Chris Kinnaird was born and grew up in suburban Melbourne before moving to Beechworth to teach in 1975.

What did you do workwise?

I worked at Beechworth High School, teaching mainly science and biology full-time for 31 years, and then relief teaching for another seven.

What brought you to your role/career?

I found success as a kid by studying hard and being a nerd. After Form 6 (now known as Year 12), I desperately wanted to continue studying at university. However, as my family could not afford it, like many others, I accepted the government’s offer of a teaching studentship. After finishing my degree, I was very lucky to be offered my position at Beechworth.

What did you love about your work?

Teaching was initially a scary prospect, but I quickly found that the kids of Beechworth were great – friendly, cooperative and interested in learning. Although I arrived as a long-haired city git, I think they knew and appreciated the efforts I made in making their lessons interesting and to help them achieve their VCE goals. Bumping into students (and ex-students) around the town, both while teaching and now in my retirement, is as enjoyable as it is unavoidable. I found fulfillment with a new sense of identity, purpose and place through teaching and living in Beechworth.

What do you do in the community?

Long ago I assisted with Meals on Wheels and organised some charity events. More recently my volunteering has been limited to assisting various cycling events in the Beechworth area. Volunteers do make valuable contributions to the community, however as an introvert, my activities tend to centre around family and close friends.

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

Big cities' issues can eventually spread to small towns. A challenge that could arrive, is the deep politicisation of viewpoints causing community intolerance and disharmony.

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

I hope that if Beechworth does not grow too fast, then the extensive community connections and interrelationships that continue to form across generations of families living together in Beechworth, will be enough to maintain the fundamentals of respect and tolerance between us all.

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

The cost to the economy, the loss of ecological diversity, and the loss of human life which will result if average global temperatures continue to rise.

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?

In 1976 I bought a property once belonging to a shire engineer, L H Sambell. I think he would be delighted to see how Beechworth has thrived. In particular I would walk with him around the lake that now bears his name. If he comes in a week or two, he may even be tempted to try a sauna.

What book are you reading?

"The Ship Beneath the Ice" by British maritime archaeologist Mensun Bound tells the story of the discovery in 2022, of Shackleton's expedition ship, the Endurance. In 1915, having first been trapped and then crushed by the Antarctic icepack, it now lies 3000 meters down on the floor of the Weddell Sea.