MARCUS Foley was born in Bendigo and with his partner Dore moved from East Gippsland to Beechworth two years ago this week.
“We love it here in Beechworth. As a child I spent a lot of time out in the bush at Kangaroo Flat near Bendigo where Crusoe Reservoir and its many water races were built during the gold rush to channel water to Bendigo's goldfields. Similarly, here in the surrounding forests, there are many water races and gold diggings that remind me of my childhood," he said.
And for Dore, who is from Germany, the historic buildings made with heavy solid walls and high ceilings remind her somewhat of her homeland. The North East is unique and has so much to offer.”
What do you did you do workwise?
I have worked as a gold and silversmith since studying it at RMIT in the early 80s. Since the early 90s, Dore and myself have run our own studio, making jewellery and occasional hollowware. Although over the past eight years or so, Dore has transitioned to being an artist, producing wonderful paintings. Just me on the tools now.
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What brought you to your role/career?
Like most kids I spent a lot of play time making things. Lego, Meccano, model balsa wood planes and more. Making stuff is fun. Tech school then was mucking around on lathes, fabricating aluminium and copper utensils, woodwork, and pottery. All very hands on. Years 11 and 12 were at Bendigo High School where there was a jewellery workshop and I spent most of my spare time there. The careers teacher put the RMIT goldsmithing pamphlet in my hand, and the rest, as they say is history.
What did you love about your work?
Still, after all this time, the biggest thrill is seeing the look on a client’s face when they first see their new piece of jewellery I’ve made for them. It’s a wonderful relief when they’re so happy.
What do you do in the community?
Since moving to Beechworth, I’ve not been able to take the time for volunteer work as our renovations to our home and studios have taken precedence. Back in East Gippsland I did spend a lot of time out in the bush digging and maintaining MTB trails. I am looking forward to helping on tree planting days sometime soon. Trees are life.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
It would have to be the potholes, wouldn’t it?
What do you see as one of the most important current world issues?
Disinformation, both political and corporate is a terrible scourge. It infiltrates and distorts every issue that people face world-wide making every problem even more difficult to resolve.
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?
My mum. We sadly lost her 10 years ago and she would have been so happy to see what we have done to our building up at Mayday Hills. I’d take her down to Tanswell’s, and then, upstairs on the balcony have a couple of drinks to enjoy another beautiful Beechworth sunset.
What book are you reading?
I’ve recently picked up a new book from Beechworth Books ‘Be Mine’ by American author Richard Ford.
