By BRIDGET SCOTT
WHO would have ever thought that a Hampton Park resident would make international headlines for being a guest at her own sister’s wedding?
Ordinarily, it wouldn’t, but in the case of Janis Richardson-Burns her attendance at this wedding was quite unique, given it was the first time she had ever met her sister and the bride-to-be.
At the age of 15, Ms Richardson-Burns migrated from the United Kingdom to Australia to live with her aunt and uncle.
She left behind 11 siblings. She has a 12th sibling who was born after she migrated.
Ms Richardson-Burns thought her sister Jane’s wedding was the perfect opportunity to revisit her homeland and be part of a huge family reunion.
She said it was fantastic to catch up with her siblings, whom she had not seen in more than 40 years, plus meet another for the first time.
“It just felt like I already knew her,” the Hampton Park resident said.
Ms Richardson-Burns said she was in high demand while visiting, with all of her brothers and sisters asking when they would have their time with her.
During her trip, the mother of four also visited her birthplace Scotland. She is already excited for another trip back in two years’ time.
She said although it was hard to leave, she was ready for her trip back to Australia, which came with many unforgettable memories.
The huge family reunion did not go unpublicised during her trip, making the front page of the Salford Advertiser, and also featuring in two other papers in the UK.
Ms Richardson-Burns said she had felt like an ‘orphan’ in Australia, living away from the rest of her family, but vowed to remain in touch with her siblings.
