Father’s Day is knocking at the door – on Sunday 7 September. It’s a great day, when we celebrate the important role that dads play in our lives. This month we decided to do things a little ‘in-house’ by celebrating four young fathers on the Benefitz team. Benefitz is the business that publishes your monthly Channel Magazine. We interviewed Blake, Dale, Rhys and Wayne – all Shore based dads – about what 7 September will bring for them, what they love most about fatherhood and even their best dad jokes!
Wayne’s world has Hope at the centre!
Wayne Brown and his wife Kim (who works in training for an electricity service provider) emigrated to New Zealand about seven years ago and he says through all the ups and downs, their biggest highlight has been welcoming their three-year-old daughter, Hope. Wayne, who manages Benefitz busy signage division, has been in the print and signage industry for over 26 years and outside his day job, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, and outdoor life.
Channel Mag: What do you love most about being a dad? Has fatherhood changed your perspective on anything in your life?
Wayne Brown: Picking up my daughter Hope from school. She is always happy to see me, always ending a hard day’s work in happiness. The chats we have, and time spent together are priceless. Fatherhood has changed every part of my life for the better, except my lack of sleep! But that aside, I am privileged to be a dad. The joy Hope brings to my life makes it easy to be a father.
If you look at your favourite characters in popular culture or sport (fictional or real), is there a dad or father figure that you look up to and why?
It would have to be Robert De Niro. Both in real life and the movies, he always plays an excellent dad!
How will you celebrate Father's Day this year?
For Father’s Day this year, I plan to try and join a Father’s Day beach clean-up with my daughter Hope, to give a little back to the community, help keep our beaches clean, and show her what good, kind men are supposed to be! Hopefully my family will shout me a dinner out afterwards too!
What’s your best dad joke?
Why was the sand wet? Because the seaweed!
Dale enjoys life outdoors with his boys
Dale Simpson is a production supervisor in the Benefitz signage division. He’s the proud dad of two boys, Dillon (5) and Darcy (3). Dale says he fell into the hands of the Benefitz team when he left the timber joinery and glass industry after 18 years for a new career path. Dale says it was a huge shift. He started as the driver and has worked his way to become a leader in the signage division. Dale and his wife live on a five-acre property just north of the city, with the whole family enjoying the outdoor life together.
Channel Mag: What do you love most about being a dad? Has fatherhood changed your perspective on anything in your life?
Dale Simpson: I love being able to teach Dillon and Darcy new skills, show them new experiences and encourage them to try something new. Since becoming a dad, it has shaped the way we do things as a family.
If you look at your favourite characters in popular culture or sport (fictional or real), is there a dad or father figure that you look up to and why?
I was very fortunate to have many different male role models growing up. A father, uncles, granddads, and close family friends to teach me life skills. All these experiences have helped shape me to who I am today.
How will you celebrate Father's Day this year?
That's a great question and I hope my wife's reading this! A day spent with the family creating new memories. She’d better get planning!
Favourite dad joke?
What did the bison say to his son when he left the ranch? Bye son!
Rhys prioritises time with Lilah and Ryder
Rhys Lloyd is a senior sales account manager at Benefitz. He’s been part of the team for long time, 16 to 17 years. He has two children, Lilah (10) and Ryder (8). Rhys co-parents his children and has them half the time and says both he and their mum make it work, ensuring good communication and putting the kids first. Rhys says that they've embraced suburban life on the Shore with him and rural life with their mum. Sport is a big part of their lives with Saturday mornings now very busy with kids’ activities. Lilah loves horse riding and Rhys says Ryder is a typical boy who just wants to kick a ball around and have fun.
Channel Mag: What do you love most about being a dad? Has Fatherhood changed your perspective on anything in your life?
Rhys Lloyd: I get a real buzz out of watching my kids evolve. Sometimes it’s a bit scary how quick they grow up, but every stage in their life from babies to toddlers, kids and adolescence is a fun new chapter. And yes, it has changed my perspective. I’m pretty sure I’m much more conservative than I was in my twenties!
If you look at your favourite characters in popular culture or sport (fictional or real), is there a dad or father figure that you look up to and why?
I recently listened to a podcast with Grant Fox (All Black legend) and a quote from that really resonated with me: “How do you spell love to your kids? – T.I.M.E”. But the person I try to emulate the most would be my own dad. In my opinion, he is the best dad and has given me the perfect blueprint.
How will you celebrate Father's Day this year?
Hanging out with my kiddies and catching up with extended family. Maybe doing something on the day to make sure Lilah and Ryder are spoiling their dad.
Favourite dad joke?
What vegetable is cool, but not that cool? A rad-ish.
Blake looks forward to movie night as much as his kids
Blake Douglas is now a shareholder and leads the sales team at Benefitz. He’s been part of the business for 20 years, starting as the driver and now a key leader. He and his wife Kellie have two children, Rocco (7), and Stevie (almost 5). He says that the kids are at very busy ages but they have a strong support system of friends and family which is a big help, and theyprioritise their own family traditions and routine.
Channel Mag: What do you love most about being a dad? Has Fatherhood changed your perspective on anything in your life?
Blake Douglas: I love our weekend routines we have as a family. Beach walks and fun family activities in the afternoon, movie nights etc. It’s hard to remember life pre-kids, but I guess I had more time and less grey hair! I love our weekends, usually starting with pizza Friday nights, Saturday morning beach walk and Sunday family movie night. I reckon I look forward to the movie nights just as much as the kids. The change in perspective is probably slowing down to enjoy the smaller moments.
If you look at your favourite characters in popular culture or sport (fictional or real), is there a dad or Father figure that you look up to and why?
I don’t really have an answer for this but Phil Dunphy from Modern Family does make me laugh!
How will you celebrate Father's Day this year?
Hopefully I will have a round of golf with mates who are also dads and then spend the afternoon with the family… We'll probably have Sunday movie night because we love our routines!
Favourite dad joke?
Why did the gym close down? It just didn’t work out.
