How long have you lived in the area?
I moved to Harrietville in the winter of ‘94 and settled in Smoko in 2008.
What do you like about the area?
The variety of nature activities. I first came here to climb at Mount Buffalo. Then ski touring all over the place, mountain biking and now packrafting.
What do you do for a living?
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I am a cabinetmaker but have worked many jobs in those years: dishpig, gardener, carpenter, ski hire, events at Dept Mount Hotham, project manager, tour operator, cook, bar manager, outdoor education, chauffeur, sauna builder.
What are your hobbies or interests?
In 2017 we started the Mountain Safety Collective - a not-for-profit organisation with the aim to reduce fatalities in the mountains in winter through information on conditions and dangers. Recently I have embraced packrafting and am exploring our area from the river point of view.
Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?
Depending on their level of fitness and mobility anywhere from the Mount Buffalo hikes, to Feathertop, a paddle down the Ovens River or a winery tour through the King Valley.
Is there anything you would change about the area?
I would like to see us grow more as a community, look after our environment and reduce our footprints.
Do you have any ambitions for the future?
To build more saunas so everyone can enjoy the benefits of sweating and cold water.
