The ever-evolving story of the Duggan-Tierneys
Jarrad and Michael Duggan-Tierney created their The Real Dads of Melbourne Instagram account in 2010 with one primary purpose: to share their baby son Reid’s key milestones, to cutest moments with family living interstate.
Fast forward 16 years and what began wholly organically has evolved into a meaningful platform for visibility and representation, as they share those beautifully ordinary moments of family life with Reid, raise awareness of causes that matter most to them, and document their travels through to home renovations – of which there have been many – with authenticity.
From partnerships with the likes of MG, Woolworths, Cobram Estate and Transport Victoria, to features in Sunday Life to The Design Files, the Duggan-Tierneys are a familiar and relatable face for many, and have amassed a loyal community of over 119,000 followers.
In the lead up to Father’s Day, Jarrad shares how he enjoys celebrating the occasion, his platform highlights to date, the importance of listening to your own parenting instincts, and why, after 26 years, Melbourne remains the place the Duggan-Tierneys love to call home.
Let’s go back to the beginning – how did the Real Dads of Melbourne first come about?
If I’m honest, it happened by accident. Instagram was introduced in 2010, the year our son was born, and our family was interstate at the time. We set up an account to share photos and updates with family and friends, so we didn’t have to message everyone individually whenever he woke up, reached a milestone, or did something cute.
What started as a simple way to keep loved ones updated gradually grew into something much bigger. Back then, same-sex marriage wasn’t legal, and there weren’t many visible examples of same-sex parents. People became interested in our journey and followed along because they were curious to see a same-sex couple raising a child through surrogacy, living an everyday family life just like anyone else.
As for the name, the silly handle we chose all those years ago somehow stuck, and we’ve never changed it. It’s now become a bit of a reminder of where it all started.
What have the highlights been so far, and what do you hope to achieve with your platform moving forward?
There have been some incredible opportunities along the way and we've met some amazing people. From Disney flying our family to Disneyland in Los Angeles for Reid’s 7th birthday with a private guide, to wonderful brand partnerships, it's been a journey we're incredibly grateful for.
One of the things we're most proud of is being able to use the platform to support charities and causes that matter to us. But more than anything, it's been the opportunity to represent diversity and show that every family is equal.
As for what's next, I don't have any big plans. I'm just grateful for the journey so far and excited to see where it leads.
Where did your passion for home renovations come from?
Michael is a builder by trade, and I’ve had a passion for homes, interiors and design for as long as I can remember. While renovating hasn’t always been easy, it’s become something we genuinely love doing together.
We’re about to start our eighth property renovation, and over the years it has grown into a business that helps supplement our other income streams, while allowing us to pursue something we’re both passionate about.
What are your renovating and/or interior design and styling non-negotiables, and why?
Other than the obvious budget challenges, which we’ve certainly been known to push from time to time, every home we create is about more than just the renovation itself. We always try to create a feeling, something that’s hard to explain and often doesn’t fully translate in photos.
I think that emotional connection is what makes our homes special. In fact, with our last three projects, the buyers purchased all of the furniture as well, which tells me they weren’t just buying a house, they were buying into the lifestyle and feeling we had created within it.
What does your perfect Father’s Day look like?
To be honest, our lives are so busy between work, renovations and keeping up with Reid’s activities that my ideal Father’s Day is actually very simple. Having all three of us at home, cooking together, relaxing on the couch and enjoying some uninterrupted family time would be pretty close to perfect.
What have your parenting journey highlights been?
There have been so many highlights over the years, from watching him crawl and take his first steps to now, at 16, starting his first job.
But if I’m honest, the moments that mean the most are when he’s not with us and someone takes the time to tell us about a kind act he’s done, or simply what a good young man he has become. Nothing quite compares to that feeling. The pride we feel as parents is something we could never have fully anticipated, and it’s easily been the most rewarding part of this journey.
Are there any top parenting tips or learnings you’ve gained along the way?
The best advice we received when Reid was born was to listen to everyone, but remember that not every piece of advice will be right for your family. Take it all in, stay open-minded, and then trust yourself enough to keep the parts that feel right for you and let the rest go.
That advice has stayed with us throughout every stage of parenting, and it’s probably one of the most valuable lessons we’ve ever been given.
What do you love about living in Melbourne?
We’ve watched Melbourne change a lot over the 26 years we’ve been living here together, but the one thing that keeps us falling in love with it is the food. From incredible restaurants, bars and hidden local eateries to the fresh produce at our markets, Melbourne has such an amazing food culture.
What we probably love most is the number of passionate small business owners behind it all. There’s always somewhere new to discover, and that sense of creativity and community is a big part of why we still love calling Melbourne home.
What’s coming up next for both yourselves and your son, Reid?
Life has a funny way of taking unexpected twists and turns, and we’ve learned to embrace them all. Right now, we’re excited to watch Reid finish Year 10 and head into what will likely be the most important two years of his school journey.
As for Michael and me, our focus is a little less serious, we’re already starting to plan my 50th birthday next year. It feels like a pretty significant milestone and the perfect excuse to celebrate doing something we have never done before!
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