JULIA Brinsdon Farr was born in Wodonga and lived in Melbourne and London before a move to Yackandandah eight years ago.

What do you do workwise?

I am the nurse unit manager of the Acute and Urgent Care Centre at Beechworth Health Service.

What brought you to your role/career?

I originally started studying science at Melbourne University. After a gap year and some travel, I decided I wanted a flexible job that I could do in many different settings and speciality areas over a lifetime. A nursing degree led me to post graduate studies in emergency nursing, tropical medicine, human factors engineering and management. I have worked in oncology, as a clinical nurse specialist in emergency, in malignant haematology and palliative care research, and in clinical governance prior.

What do you love about your work?

Nursing has given me great variety and flexibility. I love working in a small regional health service where the community feels a strong sense of ownership and connection to the health service. Likewise, those that work in the hospital have a stronger connection to the community they serve and understanding of how their work supports their community.

What do you do in the community?

I am the Beechworth Dragon Boat Club president and a member of the Yackandandah Folk Festival Community Choir committee. I volunteer for the Beechworth Dragon Boat club because it is a fantastic sport for people of all ages and strength. I love that I can paddle in the same boat as my daughter, and I find training meditative as I can switch off, just do and not think. I help coordinate the fabulous mass community choir each year for the Yack Folk Festival where I get to meet so many people in our community. I also enjoy the fantastic buzz you from singing together with more than 100 other people.

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

Housing in Beechworth and Yackandandah is a real issue. Lack of rentals and entry level properties for ownership is very challenging. A community needs dynamic and engaged people to be moving into towns and staying to keep our communities thriving. I’m concerned that many young people growing up here will not be able to afford to stay.

What would you do to solve change, improve that situation?

I believe there is a better balance that could be achieved with smaller blocks in new subdivisions with the council concentrating on local requirements for increased efficiency and sustainability of new builds and less on heritage factors.

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

I believe there are many issues that need addressing in the world such as man-made climate change and achieving gender equality and the cultural change that this requires across all facets of our lives.

Having said that the negotiation of an immediate cease fire in the Gaza Strip should be a political priority for all nations to end the humanitarian disaster that is occurring right now.

Who would be someone you would most like to bring to Indigo Shire, what would you show them, and why?

An old friend Melika who lives in South Africa who I would love to come to my beautiful part of the world. I think she would love the heritage main streets of Beechworth, Yackandandah and Chiltern. I would tell her with pride about our community owned organisations such as our petrol station, YCDCo and our energy retailer Indigo Power. Then I would sit with her in my sitting room with a cup of tea and watch all the native birds and the occasional kangaroo that stops outside.

What book are you reading?

I have just finished reading ‘Hello Beautiful’ by Ann Napolitano.