SARAH Lockwood was born in Wodonga. She has lived in Beechworth her whole life, excluding six years when living away for tertiary education.

What do you do workwise?

My main role at the moment is raising my one-year-old daughter.

I am currently on maternity leave from my role as the drama and legal studies teacher at Beechworth Secondary College.

While on leave, I started a drama facilitation service called Set Your Own Pace.

The service predominantly works with people living with a disability and/or social emotional challenges.

What brought you to your role/career?

My love for the performing arts always brings me back to the theatre space.

After spending a lot of time in this space, I couldn’t help but notice people living with a disability or mental illness are often pushed to the margins of the main action.

Set Your Own Pace ensures people living with social/emotional challenges and/or disabilities are the stars of our workshops.

There is ability in every disability.

What do you love about your work?

I love watching students grow socially, emotionally and academically over the year.

It’s an incredible feeling watching students apply knowledge that I have shared with them.

Young adults often get a bad rap.

Given the chance, they are empathetic, adaptive and so much fun to be around.

What do you do in the community?

Every Monday, I volunteer at the Quercus Community Pantry.

My toddler comes along with me to 'help'.

We provide meals and groceries to people who need some assistance getting through the week.

More information and details when the pantry is open about this great service can be viewed on the Quercus Beechworth Facebook page.

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

Indigo Shire needs an upgrade for its swimming pools with a new indoor facility – it would be a dream.

An upgrade could provide all year-round job opportunities, swimming lessons, increased disability access, recreation and recovery.

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

Globally, education for women.

When women are involved in informed decision making, they are more likely to lead healthy, productive lives.

In Australia, homelessness.

On any given night, over 120,000 people are homeless in our country.

Having worked in the homelessness sector, I suspect that number to be far higher.

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 love to meet Paralympian and 2022 Australian of the year, Dylan Alcott.

I would take him around the local schools to speak with staff and students.

I’d also take him to our array of exceptional coffee shops.

Dylan is an incredible role model for young people.

He advocates for disability rights in a down to earth, relatable manner.

I think he would bring a lot of joy to our shire.

What book are you reading?

‘Ice Nation’ by Jason Bray.

It follows the lead investigating officer of an Australian ice syndicate.

I enjoy reading true crime.