Getting ready to be exposed on tonight’s episode of Australian Story which features the hitherto untold story of my co-star Jad Capelja who suffered from schizophrenia and ultimately took her life two years ago.
It’s been a long journey with a lot of probing and a few disappointments including the fact that I didn’t manage to catch any good waves for the camera but the main purpose of the episode is to talk openly and honestly about Jad’s mental illness and hopefully help others with similar problems.
One of the delights of making the program for me was meeting Jad’s son Miles Mueke who is a very fine young man. He’s a champion martial artist, a sponsored body boarder and a budding lawyer and I know his mother would be so proud of him.
He and I are currently organising a tribute night for Jad on Oct 13 at the Bondi Pavilion featuring a screening of the original ’81 film and a performance by the amazing Reggae band King Tide whose front man is Tony Huges who was the original ‘Danny’ in the film. We will also have a silent surf auction, DJS and heaps more surprises. All proceeds will go to Beyond Blue.
In the meantime, here is a link to the program. Search for ‘Life After Puberty’:
australian story
Have been doing lots of interviews in preparation for the broadcast including this one with Nicole Dyer on ABC Gold Coast Mornings:
abc queensland
Dear Nell, thank you for a beautiful and inspiring story about Jad. Angela