What has been the highlight of 2023 for you?
It’s a fine line between the joy created by the Matilda’s campaign and every time we present an Opera Queensland production around the state. 

If you could have done something differently this year, what would it be and why?
Installed solar panels on our roof. Every day we are not doing something to reduce our carbon footprint is many days lost to future generations. 

Who is someone to watch for in 2024?
Jessica Pratt, who is singing the title role in our production of Lucia di Lammermoor. Jessica grew up in Brisbane and has become one of Australia’s great sopranos, sitting alongside Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland. This will be the first time Jessica has sung in Brisbane since she left to study as a young woman. Someone to watch and to listen to!

What is your most vivid memory of the festive holidays?
As a child summer meant long days swimming in the ocean. There is a freedom in the sea that is unlike anything else. I would go snorkelling around the rocks with a bunch of friends, discovering all the hidden worlds beneath. The different colours and the rhythm of the ocean were completely enchanting, hours would pass without us realising.

Do you have any unique or funny holiday traditions?
One of our family will always give someone a 1000 piece puzzle that we start on boxing day and finish whenever. Sometimes we will spend concentrated periods of time working on it together, others we will do as we pass by and notice the one piece we’ve been trying to find for days. There’s something strangely calming about doing a puzzle, you have to give in to it. Though one year it was a thousand pieces in two colours – a green sphere bordered in black. That was not calming.

What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2024?
Read more books. So much pleasure to be had in reading but I never seem to have the time. My resolution in 2024 is less scrolling more reading. 

If you could have anyone from any time period attend your Christmas lunch, who would you choose?
Ned Kelly. History books say that some of my great, great uncles ran munitions for Ned from Melbourne to Glenrowan. I’m curious to understand why he thought a life of crime was the way to go. I reckon he would have a few good stories to tell around the Christmas table.

Coastal holiday or city holiday?
Depends. In summer the coast for early morning swims and long dusk walks at the water’s edge. In the cooler months, always happy to explore unknown cities, discovering what makes them tick, listening to different languages, watching the different daily rituals. 

What are you looking forward to in 2024?
I am moving into a new place in New Farm over summer, I’m excited about discovering the local neighbourhood. Beyond that I can’t wait to launch Opera Queensland’s 2024 season, starting with Brisbane Bel Canto and Jessica Pratt, the Festival of Outback Opera in Winton and Longreach, a new production in collaboration with Circa and a world premiere of a new musical from the Torres Strait. So much to look forward to!

Do you have a summer book or podcast you can recommend?
I’ve just started Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan’s Faith, Hope and Carnage, which seems to be a curious mix of rock and roll and spirituality. This year I’ve really enjoyed “Hard Fork” the New York Times podcast the digital world but over summer I’m going to reconnect with “A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs” I made a start last summer and got about 40 episodes in. It’s a beautifully detailed exploration of the evolution of popular music. It’s now up to 170 so there’s a bit of listening to catch up on.