Macedon Ranges newest South Ward councillor, Christine Walker, chats with Zoe Moffatt about this appointment and her connection to the Macedon Ranges
Tell us a bit about your life to date
I grew up in regional Victoria, Western Australia and Papua New Guinea, as we moved for my father’s job as a local government engineer.
Following secondary school, I moved to Melbourne and studied psychology at Latrobe University. I subsequently undertook a Masters of Social Research and most recently, a Diploma of Interior Design.
I have had a very extensive career as a social and market researcher for large corporations and in consulting roles. I have lived overseas and in Sydney for short periods for work and sat on a few professional boards.
Our family moved to Macedon Ranges about 12 years ago and live in Mount Macedon. The whole family has been involved in the Mount Players and I love gardening, keeping active and playing Canasta.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
The countryside and townships are so beautiful here – it’s a very hard question. I would love it if it wasn’t so cold sometimes and if there was more sunshine in the thick of winter. But on the other hand, I do love those crisp frosty mornings.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I like to get out and walk – the nearness of bushland tracks is a real delight for me. I love walking around Sanatorium Lake and its nearby trails. It is so picturesque, a gentle walk and lots of interesting things to see including lots of amazing-looking fungi.
What inspired you to want to run for the councillor role?
I was inspired to be a councillor because I believe local government is important – it affects the places and the way in which we live our lives.
What do you hope to be able to bring to council, and what do you want to achieve in the next 12 months?
I hope to be a thorough and well-considered councillor, and be able to offer up fresh perspectives coming in three years into the current term.
I’m also excited to get up to speed with what the priorities have been and are currently for council.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in a copper mine in Papua New Guinea in my teens. It was a totally different world and a wonderful experience. It taught me a lot about how similar people are, even though how we live and our cultures seem so different.
