LOUISE Hazelton was born in the north west town of Bourke in New South Wales as her dad had been a stockman at North Bourke.

Louise has lived in Chiltern for 28 years.

What did you do workwise?

Now that I’m retired, I’m finally living my life-long dream of being an artist.

Prior to retirement I worked in community development.

What led you to your role/career?

I have always wanted to be an artist, but a busy life working and raising my child took precedence.

Working within community has been a passion with my need to support and encourage people to be the best they can.

I started my working life as a secretary, then worked for the Murray River Performing Group for five years that instilled in me the want to work with community.

We developed plays relevant to the community we worked in.

I then became the CEO of Regional skills Inc, where the team supported long term unemployed, youth, aged and people with a disability to find meaningful employment. After that I worked in Neighbourhood Houses, and did a long stint at Wangaratta Council.

My last employment was with Woomera Aboriginal Corp in Albury - a truly challenging job in a housing crisis.

With art I studied the subject at Charles Sturt University and at TAFE several times to “keep my hand in".

What did you love about your community work and now your art?

I loved the people and their stories of bravery or their need to improve their community.

Now an artist I love working in oil, water colour, acrylic, metal art and natural fibre basket making.

My work ranges from expression to abstract.

Metal art is an interesting construction that can take days and then it all fits together.

I also run natural fibre basket making workshops at the Out of Town Nursery that I love too.

What do you do in the community?

I am a Chiltern Landcare member and a member of the Chiltern Artists’ Collective.

The collective is a great initiative for local talented artists to get together to support each other and to promote our work at events such as the recent Chiltern Art Exhibition held at the Old Courthouse.

Are there some important community issues that you think need addressing?

I have concerns about homelessness for aging women as well as rabbits damaging land and weeds not being managed by council.

I am, however, very proud that our council and community have stood by the poker machine choice not to allow them within the shire.

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

Education, and encourage council to play a larger role in all points mentioned above.

If we want to make change, we must start locally.

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

Control, greed, power, poverty, religion, health and fear.

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?

There are too many to name, but I would show them the sites of Mayday Hills as it has so much interesting history and also beautiful grounds to see, and Mount Pilot in the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park to name just a couple.

The park features the stunning Mt Pilot Range and Woolshed Falls.

What book are you reading?

‘A Room Made of Leaves’ by Australian author Kate Grenville.