THREE weeks after Nanette Jack was born, her parents moved from Macedon to Stanley to live in the forest commission house located in the Stanley pine forest, when her father John Jack took up a post as Stanley district's new forester. Three years later he was posted to the Beechworth region, with the family shifting to the town and Nanette starting at Beechworth Primary School. Another move to Myrtleford followed about three years later. Eventually moving away from the area but with the North East in her blood, Nanette returned around two years ago to live in Beechworth.
What do you do workwise?
I was a secondary school maths teacher for 20 years and then moved into TAFE and taught in the hospitality department. I had transferred to do a hospitality course thinking I would work in the sector in my retirement but decided to return to teaching in the course I was studying.
What brought you to your role/career?
My aunt, Lesley Birch, who taught for years at Beechworth Secondary School, was my role model. Even when my family left the North East, I holidayed back here every year. Les took us to swim at the Beechworth "pool" which in those days was located at the caravan park end of Lake Sambell. A stream of students would come up to chat to her while we were out and about. This impressed me.
Latest Stories
What did you love about your work?
The energy and diversity of the students I taught in secondary schools, and as always they taught me so much too. The passion and commitment of the tertiary students, particularly the young chefs, was remarkable.
What do you do in the community?
I was excited to have found an Iyengar yoga group in Beechworth with its style of yoga. It gives me the strength and flexibility to work the half acre permaculture garden that I inherited when we bought our Beechworth property.
I also joined an E–bike riding group that heads up into the surrounding forests several mornings a week. This has been a fabulous way both to challenge myself physically and to appreciate the amazing countryside and wildlife we have access to at our backdoor.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
The gorge is one of my favourite places to take visitors to Beechworth. It is unique in its proximity to the main part of town for walkers, riders and drivers alike. I realise that there must be priorities for a limited infrastructure budget but not being able to do the full loop due to the bridge closure is really disappointing.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
The treatment of refugees. We are so lucky to have been born in a relatively safe wealthy country. Compassion is needed to resolve this situation especially as climate change is only going to displace more people from unsuitable environments.
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'm unable to single out any one person as we have many visitors who stay with us in Beechworth. We enjoy showing them historical buildings including the old gaol, Mayday Hills and Lake Sambell to introduce Beechworth's history. We are fortunate that the street scape is so well preserved. I encourage them to enjoy the hospitality of our fine eating establishments and take them to our parks for walks, or rides or drives including the gorge, Woolshed Falls and Mount Pilot.
What book are you reading?
'Apples Never Fall' by Australian author Liane Moriarty.
