SUSANNE McLeod was born in Melbourne and grew up in Portland, Victoria, with a move to Beechworth when she commenced work as a mental health nurse in Wodonga 11 years ago. “The attraction to Beechworth and surrounds was its natural beauty, and a number of my colleagues reside here,” she said.
What do you do workwise?
I have been a registered nurse (RN) both general and mental health for most of my life. I ceased nursing in March this year and recently commenced casual employment at Ritchies IGA in Beechworth.
What brought you to your role/career?
I was going to be a nurse from an early age due to family influence. I did work experience with my aunt in Melbourne who was a senior nurse and realised the importance of contributing positively to the patients' experience.
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What did you love about your work as an RN?
There are many aspects of nursing that I have loved and enjoyed. Meeting diverse people and the sharing of intimate details of their lives and journeys they share with this also including family members. Teamwork where I contributed empathetically towards a patient’s recovery journey or palliative care. Also respecting the uniqueness of their health and life journey. As an RN there is ongoing learning as well as the opportunity to travel with work.
What do you do in the community?
Previously I have volunteered at Opera in the Alps and Celtic Festival. As I have more time now, I regularly volunteer at the Beechworth Telegraph Station which is very interesting as telegrams can still be sent by our morsecodians. Volunteering is rewarding as it provides ongoing learning, team work, opportunities to promote Beechworth and surrounds but also meet interesting people.
Is there an important community issue that you think needs addressing?
I believe Beechworth has changed in the past years but needs to be careful that the attractiveness and uniqueness is not lost by overdevelopment. Affordable rental housing both availability and affordability is needed. Healthcare in the area is an issue too.
What do you see as important current world issues?
Globally there are multiple issues. To name a few, the Ukraine War in this modern time is one. Ongoing wars in other countries, poverty, inequitable financial divide and homelessness. Others include human trafficking, global warming and close extinction for a number animal species.
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?
Renowned BBC broadcaster, biologist, conservationist, and historian Sir David Attenborough selfishly, because of his extensive knowledge and experience of the natural world. I think he is known by most age groups. He would be shown the Beechworth precinct especially the Telegraph Station with its incredible history, and the natural surrounds with the lower land and High Country diversity in flora and fauna which I think he would find spectacular and fascinating.
What book are you reading?
‘Broken Bay’ by local award-winning author and playwright Margaret Hickey. It is a really interesting crime novel set in an Australian landscape. I'm enjoying the book due to description of characters, complexity of relationships and it keeps one guessing. Also know the Limestone coast well and trying to guess the town setting.
