How long have you lived/worked in Eden?
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I came to Eden from Bega in 1969 and have been here ever since. We were picking beans in Bega in those days - when the beans were finished we started to do other work. The chip mill was getting underway, so I came to work in the forests supplying timber to the mill.
What do you like most about your job?
I like it because it's about being connected to people, you're always making new friends. My dad taught me if you're going to do a job do it properly or leave it alone, I learnt early in my working life to do the best I could, to be be accurate and tidy with the way I do things.
What do you like least about your job?
I have spent many years doing things other than timber work: I have worked on fishing trawlers, truck driving, all sorts of jobs. I will say that when I first started working in various places there was a lot of racism around in those days. But we just accepted it - in a way we were happy about it as we were always kept together in during that period of time. I never let it affect me, life's too short and we always had other things to do.
What's your favourite place in Eden and/or the Bega Valley?
I love the beach. Nullica is one of the special places on the coast - when we finished Sunday school we would take the kids there for a picnic, they could wade in the water and it wasn't dangerous.
If you won $1million what would you do first?
That's a big question. There are always needy institutions around - I would look at ways and means to help others. I have spent a lifetime working with people and like to make life easier for others.
What is one thing you cannot live without?
My bible. I read it every day. The scriptures have given me a family. White and black doesn't matter, we are one people as a family - that extends right across Australia and other parts of the world. It's tremendous.
What are three words that describe Eden best?
Unspoiled, friendly, unique.
What do you think Eden needs the most as a community?
We need clearance from coronavirus so we can enjoy life again. It's a terrible thing, breaking communities up, it's having a terrible impact on the way we live. To miss out on that friendship and yarning in the streets, it gives people a real suspicion of each other, it's a horrible feeling. Everything else is already here.
- To nominate someone to feature in our community profile series please contact: leah.szanto@edenmagnet.com.au