KATH Buckingham was born in Melbourne and moved to Beechworth close to two years ago.
What do you do workwise?
I worked in education both in management and the classroom. I spent the last five years as a speech and drama teacher, which I love.
What brought you to your role/career?
Initially I wanted to study drama and perform on stage, but my parents would not allow it.
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I’ve always been a people person and when I gave it some thought I decided I wanted to be where I could make a difference.
Also teaching and acting are very closely aligned.
What did you love about your earlier teaching work?
I was very lucky to work in some beautiful schools with some dedicated and talented teachers who inspired me every day.
I also loved the children who were delightfully honest and unpredictable.
It was a joy to see progress they made, and relationships developed.
What do you do in the community?
I’m directing Beechworth Theatre Company’s play The Vicar of Dibley and I am on the committee as well.
Amateur theatre gives people a chance to pursue their passions in performing arts, is always a good place to make friends and I love being on stage and performing.
I have been acting for most of my life.
My first show was ‘The King and I’ when I was 12.
I trained as a singer so I could get bigger parts and have continued my love of singing.
Eventually I found myself producing, directing and writing school productions and in later years directed adults and children at Eltham Little Theatre in Melbourne.
I’m also a L2P driver mentor for Indigo Shire.
Relationships are important to me and this seemed like a way to give back to the community.
Since becoming a mentor driver, I've met some lovely young people and other mentors.
It's a great program that offers so much to the community.
I also teach drama to two classes at Beechworth Montessori School and am on the Winter Words committee too.
Winter Words is a fantastic festival, as it is such a great celebration of words that is put on by the community for the community.
There is so much to do and join in on, in a country town.
Life has been good to me and I’m in a position to give back and it's important that I do.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
Affordable housing, which is a difficult issue in a tourist town.
What do you see as one or more of the most important current world issues?
Equity of resources and violence against women.
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?
As the director of The Vicar of Dibley, I would ask Dawn French who played the Vicar in the British sitcom series to visit our beautiful area.
I’m sure she would enjoy the fine wineries and eateries that North East Victoria has to offer.
When finished, I would show her the glorious Autumn trees and magnificent scenery of the local area.
Beechworth does a magnificent sunset too.
What books are you reading?
‘A God in Ruins’ by Kate Atkinson and ‘The Remarkable Mrs Reibey’ by Grantlee Kieza.
I love reading and often have two books on the go at the same time.
