MARTIN Meader was born in Portsmouth, England. His parents were ‘ten-pound poms’ originally settling in Adelaide in 1966. Martin moved to the North East in 1992 and purchased Contessa’s Cottage in Stanley 18 years ago where he lives with his partner.

What do you do workwise?

I retired two years ago. My last full-time work was in logistics. I now work/volunteer, part-time, coordinating the Stanley Community Postal Agency (CPA). I’m also continuing to build our house, studio and garden.

What brought you to your volunteering role?

On retiring I had the opportunity to do something that supported and sustained the Stanley community. It takes a great deal of endeavour to run a small township like Stanley, most of it done by busy locals in their precious spare time. I wanted to support this and become a part of the community.

What do you love about your volunteering work?

I experience satisfaction and value in supporting and growing a healthy and developing community on the Stanley plateau. The Stanley CPA provides a needed postal service to local residents and small businesses as Stanley has no postal delivery. It also serves as a community hub to enable connection and activity. Stanley has seen quite a few young families move into the region during the pandemic. This new demographic has revitalised an aging community. The primary school closed in 2007 and it appears will not reopen, so I am passionate about keeping the school facilities in community use rather than let them decay or become privately owned.

What do you do in the community?

I’m a member of the Stanley CFA, Recreation Reserve Committee and the Stanley Rural Community Inc (SRCI). The SRCI has the responsibility of running the CPA and Community Hub at the destaffed Stanley Primary School.

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

Stanley has been zoned a town since 1860, but lost its township status during the shire amalgamations as I understand in the 1980s. I would like to see it re-established as a township to encourage economic activity and other improvements.

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

Indigo Shire Council sought to have the township status restored but it was blocked because of the bushfire risk. The challenges Stanley faces need to be addressed and not simply allowed to derail Stanley’s future.

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

Globally we are facing some enormous challenges including economic inequality and climate change. Add to this a growing political extremism. We need real leadership supported by genuine democracy.

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 like to meet one of the Elders of the First Nations people who were living here prior to colonisation and settlement, and hear their opinions and ideas on how best to manage this beautiful part of Victoria. I would like to know how the Stanley district looked before clearing and gold mining.

What book are you reading?

‘Be Useful, Seven Tools for Life’ by Arnold Schwarzenegger.