I get to dream up the speaker’s programme for Woodford and other projects in the programme. I also get to switch into the media and promotions of Woodford Folk Festival this time of year. My current passion is the development of our second festival, The Planting (29 April – 1 May 2016).
Why do you do it?
I love working for Woodford and it’s an organisation I feel so proud to be a part of. I feel that we all genuinely strive to make the world a better place through the way we do business. I think every member of our 350 or so person organising group would say the same with the contributions we all make. It’s our 30th anniversary for Woodford and I’m so proud that we continue to be such an ambitious organisation.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I live in a town at the base of the hinterland on the Sunshine Coast. It‘s new because I’m a city girl at heart. I love knowing my neighbours and the shopkeepers and being so close to the beach. We actually had a small-town family bush dance here a couple of months ago!
Where did you go for your last holiday?
I actually stayed home for the first time, built the veggie garden of my dreams and a chook house. I hung out with my neighbours and saw local gigs instead of driving to the city. I really bonded with my town.
What's your favourite item of clothing?
My brown, wool Stetson hat that I found in an op-shop in Tassie for a couple of bucks. I recommend anyone live in Tassie for a couple of winters - I have such a lovely collection of wool sweaters and dresses now.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
'Mysterious Cities Of Gold'/ 'Monkey'/ 'Degrassi Junior High'.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
I’d go back to one of the eras where public protest caused massive, social change. Like Ghandi’s peaceful uprising in India, or Martin Luther King’s time in ultimately changing segregation laws in the USA. I’d like to know what it felt to be part of that critical mass and compare it to now – why aren’t we doing the same for refugees and indigenous health? How angry do we have to get? That’s what I’d like to understand.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
Baked salmon with garlic butter broad beans and greens from my garden. I live next door to a coffee roaster in a tin shed, so expresso martinis for dessert.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
That it is worth choosing to be generous and kind in every interaction, no matter how small.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
Rhythm is the word I have a mental block on being able to spell. Very unhelpful in this particular job. I have to write it at least four times to get it right. Rhthm, rythym, rthym. You get the picture.
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
If I had three concurrent lives being able to do everything I find interesting and exciting I’d be really happy. Until science gives us clones, I’ll always be aware of the oceans of curiosities, projects, places to visit that I’m not doing, while simultaneously enjoying my work life and my family and friends as it is. Because Woodford is mostly a volunteer organisation I think of Woodford as the club I choose to belong to, as well as my job. It’s more integrated than balanced I think.
How do you define success?
Food on the table, roof over the head, working with meaning, spending time with loved ones and being connected.
What's your spirit animal?
Maybe a river otter. They are so playful and active and love the water. They are really family and community orientated. They always seem to be industriously doing something or having a really good time.
