My name is Pat Collins and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Program Leader for the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program.

I am originally from Sydney and the thing I miss the most is my family, brother and sisters and cousins, and old friends, whom I don’t see as much as I’d like to.

Living in Brisbane is getting more and more hectic but it still has an open, relaxed feeling.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is either in a natural setting or historical site where I am travelling and learning something. Probably the most beautiful place I have ever been to is Jiu Zhai Gou in western China.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog, woodworking, bush walking, gardening (under supervision), a little cycling, reading and I am involved in local Land for Wildlife, Bush Care and wildlife urban solutions.

My favourite movie is The Big Lebowski because it has everything and I can identify with the main characters.

At the moment I am reading Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz.

If money was no option, I would travel a lot more and spend the rest of the time helping to solve environmental problems and alleviating poverty. Finally, I would buy that 18 inch bandsaw I’ve been wanting and a trip to the Antarctic would be nice.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is making a positive contribution to everything I am involved in.