Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
My partner is also a librarian! We read a lot!
What are you most passionate about?
Recommending things for people to read and getting people excited about reading! I always find that people who say they don’t read or don’t enjoy reading, just haven’t found the right book yet.
What do you love about youth literacy?
Reading is so fundamental to day to day life and while school does a good job of building reading skills, you still have to get kids excited to read. It might be through a really cool illustrator, a series of novels about their favourite animal or just something that will make them laugh! You want them to reach for a book for fun. The facts come later – reading for purpose and meaning flows easier when you’ve got the habit down.
What is your favourite book?
My favourite book has always been Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. Not very child friendly but a thriller to leave you shaken not stirred. Not only does it introduce the suave secret agent James Bond, it also has a recipe for scrambled eggs, a vodka cocktail and this amazing chapter describing how to dress for any occasion. Fleming was actually part of the secret service and he calls on his past experience in these books.
What would your last meal be?
Bacon and Egg roll. I used to drag my feet eating breakfast as a child (soggy Weet-Bix) but now I realise I was just trying to prolong it until brunch!
What was your most memorable moment?
Marrying my partner Meg in April this year.
What was your favourite subject in school?
Favourite subject in school was always history – I remember borrowing my teacher’s copy of The Golden Age of Myth and Legend in Year 8 and re-reading it over and over until about Year 10. Probably not a good sign seeing as I now work in libraries.
What event past or present would you like to witness?
I always wanted to witness the moon landing. I really felt it would have been a gravity defying experience.
Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Caroline Chisolm, Homer (of the Greek myths not Simpson), Valentina Tereshkova and Queen Elizabeth.
What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?
I’m listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’m reading The School by Brendan James Murray and I’m watching The Peripheral.
How would you describe your fashion sense?
I’ve always enjoyed novelty shirts and I’m looking forward to summer to wear them out.
Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?
I had a pet Budgie called Budgie when I was a child. It lived more than 15 years! Well I thought it did. Mum kept swapping them out if they died in their cage overnight. I only found out when I was 18. Budgies don’t live that long.
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
Katsu chicken curry – very requested at home.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
My favourite trip so far was probably to Japan. I will fondly remember the joy of ordering everything from a vending machine and the bustle of the streets in Tokyo.
What were you like as a kid?
Never gave anyone too much trouble as a kid. Loved performing. I used to run a community radio show with mates from school and I was always keen to be in the school play.
What is your favourite colour and why?
Red. Bright and revolutionary colour.
What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to?
Why don’t you have a library card? Just makes sense to have one…why not sign up today!
