What is the Question – July

FOR July’s What is The Question, former classics teacher-turned apiarist Keith McCallum talks with Roland.

 

What is your name?

Keith McCallum.

 

What is your occupation?

I garden and keep bees for raw honey, some of which is organic. It’s available from rawhoney.com.

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

I grew up here, moved away to study and teach, then eventually moved back to work, and now for retirement.

 

What is your favourite spot in the city, and why?

I love the central library, for the diversity of its services – from books to sessions for parents and youngsters, to music, book clubs, reading areas, etcetera.

 

What is your earliest memory?

Running off to my first day in prep at Mount Pleasant Primary School, with my new stationary in a Corn Flakes box.

 

What is happiness?

Feeling good about some aspect of your world. Nature and people can give me happiness, and it is a gift.

 

What would you do to make a difference in the world?

I work through Australian Demeter Biodynamics to promote the production of healthy, nutrient-dense, tasty food and healthy soils.

 

What are you reading, currently?

The Sun Walks Down by Australian author Fiona McFarlane. Intriguing structure and narrative voice. Set in the Flinders Ranges in the 19th century.

 

What do you hope the future might hold for you?

More of the same.

 

What is the best decision ever you have made?

To have children.

 

What do you like to cook and why?

Many things. Stir fries with vegetables from the garden. I like to make Portuguese tarts, using the yolks after my partner makes almond bread using the whites. Cooking is a delight.

 

What is your most treasured possession, and why?

A toast rack made by my younger son; and a mattock ‘donated’ by my older son.

 

If you could ask your pet one question, what would it be?

Woof! No pets but I like dogs. Native birds are more important to me.

 

What or who inspires you?

The voice referendum. Integrity, support of vulnerable people, humour.

 

What is your favourite quote?

“If you have a library and a garden, you have all you need” from Cicero.

 

What qualities do you admire in other people?

Kindness and humour.

 

What was your first job?

Packing and assembling toys at Mathieson’s toy shop in Bridge Mall/Street in the lead up to Christmas 1966.

 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

No vocational ambition until I stumbled into teaching.

 

What scares you?

Climate change and the future for our grandchildren.

 

What was the name of your favourite teacher and why?

Frank Ritchie. He introduced us to Shakespeare.

 

What was your favourite toy?

A succession of tennis racquets until garden tools took over.

 

What is your all-time favourite book?

Too hard! Many children’s books.

 

What is your favourite smell?

Lily of the valley tree, Daphne, freesias, ginger lily, and Japanese allspice.

 

What is something about you which is still the same as when you were a child?

Curly hair and love of books.

 

What would your childhood-self think of you today?

I wouldn’t. Children don’t think much about adults, they prefer their peers.