EDDIE Paterson was born in Wodonga Hospital and grew up on a small farm in Wooragee until he moved with his family into Beechworth when a teenager.
He left town to attend university, living and working on Wurundjeri Country.
When his children were about to start school, Eddie and his partner decided to move away from the city and moved back home to Wooragee two years ago.
What do you did you do workwise?
I’m an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne. I teach creative writing and research contemporary performance, videogames and work with disability artists around the country on projects that celebrate the contribution of people with disability to the arts.
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What brought you to your role/career?
Luck! Plus family support and remarkable teachers from Beechworth High and then university. In 2009 I was living in Beechworth working on a book, playing basketball on a team with old friends. A mentor of mine came to visit. He convinced me to apply for a job at Melbourne Uni. He practically demanded it. Without people like him I wouldn’t have got far. I’d also just met my beautiful partner, so that made returning to Melbourne a lot easier.
What do you love about your work?
My students and colleagues. I am grateful to work with incredibly smart people. I also love the level of autonomy (I mostly work from Wooragee!), creativity and variety. My job is demanding, there are lots of emails and bureaucracy, but it’s a fantastic privilege.
What do you do in the community?
It’s been wonderful to return to a place with such a strong sense of community. Even before we moved back, I was a long-time participant of many Beechworth Writers and Readers events. Now we’re home, my partner and I try to get involved with as many school and kindergarten activities as we can. We’re also members of Wooragee Landcare and draw on the knowledge of neighbours, old friends, local farmers and gardeners. However, the best thing I do for my own wellbeing is the Monday-night gravel ride. I haven’t been able to ride the last few months, I can’t wait to get back.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
We live at the base of the Rising Sun, so right now I’d say repairing culverts and roads. Beyond that I’m always advocating for country kids to have higher educational opportunities if they want them. Universities can be terribly elitist, inaccessible places. I promote diversity.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
Climate change and transitioning to renewable energy. We’re already thinking about bushfire season and a possible El Nino event. Anything we can do individually and as a community will help. Towns like Yackandandah and initiatives such as Indigo Power are leading the way!
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 miss my Nan, Dorothy Bunting. She lived in Beechworth for over 30 years, before she passed away. I’d introduce my kids to Doff. She’d have loved to read them a story. My second choice is NBA player Steph Curry. I’m sure he likes to read too.
What book are you reading?
‘Praiseworthy’ by Indigenous Australian author Alexis Wright. It’s a brilliant, expansive and funny book. It’s also pretty long, so it’s taking me a while.
