I think I met Leisa when I was about sixteen. It might have been at the Hideaway bar in Hobart, or some dodgy Halloween party at Matt Ward’s house, but she really first hit my radar when my boyfriend Andrew left Hobart and moved to Melbourne, leaving behind a note ignoring me, and mentioning her.

It’s probably an understatement to say I was angry, so I found her number (read “bribed it out of a mutual friend”), and invited her for a drink to “discuss” things, at the Mayfair Tavern, a perfectly sane meeting place in Sandy Bay. My plan was to get her drunk, then beat the living crap out of her in the carpark out the back. Oddly, my plan never quite came to fruition, as after a couple of beers, I realised Leisa was far better company than my boyfriend Andrew. We cemented things by dancing to Push It, and at some point both decided Andrew was out, and that we’d be friends.

It’s now almost eighteen years later, and Leisa is still one of the most fabulous people in my life. She’s always been there for me with a wonderful sense of humour, no matter what the circumstance, super supportive, like my own personal cheerleader. Whether it was after the Celibate Rifles gig when I needed cab fare (and my missing shoe), when I was going through chemotherapy, or when my marriage broke up, she’s never missed a beat. Leis is now an incredible wife and mother, but still exactly like the crazy sixteen year old I met and boogied down with so many years ago.

Today we checked out real estate, and her inimitable boundless energy led me to discover perhaps the most perfect property thus far, and laugh myself stupid while doing so. It’d be nice to think everyone could have a friend like that, but I honestly don’t think many people are that lucky. I’m sure there are probably some more eloquent words out there but I’m going to stick with the basics. Leis, you’re awesome, and I love you. Thank you for everything.