EMMA White and her partner Jayme moved to Beechworth from Melbourne a few years ago, but she is a born and bred local, and a past student of the former Stanley Primary School.
What do you do workwise?
I’m an artist and exhibit both locally and in Melbourne. I’m also a secondary teacher, teaching Art and Design Technologies at Beechworth Secondary College (BSC). Currently, I’m working at home looking after our new baby daughter, Mila.
What brought you to your role/career?
I studied Fine Art at Melbourne University's Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and have continued painting professionally since. Deciding to teach was a natural progression from there, as I feel strongly about the importance of art and design education, especially at secondary school level.
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What do you love about your work?
Being an artist allows me to unpack experiences and continually gain a better understanding of myself. I find the challenges in making the work satisfying, and it is always interesting to see how people engage with it. Teaching challenges me in other ways, and supporting young people to learn, develop new skills and create things they can feel proud of is really rewarding for me.
What do you do in the community?
I’m a member of an Indigo Shire committee and see it as a great way to contribute and have input into decisions being made within the shire. I also feel grateful to teach at BSC, as it allows me to support young people within my own community.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
There are real issues surrounding access to childcare due to very long waitlists. This is not exclusive to Beechworth but it definitely exists here. This needs addressing because not only do many families find it impossible to live off one wage, it limits choices and negatively impacts women in particular, preventing many from returning to work when they want to.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
I see gender inequality as an important current world issue as globally there are still many problems disproportionately impacting the progress, health and freedoms of women and other marginalised genders.
If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo Shire, or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
I would love to bring highly respected Australian artist Elizabeth Cummings - known for her large abstract paintings and printmaking - here. Born in 1934, her career spans more than 60 years. It would be wonderful to see what paintings she would create having spent time immersed in our beautiful landscapes.
What book are you reading?
‘Between a wolf and a dog’ by Australian novelist Georgia Blain. It’s a story about human connections, desire and grief. Her descriptive writing style is evocative and perfect for this melancholy winter weather.
