What is the Question – June

For this month’s What is the Question Roland chatted with pharmacist Deborah Gray.

 

What is your name?

Deborah Gray

What is your occupation?

Accredited pharmacist UFS Bridge Mall.

What brought you to Ballarat?

I was born here. I moved to Melbourne to complete my bachelor of pharmacy degree at the Victorian College of Pharmacy (now part of Monash University) in Parkville. I returned to Ballarat as I’m not really a city girl!

What is your favourite spot in the city?

I love so much about Ballarat – the Art Gallery and the Botanical Gardens. My absolute favourite is Lake Wendouree. I love to walk with my family and our black Labrador, Carbon. It is also a lovely, peaceful place to just take time to sit, reflect, and enjoy a coffee admiring the surrounds.

What is your earliest memory?

Visiting my two sets of grandparents in Maryborough. My maternal grandparents had a Pekinese dog called Chinky and my sister, cousins, and I would play with her. Also, we had scooters there and we would race each other around the house. My Puppa had a vegetable garden and I recall him growing the biggest, tastiest tomatoes ever!

My paternal grandparents had a dairy farm. I remember watching milking times. Also, they had an orchard which we would raid for fruit. My Nanna loved to bake and there were always scones and sponges to enjoy!

What do you like to cook?

I am not really a baker but I love to prepare various meals for my family – lasagne, curries, risottos and roasts.  Having three sons, pretty much anything I make is devoured! My husband, Shane, is a vegetarian so we also have a lot of vegetable and legume-based dishes, often with Moroccan or Indian flavours.

What building would you choose to be?

The Sydney Opera House, but safely on the ground as I’m not fond of heights, and overlooking the sea that I love, and usually surrounded by people as I adore company!

What is the greatest love of your life – apart from friends and family?

Sport! It was through sport, my own and my family’s, that I’ve had so many wonderful experiences, and met so many amazing people that will remain with me always; however, travel would be a close second!

What or who inspires you?

My family. I try to be a good example to my boys – work hard, look after others, lead by example, and be grateful for all I have.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

Within Australia, I love the Sunshine Coast, particularly Mooloolaba and far north Queensland, particularly Palm Cove. We love the beach, sun and reef. So lucky to have these amazing places within our country. Internationally, I love Europe and the USA and hope to be able to travel overseas again, soon.

What music and television do you like?

I don’t listen to a lot of music except when I go for my daily walk. Some of my favourite artists are Ed Sheeran and Adele. Also, I like a bit of Midnight Oil and Hunters and Collectors from my youth! I’m a bit more of a radio person when I’m in the car or at home.

I’m a big sports fan along with my husband and boys. We watch any sport on TV – personal favourites being AFL football, basketball and all variants of cricket.

What is your favourite quote?

“You are no better than anyone else and no one else is better than you.” John Wooden – motivational coach

What person – living or dead would invite to dinner party?

Diana, the Princess of Wales. I had the privilege of meeting her when she and Prince Charles visited Ballarat in 1983. I represented Ballarat and Clarendon College at the reception held for them at Sovereign Hill. I think she was an educated, empathetic, strong woman and would be a delight to have at a dinner party.

What technological/scientific development boggles your mind?

It still fascinates me that ships float on water. Archimedes was a smart man!

What qualities do you admire in other people?

People who are honest, supportive, dependable, hardworking and driven.

What was your first job?

The women’s clothes department Myer Ballarat. I don’t think fashion was my thing! I quickly moved into a pharmacy job at Wendouree Village (now Stockland).

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

Always a pharmacist from a young age, around 13 I think. I was fascinated by medication; the effect it had in the body, either as prevention, treatment or cure. I feel blessed that I have worked in a profession that is still rewarding and fulfilling for me after 33 years.

What scares you?

Not a lot, but there is nothing scarier than a gnome!!! I’m not a fan of scary movies either.

What historical calamity would you choose to reverse?

The 9/11 attacks. Personally, these events created fear of what was ahead for us, both here in Australia, and around the world.

What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

I wish I been told not to worry about the little things, particularly when raising the boys. If I didn’t have the washing out by 9am, or every meal I prepared wasn’t balanced and nutritious, I’d worry. Now I know it’s okay to have an egg on toast for dinner!