GUY Walshe was born in Melbourne and met his wife there but the couple spent the last decade split working in Toronto and Boston.
"Our plan had always been to have kids and move back to the area but first we needed a few things to fall into place. In 2019 – technology, work opportunities and a global pandemic all aligned so I can now work remotely and call Beechworth home," he said.
What's your job?
Experience designer (video games).
What brought you to this role?
Latest Stories
In 1998 I studied graphic design and advertising and after working at a large advertising agency, I soon realised I did not enjoy the advertising part.
I focused on doing interactive design work – things like flash websites, DVD menus, all that ancient early 2000s technology.
Then in 2008 I realised my skills could transfer to creating user interfaces for video games.
Since then I haven't looked back.
What do you love about your job?
It has taken me around the world, working with many talented people to create new, interesting experiences that others and most importantly my kids can enjoy.
What do you do in the community?
Frankly not enough, can I blame that on being a parent in a pandemic?
However, I do hope to change that in the near future.
What's the most important current community issue for you?
I can see a disparity of STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics) resources available to kids in rural Australia as opposed to those in the city centres.
What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?
In the past I have volunteered with organisations like 'Girls Make Games' to address gender equality and equal representation in the games industry.
I think a similar approach can be applied to increasing STEM opportunities for children in remote areas of Australia.
By matching skilled industry volunteers with local schools we could bridge the geographic gap and link world class resources up with local students.
The beauty of the STEM industry is that it is not linked to any physical resource other than intelligent practical minds.
Something we have in abundance in our youth. I see no reason why the Indigo shire couldn't become the next Silicon Valley.
What's the most important current world issue for you?
Climate change.
If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo, or was already here, who would that be and what would you show them?
Hard to pick just one so I'll cheat and say my old ice hockey team from Canada and we would probably cycle along the rail trail and check out some wineries, breweries and distilleries.
Why would you show him that?
Amazing way to get a sense of the stunning place we live and sample some of the best food and drink Australia has on offer.
What book are you reading?
I am re–reading Frank Herbert's "Dune".
I last read it as a teenager yet after watching the recent Denis Villeneuve movie adaption I was reminded of its brilliance.
It's an epic cautionary sci–fi tale that sadly seems even more relevant today.
It deals with the dangers of religion merging with politics, ongoing devastation of colonialism and severe environmental mismanagement.
Basically present day life with the addition of giant sandworms.
