FRANCES Higgins was born in Yackandandah, but her family left the village when she was two years old.
She returned to Yackandandah with her husband and two young children in 2004.
What do you do workwise?
I’m a small animal GP veterinarian treating mainly dogs and cats, and occasionally wildlife.
What brought you to your role/career?
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My career has been shaped by opportunities which have come along.
It has enabled me to travel and work in many different rural communities and towns in Australia and the UK, and in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
What do you love about your work?
I love the variety and seeing the bond people have with their pets.
It is very rewarding to gain the trust of an animal.
It is also very satisfying having a breakthrough with a difficult case.
What do you do in the community?
I have been involved with Arts Yackandandah for many years.
It is a wonderful community organisation which fosters the arts in all its forms - music, visual arts, writing, theatre, film and choir.
It enables local talent to be seen and heard and brings world class touring acts to the town.
It has without doubt been a catalyst for many people (including me) to find their voice, or the art form that enriches their life.
I am part of the ‘Vocals at Your Local’ team that holds a regular “pub choir” at the Yackandandah Hotel.
The choir is huge fun, but also raises money for important causes such as most recently PARA - helping Palestinian migrants and refugees settle in Australia.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
The need for a new hospital on a new site for Albury Wodonga and surrounding regions.
It effects every family in the region, directly or indirectly.
What would you do to solve change, improve that situation?
Invite the local, state and federal representatives of the people, ask them to listen to Better Border Health and the Border Medical Association and follow the advice of the comprehensive masterplan from 2021.
There is a need to build a new hospital to provide for the health care needs of the 300,000 people in the border area.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
The oppression of Afghan women and girls since August 2021 with removal of rights to education, work and free movement, even to speak outside the home, is intolerable.
The international community must act in a way which brings hope to vulnerable women and girls, and that sends a clear message to the Taliban that their actions are unacceptable.
If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo Shire (past or present), or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
I would like to meet Irish comedian David O’Doherty.
He has a very entertaining bike touring series on TV called “Along for the Ride” (SBS), and I think he could make a great episode on the Murray to Mountains trail.
The ride would finish in Yackandandah with a visit to The Happy Baker, The Guard and Diving Beryl’s for pastries, lunch and coffee.
What book are you reading?
I recently finished “Across the Mountains: Three Daughters of Tibet”.
A memoir following three generations of Tibetan women told by the youngest Yangzom Brauen.
A fascinating read.
