Glenis Spencer was born in New Zealand and with her husband arrived in Australia from New Zealand in April 2014.
“My Mum died in 2013 so after Christmas that year we came to Beechworth as my son lives here with his family,” she said.
"A few months ago, my other son came back from the States where he had been living for 10 years which has been great.”
What did you do workwise?
I worked for 18 years at a university in Auckland. I was asked by a friend to fill in for a busy enrolment period which should have been approximately three weeks but ended up staying for 18 years.
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What did you love about your work?
I loved the work and the people in the office – mainly other ladies who were a lot of fun so a very cheerful, happy place to go to each day. We were very busy over the enrolment period with program leaders needing assistance as they were lecturers as well. We also had to set up the classes for the following semester which was very time consuming.
What do you do in the community?
I joined the Seniors Citizen’s Club committee not long after arriving in Beechworth and was secretary for five years. I’m still on the committee but now just look after hall bookings. The Senior Citizen’s Club Centre is used every day of the week and sometimes there are private functions on the weekends.
I also did meals on wheels for a few years until my husband became too sick and needed me constantly. He passed away in 2020.
I attend the Beechworth Exercise Activity and Training (BEAT) group most weeks and a craft group on Friday mornings.
I have had to learn all about footy which was hard at first after following the All Blacks all my life but now both my grandsons play footy and this weekend the oldest is in the finals, so I have learned all about it and learned to love it.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
I love living in Beechworth, it is a great town for young and old but the only thing that does upset me a little is the condition of the local amenities. Considering it is a tourist town with lots of visitors constantly I do think they could be improved. I did mention it to the council but as far as I can see, nothing has been done as yet.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
As for world issues I think the most important is that with so many people in the world starving we are unable to fix the problem. It breaks my heart to see young children in particular going hungry when we in Australia in the main have food in abundance.
If the person you would most like to meet or knew, came to Indigo Shire or was already here, who would that be, what would you show them, and why?
I would like to see to our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese come to Beechworth. I doubt he has ever been here, but I think he should visit at least one small country town each year to see what happens and what we get up to.
What book are you reading?
‘Tidelands’ by British author Victoria Holt. She is one of my favourite authors as most of the books are based in the 1800s or earlier.
