JENNIFER Wright was born in Wodonga and left the regional city after high school to see the world and attend university.
“I was desperate to leave and explore the world but always loved the North East, and its beauty, so I returned 12 years ago," she said.
"I’ve lived in Yackandandah with my partner Steve for 10 years and feel very fortunate to be raising our three 'kiddos' here.”
What do you do workwise?
I own and operate Juniper and Stone Florist in Yackandandah where I also make art and sell gifts, run workshops and of course create floral arrangements.
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What brought you to your role/career?
I studied and worked in the arts sector but have always wanted to be a florist since I was seven years old.
About five years ago I did a career gear shift when I had my kids as the corporate world wasn’t so flexible.
While on maternity leave I studied floristry and found I could bring my creative mind and business skills together and run my own little operation.
What do you love about your work?
There are a few loves – being the custodian of other people’s sentiment and then crafting that in floral form and delivering or handing over the beautiful blooms.
I also really love the flowers, customers, the artists I get to represent, and learning from the growers and farmers.
What do you do in the community?
I love opening my little shop four days a week and welcoming in our community and tourists alike.
I have impromptu making happenings and planned workshops and participate in community events such as events like Beechworth Honey’s ‘Pollinate’, Vivienne Cate’s Spring Fashion show, Yackandandah Women’s Shed Christmas market and Yackandandah Folk Festivals.
I am privileged to be a parent helper volunteer at Yackandandah Kinder and have recently shared my knowledge and a big bucket of flowers with the students.
I was also able to do this for with my eldest son’s class at St Francis of Assisi Primary School too.
I have painted banners and hung the annual (and epic) end of year art show for the kindergarten as well.
It really is an absolute joy to see children create and make and to see their process.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing beyond a local one?
The ongoing and scary number of women across Australia who die or experience violence delivered by men.
What would you do to solve change, improve that situation?
I would like to see better education around respectful relationships for young people and increased support and funding (wage bases) for professionals working with men to change behaviours.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
Gender equity equality and respect and what is happening in America is quite alarming.
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?
Landscape artist and photographer Ansel Adams.
I would like to follow him rather than show him - follow him and see how he makes art from the natural environment.
It would be fascinating to see what he would have capture here in Indigo Shire, there are so many breathtaking vistas he would be spoilt for choice.
What book are you reading?
‘The Paper Palace’ by American author Miranda Cowley Heller – again! This is her debut novel.
