So, here are our interviews with Alison and John:
ALISON:
Q: Tell us a bit about where you grew up
A: I spent the first 10 years of my life in Surrey Hills and the next 10 a mile up the road in North Balwyn, then Glen Iris after that. I have 4 brothers and we had a great childhood – the old saying “Everything I know now, I learnt at kindergarten” could in my case, be “in the family home”. We all played, rode, kicked the footy, swam, learnt tennis and were encouraged to be anything we wanted to be but most of all enjoyed healthy debates. We were a lively, busy, raucous, fun family and in many ways, we developed resilience and learnt not to be too precious about anything. It was survival of the fittest and as the only girl, I was never singled out for special treatment. I’m still very close to my 3 surviving brothers.
Q: When I was a kid I wanted to be…
A: A Doctor or Nurse in the Royal Flying Doctor Service ….. but alas life got in the way, and other choices took me in different directions.
Q: Describe the work that you do
A: At this stage mostly voluntary graphic and web design for the various organisations I’m involved with. I still have some paying clients but am gradually weaning them off me - I've too many other things to do! I’ve been lucky over the years to work in various fields. Following years at Melbourne University studying to become a Physiologist and Biochemist – I worked in Medical Research mostly at the Howard Florey Institute of Physiology and Medicine, from there I worked as a Biochemist (Chemical Pathologist) at the Royal Women’s Hospital, became a Science and Maths Teacher, then I worked in Real Estate and latterly in Multimedia.
Q: What has been your greatest adventure?
A: My education – it’s the adventure that never ends and keeps on giving, plus you can do it from anywhere. I’ve spent decades at various tertiary education institutions and loved every minute of my time doing so. My adventure now incorporates learning to play golf and honing my skills on my uke and guitar.
Q: Who or what has inspired you?
A: Rev. John Flynn (“Flynn of the Inland”) – The man on our $20 dollar note.
Flynn had the passion and foresight to bring medical help and pastoral care to our population who live in the vast interior of our country by way of the Australian Inland Mission and then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He then facilitated radio communication via the pedal wireless radio that then enabled the School of the Air to become a reality plus social interaction between rural people. I’m still an ardent supporter of Frontier Services and the RFDS. My family were early pioneers in outback NSW and would have benefitted from some of his wisdom and care in remote rural areas but alas his ground breaking work was from 1917 – 1951, and of course continues today.
Flynn once said "If you start something worthwhile - nothing can stop it."
Q: What are your interests apart from LUKES ?
A: My family & friends, playing golf, walking our dog, reading and watching the Geelong CATS play football. In fact, watching sport of any kind, I’ve always been a sports nut! I also love sport inspired movies.
Q: How do you deal with your many commitments?
A: Some would say I’m over committed, but I just take a deep breath and get on with things and do the best I can do at any given moment. I’m lucky I don’t need huge amounts of sleep to function, so I tend to make the most of every minute of the day. I guess prioritising is the key and staying calm in the face of the ever growing "To Do List"!
Q: What would you like to invent?
A: A time machine that would enable Johnny and me to witness our 5 grandchildren growing in to adults and reaching their potential whilst not being so decrepit that we couldn’t enjoy the journey and the machine would also provide a never-ending bank balance to fund our extra time as mortals.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: Dark Chocolate, a cup of tea and time out with a good novel.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Many things, as I am so clumsy, I learnt to laugh at myself at a young age! I tend to find joy in most situations that life throws up at me. I do however love British Comedies like Fawlty Towers and Doc Martin and also Barry Humphries (not politically correct but funny!)
Q: What is your strategy for surviving lockdowns?
A: I’ve never been one to be bored so it hasn’t been a chore for me. I play music, read, communicate with friends and family by way of various media, walk the dog, continue working and catch up on films and series I’ve ear marked as worth watching. I took up sewing again and have got a lot of pleasure out of making lots of things for my grandchildren and other babies. This time I’m recovering from surgery to both of my hands so it’s mainly reading and movies. Playing music will have to wait.
Q: What is your favourite music? Movie? Book?
A: Music wise I love ballads but also happy songs with a great beat to them as well as classical, blues, folk and rock – a pretty eclectic range really.
These days I like a good action movie or drama – generally more realistic than fantasy. No single movie stands out. I read broadly and always have a book or 2 on the go – I’ve just finished all of Belinda Alexandra’s historical dramas and recommend them all plus Sally Hepworth’s “The Good Sister”. I favour Australian authors where possible.
Q: Tell us about a moment that changed your life.
A: A number of significant moments changed my life but in brief: Having my daughters and meeting my husband John, 31 years ago.
Q: The best place on earth is…
A: . I’ve been privileged to see most places in the world I’d like to visit, and lived overseas in Oxford, UK and to me there’s no place like home in Beaumaris. However, in winter my favourite home away from home is Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.
Q: How did you come to join LUKES?
A: My friend Shirley Biggs and I were in a small ukulele group of 5 called the 'Strum Pets' and Shirley visited LUKES at Aspendale once and urged me to join with her. That was in May 2017 and I’ve loved every minute of my time at LUKES and the wonderful connections I’ve made with the members since that time.
JOHN:
Q: Tell us a bit about where you grew up
A: I Moved around a bit as my parents enjoyed renovating period homes. I always remember being surrounded by lots of tradies, noise and plenty of construction mess. I was born in South Yarra, moved to Malvern, Camberwell, Ringwood (it was like a sleepy village then), moved back to South Yarra and then to Sydney to study Industrial Design.
Q: When I was a kid I wanted to be…
A: I wanted to be a brain surgeon or a vet, a famous rock star or a world class athlete - it was dare to dream time! But life has a way of throwing up unexpected and more realistic opportunities.
Q: How did you and Alison meet?
A: At an ‘Open for Inspection’ “For Sale” house in Beaumaris. Ali was working in Real Estate at the time. I didn’t much like the house but definitely fancied the agent! – Great decision!
Q: What kind of work did you /do you do?
A: I studied Industrial Design in Sydney but there were limited opportunities for significant success at that time. I moved into Marketing with Phillips Industries and later headed up the Marketing and Corporate Development team at Nicholas Kiwi. More recently (30 years ago!) we started a new Real Estate company, with a single office in Beaumaris. We built a significant rent roll business and specialised in personalised service targeting up market properties in the area for sale or property management. We sold the business and I retired at the age of 56 and established a self-managed super fund with a blend of active trading and long-term investing. My focus now is to simplify life, less decision making, less paperwork, more golf, more music, and maybe a little less sugar, fat and salt!
Q: What has been your greatest adventure?
A: Becoming a dad, walking away from corporate life and starting a new business and trying to hit a golf ball straight!
Q: Who or what has inspired you?
A: I always loved creating things so was inspired by great design, unique music and epic sporting achievements.
Q: What would you like to invent?
A: A time machine for two, a golf club that hits the ball straight and a bass box that folds down to fit in to a back pack.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: Lots of sugar, fat and salt presented cleverly as a “healthy snack” or indulgent meal.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Ridiculous situations in real life or clever, quirky comedy like Fawlty Towers.
Q: What is your strategy for surviving lockdowns?
A: Surfing the net, Netflix, listening to and playing music and plenty of sugar, fat and salt!
Q: What is your favourite music? Movie? Book?
A: I love a very broad range of music. The key for me is an emotional connection to the storyline, interesting lyrics and a strong sense of rhythm.
I particularly like exciting action movies like James Bond and Jason Bourne.
Q: Tell us about a moment that changed your life.
A: Introducing Ali to golf (her handicap is lower than mine!)
Q: The best place on earth is…
A: I love having a lazy day at home. I love Mooloolaba in the winter & love Australia with a passion. How lucky are we!!
Q: How did you come to join LUKES?
A: Ali introduced me to it as pay back for introducing her to golf……
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