Nicole's story
It forced me to look within
As a young child Nicole Randolph recalls having a sense of freedom unaffected by what other people did or thought.
As change began to happen around her, and through her high school years, Nicole developed a strong urge to question the meaning behind life - not from any religious influence but from a calling deep within her that questioned what it was all about.
This questioning lead Nicole through some wild teenage years spent testing the boundaries of life. She recalls a rebellious time during which she describes herself wryly as ‘a bit of a handful’. Around 18 this cycle began to lose its charm and Nicole headed off on a different quest.
She travelled extensively in her mid-20s - an experience that led to more self-awareness and confidence.
Nicole became a mum at 25, living a simple life in Cairns and then later at Uki and Mt Burrell, raising two children. Nicole developed an acute awareness of changing seasons, the abundant life in the surrounding bush, and a closeness with the natural world.
A subsequent move into Murwillumbah and a lifestyle offering more choices for her children and the support they needed was a big adjustment.
Parenting a child with disabilities inspired Nicole to connect with the universal wisdom she believes lives within all of us. While negotiating conflict and distress pushed her into a corner at times, it also allowed her to consider another way of being in relationship with her son and others that felt more loving, and allowed a greater sense of freedom and support.
In the end, Nicole believes it comes down to how we respond from within and the relationship we have with ourselves. She is sure her journey as a parent has contributed to a connection to a greater availability of love, and within that, finding direction. It has also led her back to the sense of freedom she felt strongly as a young child.
Nicole's interview
In 2016, as part of the Untold Stories: living with ability project, the Tweed Regional Museum undertook a series of oral history interviews.
The following excerpt is transcribed from the audio recording of the interview with Nicole Randolph on 3 May 2016.
In the interview, conducted by Karen Collins, Nicole talks about experiences of growing up as a curious and questioning child; rebellious teenage years; travel overseas to India and South East Asia in her mid 20s; living at Mount Burrell; and the experience of parenting a child with autism.
Journeying together
Nicole felt compelled to include this wooden train as it so beautifully represents Kai’s journey and fixation with objects, trains in particular. It also represents the family’s journey together as they travel the ups and downs of autism.
Nicole has said of the wooden toy tractor, handmade with local timbers from Mt Burrell:
It reflects the family’s time living on the land… the creativity and support of the community surrounding us, and many memorable years spent raising children and being held in the magic of nature.
Made with love
This group of objects speaks of Nicole’s relationship with her daughter Tara, and with her son Kai who has Autism and a cognitive disability - and of their journey together.
The hand painted mug was given to Nicole by Tara for Mothers’ Day. It reminds Nicole to reflect, “Is my cup full and overflowing, or have I left myself empty and if so what is the quality of my parenting?”
The ceramic clown and apple were both made by Kai. Nicole chose the clown because it represents Kia’s great sense of humour and the support and encouragement he has received at Uki Public School, which encourages him to shine despite the constant challenges of academic work.
Red is Kai’s favourite colour. For Nicole, the apple represents this - and Kai’s ability to express himself and to not hold back in taking a bite out of life!