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Theatre of politics has a class act

Anita Kirkbright, GERALDTON GUARDIANGeraldton Guardian
Theatre of politics has a class act
Camera IconTheatre of politics has a class act Credit: Geraldton Guardian

Member for Durack Melissa Price loves meeting the people in her vast electorate and has been described by her friends as happy, outgoing, sociable and a bit bossy.

She rubs shoulders with people from all walks of life and is willing to go toe-to-toe with opposition politicians in Parliament.

She enjoys cooking and entertaining, and is happiest when everyone around her is having a good time.

But the ready smile and confident demeanour belie a vulnerability borne of the loss of loved ones and a longing to be near those who remain.

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Ms Price was 38 when her husband Colyn died in 2002 after a short battle with melanoma.

Even now, speaking by phone to The Geraldton Guardian from Canberra,

she struggles to find words to describe how the loss of her husband affected her and young daughter, Rhiannon.

“Colyn’s passing was very quick. It was very difficult at the time because I became a single mother, I was a young professional, working to keep a roof above our heads,” she says, her voice thick with emotion as she recalls her mother Lynne Dellar’s support in the dark days that followed.

“It wouldn’t have been possible to continue my career without my mum, an incredible woman who devoted her time to looking after me.”

Family is important to Melissa Price.

The youngest of four children, she found solace in their love and care as they helped her back on her feet.

In time she met quantity surveyor Brad Bell who had two children of his own.

She and Rhiannon became part of a new family.

But in 2013, as Ms Price awaited the results of her first political election for the State seat of Kalgoorlie, another tragedy occurred that would completely overshadow the narrow political loss to come.

Her precious daughter Rhiannon died suddenly.

Doctors say the 18-year-old had a cyst on her brain.

The loss of her only child is still a sensitive subject and her voice chokes with tears as she describes the loss.

“You think all you have to do is get them to 18 and then they’ll be fine,” she says, raw pain evident in her voice.

“I’m very happy about my life with her but I see it all the time, parents saying they can’t wait until their kids aren’t teenagers anymore.

“But I say cherish every day, even the days that are difficult.

“Keep them close, know who their friends are and don’t wish their teenage lives away.

“We don’t know what’s around the corner.”

The wounds of her loss were still tender when months after Rhiannon’s death Ms Price was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Durack.

In her maiden speech she honoured the memory of her daughter who had encouraged her political career, thanking her “guardian angel” for keeping close watch over her.

Despite having politics in her blood — grandfather David Dellar and uncle Stan Dellar were WA Upper House Labor MPs — a young Melissa Price (nee Dellar) had no interest in following in their footsteps.

“When I was a little girl I had aspirations of being a pop star. I was going to be the next Madonna before Madonna was Madonna,” she said.

“People want to sing with me at karaoke because they don’t like to sing by themselves and because I’m very confident. And apparently I can hold a note.”

These days Ms Price’s biggest gig is in the theatre of politics.

She is on the road or in the air most days, sleeps in hotel beds more than at her home in Perth and is away from her beloved extended family for much of the year.

However, the self-confessed “girl from Kalgoorlie” says constant travel and poor sleep are just part of the job.

“You can’t be a shrinking violet if you’re going to be the Member for Durack. It would be good to sleep better but that’s the way it is,” she says.

“I love the diversity of industry (in WA), the people, the coastlines and I adore the inland landscape of the mining in the Pilbara.

“People are happy for you to be there because you are taking an interest. People appreciate that.”

The “mad sports fan” has been a Dockers member for 12 years and when her schedule permits, catches up with her family around the games.

Ms Price laughs at English comedy and the antics of some politicians whom she describes as “frustrated actors”.

She enjoys walking her dog Sparki, sipping a chardonnay with partner Brad Bell and making sure people are enjoying themselves.

“I like people around me to have a good time. I’m known for making sure that happens,” she said.

“I’m very sociable, I think that’s another way people describe me. And I’m very loyal. What makes me angry is disloyalty and people underestimating women.”

First published in The Geraldton Guardian as part of an in-depth interview series called Wednesday Woman. See the print edition each Wednesday for more in the series.

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