidery, making everything from cushions and dresses, when we were little, to dolls and our library bags for school." Father MacLeod-Miller, described as Mrs Braybrooks' salvation and friend by Ms Ley, ended the funeral by saying the bells of St Matthew's, "which were also cast in England", would "not be tolling out of sadness, but pealing out of joy". He then joined Ms Ley in planting Winston Churchill daffodil bulbs in the church grounds at the relatively recent burial site of Mrs Braybrooks' cat Little Tree. A photo portrait of the pet and a snapshot of Father MacLeod-Miller and Mrs Braybrooks had sat on the coffin throughout the funeral. Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley has told of how her mother Angela Braybrooks, as a psychiatric nurse, saved the life of a patient and made it "much better than before". The remarkable legacy was one of many recalled as the member for Farrer gave the eulogy for the 93 year-old who died on May 17, four days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party. Family and friends gathered at St Matthew's Anglican Church, where Mrs Braybrooks had been a devoted parishioner for decades, for the farewell conducted by Father Peter MacLeod-Miller. Among the mourners were former National Party leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce and Liberal senators Anne Ruston and Michaelia Cash, who sat on a front bench of the nave. Albury MP Justin Clancy and Albury councillor and former mayor Kylie King also attended. Ms Ley said her mother's life, which included 61 years of wedlock to Edgar Braybrooks, who died at 103 in 2021, was "traditional but also unconventional". It included meeting Mr Braybrooks through a dating service and then following him to Nigeria, from where he proposed via telephone while working as a policeman. "A loving marriage to my father was at the centre of her world, but it did not completely define her," Ms Ley told the congregation. "Her training as a nurse, her attachment in later life to the Anglican faith, her love of birds and the stars, and her passion for helping those struggling with mental illness, also formed the person she became." English-born Mrs Braybrooks' professional skill was evident when she migrated to Australia in 1974 and nursed in mental health wards, becoming the psychiatric nurse in charge at a Canberra hospital, "a role she excelled at and loved". "Only a few months ago, I received an email from a woman who had been looked after by my mother, saying, 'I shall not ever forget the love, care and wisdom she showed'," Ms Ley said. "'The support saved my life. "'Not only that, gave my life back to me much better than before. "'Since little was known about mental illness then, and little to help families, your mother was sent from up above'." Mrs Braybrooks, growing up as an only child, had to cope with the turbulence of a father who "either did not speak or said horrible things". He had been a World War I soldier before becoming an Anglican vicar. "She would say that it took her half her life to get over her childhood," Ms Ley said. "She turned away from religion for many of her adult years until she realised, through training as a mental health nurse, that her father had clinical depression. "She understood that his experience, in the trenches of the Western Front, had encouraged him towards both a belief in God, but had also sparked his illness. "When she finally forgave him, she allowed herself to come back to the church, even studying for a diploma in theology." Mrs Braybrooks' religious fervour was to the fore in the service, which included an array of hymns, Bible readings and a prayer linked to explorer Sir Francis Drake. Granddaughter Georgina Ley, whose words were read to the funeral after she was unable to attend due to illness, told of her grandmother's temporal loves, which ranged from Lady Grey tea to cooking to just sitting quietly. "Granny always had a very full life," she said. "She was very good at sewing and embroidery, making everything from cushions and dresses, when we were little, to dolls and our library bags for school." Father MacLeod-Miller, described as Mrs Braybrooks' salvation and friend by Ms Ley, ended the funeral by saying the bells of St Matthew's, "which were also cast in England", would "not be tolling out of sadness, but pealing out of joy". He then joined Ms Ley in planting Winston Churchill daffodil bulbs in the church grounds at the relatively recent burial site of Mrs Braybrooks' cat Little Tree. A photo portrait of the pet and a snapshot of Father MacLeod-Miller and Mrs Braybrooks had sat on the coffin throughout the funeral. Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley has told of how her mother Angela Braybrooks, as a psychiatric nurse, saved the life of a patient and made it "much better than before". The remarkable legacy was one of many recalled as the member for Farrer gave the eulogy for the 93 year-old who died on May 17, four days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party. Family and friends gathered at St Matthew's Anglican Church, where Mrs Braybrooks had been a devoted parishioner for decades, for the farewell conducted by Father Peter MacLeod-Miller. Among the mourners were former National Party leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce and Liberal senators Anne Ruston and Michaelia Cash, who sat on a front bench of the nave. Albury MP Justin Clancy and Albury councillor and former mayor Kylie King also attended. Ms Ley said her mother's life, which included 61 years of wedlock to Edgar Braybrooks, who died at 103 in 2021, was "traditional but also unconventional". It included meeting Mr Braybrooks through a dating service and then following him to Nigeria, from where he proposed via telephone while working as a policeman. "A loving marriage to my father was at the centre of her world, but it did not completely define her," Ms Ley told the congregation. "Her training as a nurse, her attachment in later life to the Anglican faith, her love of birds and the stars, and her passion for helping those struggling with mental illness, also formed the person she became." English-born Mrs Braybrooks' professional skill was evident when she migrated to Australia in 1974 and nursed in mental health wards, becoming the psychiatric nurse in charge at a Canberra hospital, "a role she excelled at and loved". "Only a few months ago, I received an email from a woman who had been looked after by my mother, saying, 'I shall not ever forget the love, care and wisdom she showed'," Ms Ley said. "'The support saved my life. "'Not only that, gave my life back to me much better than before. "'Since little was known about mental illness then, and little to help families, your mother was sent from up above'." Mrs Braybrooks, growing up as an only child, had to cope with the turbulence of a father who "either did not speak or said horrible things". He had been a World War I soldier before becoming an Anglican vicar. "She would say that it took her half her life to get over her childhood," Ms Ley said. "She turned away from religion for many of her adult years until she realised, through training as a mental health nurse, that her father had clinical depression. "She understood that his experience, in the trenches of the Western Front, had encouraged him towards both a belief in God, but had also sparked his illness. "When she finally forgave him, she allowed herself to come back to the church, even studying for a diploma in theology." Mrs Braybrooks' religious fervour was to the fore in the service, which included an array of hymns, Bible readings and a prayer linked to explorer Sir Francis Drake. Granddaughter Georgina Ley, whose words were read to the funeral after she was unable to attend due to illness, told of her grandmother's temporal loves, which ranged from Lady Grey tea to cooking to just sitting quietly. "Granny always had a very full life," she said. "She was very good at sewing and embroidery, making everything from cushions and dresses, when we were little, to dolls and our library bags for school." Father MacLeod-Miller, described as Mrs Braybrooks' salvation and friend by Ms Ley, ended the funeral by saying the bells of St Matthew's, "which were also cast in England", would "not be tolling out of sadness, but pealing out of joy". He then joined Ms Ley in planting Winston Churchill daffodil bulbs in the church grounds at the relatively recent burial site of Mrs Braybrooks' cat Little Tree. A photo portrait of the pet and a snapshot of Father MacLeod-Miller and Mrs Braybrooks had sat on the coffin throughout the funeral.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley set to farewell ‘extraordinary' mother Angela Braybrooks on Friday
Sussan Ley will farewell her 'extraordinary' mother Angela Braybrooks at a funeral in her hometown of Albury. Ms Braybrooks died just days after the Opposition Leader became the first woman to win a party room vote to leader the federal Liberal Party. The former mental health nurse will be farewelled by family and friends at St Matthew's Church in Albury on Friday. Several of Ms Ley's Coalition colleagues are also expected to attend. Ms Braybrooks died in Albury in the early hours of May 17 'comfortable and at peace'. Sharing the news of her mum's death, Ms Ley thanked staff at Riverwood Aged Care Facility, where Ms Braybrooks was receiving end of life care. Ms Ley paid tribute to her 'extraordinary' mother, and shared her gratitude that she was able to share a final Mother's Day with her late mum. 'Mum was a mental health nurse who helped so many people through her life. She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence,' Ms Ley wrote in a social media post. 'Growing up in wartime Britain, Angela could never have dreamt that her daughter would become Australia's first female Leader of the Opposition, but because of her, that happened this week. 'Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination. 'I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will.' Ms Ley also opened up on the final days she spent with her mum. 'It was a gift of fate that I was able to share Mother's Day with my mum one last time on Sunday,' she wrote. 'On Monday night in Canberra, our parish priest organised a FaceTime call, telling Angela she had to 'hang on' to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. 'If she could do that, he promised her, 'we'll have champagne tomorrow'. 'On Tuesday, hours after I was afforded the enormous privilege by my Liberal colleagues of leading our party, I drove back down the Hume Highway to be at her bedside. 'While mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference. 'As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. It was a moment I will treasure, forever.'
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Ley to farewell ‘extraordinary' mum
Sussan Ley will farewell her 'extraordinary' mother Angela Braybrooks at a funeral in her hometown of Albury. Ms Braybrooks died just days after the Opposition Leader became the first woman to win a party room vote to leader the federal Liberal Party. The former mental health nurse will be farewelled by family and friends at St Matthew's Church in Albury on Friday. Several of Ms Ley's Coalition colleagues are also expected to attend. Ms Braybrooks died in Albury in the early hours of May 17 'comfortable and at peace'. Sharing the news of her mum's death, Ms Ley thanked staff at Riverwood Aged Care Facility, where Ms Braybrooks was receiving end of life care. Angela Braybrooks passed away on May 17, just days after Sussan Ley became the first woman to win the Liberal leadership. Supplied, Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Ley paid tribute to her 'extraordinary' mother, and shared her gratitude that she was able to share a final Mother's Day with her late mum. 'Mum was a mental health nurse who helped so many people through her life. She taught me the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence,' Ms Ley wrote in a social media post. 'Growing up in wartime Britain, Angela could never have dreamt that her daughter would become Australia's first female Leader of the Opposition, but because of her, that happened this week. 'Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination. 'I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will.' Ms Braybrooks was receiving end-of-life care at Riverwood Aged Care Facility at the time of her passing. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Ley also opened up on the final days she spent with her mum. 'It was a gift of fate that I was able to share Mother's Day with my mum one last time on Sunday,' she wrote. 'On Monday night in Canberra, our parish priest organised a FaceTime call, telling Angela she had to 'hang on' to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. 'If she could do that, he promised her, 'we'll have champagne tomorrow'. 'On Tuesday, hours after I was afforded the enormous privilege by my Liberal colleagues of leading our party, I drove back down the Hume Highway to be at her bedside. 'While mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference. 'As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. It was a moment I will treasure, forever.'
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Mum's eyes 'lit up': Liberal leader's touching tribute
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and "inspiration" who died just days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Ms Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud to reach a new coalition agreement following the federal election loss, while tending to her dying mother. Angela Braybrooks' funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning. The Nationals quit the coalition days after the death of Ms Braybrooks before the political parties later patched up their differences. The opposition leader said Ms Braybrooks was "comfortable and at peace" in her final moments. "My family and I feel this loss deeply," she said in a statement. Ms Ley paid tribute to the mental health nurse who she said had helped "so many people throughout her life". She credited her mother with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence. "Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,'' Ms Ley said. "I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will." Ms Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Ms Braybrooks to "hang on" to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. "Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference," she said. "As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. "It was a moment I will treasure, forever." Ms Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and "inspiration" who died just days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Ms Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud to reach a new coalition agreement following the federal election loss, while tending to her dying mother. Angela Braybrooks' funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning. The Nationals quit the coalition days after the death of Ms Braybrooks before the political parties later patched up their differences. The opposition leader said Ms Braybrooks was "comfortable and at peace" in her final moments. "My family and I feel this loss deeply," she said in a statement. Ms Ley paid tribute to the mental health nurse who she said had helped "so many people throughout her life". She credited her mother with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence. "Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,'' Ms Ley said. "I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will." Ms Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Ms Braybrooks to "hang on" to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. "Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference," she said. "As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. "It was a moment I will treasure, forever." Ms Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and "inspiration" who died just days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Ms Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud to reach a new coalition agreement following the federal election loss, while tending to her dying mother. Angela Braybrooks' funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning. The Nationals quit the coalition days after the death of Ms Braybrooks before the political parties later patched up their differences. The opposition leader said Ms Braybrooks was "comfortable and at peace" in her final moments. "My family and I feel this loss deeply," she said in a statement. Ms Ley paid tribute to the mental health nurse who she said had helped "so many people throughout her life". She credited her mother with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence. "Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,'' Ms Ley said. "I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will." Ms Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Ms Braybrooks to "hang on" to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. "Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference," she said. "As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. "It was a moment I will treasure, forever." Ms Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and "inspiration" who died just days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Ms Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud to reach a new coalition agreement following the federal election loss, while tending to her dying mother. Angela Braybrooks' funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning. The Nationals quit the coalition days after the death of Ms Braybrooks before the political parties later patched up their differences. The opposition leader said Ms Braybrooks was "comfortable and at peace" in her final moments. "My family and I feel this loss deeply," she said in a statement. Ms Ley paid tribute to the mental health nurse who she said had helped "so many people throughout her life". She credited her mother with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence. "Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,'' Ms Ley said. "I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will." Ms Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Ms Braybrooks to "hang on" to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. "Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference," she said. "As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. "It was a moment I will treasure, forever." Ms Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Mum's eyes 'lit up': Liberal leader's touching tribute
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has paid tribute to her mother and "inspiration" who died just days after her daughter became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. Ms Ley was deep in negotiations with Nationals leader David Littleproud to reach a new coalition agreement following the federal election loss, while tending to her dying mother. Angela Braybrooks' funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Albury on Friday morning. The Nationals quit the coalition days after the death of Ms Braybrooks before the political parties later patched up their differences. The opposition leader said Ms Braybrooks was "comfortable and at peace" in her final moments. "My family and I feel this loss deeply," she said in a statement. Ms Ley paid tribute to the mental health nurse who she said had helped "so many people throughout her life". She credited her mother with teaching her the values of resilience, self-reliance and persistence. "Like so many of her generation, she weathered uncertain times with strength and determination,'' Ms Ley said. "I have taken inspiration from her every single day of my life and I always will." Ms Ley said their parish priest had organised a FaceTime call urging Ms Braybrooks to "hang on" to see one more special moment in her daughter's life. "Whilst mum was no longer verbal, she watched every moment of my press conference," she said. "As I walked back into her room that afternoon, her eyes lit up with excitement. "It was a moment I will treasure, forever." Ms Ley thanked the many Australians who had expressed sympathies to her and her family.
