Calming the noise…and the early morning kookaburra chorus

An Hour in Nature with Becky Morton

Becky Morton is mum to Jack and Lulu and the founder and director of Peony, an Aussie swim and resort wear brand born from a life-long love affair with the ocean. Peony’s swimwear is entirely made from recycled content, which includes all printed fabrics, custom textures and inner linings. Because warmer weather entices us all back into the water (apart from hardy year-round swimmers) Becky named her company after the flower that signals the arrival of summer. The rhythms of nature and of the seasons are highly important to this eco-pioneer of design. We caught up with Becky to find out more:  

What’s your favorite thing to do in nature?

Morning walks along the beach with my kids. I love relaxing on the sand, watching my husband and son surf together: it’s peaceful and at the same time, full of life. We’re always up for an adventure, like our recent bike ride along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek: pure fun from start to finish. But what fills me with the most joy is seeing my kids’ eyes light up at the simple wonders of nature. There’s truly nothing better.

How does spending time in nature influence your mental health? 

Nature is calming in a way that quiets the noise. There’s something grounding and humbling about it: nature makes me feel small, but also more present. More in tune with myself and with the people I love. It stretches my perspective, like zooming out on life for a moment, and suddenly whatever’s been swirling in my head feels a little softer, a little less heavy.

What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?

Wandering up the dusty track on my grandparents’ dairy farm in New Zealand. I spent countless hours there as a child, picking strawberries and roses from the garden, pressing flowers between the pages of books. So many of those moments were captured on film, making the memories feel even more vivid and precious.

Can you describe an experience when you’ve been made to feel fully —and perhaps uncomfortably — aware of the power of nature?

When I was around 16, I got caught in a rip current off a beach near my home. I spent what felt like forever treading water, completely surrounded by waves too tall to see over. It was one of the scariest moments of my life, wondering if anyone would notice I was too far out and unable to make it back. Thankfully, someone did. I’ve never forgotten that day, and I’ll never again underestimate the ocean’s raw, unforgiving power.

Is there a sound in nature that you believe everyone should hear at least once in their lifetime?

We live across from a beautiful park, and most summer mornings, we’re greeted by a chorus of kookaburras singing. Sometimes their calls are so loud, it feels like they’re right inside the house. While I’m not fond of it waking the kids—especially when it’s as early as 4:30am—I do cherish that sense of connection with nature.