CHRISTINE Cansfield–Smith was born in Brisbane and spent some of her childhood in Lae, Papua New Guinea (PNG), where her father was the senior airline pilot with former Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) responsible for opening up all of the airfields after the war. She has lived in Beechworth for 10 years.
What's your job?
I have worked as a science communicator since 1988 after a return from New York where I obtained my postgraduate degrees and where I was living and working in book publishing.
I became head of science communications at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville and then established the CSIRO Discovery Centre – a multifaceted complex in Canberra where I was the director.
What brought you to this role?
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My background was in graphic design and advertising.
My degrees in art, publishing, communication and business enabled me to work in science.
At CSIRO I was charged with showcasing and communicating science research to the public and for educating schoolchildren about CSIRO.
What did you love about your job?
It was challenging and stimulating. Research for the good of humankind and the environment implies that there will be a positive global future.
What do you do in the community?
I visited Beechworth for several years to teach and organise botanical art workshops.
Since moving here I was one of the founders of the Mayday Hills Art Society.
It has art studios, a theatre, art library and galleries. We offer art talks and Café Scientifique conversations.
The mission is altruistic in encouraging creativity and the exchange of ideas, with its aim to be a centre of excellence in arts and sciences.
What's the most important current community issue for you?
Since the pandemic our community appears to have become unsettled and dysfunctional.
There seems to be no spirit of positivity and combined passion for our growth and future.
We need to revive its heart and soul.
What would you do to solve, change or improve this situation?
We are blessed.
We need strong leadership to help us identify what we all love about this place.
We can be empowered to dig deeper to offer kindness, support and acceptance to all those around us.
By being positive we can have a good balance of everything for a happy lifestyle.
What's the most important current world issue for you?
Rampant environmental destruction, poverty, human exploitation and suffering are creating a bleak future.
People's skills, knowledge and creativity are being wasted.
People everywhere have a right to education, employment and the basics of a good life.
If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo, or was already here, who would that be?
Angela Merkel because she probably needs a good, long holiday away from Europe.
I most admire her civility and her strength of character in showing other world leaders that compromise is indeed possible for the good of all.
She has humanity.
She showed the best qualities of women in leadership.
What would you show her?
This shire, with its rich blend of heritage architecture and a lovely natural and rural environment.
Australians can be dynamic and enterprising.
Living here offers benefits that far outweigh its drawbacks.
I would be proud to show her this interesting, beautiful part of Australia and discuss with her how we can capture the shire's full potential.
What book are you reading?
I am current enjoying 'Under a Different Star' written by Michael Metzger, who lives in Yackandandah.
