DENNIS Bittisnich is a Melbourne native of Italian migrant parents.
He moved to Beechworth in 2020 just in time to enjoy lockdowns wandering the Historic Park – a unique way to get to know his new home.
What do you do workwise?
I am mostly retired, but still dabble as a food security consultant with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organisation.
Unfortunately, they are like any public service – a mixture of poor politically motivated projects, together with projects that have real impact when locals take ownership.
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What brought you to your role/career?
I undertook degrees and a PhD in plant biochemistry in Melbourne and lectured at Melbourne Uni and the ANU – but escaped academia for the fluffy handcuffs of the Australian public service.
Best outcome was being introduced to international development work and gaining a secondment to the FAO in Rome – which comprised endless office work with an occasional gelato (or two).
What do you love about your work?
Seeing positive changes take root from my own work.
Each country's project is a new puzzle and it's satisfying to see you have made a difference in people's lives.
Plus, it keeps the grey matter ticking - which staves off dementia.
What do you do in the community?
I'm in Beechworth Singers, Beechworth Theatre Company, Friends of Burke Museum, and RSL subbranch.
Whether it's belting out a tune, helping on stage, assisting to preserve local history, or sharing a drink with veterans, these activities keep me connected and grounded in the community.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
We need sustainable energy.
If Yackandandah can do it, the PhDs in Beechworth should have the collective neurons to come up with a community project to prevent blackouts.
But it's not just about keeping the lights on; it's about future-proofing our town and setting an example for others.
What would you do to solve, change, improve that situation?
Adopt what works from other towns that are becoming energy sustainable.
Act before our boomer dosh is bequeathed to various offspring's houses in Melbourne.
We need to pool resources and expertise, perhaps set up a community energy project.
What do you see as some of the most important current world issues?
Beyond headline-grabbing wars, it is (un)social media, population pressures and income disparities that drive social disharmony, climate change, refugee issues, and food insecurity.
These need tough choices to be made – so think twice before buying the absolutely not necessary new phone.
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?
Baron von Mueller.
He established Victoria's National Herbarium, shared plants globally, including into our Town Hall Gardens.
He'd be amazed how his horse-and-buggy seedling shipments changed landscapes worldwide.
I'd love to show him our gardens, discuss how his work influenced global economies, and ask if he has any tips for my veggie patch.
What book are you reading?
Australian classics by George Johnston and Patrick White I got from Quercus.
Their novels are all over my house – from the living room edition to the bedroom sequel and daring dunny digest.
It's a bit of a literary treasure hunt.
After years of reading dry reports and academic papers, rediscovering these Aussie gems is like finding a shiny nugget down the Woolshed.
