What is the Question – March

For March’s What is the Question, Amie and Daniel Murphy, who own and operate Accent Framing and Fine Art supplies on Sturt Street, talked with Roland.

 

What are your names?

Daniel Murphy and Amie Murphy.

 

What is your occupation?

Picture framing and art suppliers. We work together in our shop. Amie is an artist in her own right, and Daniel a woodturner. Cooper is our overseer!

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

Daniel: Love the city and the weather. Amie: We came to visit for a weekend and fell in love with the city.

 

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

Daniel:  Lake Wendouree, the natural beauty and the wildlife. Amie: Hands-down, Lake Wendouree. It’s so unique and teeming with wildlife.

 

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

Daniel: Served in Iraq. Amie: I’m letting Daniel have this one – nothing compares!

 

What is happiness?

Daniel: Being in the moment, enjoying it with loved ones. Amie: As someone who has battled a lifetime of mental health issues, happiness is relief. It’s calm in your soul and a clear head.

 

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

Daniel: Improve access to, and quality of education. Amie: If I had a magic wand, I would instil respect and compassion in every person around the world.

 

What are you reading, currently?

Amie: Fool’s Errand by Robin Hobb.

 

What do you hope the future might hold for you?

Amie: Continuing success in our small business, and support from some great staff to enable some travelling and adventure.

 

What is the best decision you have ever made?       

Daniel: To apply for a posting to America while in the Air Force. Amie: Moving to Ballarat!

 

What do you like to cook and why?

Daniel: Smoked meats. I enjoy the flavours and am still learning different methods, always something new to try. Amie: I don’t, because I’m not very good at it!

 

What building would you choose to be, and why?

Amie: I’m going with the first thing that popped into my head. I would be a yoga studio, filled with calmness and positivity and making people feel good.

 

What is your most treasured possession, and why?

Amie: My memorial necklace for my dog, Dallas. She was such a huge part of my life and carried me through some very dark days. It’s engraved with her name and has her hair inside, so I carry her with me wherever I go.

 

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

Amie: I’d ask Stellar our kitten, “Where did you hide my favourite earring!?”

 

What or who inspires you?

Daniel: Scientific exploration and advancement. Amie: People who stand up for the planet and do what’s right, despite the vitriol they are faced with on a daily basis.

 

What is your favourite quote?

Amie: “Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten” – Neil Gaima.

 

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

Daniel: Alive – Nikola Jokic. Dead – Nikola Tesla. Amie: Neil Gaiman, who is thankfully still alive, and all of the worlds inside his head.

 

What qualities do you admire in other people?

Daniel: The ability to admit when they are wrong and to change their mind. Amie: Honesty and compassion.

 

What was your first job?

Amie: As soon as I hit 14 years and nine months as was the law in NSW back in the day, I worked at McDonald’s for around $4-5 dollars an hour.

 

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

Daniel: Computer programmer. Amie: A marine biologist, until I discovered I suffer from thalassophobia or the persistent and intense fear of deep bodies of water such as the sea, oceans, pools, or lakes.

 

What scares you?

Daniel: Human stupidity. Amie: The capability and willingness of humans to destroy the planet.

 

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

Amie: When I was “starting-out” I was so stubborn I wouldn’t have listened to anyone, anyway. I’ve always been determined to make my own mistakes!

 

What was your favourite toy?

Daniel: BMX bike. I grew up on a farm and it gave me the freedom to explore. Amie: My stuffed dog named Doggy – very creative. I carried it with me everywhere for years, and I still have it.

 

What is your all-time favourite book, and why?

Daniel: The Honor Harrington series by David Weber. It’s a vast sci-fi universe that fills my imagination and the characters feel real. Amie: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. His ability to intertwine fantasy with real world locations makes you believe that anything is possible.

 

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

Daniel: I’m still weird and awkward.

 

What would your childhood-self think of you today?

Amie: That lady that owns the art store? SO COOL!!!