Indigo Interview: Staying community connected

Fiona Munday took her first breath in St Marys, an outer suburb of Sydney. Her formative years were spent in New Zealand after her family moved to Auckland when she was two years old. Fiona returned to Australia when aged 18. More than 10 years ago Fiona and her husband bought a house in Last Street and rented it out while living and working overseas. The couple arrived from their last expat post in Brunei to settle in Beechworth in the winter of 2023. What did you do workwise? I was a freelance makeup technician in the film and television industry in Melbourne during the 80s and 90s. It was a fickle and fabulous industry, and it was thriving. I lived and breathed film and all that goes with being part of a creative process that required total dedication and tenacity. When I became a single parent, I needed to redirect my life into a career that was more stable and consistent. I studied social work, specialising in mental health, which was not such a huge leap from my previous career insofar as I was supporting the wellbeing of interesting and varied humans. What led you to your careers? My makeup career was inspired by my love of film and was to be a jumping-off place to film making. This was not to be perhaps in my next incarnation. The birth of my son and a desire to be a small agent of change in the broken mental health system were catalysts for seeking security and consistency in my working life. What did you love about your work? Both careers were incredibly fulfilling. I met and worked with exceptionally creative and caring colleagues and some incredible clients for whom life had been very challenging. I learnt so much about myself from working with my clients and hopefully I helped them feel supported and heard enough to make a difference to their lives. What do you do in the community? I currently volunteer with the Beechworth Young Cooks program run by the Quercus Neighbourhood House held in the Oregon Hall kitchen. This is a great community-driven initiative, aimed at teaching our young people the skills to independently produce healthy and tasty food on a budget. The volunteering is a natural transition from social work. I enjoy making new friends and staying connected to my community. Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing? The lack of rental properties and even short-term accommodation unfortunately impacts newcomers to Beechworth and local businesses significantly. What would you do to solve change or improve that situation? Build a fully sustainable eco-village just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Beechworth - after winning Tatts Lotto of course. What do you see as one of the most important current world issues? I could point you to the current President of the United States and all that has unfolded worldwide as a result of his previous and current terms. If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo Shire (past or present), or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why? I would introduce my dad to the caring people of the Beechworth community, and show him the beauty of the Gorge walk and the stunning wineries of the area. What book are you reading? ‘Phosphorescence’ by Julia Baird critiqued by Annabel Crabb as literary, insightful, curious, pellucid and glinting with insights. A boundlessly generous book, full of little luminous treasures.

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