CATHERINE Bijker moved from Mansfield where she was born, to Beechworth in 1989 with her parents and three older brothers .
She lived in the town until 20-years-old, with a shift to Melbourne for university studies.
After living in the Mallee for a decade working as an art and drama teacher, Catherine returned to Beechworth four years ago where she resides with her husband and three small children.
What do you do workwise?
I have several work hats. I am the mental health and wellbeing leader at St Joseph’s Primary School, Beechworth, which is a new position being rolled out to all Victorian Primary Schools.
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I do relief teaching at other local schools and I am a casual bee educator at the Beechworth Honey Bee School.
I also run Indigo Art School, which I conduct after school art classes for children in the region and adult night classes in watercolour, resin and ink.
What brought you to your role/career?
I grew up in a very creative family.
My mother was a music teacher, my father has an amazing tenor voice and all my siblings have been involved in creative industries their whole lives.
I decided to become an art and drama teacher after completing Year 10 work experience at a dental practice and discovering that probably wasn’t where my passion laid.
I have been excited to change my space in the education industry by recently taking on the Mental Health and Wellbeing role.
There was a desperate need to prioritise wellbeing and preventative mental health support in schools across the state.
What do you love about your work?
The children I am around are funny, quirky, creative, intelligent, and passionate.
I feel blessed that through Indigo Art school I can enhance their skills and give them a creative outlet in a supportive environment.
What do you do in the community?
I joined Beechworth Singers last year which I absolutely love being part of.
The feeling I get when all our harmonies are on point is hard to describe.
Joining the choir has introduced me to members of the community I may not have met otherwise.
I also umpire netball for the Beechworth Night Netball Association (BNNA) and enjoy paddling with the Beechworth Golden Serpents Dragon Boat Club.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
Lack of quality public spaces for children.
Many families from here travel out of town just to play on better playgrounds.
What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?
Build an awesome adventure playground that caters for a diverse range of ages and abilities, that has opportunities for children to explore environment, use their imaginations, take safe risks and socially connect with others.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
Global warming - just thinking about the damage that continues to be caused by it upsets me.
If the person you would most like to meet or knew, came to Indigo Shire (past or present), or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
Beechworth has a thriving music scene.
I think American musician, singer and songwriter, Josh Homme from rock band Queens of the Stone Age would fit right in on the stage at Tanswells.
What book are you reading?
I am currently listening to “Kokoda” by Peter Fitsimmons as I am heading off to complete the track next week.
Wish me luck.
