Miranda Tapsell has become one of Australia's most celebrated actors and storytellers, but behind every chapter of her remarkable career is the woman who taught her what love, family, and community truly mean: her mum, Barbara. 

In this two-part episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman Miranda joins host Tiffany Dunk alongside Barbara for a heartfelt conversation about the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, the lessons that have shaped their family across generations, and the love that has carried them through life's biggest changes. 

Together they reflect on Barbara's childhood as the eldest of eight children, meeting and falling in love with Miranda's father, Tony, raising a family in Kakadu in the Northern Territory, and Barbara's years supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Miranda shares how her mum's unwavering belief in her gave her the confidence to pursue acting, the extraordinary sacrifice Barbara made to help her through drama school, and the values she's now passing on to her own children. 

They also open up about the realities of navigating the world as Aboriginal women, the work ethic and resilience passed down through generations, and why Barbara always taught Miranda that family doesn't stop at your front door. 

Part 2 is available now, where Miranda and Barbara share the story of meeting James, the family "tests" every new member must pass, the joy of raising the next generation together, and why love, laughter, and culture remain at the heart of their family. 

Moments you'll hear:

• Why Barbara has become a "mythical" figure in Miranda's life stories 
• Barara growing up as the eldest of eight children and learning responsibility early 
• The workplace romance that led to Barbara and Tony's 50-year marriage 
• Why Barbara waited until her 30s to become a mum 
• The family philosophy that "family doesn't stop at your front door" 
• Life growing up in Kakadu National Park and the village that raised Miranda 
• Barbara's extraordinary career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Miranda reflects on having her mum at school every day 
• The special role Miranda's grandparents played in her childhood 
• Miranda's very first performances and the early signs she was destined for the stage 
• The difficult transition from the Northern Territory to Sydney and studying at drama school, and the incredible sacrifice Barbara made to help Miranda finish NIDA 
• The life lessons Barbara taught Miranda about resilience, presentation, and work ethic as an Aboriginal woman 
• The family history behind those lessons and the policies that shaped generations 
• Miranda sees the next generation's performer beginning to emerge in her own daughter 

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

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Credits: 

Host: Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Leah Porges and Helen Smith 

Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly website