Interviews

A collection of singular and extended interviews

Interesting Human

An interview with Simone Kercher

What do you feel most grateful for in your life?

The thing i feel most grateful for is my husband and kids, we grew up together and were still growing as a family. With my kids i didn't think i could have so i am essentially grateful for the ones i do have.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

As corny as it sounds don't take yourself seriously and that life will rarely turn out the way you expect it to.

If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, which would it be?

The look on my husband's face when my daughter was born.

How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?

It's a lot slower than I imagined it to be and you don't expect to do everyday things like cooking, cleaning and washing when you're younger cause those things are already done for you. It gets boring because of the repetitiveness.

How would you like to be remembered for?

Legacy, I would like to remember making people smile. I want people to look back with fondness I suppose.

If you were to die suddenly this evening, what would you regret not having done? Why haven’t you done it?

I would regret not travelling as much, mostly Australia but all over the world.

For future generations of your family listening to this years from now: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know?

Take care of the special things like yesterday. I had brought out of interest some embroidery patterns from my great grandma that had been perfectly preserved from the 1930s.

Can you tell me about someone you’ll always remember?

When I first moved to port man quire, I was in year nine I didn't know anybody and my mums friend that was also a teacher basically had adopted me and she used to take me to Sydney. Her son was the same age and we would hang out although he was in boarding school. She passed away but I will always remember the kindness she showed me and how she took me under her wing.

Can you tell me about someone you’ll always remember?

When I first moved to port man quire, I was in year nine I didn't know anybody and my mums friend that was also a teacher basically had adopted me and she used to take me to Sydney. Her son was the same age and we would hang out although he was in boarding school. She passed away but I will always remember the kindness she showed me and how she took me under her wing.

Can you tell me about someone who has had a big influence on your life?

Interestingly it was another teacher, my business studies teacher when I was in school. He used to encourage me to be the best person I could be. I had some serious mental health issues when I was in high school but he never let me use it as an excuse but never expected too much from me when I couldn't do it.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

I decided when I was half way through university and it was just because I don't know what to do with my history degree.

How did you meet your husband?

I was his supervisor and we worked together at Target and he waited for me for 5 years although we did date other people.

How did you know he was “the one”?

Because I was in Canada with my Canadian boyfriend and I was really missing brad and we got into a fight and then I said I'm going home and I saw him for the first time and that's when I realised I was in love.

How did he propose?

We were driving back from WA and it was 11 o'clock at night at the Nullarbor Road House and it was freezing and pouring rain. He thought it was going to be clear skies and stars everywhere. I stopped him from asking me and made him get into the car cause it was cold. He smuggled the ring in his sock draw for 6 months. The ring was actually my great grandmas that my mum had given to him and he had hid the ring inside his sock for the whole time in WA.

By Bridget Young

Community Gathers for Lisa Freedman

“I am a strong and resilient person, but to be told you are dying at 53 years of age is very hard to comprehend. The support of my husband, two daughters, mother and some great friends allows me to deal with the diagnosis in a way in which I feel loved and cared for.

The hardest thing has been having to retire and stop doing the things that I love. I have been a teacher for 33 years and love my job. I loved being the principal of Tathra Public School for 6 years and wish I could be still there. I am very independent but my independence has been lost. I can’t do a lot for myself due to pain. I can’t walk more than a few metres unassisted, drive a car due to medication or even do tasks around the house anymore. It can be very frustrating. I really have lost a lot of my freedom to this disease.

Having a terminal illness takes you through a series of losses. The loss of a future, the thought of not being around for my husband and kids, a lack of control over your own life - that is all very hard but I don’t try to dwell on it. I get up each day and cope with that day in the best frame of mind I can be in.

I have always felt supported. There is however, definitely a bonus being fairly young, educated and forthright, as you do have to advocate for yourself and manage the many experts who become involved in your medical care so that you don’t suffer information overload or confusion. I would hate to be old and alone going through this. All the medical people I have worked with have been great, but they are all experts in their own areas. I have to bring the information together and work out what is best for me.

I am proud of the fact that I can accept this diagnosis. All I do is try to stay positive and brave, but I’m not under any delusions. I know I’m not going to live. I am getting sicker every day. I just need to, and try hard to make the most out of every day and be grateful for my life and what I have.”

Firstly, Why

An Interview with "Mr. Oats"

What’s your favourite memory as a teacher?

I had a really good year 12 class once, and the lowest result of any of my students was above state average.

What do you enjoy most of being a teacher?

Helping kids

What is the hardest part of your job?

Remembering that I guess personally found school really difficult and I know that kids do their best just making it to school, emotionally it can get tiring because you're giving your kids everything.

How long have you been a teacher for?

I've been a teacher now since 2006, so roughly around 15 years now.

What made you want to become a teacher?

I was lecturing at university, hated it, I had my teaching qualifications, my friend rang me up and said I’d be brilliant at it, I didn’t have any self confidence to do it but they encouraged me and its gone well.

-Jasper Bossink & Josh Morey

The Local NRL

Interview of Mr.Bellemore by Thomas Bellemore;

What is your favorite team in NRL?

My favorite team is the West tigers I’ve supported them my whole life

Who is your favorite NRL player?

Of course it has to be James Tedesco

What position did you play?

I played half back for most of my life.

What was your favourite memorable moment while playing?

My favourite was receiving best and fairest.

Who did you play for as a kid?

The Marist Brothers Eastwood.

Who was the scariest player you can remember playing against?

It was Ben Elias he was just the scariest fella you will ever meet.

What was the worst injury you got while playing?

It was when I got smashed while playing Ben Elias and I broke my arm.

Left School, Nailed It!


Interview of Local Nail Tech by Ciara Maher

How did you get to where you are today?

I left school at 18 and didn’t finish year 12. I went to the Uni and studied some courses but it didn’t work out. I went through a really hard time in life and was lost. I have always had an interest in nails. I started doing my friends' nails for free. Soon after I started charging people and grew a business out of it.

Did you always know that this was the career you wanted to take?

No, I knew but I was interested in it.

Was it hard to get to where you are now?

Yes and it was a long process.

How did your business go when Covid-19 hit?

I had to close down and it was hard because I only had a half a day warning. Luckily enough I had a second job.

If you didn’t become a Nail Tech where do you see yourself?

I honestly don’t know.

Do you see yourself doing this in the next 20 years or so?

Yes of course but I would love to grow my business even more.

Old Cars for fun fellowship interview

An Interview with the founders of "Sapphire coast Historic Vehicle Club"


When was the car club founded?

1983

Who founded the club?

Max Sinclair, Henry Petterson, Vin Bray, Norm Smith, Sandra Bray, Jim Spears, Irene Spears, Ken Whitby, Robert Cole, Jim McGrath, John Liston, Reg Buckland

What is your position within the club?

Jeff is president, Gary is the most consistent worker.

What is the oldest car you’ve worked on?

1914

What is your favorite car you’ve worked on?

XY Falcon-Gary Triumph tr6 sports car-Jeff

What are the future plans for the club?

new buildings such as a library

How many members are in the club?

200

How would you describe the club?

“The original mens club” the motto is “Old cars for fun and fellowship”

What accomplishments are you particularly proud of?

Proud that they established the site, the mentor program, the mentor program was started in early-mid 2000’s with the previous president, and it has been running for about 16years.

Are there any changes you would make in the club?

It slowly evolves all the time , it is always improving, every month they get about 5 new members join

How long have you worked at the club?

Everyone is volunteers there is no dedicated hours they do it for their own enjoyment and for the community

If a project you were working on didn't go to plan, how would you respond?

They sort it out, if they don't have the right parts they source around and order what they need, problem solving.

What project took the longest?

Model T, has been going for 4years and it was completely made from scratch, everything had to be restored and modified.

How is the club beneficial to the community?

`Beneficial in a number of ways ,groups from victoria and nsw to visit and also it is a destination to visit so income to the community is a big benefit to the community.

-James Hare & Kobi Boller