Jim Cullen

CRICHTONA — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:35:39 +0000

While I was still at school I had to decide whether to become an architect or a biologist. A keen interest in natural history and the outdoors, aided and abetted by liberal doses of Gerald Durrell and David Attenborough, meant that field ecology won the day.

However, I did spend time as a part-time demonstrator in Building Science in the School of Architecture in Adelaide while doing a PhD in insect population ecology. I've actually spent a large part of the last two months trying to balance the books as Treasurer of the National Jaguar Rally held in Canberra this year, from which you might guess I have an interest in classic cars and their restoration, Jaguars and MGs in particular.

Otherwise I have a voluntary responsibility for CSIRO's Science Team's postgraduate scholarship program, act Presidentially for CSIRO Alumni and try to get to some old data, that is apart from grandchildren, the garden, photography, bushwalking, travel etc. etc.

I grew up across the Mersey from Liverpool, but came to Adelaide to do a PhD when it was the centre of debate over population regulation in ecology. Adelaide and Australia had everything I wanted (except for the Beatles) and most people who know me would know that the only thing I miss about the UK are English pubs.

We love living in Canberra. We like the opportunities for the family, the proximity of the bush, the seasons and the fact that Sydney is only three hours down the road for the occasional big city fix.

I don't have a favourite holiday destination. We've travelled extensively and sometime I'd like to get back to the Galapagos, the Andes, the Kimberley, the Centre and of course our regular haunts in southern Europe, particularly Montpellier, where we spent four years in the 80s.

In my spare time, I enjoy having time to decide what I want to do, probably making or fixing something.

My favourite movies range from High Noon and The Magnificent Seven, to Erin Brokovich, Chocolat, Oranges and Sunshine and many more I've forgotten. I don't think I could pick one.

At the moment I am reading "Joe Cinque's Consolation" by Helen Garner, the story of a bizarre murder trial here in Canberra, but last month it was the last of the Millennium Trilogy and a John Grisham novel.

Pipe dreams are a great escapist delight. If money was no option, I would probably endow a couple of research positions, help out one or two charities, have a collection of classic cars and import a few English pubs, lock, stock and barrel. But time is what is precious and that takes a bit of fixing.

Thinking about what I would most like to be remembered for is a bit like writing your own obituary, but I'd like to think I had more vision than our current crop of politicians (not difficult), was capable of recognising a good idea and making things work, mechanically or managerially.

What I find most valuable about being a Board Member is working with a group of experienced people with a great range of complementary skills, all dedicated to the concept of a Biosecurity CRC.

CRC for Plant Biosecurity - Jim Cullen

Jim Cullen