Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a 35 year old man who was born and bred in Port Fairy – one of the last to be born in the Port Fairy hospital apparently. I wear purple and yellow on my heart and sleeve.  I used to run JD’s Surf Café many moons ago. I have worked for my father in real estate and have recently studied, art therapy, counselling and social work.  I am passionate about surfing, music and Port Fairy and its surroundings.  My dearest mother’s family goes back three generations of Port Fairyian’s but dad’s family are from Ballarat so we are nearly locals. 

What do you most love about living in Port Fairy?

Friends, family, the community, beaches, the characters, the ocean and the things in it, the space, stargazing, the island, the history, the buildings, the wharf, Silverkane, the river, the Folkie, birdlife, Cafes, wallabies, purple and gold anything, the sporting clubs, one set of traffic lights, two roundabouts…I’ll have to stop here or I’ll never stop…Everything. 

Describe Port Fairy in five words

Majestic, wonderland community of goodness. 

If you could live anywhere where would you choose? 

I've chosen it….Port Fairy!

What's on your bedside table right now?

A spread sheet document about the artists involved in creating artwork for a shanty themed album about Port Fairy. 

Tea or coffee?

Both! But generally heaps of strong black coffee; long blacks and cold drip / press.  Preferably single-origin blends with a high citrus flavour (Costa Rican / Ethiopian). 

Tea: black tea with vanilla (Melbourne breakfast) or Matcha (Japanese powder green tea).  

What is your favourite holiday destination?

Port Fairy and places with good surf or family / friends. 

What are you reading at the moment?

A book about Port Fairy by local historian Marten Syme…The Belfast Fantasy.

If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?

Buy a heap of obscure records and instruments, a house in Port Fairy (from my Dad of course) and give the rest to my wife and the Francis Foundation.   

What career did you want to pursue when you were a teenager?

A musician.

What would your ideal Sunday involve? (from waking up to going to bed)

Sleep in to 9.30am ish, breakfast / coffee / morning with my wife Jelena, surf some perfect Port Fairy waves with great mates singing shanty songs in the surf. Then someone passing through Warrnambool would deliver Kermonds hamburgers to me and my mates post surf. It would be followed by a walk around the island with my wife, friends and family, another epic surf session or visit / walk at a local location (Tower Hill / Yambuk), an arvo feed / coffee at one of the local cafes. Recording / jam session with good mates / family followed by a huge cook up / roast dinner with great stories and music.

What is something people might not know about you?

I am very passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health issues and have huge respect and for the local Gunditjmara people of this land.

Do you sleep talk or sleep walk?

Astro travel. 

If you could choose to go back 100 years or forward 100 years what would you do and why?

I'd go back to the Merrijig Inn in 1916 and have a beer or two with the locals and gather some more information for the Port Fairy Shanty record I'm making.  

What recipe are you renowned for cooking?

Roast chicken (covered with Cajun) and heaps of roast veggies (also covered with Cajun) aka The Tra-ill Dowie Special. 

What do you waste too much time on?

Listening to or hearing about uninformed narrow minded politicians.

If you had all the time in the world to pursue and perfect any hobby what would it be?

Song writing and surfing.

When and where are you your most happiest?

When I'm with my wife, and when creating music and surfing.

What is the best piece of advice you've been given?

Seven times down, eight times up! 

Do you have a motto you live by?

Seven times down, eight times up! 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Mayor of Moyne Shire and the co-owner of a holistic therapeutic centre.