JOHN Harvey was born in Akron, Ohio, USA.

He emigrated to Australia in 1972, becoming an Australian citizen in 1976.

John worked as a high school teacher in NSW for several years and later started a small business.

In 1991 with his wife Maria, he moved to Beechworth to open the Brigadier Scottish Shop in Camp Street which closed in 2008.

What's your job?

You might call me "semi retired", in other words still doing the things which interest me.

I have been involved with pipe bands for most of my life.

I am currently the drum major of the City of Melbourne Pipe Band and a dress and drill judge at highland games.

Recently I participated in a concert involving 123 pipers and drummers at Government House, Melbourne.

Another interest is railways particularly model railways.

I belong to the Murray Railway Modellers based at the Wodonga Showground.

I also dabble in computing and building websites.

What brought you to this role?

I grew up playing the drums in pipe bands and developed a love for Scottish culture.

My Dad was a bass drummer.

I received my first model train set at the age of five (I still have it), beginning a lifelong hobby.

Computing became an interest when it became a necessary business skill.

What do you love about your retirement?

Retirement gives me the opportunity to pursue my hobbies and interests.

What do you do in the community?

I take a keen interest in local politics and ran for council in 2020 on a platform of prioritising basic services, "rates, roads and rubbish".

I was co–founder of the Beechworth Celtic Festival and its coordinator for five years.

I served for many years on the Beechworth Servicemen's Hall committee assisting in its refurbishment.

I have also helped organise many events including motorcycle shows, collectables fairs, concerts, and railway weekends.

What's the most important current community issue for you?

Beechworth's history and in particular its historic streetscape.

What remains of Beechworth's priceless history must be protected and preserved for future generations.

Already much of that history has disappeared, quite often through neglect.

Once it is gone it is gone forever.

What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?

It is important that the community's assets be returned to control of the community that actually owns and cherishes them.

Over the past few years more and more control of these assets has been centralised in the hands of bureaucrats with community members sidelined.

What's the most important current world issue for you?

The assault on democracy, freedom of speech and Western liberal values, not only by authoritarian regimes overseas but by "political correctness" in Australia.

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?

I would have liked to have shown Beechworth and Victoria's North East to a favourite uncle of mine, Roy Harvey (no relation to the local newsagent).

Sadly he died long before that could have happened.

I am sure he would have enjoyed seeing the area, going out for a meal, meeting my mates and having a beer at the pub.

Why would you show him that?

Because we were good mates and enjoyed each other's company.

I am sure he would have been impressed by life in Australia.

What book are you reading?

"Normandy '44, D–Day and the Battle for France" by James Holland.