‘MY BABY MY WAY!’
THERE’S SOME NEW RULES FOR WHEN BABY NUMBER TWO ARRIVES
For 16 years, Terri Irwin has had control of her business and taken charge as a single mum, but it seems she’s about to take a back seat when it comes to her children’s lives.
While son Robert, 19, is loved-up with his new girlfriend, Rorie Buckley, rumours are swirling that daughter Bindi is expecting her second child with husband Chandler Powell – and it could bring on some big changes for the Australia Zoo matriarch, 58.
“Terri is happy to see both Bindi and Robert living their lives and thriving, but it does break her heart just a little to see her kids all grown-up and needing her less and less,” says the source.“she has watched on proudly as Bindi grew into a confident mother with Grace, but she knows that when the next little one arrives that Bindi will want to do things her way now – and that’s likely going to be a hard adjustment.”
According to our Australia Zoo insider, Bindi, 24, and Chandler, 26, have also agreed that they want to keep their personal life under wraps as much as possible from now on.
“Given baby Grace is just so damn cute, they couldn’t help but share every adorable milestone on social media,” the source continues. “Terri led the charge. She was excited to show off the new generation of Wildlife Warriors but Bindi and Chandler have no intentions of doing that the second
‘It’s going to be a hard adjustment’
time around.
“It’s probably not the way Terri wants, but Bindi’s told her mum that when baby number two arrives, they will be following her rules. Terri has accepted that.
She just wants to be around her grandkids. That’s all that matters to her.”
Donna Kelso
Grand Slam Supervisor
For Donna Kelso, her love of tennis began at 8 years old when she won a racquet in a colouring-in competition. Lessons soon followed and, while it was clear she was never going to be a professional player, she had another goal in mind.
“I started line umpiring as a teenager and later when I was working as a travel agent, I’d take my holidays to umpire at Australian tournaments,” Donna, 56, tells New Idea.
“It wasn’t for the pay. We only got $7 a match but being involved in a world-class tennis event was exciting.”
And she was clearly very good, coming top of her class when she graduated from Sydney’s international umpiring school.
“I wrote a letter to Wimbledon and asked if I could come and umpire there,” the Sydneysider says.
“Age 20 I was accepted. Walking on to a court at Wimbledon was a defining moment for me. It was before I’d even umpired at the Australian Open.”
Back in the ’80s, Donna was one of only a handful of female umpires, but her gender never stopped her. She credits some lucky breaks and perseverance in the face of rejection as the reasons for her success, which includes being the first female to umpire the US Davis Cup and, more recently, her role as Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Grand Slam supervisor.
“I had good mentors and now I’m in prime position to help with coaching and teaching,” she says. “Providing opportunities for young females is what drives me now. I’ve got my dream. I want to help others achieve theirs.”
But despite being surrounded by the likes of Ash Barty, Donna isn’t tempted to play even for pleasure these days.
“I’ve not had a racquet in years,” she laughs. “I’m very happy behind the scenes!”