Gillian Kennedy’s story begins in a remote desert community where she met Wade Freeman. Although the banana bread he baked was not good, watching him bake was the moment she realized there was something special about him. Their connection grew from simple acts and shared experiences in a small Aboriginal community in the Kimberley region.
The moment I realized: watching him bake
In 2007, Gillian took a teaching job in Mulan, a small Aboriginal community with a population of 120. The first term was challenging and lonely, but everything changed when she met Wade Freeman, the coordinator of a nearby Indigenous protected area program. Wade invited her and her housemate Kylie for afternoon tea at his place. There, Wade was baking banana bread, playing music that Gillian loved, and sharing stories about his volunteer work and studies.
Although the banana bread itself was terrible, the act of baking and sharing it was a wholesome gesture that made Gillian start to fall for him. She saw Wade as capable, independent, and someone with whom she had much in common.
Building a connection through shared experiences
Wade’s generosity extended beyond baking. He took Gillian and Kylie out to a nearby lake in his Troopy with a kayak, where they enjoyed a picnic and watched the sunset over a lake full of birdlife. They camped, kayaked to magical spots, and shared quiet moments together. One evening, during a blackout, Wade lit candles and they shared their first kiss.
Wade also created community experiences, such as film nights by the lake with a big screen and generator. Though introverted, these acts were his way of expressing love and building connection.
A lasting partnership rooted in shared values
Gillian stayed in the desert for two more years, drawn by the life Wade made beautiful. In 2009, Wade took a job in Timor-Leste, where Gillian became pregnant. They later moved to Broome to raise their son, Bertie, and eventually settled in Fremantle.
Wade is described as an amazing, resourceful father who builds creative play spaces and is hands-on and fun. The couple shares a commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and community. Their relationship, now approaching 20 years, is built on trust, support, and a shared lifestyle that neither expected to find in a remote community of 120 people.