Liam's Love For Nana Rewarded

Illawarra Mercury

Monday September 13, 2004

By LISA SEWELL

MOST 10-year-old boys would shy away from expressing their love for their grandmother in the midst of a crowded shopping centre.

But then Dapto youngster Liam Breadsell has never baulked at showing his appreciation for his 'nana' Heather.

Yesterday, Mrs Breadsell senior received the best grandparents' day present ever, when the poem Liam dedicated to her received second placing in a state-wide competition.

The Mt Brown Public School Year 4 student had already won the regional finals of the ClearView Retirement Solutions Grandparent's Day Competition with his thoughtful rhyme.

And at Nowra Stocklands Shopping Centre yesterday, he gave a heartfelt rendition of it to his "second mother".

"It's just wonderful," Mrs Breadsell said. "Liam and I have always shared a very close relationship. He rings me every day and he is very affectionate - when we go shopping he'll grab my hand and you don't get many 10 year-old-boys who will do that!"

Liam said he entered the competition because he wanted to "do something for nana".

"I love being with her - we play chess and Playstation and sometimes go outside and throw the football," he said. "And she makes great cakes - banana and chocolate."

Liam's mother, Katrina, said the family was proud of Liam's success and his dedication to his grandmother.

"I was a single mother when Liam was young and my mum became like a second mother to him," she said. "He just adores her, and she him."

Hundreds of students from across NSW and ACT took part in the competition, submitting a drawing and poem in celebration of their grandparent(s) or favourite senior citizen(s).

Liam was one of nine regional finalists who went forward for the top prizes and was announced one of the three winners by ClearView Retirement Solutions representative Brett Quince at the Nowra awards presentation.

"ClearView ran the competition to encourage children to pay tribute to their grandparents and senior citizens," Mr Quince said.

"We were overwhelmed with the response and selecting the winners from so many wonderful submissions was difficult.

"It's been really great to receive entries of such a high standard."

An ode to nana

My nana is special to me

I can still remember being bounced on her knee

Nana is great, she is my best mate

She also makes the yummiest cake

I hope we never grow apart

Because that would just break my heart

I love you nana

© 2004 Illawarra Mercury

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