Every Day is Father's Day for Sydney Dad of 10

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
2 Sep 2010

Describing himself as a traditionalist, Daryl Moore, a Sydney father of 10, admits he is unhappy about the Same-Sex Adoption Bill and would be concerned and upset if the Clover Moore-sponsored Bill became law.

"I don't think it is a good idea at all for same sex couples to adopt children," he says. "Maybe it's a result of my country upbringing, but I am a traditionalist and the whole gay issue doesn't go down  well with me, and I firmly believe a family unit comprises a man and a woman who are husband and wife, and their children." 

About to celebrate Father's Day this Sunday, when "the youngest ones bring me breakfast in bed - usually porridge which they try hard not to spill - and little gifts they've made at school," Daryl is immensely proud of his children and devoted to Margaret, his wife of 28 years.  

With two grandchildren and another on the way, the former Goolgowi sheepfarmer turned Sydney horticulturalist admits when he and Margaret first married they never expected to have quite so many children, but insists they wouldn't have it any other way.

"There were five kids in my family and it was the same for Margaret and although we never put a figure on it, we thought we'd probably have five children as well. But with each child, we decided we'd like one more and then one more and on it went," he says laughing.

With ages ranging from 27 down to 10, five of the brood are still at school, while two are at university, and the other three have graduated with degrees and are now embarked on successful careers. While one of the older daughters lives in Melbourne and another is currently in Britain, all the rest live at home including Rachel, the eldest and her husband, their two children, with the third expected shortly.

While Daryl says a large family may not suit everyone, he relishes every minute of his life and his kids.

"With such a big family, there's never a dull moment," he grins and describes life at the family home in Sydney's north-west as "full of joy and a lot of fun."

"There's always something happening, and every day there's someone to poke fun at and have a laugh with."

Which isn't to say raising such a large brood is all smooth sailing, and Daryl is frequently called on to "sort things out" when there are arguments and fights between the various siblings. But bickering among the kids along with the usual parental worries and concerns, he says are far outweighed by the rewards of being part of a large family not only for him and Margaret but for the children themselves.

"Growing up in a large family is a great leveller and keeps you grounded," he says. "If one of the kids was doing something they shouldn't, the others would pick that up very quickly. The other great thing about growing up with lots of siblings is learning to share and learning about tolerance. Our kids also realise material goods are not important and not a priority."

With such a large family, finances have always been tight.

"Our kids have had to do without a lot of stuff their contemporaries might have. From the time they were small, they have had to understand they can't have everything they might want. But they have also learned most of the stuff they might want to buy just to be like the other kids is not essential or necessary, and early on they learned to make do and to have fun playing games together and entertaining themselves."

An adage handed down through families says if you want something done, ask a busy person and both Daryl and Margaret are living proof of this maxim. Not only does Daryl work long hours, but Margaret is also a catechist at local primary schools and is an active class parent at Redfield College, Dural where she helps organise many of the school's activities. Prior to this she worked from 9 until 3 five days a week as a teacher's support at Tangara School, Cherrybrook, before being snapped up in 2007 to spend the next 12 months working  full-time with the Sydney World Youth Day team.

In addition to raising their family, Daryl and Margaret also mentor young couples as part of the Catholic Church's Pastoral and Marriage Renewal Centre.

For both the marriage and the strength of their partnership is key. So it comes as a surprise to discover that Daryl was a member of the Uniting Church when he first met Margaret in the late 1970s at a football game where he played lock as a member of the "Goolgowi Rabbitohs" rugby league side.

"Margaret was Catholic and although there was always religion in my family, my parents were Presbyterians, which later became known as the Uniting Church," he explains.

Despite their marriage in 1982 and the fact their children all grew up as Catholics, it wasn't until after the couple's 10th child was born in 2000, that Daryl decided to become a member of the Church as well.

"From the time I married I felt like a Catholic and always went to church. In fact the only thing I didn't do was take Holy Communion, but in every other aspect I was a Catholic and living far more of a Catholic life than many of our friends," he says with a smile. "But when our youngest was born I thought it was time I became an official Catholic instead of just acting like one."