What is the Question – June 2022

For June’s What is the Question, Roland spoke with Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute patron, Primrose, Lady Potter. Photo: FILE

 

What is your name?

Primrose Catherine Potter – however, I was born Primrose Anderson-Stuart.  My father, Bouverie Anderson-Stuart was a radiologist. My grandfather, Sir Thomas Anderson-Stuart, established the Medical School at the University of Sydney. I was educated at Ascham School.

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

The first time was something to do with the Australian Ballet and the wonderful Her Majesty’s Theatre. I remember I had to make a speech and the raked stage gave me a fright. I thought I was going to fall into the orchestra put.

Recently, I came as patron for the Buninyong Marmalashes – which, sadly, no longer happens; most recently, I have been as the first patron of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. That gives me great pleasure – and hopefully we will be able to establish a national profile for this fantastic organisation.

 

What is your earliest memory?

I can remember, as a small girl sitting-up in my cot with my head bandaged. I had no inner ear and it had to be operated on when I was six months old. I was given a beautiful box wrapped in blue tissue and which when, I opened it, contained wooden toys.

 

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

I suppose it was when I chose to get involved with AIDS which had a terrible stigma. That did take a bit of back bone at the time; however, I wasn’t going to stand around and watch people dying.

 

What is your favourite spot in Ballarat?

The city has so many beautiful spots. I do love the Mechanics’ Institute.

 

What is the best decision ever you have made?

Marrying Ian Potter – it was one of the best and one of the happiest of my live. We were a good match.

 

What do you like to cook?

A nice hot, roast lamb dinner; and I love a good, rolled pork, if I you can get!  I’m told I make very good apricot jam.

 

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

What do you want for dinner?

 

What is your favourite quote?

When people ask me why I support things I say, “If you don’t look after the things you like, you won’t have them.”

 

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

I have met so many interesting people it’s difficult to choose – living or dead. Sir Ian and I lived in New York and London, and we did meet absolutely everyone.

 

What qualities do you admire in other people?

I like people to be warm and friendly; people that are positive and do things. People who are kind.

 

What scares you?

Mr Putin, and all that he stands. That does worry me.

 

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

It’s so long ago, I’m in my 92nd year , I can’t remember!

 

What is your all-time favourite book?

I am always reading something.  If I have nothing, I go to Shakespeare. The words are so good. Macbeth is a favourite. From time to time I pick up the Bible.

 

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

I was a very determined little girl. I was the younger child and I had cousin who lived with us.  She was an orphan. I was determined and always being put down by the bigger children. Nothing has changed, and I still have a lot of interfering to do before I drop off!

 

What ice cream flavour would you invent?

I would try but I would return to my favourite – chocolate ice-cream! I like dark chocolate – not milk.

 

What would your childhood self think of you today?

Probably that I am a terrible pain, I don’t know.

 

What is your favourite place in the world and what makes it so special?

I love going to Venice, but I don’t know that I would want to live there. So many of the places I love have become so crowed, so full of tourists, it changes your feelings about whether or not you want to live there.