By Jessica Micallef
Una Mitchell enjoys a good hike and loves what the country life has to offer. The Newham resident chats with Jessica Micallef about her involvement in her band Crane.
What is your connection to the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges area?
My connection to the Macedon Ranges is that I live in Newham and go to school in Macedon.
How long have you lived in the area?
I first moved here when I was one year old, so I have lived here for 16 years.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about a few different things. I love hiking and camping. At school I love maths, and I love making things. I love doing jigsaw puzzles, sewing and origami.
Tell me a bit about your band Crane and how it came about?
Crane originated as a school rock band that rehearsed once a week before school. Now with our current line-up, we are more serious and we are more independent and less school-based. We organise our own external gigs and rehearse outside school as well.
How did you become involved in the upcoming Battle of the Bands regional finals?
Crane entered Battle of the Bands in Kyneton on September 22. We came second place, however the winning band was unable to perform in the upcoming Battle of the Bands regional final, so they generously gave us the opportunity to play instead.
What other hats do you wear in the community?
Within my community, I’ve been a barista at my local coffee shop, I babysit local kids and I am in a local girls football team.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
Something that people might be surprised to know about me is that I can lick my elbow. I guess I have a flexible left shoulder.
What is the best thing about the Sunbury/Macedon Ranges?
The Macedon Ranges are beautiful, there are fewer restrictions than that of city life. For example bonfires and camping in your backyard, you can hear the frogs and the birds and lots more wildlife, you can have varieties of different pets and there is almost no traffic.
If you could change anything about the area, what would it be?
The ability to get around without driving. I am not 18 yet, so I cannot drive on my own. This means that I must rely on my parents for most of my travel (either that or I am catching a lift with a friend’s parent). I would like there to be safer bike routes between the towns and train stations. And easier public transport in general. It could be a bus that goes through all the towns four or five times a day (I imagine sort of like the city loop in Melbourne).
