The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Two of Us

Advertisement
“We haven’t always agreed, but we’ve connected,” says Sylvia Hrovatin.

How a planner and a protester bridged the gap to become friends

For decades, Sylvia Hrovatin and Jean Stuart worked on opposing sides of an ideological divide. Somehow, they stayed friends.

  • Fenella Souter

Latest

‘I thought I might lose him’: Neale Whitaker on why he had to walk away from his hit TV show

Interior design expert Neale Whitaker and hair and make-up artist David Novak-Piper on a 2023 health shock, design disagreements – and their forever home.

  • Stephen Lacey

Chanelle and Joe share a life, marriage, art. Now they face an incurable cancer diagnosis

Artists Chanelle Collier and Joe Wilson met in 2006 and joined their art practice in 2018. Early in 2023, Chanelle was diagnosed with a rare cancer.

  • Amanda Hooton
Marianella Casmon and Ana Claudia Casmon.

‘People tried to burn down our office’: When Marianella’s career took off, she wasn’t expecting the backlash

Marianella and Ana Claudia Casmon came to Australia in 2018 after they received threats when they launched a charity supporting young LGBTQ Peruvians.

  • Tim Elliott
Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasquale’s cafe is a Melbourne institution.

‘Two cappuccinos’: The order that created an Australian landmark

In 1986, Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasquale opened a cafe in Melbourne that became a Fitzroy landmark.

  • Dani Valent
GIF: Melissa Jackson, 60, and her colleague and “bestie” Ronald Briggs, 58.

Ronald ‘broke’ when his partner of 27 years had a heart attack. His best friend pulled him through

Librarians Melissa Jackson and Ronald Briggs are colleagues who have become friends.

  • Stephen Lacey
Advertisement

‘You better watch your mouth’: How Brittnee keeps drama at bay for colleague Lochie

Five years ago, Lachlan Robertson, a world-record-holding sheep shearer, was looking for a wool classer – and found an unexpected best mate.

  • Stephen Lacey
 “I wouldn’t have minded if he’d become a priest – there were times in his life when I thought that was quite probable,” says John Kirk of his son Tim, “but this place, this vineyard, captured him.”

Why the ‘craziest’ idea this Australian winemaker ever had became a global sensation

Clonakilla founder and leading Australian scientist Dr John Kirk started making wines with his fourth son in a garage.

  • Stephen Lacey

They’ve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book

The decades-long friendship between Russell Thompson, a professor in transport engineering, and Russell James, a retired teacher, began in 1977.

  • Lenny Ann Low
“We’ve always had a very nice, steady relationship,” says Charlie of his grandfather Greg, “but it’s only in the last three years I’ve realised how special and precious it is.”

‘He snores pretty loud but, other than that, it’s all right’: Charlie’s life on the road with his grandpa

At 17, Charlie Gaylard is one of Australia’s youngest Elvis Presley tribute artists. His Elvis-loving grandfather, Greg Gaylard, is now his manager.

  • Dani Valent