What is the Question – September

For September’s What is the Question, Roland chatted with former City of Ballarat mayor and current south ward councillor Ben Taylor. Photo: FILE

 

What is your name?

Benjamin Keith Taylor. Keith is a family name. I am named after my maternal grandfather.

 

What is your occupation?

City of Ballarat Councillor, and business development manager at Uniti Software

 

What brought you to Ballarat?

Education. After finishing my year 12 in Maryborough I moved to here to attend the School of Mines to study basic electronics.

 

What is your favourite spot in the city?

So many, but I love the Yarrowee River trails, and even kayak downstream if the water is flowing.

 

What is your earliest memory?

As a child living on the mixed farm in Curlwaa, NSW. It was citrus, grapes and some sheep and cattle. Before that it was a dairy farm started by my grandfather who lived to 101.

 

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

Asking my wife to marry me. I just never knew what she might have said!

 

What is the best decision ever you have made?

Asking my wife to marry me and having a family with her.

 

What do you like to cook?

Kids always say if it is my turn to cook, and it’s usually spaghetti Bolognese or stir fry, but I like to cook different things. I don’t have favourites. I just love food.

 

What is the most expensive thing you’ve purchased – property aside?

The family car. It’s a now a ten-year Mitsubishi Pajero.

 

What is your most treasured possession?

I don’t have anything that I could not go without.

 

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

Talking with people and giving them a smile.

 

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

I would ask our cat why he has no interest in any of us, apart from being fed!

 

What would you change if you could edit your past?

Nothing, the past defines who I am; the good and bad makes me who I am.

 

What or who inspires you?

My family! To get up in the morning and to be with the kids. You do what you do for your kids and family.

 

What is your favourite holiday destination?

Port Campbell. It’s a great spot and it a magnificent beach with cliffs on both sides.

 

What music and television do you like?

I don’t much listen to music; podcasts are my favourite when driving or walking; and I can’t go past Hamish and Andy, and Howie Games.

The SBS cooking show is usually the go-to when I have time to turn on the television; but the family has a movie night every Friday.

 

What is your favourite quote?

‘Life is tough, wear a helmet’.  One of my first bosses told me this, and it stuck because no matter what happens, you have to keep going.

 

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

My dad. He was a Pentecostal minister and a plasterer by trade. On the farm he had to do photography and anything else to keep food on the table. At 20 he had a serious car accident. He had a religious vision which changed his life.

 

What technological/scientific development boggles your mind?

That everything works on the basis of a one and zero – that blows my mind and trying to explain it is even harder.

 

What qualities do you admire in other people?

Honesty and straightforward talking.

 

What was your first job?

Stacking supermarket shelves, and fruit and vegetables.

 

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

An airline pilot.

 

What historical calamity would you choose to reverse?

Spending money on junk when I was young.

 

What is the best parenting advice you could give?

Try always to make good choices.

 

What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a parent?

Every child is different and they need advice, attention and love in their own way, but that is what makes parenting so rewarding.

 

What is the best parenting advice you have been given?

Have patience.