Talitha Cummins: Former TV presenter turned jewelry designer on her battle with alcohol, restoration and the help of her father

Jewellery designer Talitha Cummins is finest recognized from her years as a TV presenter on reveals together with Weekend Sunrise on Seven. Here, the 46-year-old mom of two talks about her battle with consuming and her restoration, and why her father will at all times be her finest buddy.

My paternal grandfather, Vincent, was a horse whisperer in Shepparton, Victoria. People would convey him horses that no person else might deal with. He was a disciplinarian, however a teddy bear inside. I learnt that males might be sturdy and disciplined, but in addition form and humble. He at all times wore large overalls and at all times had time for his grandkids. He set the scene for what to search for in future companions.

I idolise my dad, Paul. He is robust and thoughtful. From a younger age, he’d let me stroll by way of the door first and open the automotive door for me – an actual gentleman. He owned butcher outlets and ran them with perfection.

Dad grew up on a farm and at 18 set off to journey the world for 3 years with mates. There’s an actual depth and knowledge to him. My dad and mom divorced once I was six; I’m their solely youngster. I at all times maintained an incredible relationship with Dad. I moved in with him in Shepparton once I was 9 for a number of years, and he’d take me to pony membership.

When I used to be 10, Dad took me to a giant block of land with an previous weatherboard home on it and mentioned, “I’ve just bought this and when I have enough equity, I’m going to develop it into units.” It meant nothing to me then, however sowed the seeds for me to suppose outdoors the field.

My first kiss occurred in a carpark with a boy referred to as Joseph once I was 11. It was an harmless peck.

I used to be engaged for some time but it surely didn’t work out. When I look again on it, I believe you may’t be pleased with somebody till you’re blissful inside your self.

My mum, Kaye, labored for a gastroenterologist and I additionally labored for him once I was a college pupil. I might be within the working theatre, writing down affected person diagnoses whereas he did procedures. He was very profitable. I checked out his life-style and thought, “That’s what I want.”

I used to be in a relationship with a boy referred to as Aaron once I was 23, however we broke up once I obtained my first TV gig on the Seven Network in Cairns. I used to be centered on chasing cyclones and dancing on podiums!

I used to be engaged for some time but it surely didn’t work out. When I look again on it, I believe you may’t be pleased with somebody till you’re blissful inside your self. It was most likely the peak of my consuming and I wasn’t actually in any form to be in a relationship.

My dad was extremely supportive once I acknowledged I had a consuming downside in 2011-12. He mentioned if I wanted something he’d be there to assist me. There was by no means judgment.

When I appeared on [ABC-TV’s] Australian Story 10 years in the past, I needed to smash the stereotype round what an alcoholic appears to be like like. There remains to be a notion it’s a man who lives on the streets. The actuality is there are such a lot of functioning alcoholics. Speaking up felt like a calling.

I met my husband, Ben [Lucas], in Sydney once I was three months sober. Friends on Weekend Sunrise mentioned they knew a man they needed me to satisfy. I rolled my eyes. I keep in mind sitting at our first date, being so nervous with out alcohol and desirous to disappear. Little did I do know that Ben would develop into one of many greatest supporters and influences in my life. He is set, formidable and selfless.

My maternal uncle, Craig, steered me right into a profession in jewelry. He’d been within the trade for 50 years and gently nudged me by saying, “I think you should consider doing this.” I keep in mind attempting on large diamond rings in his retailer as a youngster; little did I do know it could develop into my new vocation. It’s due to him, I left my TV profession after twenty years.

Ben ran a health club however as my enterprise [The Cut Jewellery] began rising we realised that in a wedding you may solely have one enterprise and nonetheless be current for our children: Oliver, who’s now 9, and Riley, who’s seven. He instructed me it was time to chase my dream.

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