Love me tender

In their modest attempt at entrepreneurship, the Willotts lost everything and had to start, literally, all over again. With no money, house or job, the couple and their two small children prepared to resettle in Adelaide, and it was during this time they discovered who their real friends were. “When you lose money and go through something like we did, it’s quite interesting to see who comes through for you – and who doesn’t,” says Lesley.

“Some people are truly afraid you’re going to ask them for something they cannot – or do not – want to give you. A lot of people simply turn their backs on you, while others turn out to be surprisingly compassionate.” Karl and Lesley asked close friends to book them into a caravan park for a fortnight so they would have somewhere to stay until they could find jobs.

“To our amazement, our close friends couldn’t even do this small thing for us,” Lesley recalls. “Fortunately, a former colleague, who I barely knew, came forward and offered us accommodation in her home until we found our feet.”

The rest, as they say, is history, but Karl and Lesley will never forget their relationship’s difficult first years. Both are convinced the hard times have contributed to the strong bond they share today. They even took Australian citizenship in 2004 as a tribute to the happy times they’ve shared in their new country.

“We celebrated our 30-year wedding anniversary this year and we couldn’t be happier,” says Lesley, as she cuddles her husband. Both she and Karl are looking forward to moving into a new home they’re currently building, having downsized now that their girls, Sarah and Clare, are making their own way in life.

“Life is good,” this cheerful couple agree as they stroll through a park near their home. “We’re looking forward to hitting the road again in our retirement,” adds Lesley. “We want to travel all over Australia for a year in a caravan – just me, Karl and the open road.” Their eyes light up in anticipation, all memories of willy-willies in the past as they fix their gaze firmly on the future.

Photography: Andrew Lehmann. Hair & make-up: Luana Coscia.

1234   |  Single page