Pauline Nunan is the president of the Queenscliff Literacy Festival and a Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine member. She speaks with Jena Carr about her love of working and living in Queenscliff.
What is your connection to Queenscliff?
My late partner, Bob Fuller, lived here and introduced me to this beautiful place and wonderful community.
We lived here while he was in palliative care at home with lymphoma. He left his house to me, and I subsequently decided to live here in my retirement.
What do you like about where you live?
The historic houses and other heritage buildings give character to the area, while the land and seascapes surround us with water and birdlife.
The amazing community is friendly and dynamic; everyone says hello (especially if you have a dog), and there is always something going on.
I have never been lonely here and am certainly never bored, perhaps because I am also president of the Queenscliff Literary Festival.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
There is nothing I would change about Queenscliff, as I love it as it is.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
My favourite place is walking around Swan Bay with my dog Kasper and sitting looking over Swan Bay from the seat that commemorates Bob.
The sunsets are spectacular, the birdcalls are fascinating, the water is always interesting, and the serenity brings me peace.
What is something people may not know about you?
I have visited over 60 countries, including Saudi Arabia 10 times. I travelled widely while working in international education.
Still, I also have a long-held passion for visiting interesting parts of the world and have many friends around the planet.
What do you like most about your role with Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine?
I feel proud of the idea inspired by two local doctors with great experience in palliative care, David Brumley and Kate Jackson, which has come to fruition.
It has now been in operation for five years, and our volunteers are some of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met; we could not exist without them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It may seem morbid, but it is never too early to make your will, to think about your death and possible illness, what care you might want, what your funeral might be like, and, most of all, talk to your family or write these things down. They will be very grateful you did.
