I wear a couple of hats actually. I own a cafe in the stunning Grampians National Park and I am also the Festival Director of the Grampians Music Festival that is holding its third festival this coming February.
Why do you do it?
What a question. Music has been part of my life for a very long time and I have worked in and out of it over the years. I have seen the ways that it can play a pivotal role in people’s lives and how it can bring together and create or solidify communities. Having the opportunity to lead the Grampians Music Festival is an amazing opportunity. Being able to ensure that it is diverse, inclusive and environmentally sound in today’s festival environment is something I’m very proud of.
What do you love about the city you live in?
Halls Gap and Pomonal where I live are small, but incredible communities full of people passionate about how they connect to their town and their environment. We are surrounded by the incredibly beautiful Grampians National Park, which provides the most amazing backdrop for us to live in.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
Last winter I was able to get away with my husband to the Northern Territory. We hired a campervan and travelled from Darwin to Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield National Park. It was one of my favourite adventures.
What's your favourite item of clothing?
It’s a tie between my navy jumper with screen-printed dinosaurs and my light-grey sweater with a bright toucan on it. They just make me happy.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
It’s a very close tie between 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark' and 'Ghostwriter'.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
I have a weird fascination with both Norse and Egyptian culture. I’m not sure if I’d rather be among Vikings or pharaohs.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
This one’s hard because I run the kitchen at our cafe. Today, I made slow-cooked duck and red wine ragout with pappardelle. Add some crusty bread, a rocket, pear and parmesan salad, and a good wine and I think we’re all set.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
That a grudge is too heavy to hold on to and the only person it weighs down is you. There will be moments and people in your life that don’t go the way you wanted or expected. There is no point in wasting energy dwelling on that and carrying it around with you. Chalk it down to experience, learn from it and move on.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows…
I was a MASSIVE Backstreet Boys fan and as a teenager actually contemplated saving all my Hungry Jacks pay to go to see them play in the USA.
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
At the moment it’s a bit more full on than I would like. It happens sometimes, the things you’re part of get bigger than they were or than you expected. But I’m working on that. Living somewhere that is full of natural beauty helps, it reminds me to stop, breathe in and be in the moment.
How do you define success?
Your job and your life can’t make you happy 100 per cent of the time. If you expect it to, you will only end up disappointed. But if you can wake up every day and do something that feeds your passion, that aligns with your morals and values and lets you be who you are then I think that’s success. If you get the chance to mentor or lead others along the way to also foster their passions then you’re blessed.
What's your spirit animal?
I’d like to say a chimpanzee. I love being part of a tribe. I think and rationalise my way through things and when it gets too much sometimes, I just want to throw sh.t to the wind.
