Hi Bronwyn. Here we are sitting in the beautiful surrounds of Castlemaine’s historic Buda home and gardens where you get to spend a fair bit of time in your capacity as president of the Buda Committee of Management. It’s a great contribution to make. What motivates you?
Buda is a very special place and it is all run by volunteers. People really connect with this place. It’s really a worthwhile place to meet others who are interested in keeping history alive. It’s marvellous. I attended the AGM and came onto the committee in 2013 after we first came to Castlemaine in 2011. I just thought it was such an exciting place. I put my hand up to go on the committee and I’ve been on it ever since. I really do find it very rewarding.
So you’ve called Castlemaine home since 2011 but where were you before that?
I spent 30 years in Melbourne.
What’s your working background?
I’m a building designer. I’m really interested in the built environment and in the 1970s when I was a student I came here and did a measuring project with a whole lot of other students. That was well before I ever thought I’d live in Castlemaine. We measured a number of other historical buildings in Castlemaine as part of the project and I just thought ‘this is a special place because there’s so much that’s intact’. In the ’70s a lot of stuff was being pulled down…
Also my great aunt was the same age as Hilda (Leviny of Buda) and in fact had mutual friends in Newstead, and so I sort of felt a connection with Buda through my great aunt.
Anything else keeping you busy in the community Bronwyn?
I’m a member of a number of things: the historical society and the Pioneers (& Old Residents’ Association). But on the whole it’s basically Buda for me.
Any philosophies by which you like to live life?
My philosophy is that I’m very blessed to have opportunity… and I just think it’s really important to give back to the community. Both of my parents were very involved in all sorts of community activities so I was always aware that if you could do something to help other people then that was a good thing.
Three dream dinner guests?
Stephanie Dowrick (writer), Hilda Leviny (of Buda fame) to find out a bit more about her life. That would be great. And I’d like to have dinner with my great grandfather, Fred Strangward. He was just a very interesting man. He did mosaic woodwork. Some of his work is in the Ballarat gallery and that work was given to the Ballarat gallery by (former Australian Prime minister) Alfred Deakin – whom he gave it to.
Pet peeves?
Negativity. It does a lot of damage…
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading Corporal Hitler’s Pistol by Tom Keneally. A very interesting read set in Australia.
Musical genre or artist of preference?
Oh I love My Friend the Chocolate Cake. I really enjoy putting that on when I’m cooking.
What do you enjoy most about life in Castlemaine?
I love being able to walk or ride my bike everywhere because I live in town. You can walk to the theatre. You can walk to the shops. You can walk to the station. I can walk up to Buda. I just love that. Not having to get in traffic.