ELIZABETH Gill was born in Beechworth before a move to South Gippsland when she was young. She returned to Beechworth with her family in 1998 and shifted to Chiltern nine years later. She said it was the "best move we ever made" by returning to her North East home.
What do you do in the community?
I joined the CFA (Country Fire Authority) 10 years ago. I am a firefighter, driver, junior leader, peer support officer and community engagement officer. I do it because I wanted to be part of something that was community focused.
What brought you to your role in the CFA?
My family has a long association with the CFA going back generations. My children joined the Junior Volunteer Development Program (JVDP) in Chiltern and I ended up joining as a junior volunteer program leader. From there it was a progression to fire fighting and driving the trucks (which is the best fun in case anyone is wondering).
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The JDVP runs in brigades across Victoria with the aim to introduce 11 to 15-year-olds to CFA by giving them safe, enjoyable and challenging activities.
What do you love about being a volunteer?
I love the ‘can do’ attitude of volunteers. They just seem to get things done, and I love that.
Besides protecting local communities, where has being a volunteer taken you such as to the recent Queensland floods? And why is it important to be able to help other communities outside the area?
I’m part of the peer support program at CFA, so we head off all over the north of the state and as far as Gippsland and at a moment’s notice to support brigades and individuals. Fires don’t respect borders so we can be anywhere. Being available to communities outside our area is important because that’s what we do, and other volunteers are here for us when we need them too.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
I have been so impressed with the Chiltern Athenaeum volunteers who have been working and fundraising to install climate control systems in the building. The Athenaeum is an amazing place, and its volunteers are an amazing group of people doing an important job.
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues? Well, we could talk about climate change, but that would take a whole page, wouldn’t it?
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?
I would love my dad to be able to be here to see how Indigo Shire is developing. Dad died in 2016. He was the shire engineer in Beechworth in the 1960s and had a great passion for local history and people.
What book are you reading?
I’m reading ‘A Kentish Lad: The Autobiography of Frank Muir.’ It is a great read written by the late British entertainer who seemed to communicate effortlessly.
