How long have you been living in the area?
50+ years, my family moved to the area in 1971.
What do you do for a living?
I'm a builder and designer based in Harrietville. My building company is CasBak Builders, specialising in traditional and contemporary Alpine builds in Harrietville, Bright, Dinner Plain and surrounds.
What are your hobbies and interests?
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Mowing grass, fixing everything that is broken (mostly courtesy of my five kids), restoring and maintaining cars and motorcycles, volunteering for the Harrietville CFA and other local projects and committees, delving into local history, collecting firewood and spending time with my family.
What do you like about the area?
The beautiful countryside, good people. It’s a great place to raise a family. There’s lots of space to explore and plenty to do, but is still peaceful with a small-town community feel.
Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?
I’d start with a tour of Harrietville (including Joop's Jetty built and named after my dad) and head over the hill to Wandiligong, Mt Buffalo, or up to Dinner Plain. I love Beechworth, the great restaurants in Bright. Add some 4wding and local goldrush history.
Is there anything you would change about the area?
It would be great to see more local people employed and working on local projects and making decisions within our shire. Unlike short-term, external contractors and consultants, local people that have a greater interest in our past and want to be involved in what happens in our future. This will ensure that the area holds on to its charm, but things are progressed, maintained, and made even better.
