KAYLA Collier grew up in Yackandandah, attended Beechworth Secondary College and moved to Beechworth after getting married to her husband, Will Collier in 2016.

Will also went to the college and has lived in the town his whole life.

The couple have two young children.

What do you do workwise?

I went to Charles Sturt University in Thurgoona to complete a Bachelor of Education.

I have worked at Beechworth Primary School as a teacher since 2015.

However, I have been on leave since the birth of our youngest.

In the meantime, I have been working on my own sewing business where I enjoy making clothing for children.

I have also been working as a part time Early Childhood teacher at Beechworth Kindergarten for almost a year and have also started a casual role as a teacher at Beechworth Honey’s Bee School.

What brought you to your role/career?

For high school work experience I worked at Yackandandah Primary School with a teacher I had when I was younger, and I knew from then that all I wanted to do was work with young people and help them feel safe, supported and achieve amazing things.

What do you love about your work?

I love being able to go to work and feel like I am making a small impact on the beautiful children I work with, their families and the community I live in.

It gives me great joy to see children flourish in a safe and supportive environment.

What do you do in the community?

I started volunteering with Yackandandah CFA in 2010 and transferred to the Beechworth Rural Brigade when I moved here.

I haven’t been as active in the CFA since having children, but plan to contribute more time when time allows.

I am also on the Beechworth Kindergarten committee as vice president, which I started last year.

It is wonderful to be a part of something that gives so much to the community and helps support so many families.

Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?

It would be great to see more of a focus on the positive things that are happening in our wonderful community.

It is so lovely to see positive things happening in our town and having those celebrated.

It was wonderful to see recently the Community Bank supporting young people with scholarships for their future.

What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?

The cost of living, and the impact this is having on so many people in Australia.

It is incredibly sad to see families having to move and go without because they simply cannot afford, at times, the necessities.

If the person you would most like to meet or knew, came to Indigo Shire or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?

I would love for Irish actress and activist best known for portraying Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series to come and share her story with the children in our community, so that they know it is a wonderful thing to be different.

What book are you reading?

I am currently reading Harry Potter to my daughter.

Anyone who knows me, knows it’s my favourite book series and I love that I can share that with my children.