My speech to Tanya

I would firstly like to say hello to everyone down under and thank you all for sharing this special occasion with my beautiful sister. I truly wish I was here with you all tonight...

But If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be here eating, drinking and parting hard.... People close to Tanya might have heard the story of me
'saving her life' twice...

Both these incidents occurred when Tanya was around four years old. Our neighbour (from h3ll) thought it would be funny to let Tanya go for a ride, in her pram down our Greenslopes drive way, smack into the back of our blue Mitsubishi Pagero! Lucky for Tans I was there watching out for her (as always) and managed to catch Tanya just in the nick of time...

The second life saving experience (thank god for surf club) was when I noticed Tanya struggling at the bottom of Brandon park swimming pool. I made the rescue.... and in the puff of her breath Tanya said 'I was just trying to do a handstand like you nae'!

Both these incidents descried the relationship Tanya and I have formed over the past 21 years. I was the big sis looking out for little Tans and Tanya wanted to be just like her big sis (god love her)...

One of the fondest memories Adam and I have of Tanya is waking up to her on Christmas day. We would all grab our sacks from the bottom of the bed a quietly sneak out to the front balcony (trying as hard as possible not to make a sound or Santa would take back the presents). We even managed to wish the newspaper delivery man a Merry Christmas every year. Tanya was great asset to Adam and I...she managed to prolong Santa's visits to the age of 10...bluffing mum and dad so that we would get loads of wicked presents each year.

There was a time when not only did I share a bedroom with Tanya but SHE also shared my bed (hint hint) makeup, cleansing products, shavers, clothes (including lingerie) and accessories. I in particular recall my first high school disco, new outfit. I arrived home from school that night of the Holy Spirit disco to NO TOP or should I say Tanya wearing my top.

I haven't missed sharing all my stuff with Tans but I have missed the hugs and little soft kisses before lights out. Having someone to follow around. The company in the toilet. Drinking and chatting at home on a warm summers night. Going shopping to Miranda (with our U-turn experiences). Deciding what to wear together... you doing my hair and makeup before going out. Getting Ceases after a big night out. Going for a walk along south beach. And most of all just having you beside me!

In four weeks you travel 22 hours to the other side of the world to join me living in London. Who would have thought any different. Us together... ladies of London. We will shop on Oxford street, have dim sum (Ping Pong) and cocktails in Soho, nightclubs in Kings Cross, Broadway shows, dinner and drinks by Big Ben, a fantastic weekend away to Prague and much more. Oh, and you meeting all the celeb's and hunky guys on movie set!

And one last story of when Tanya was thirteen. Do you remember that time when you and Kate Hook took the Mitsubishi Pagero for a cruise around Greenslopes? Adam and I thought it had become a little quiet, noticed the keys missing and ran out the front. You were there trying to park. Adam and I re-parked the 4WD so mum and dad wouldn't know. You still owe us for that!

You are an amazing person Tanya with great love and affection, you are a beautiful, caring and kind natured lady. The best sister one could ever have. I miss you loads. Cheers to great success, fond memories and good times ahead.

Love you lots and see you soon.

Renae xo