A Mother’s generational tale

Published on 15 May 2023

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Councillor Ashlee Fitzpatrick is well known across our Rural City of Wangaratta as a local government representative passionate about community, equity, inclusion, and youth. What is not so well known, is that many generations of family connection underpin her strong sense of community.

With partner Michael Groves, Cr Fitzpatrick welcomed their first child Parker Chase last week on 3 May 2023 at Northeast Health Wangaratta, where many generations of Cr Fitzpatrick’s family have also been delivered. Little Parker’s arrival is a celebration for what is now five generations of family living in our municipality.

Cr Fitzpatrick is from a line of inimitable women and mothers.

Matriarch and now Great Great Nan, Isabel grew up in Springhurst in the 1940s and went on to raise five children in Wangaratta. Great Nan Dianne Newman was the eldest of these and raised her three children in Wangaratta. New Nan Trish was the middle child. She married Andrew Fitzpatrick and they have raised their three children in Wangaratta, Cr Fitzpatrick being the eldest. Cr Fitzpatrick is now building on this strong family connection welcoming the arrival of Parker.

“To be so strongly connected to my local area through family is very grounding for me,” said Cr Fitzpatrick.

“It shows me the importance of belonging, of community, and of connection, and I feel incredibly grateful to become a mother in this environment.”

“My story is the driver behind the work I do. I want people to feel a sense of belonging, I want our community to embrace and include all people living across the Rural City of Wangaratta.”

“I’m thrilled to raise Parker in our local community, and to experience it differently now as a new mother, and I am receiving a lot of advice from the generations of mothers in my family!”

“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers, the carers, the aunts and the role models. Enjoy this special day, celebrate, and reflect. I can’t wait to celebrate my first Mother’s Day with my Mum, Nan, and Great Nan.”

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