IRENE Jones was born in Sydney where she lived for the first 30 years of her life. She moved to the Albury-Wodonga region and apart from two short stints living in Central Australia, Irene has lived in this area since – specifically in Beechworth for the last 16 years.

What did you do workwise?

I’m retired from my social work profession, where I worked mainly in counselling roles throughout my career. I worked in community, state and Commonwealth funded services as well as in private practice. My special interest and skill was in the area of grief and trauma.

What brought you to your role/career?

My own life experiences and challenges, coupled with an ever-growing eagerness to understand myself, others and the world around me drew me to my career. I sought to share what I’d learned, not only through counselling work, but also through training/ mentoring others doing similar work.

What did you love about your work?

As a counsellor, I felt enormously privileged to be entrusted with people’s innermost experiences, and be witness to their resilience, courage and effort in adapting to or transforming their challenges.

What do you do in the community?

I’ve volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels in Beechworth. I had done this previously as part of field placement whilst studying. Back then, I was awed by the resilience and positive outlooks of the people I delivered meals to, and experienced the same thing this time.

Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?

I’m aware there’s room for improvement in support services for older people, due to limits to both funding and people to deliver these services. Also, whilst Beechworth has a fantastic retirement village, it would be great to see further development in this type of resource.

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

Attracting more funding/investment is likely the key. Changes to federally funded ‘in-home aged care’ services are coming, but not sure how that will improve things. I’ve noticed recent action to address the lack of community transport. I hope something comes of that.

What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?

World peace is uppermost in my mind at the moment. I remember after the 9/11 attacks in the United States, there was much talk about terrorism. A speaker at a conference I attended suggested ‘the best thing each and every one of us can do to eliminate terrorism, is to not be a terrorist in our own homes, workplaces and communities’. I think the same applies to war.

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 love to show my friend Lynne, who lives in Queensland, where I live and why. I would show her every bit of Beechworth, have her sample local foods and music and take her to visit surrounding towns that showcase the region’s heritage and landscapes.

What book are you reading?

My book reading has been minimal of late, but my preference is for fiction. I think this is because I’ve heard so many true stories in my working life. I just prefer to read stories that are based on imagination.