FRANK Prem was born in Hamburg, Germany, in transit. His parents were in the process of migrating out of what was then Yugoslavia, and found themselves living in Germany for about a year.
"We arrived in the Bonegilla Migrant Camp in 1957, when I was about 10 months old and we settled into Beechworth almost straight away," Frank said.
What's your job?
I spent around 45 years working as a psychiatric nurse and have left nursing just in the last year or so.
In a way I am working at two careers right now.
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One is as a poet and writer – I have released around 17 poetry collections in book form.
The second is my involvement in design, production and publication of the books with very different skill sets and demands.
Why did you become a poet and publisher?
I have been a writer of poetry since high school days and always dreamed of being published, but realised fairly early on that no mainstream or traditional publisher was likely to take a chance on a mug poet from the sticks who had no connections in the industry.
In the last decade or so, print–on–demand publishing has made it possible for me to become a publisher in my own right, producing industry standard books, and with world–wide distribution through web–based book stores.
What do you love about being a poet?
To have a thought that can be captured and reflected in a poem or a piece of writing, and to have a stranger on the other side of the world be able to share and respond to that thought.
To me, this is a magical process.
What do you do in the community?
For the most part, I involve myself in writing related events and activities.
In Beechworth, it has been a great pleasure to participate in the Winterwords Festival over the last couple of years as a presenter and also by conducting poetry workshops.
Beechworth is a wonderful small town and it is a joy for me to see ideas about the use of words take root and contribute to the local culture.
What's the most important current community issue for you?
I'm astonished about the extent of recent change in our community – particularly development into areas we never dreamed could be developed when I was younger.
What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation?
Turn the clock back about 30 years, perhaps. No, only joking.
Change is inevitable, but I hope those involved keep one eye on what makes this area attractive, so as not to lose it.
What's the most important current world issue for you?
The devastation of Ukraine is utterly appalling.
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?
AB (The Banjo) Paterson.
I'd like to show him the Beechworth Gorge, as I knew it when I was free–roaming around it back when I was still a kid.
Why would you show him that?
The Gorge was a special place when I was young – wild and overgrown.
It represents the freedom of childhood to me.
Nowadays, it is differently special.
I love the native flowers and local flora.
What book are you reading?
'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' written by Sogyal Rinpoche in 1992 is currently on my bedside and inspiring new poetry.
