Patti Newton has shared a proud family moment with her eldest grandson, Sam Welsh — but it was a touching reference to her late husband Bert Newton that gave the celebration an added emotional weight.
The much-loved Australian entertainer marked Sam’s latest milestone with a warm message reflecting on how far he has come, while also bringing Bert back into the moment in a deeply personal way.
For Patti, it was more than simply another family achievement. It was a reminder of a bond that has stretched across generations — and of someone who remains very much part of the Newton family story.
A Proud New Chapter for Sam
Sam, the eldest son of Lauren Newton and former Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh, has now completed Year 12.
Patti celebrated the occasion by sharing a photograph of herself embracing her grandson, along with a message expressing just how proud she was of everything he had achieved.
She congratulated Sam on finishing school and told him he deserved the success that had come his way.
But alongside those words of encouragement was one particularly poignant reference.
Patti’s Thoughts Turned to Bert
As Patti reflected on Sam’s achievement, she also mentioned her late husband Bert, who passed away in October 2021.
Her message made clear just how much Sam had meant to his grandfather, adding another layer of emotion to what might otherwise have been a straightforward graduation celebration.
For a family that has continued to speak warmly about Bert in the years since his passing, the brief reference carried particular significance.
Rather than separating the past from the present, Patti appeared to bring the two together — allowing Bert’s memory to remain part of another important family milestone.
Sam Has Always Shared a Special Bond With Patti
Sam holds a particularly special place in Patti’s life as her first grandchild.
Over the years, the pair have shared a close relationship, with Patti frequently speaking about the joy her grandchildren have brought into her life.
Now 17, Sam is the eldest of Lauren and Matt Welsh’s six children.
He has five younger siblings — Eva, Lola, Monty, Perla and Alby — making Patti the proud grandmother of six.
Family Has Remained at the Heart of Patti’s Life
Patti and Bert welcomed two children during their marriage, daughter Lauren and son Matthew.
Their family later grew considerably through Lauren and Matt’s six children, with Patti embracing her role as grandmother wholeheartedly.
She has previously spoken about how becoming a grandmother changed the way she viewed occasions such as Mother’s Day, saying the affection she receives from her grandchildren makes her feel celebrated far beyond a single day each year.
Lauren has also spoken publicly about the importance both Patti and Bert played in her children’s lives.
She previously described the support of grandparents as something that went far beyond babysitting, pointing instead to the love, experience and involvement they brought to everyday family life.
Bert’s Relationship With His Grandchildren Remains Part of His Legacy
Bert’s affection for his grandchildren was well documented before his passing.
Lauren has previously recalled the closeness he shared with the children, while Patti has continued to keep his memory present during significant family occasions.
For the Newton grandchildren, Bert was not simply one of Australia’s best-known television personalities.
He was their “Poppy”.
That distinction has remained important to the family, with memories of Bert continuing to surface in the moments that matter most.
A Love Story That Spanned Decades
Patti and Bert’s own story stretched back long before they became parents and grandparents.
They first knew one another as young performers before reconnecting later in life. Bert proposed in 1974, and the couple married in November of that year.
Their marriage lasted 46 years until Bert’s passing in 2021.
Since then, Patti has repeatedly spoken about how much she continues to miss him, while also surrounding herself with the family they built together.
One Milestone, and a Memory That Made It Mean More
Sam finishing Year 12 marks the beginning of a new chapter in his own life.
For Patti, however, the occasion also became a chance to quietly acknowledge the grandfather who would undoubtedly have understood just how important the day was.
Her message may have been brief, but by bringing Bert into Sam’s milestone, Patti transformed a proud grandmother moment into something much more personal — a reminder that some family bonds continue to be felt even when someone is no longer there to share the celebration.
Source: New Idea