FRANCES Baker was born in Forbes and her family later moved to Werris Creek further north in NSW when she was in high school.

She shifted to Beechworth with her husband in 1986. "So now in 2021, I almost feel like a local," she said.

What's was your job?

I worked for more than 20 years as an administrator and office manager at the School of Environmental Sciences at Charles Sturt University in Thurgoona. I retired in 2016.

What brought you to this role?

Like many in Beechworth in the 1990s, Jeff Kennett's efforts to make everyone working in public institutions redundant, I found myself in need of a new job. I had teaching, business, budgetary, and administrative experience, all of which contributed to undertaking my role at the university.

What did you love about your job?

Contrary to the widespread view of academics, working with a group of people teaching and researching about the environment usually meant the lunchroom offered interesting conversation. Dealing day–to–day with young people (students) kept me on my toes.

What do you do in the community?

I am currently the secretary of Indigo U3A. Joining U3A was not a completely altruistic, community–minded decision on my part. I just knew I did not want to become a retired person with shrinking social connections as I aged and U3A had much to offer. However, I do see the utilisation of some of the skills I had developed in my working life as a way to contrib...