What is your name?
My name is Donna Hicks.
Where are you from?
I live in Nathalia but originally hail from Numurkah and also spent time in Katunga. As kids, we moved to far north Queensland in the late ’60s and early ’70s, which was an incredible adventure. We returned to Nathalia when I was 10. I married into a dairy farming family, so there’s no escaping it! I feel fortunate to be back here.
What do you do with yourself?
I am a librarian at Shepparton Library. I used to be the branch manager at Nathalia’s library for 39 years. I started there when I was 19!
How do you like spending your free time?
My husband and I have been renovating his grandparents’ dairy farm. It’s a lifelong project; we’ve restored the building and stables, as well as redesigned the garden.
What’s your favourite thing about the Goulburn Valley?
During COVID, my husband and I travelled to Western Australia and worked at remote stations for a while. We returned to Nathalia for six months before heading to Europe for another six months. Coming back after being away for so long gave me a fresh perspective on the Goulburn Valley and a renewed appreciation for it.
It felt like coming home. Shepparton seemed to have reinvented itself, and the vibe completely changed! So, take the chance to go away and come back!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t take things personally; sometimes people’s reactions have nothing to do with you. I believe everyone could benefit from this advice.
I'd like to thank Kim Robinson at Shepparton Library for giving me the opportunity to participate in this interview!