The Moment I Knew: A Queensland Queer Love Story
In 2007, as the sun rose over Highgate Hill in Queensland, Melania Jack was driving to work on the regional program of an Indigenous arts festival named Stylin' Up. She was part of a car entourage headed to Cherbourg to conduct beatmaking, songwriting, and dance workshops. Ahead, she spotted Patty Preece leaning against a yellow ute, wearing a striped '70s men's T-shirt, with a rat's tail catching the morning light. Melania remembers thinking, "Uh oh. This person is literally shining." Her stomach turned, and she felt a premonition that something big was about to happen.
A Small Scene and a Big Connection
During the 2000s, the queer scene in Queensland felt quite small, making such encounters rare and significant. Melania fell for Patty instantly but was nervous about meeting her properly, especially since they were set to share a cabin for five days during the festival. Despite her nerves, Melania played it cool, focusing on their work. They quickly bonded over their shared passions: music and art as tools for social change. Patty is a drummer and producer, while Melania is a songwriter and guitarist. Both had backgrounds in community work, with Melania recently returned from East Timor and Patty involved in youth transitional housing programs.
From Crush to Commitment
Months later, Patty invited Melania to a gig in Lismore with her queer band, Bertha Control. That night, their mutual crush blossomed into a romantic connection, culminating in a kiss in a park tree. The next day, Patty sent a text from a payphone confessing, "I've got the biggest crush on you." From the start, Melania loved how Patty's spirit made everything feel like an adventure. They spent their time jumping on trampolines, exploring forests and oceans, attending gigs, and running along beaches at night, building a world together filled with magical moments where time seemed to stop.
Building a Life and Facing Challenges
The couple moved to a massive six-bedroom house in the Channon, between Lismore and Nimbin, surrounded by a big orchard. They set up a music studio there, enjoying a beautiful period of falling in love in paradise. Over the years, they have toured regionally and internationally as the multidisciplinary arts duo The Ironing Maidens, though this has been both amazing and exhausting. Their work is political and often sits on the fringes of many art forms, leading to occasional hostility, such as venue managers telling them, "we don't want to hear that fucking lesbian shit." Despite these challenges, they remain committed to their creative and personal journey.
A Lasting Love
Creativity brought Melania and Patty together, and it continues to define their love, work, and vision for the future. Melania reflects, "I still look at her and am amazed at this incredible person, who is always trying to learn and grow with me." The rat's tail may have disappeared among countless haircuts and costume changes, but the love and shining heart remain, guiding them through life, on stage, and in their ongoing adventures together.
