Jean Rau is a familiar face and name around Diggers Rest – she’s lived in the town for nearly two decades and can’t imagine doing so anywhere else. The 72-year-old speaks to Sumeyya Ilanbey.
Tell me a little bit about yourself?
I was born north of Swan Hill. I went to teacher’s college in country Victoria and have been a teacher all my life. I’ve always had a love of gardening, from my mum and aunt … that love continues until today.
What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re feeling down?
The garden is a wonderful thing for that. The one day of my life that is set in stone is AFL grand final day. The moment it’s time for the footy to start, I’m out in the garden. The world is peaceful during grand final day when everyone’s either indoors or at the game.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Diggers Rest?
The fact that it is a small community and it is peaceful and quiet in a rural setting.
How has Diggers Rest changed since you’ve moved here?
Certainly there’s been a couple of developments that increased the population slightly. But the current developments are the ones that are going to make the big difference – turning Diggers Rest from a quiet little township into a community. I love Diggers Rest being a tiny place but if we want services we need to have a population.
Do you think there’s a sense of community connection?
I think the population will create it. Diggers, being as small as it is with a mobile population because of the rental homes – it’s hard to create a “community”. I think we’ll get community connectedness when we get a bigger population.
You volunteer with the community radio station North West FM. How did you get involved?
We were approached by the radio station to do a program [about gardening] when it first started opening. I had to hide my involvement because my husband threatened me with divorce … but he [eventually] got involved as well.
What’s the most exciting part about volunteering for community radio?
It’s being involved with young people – it keeps me in touch with what’s happening in society. I love the way young people treat me as if I’m one of them … they don’t treat me like I’m an old, grey, wrinkly lady.
Volunteering for community radio also gets you in touch with other like-minded people and helps you create a relationship with nearby radio stations – 3G in Sunbury, the Melton FM and Apple FM in Bacchus Marsh. We try to keep a good relationship.
Where’s your favourite place to hang out in Diggers Rest?
My backyard. I can go out to the backyard in my nightie and I won’t be seen.
