What is the Question – June

For June’s What is the Question award-winning actor Lisa McCune talked with Roland Rocchiccioli.

 

What is your name?

Lisa McCune.

 

What is your occupation?

Actor.

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

Roland Rocchiccioli in the first instance; Ballarat Arts Foundation, the second; and the possibility of many more visits to come if my daughter takes up future university study in Ballarat.

 

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

I don’t know the city intimately; however, being an actor, I would have to say Her Majesty’s. It’s a beautiful space, and I hope the foot warmers remain after the renovation.

 

What is your earliest memory?

The beaches in WA, where I grew-up. Mettam’s Pool in North Beach was at the end of my grandmother’s street. I loved it there.

 

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

Leaving WA to chase the dream of a career in the performing arts. Stepping into the unknown without a second thought.

 

What is happiness?

Happy children. Freshly baked cake. Sunday afternoon in Autumn. A garden.

 

What are you reading, currently?

How Proust can change your Life by Alain de Botton

 

What do you hope the future might hold for you?

1 – I hope my work continues for some years to come with lots of new challenges. 2 – Hiking, because I just like to walk. A lot. 3 – Love. To love and be loved. A lot.

 

What is the best decision, ever, you have made?

Having a family.

 

What do you like to cook and why?

I love making cakes, possibly because I like eating cake!

 

What building would you choose to be, and why?

A rural homestead with wide verandas that sheltered a family for generations.

 

What is your most treasured possession, and why?

Heirloom jewellery. The pieces I have, worn by generations, are really special.

 

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

Those big eyes looking at me… is it love, or are you just hungry?

 

What would you change if you could edit your past?

Not a lot, but I really should have bought that house in Daylesford I adored in 2000.

 

What or who inspires you?

Hard work! Without complaint.

 

What is your favourite quote?

“From little things, big things grow.”

 

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

Leonardo Da Vinci. His time management skills to accomplish all he did…!!!

 

What technological/scientific development boggles your mind?

I adore science and technology. I heard a theory that human life could possibly be sustained on Mars by using synthetic greenhouse gases to warm the planet! Google it for a better explanation folks!

 

What qualities do you admire in other people?

Patience.

 

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

An astronaut, a marine biologist, a vet, a pilot….so I became an actor.

 

What scares you?

War. Too many young lives lost.

 

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

Don’t listen to the noise.

 

What was your favourite toy?

Lego.

 

What is your favourite smell, and why?

Frangipani. My grandmother had two trees in her front yard and on a warm night it was heavenly.

 

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

Happiness. I have a fortunate disposition whereby I always find my way back to it. It’s my default setting.

 

What would your childhood-self think of you today?

I think my young self would be amazed to see the children she would go on to have. She knew becoming a mother would be part of her life story.