2019-09-27
Laurel de Vietri is a campaign manager based in Western Australia. She shares the issues that most concern her, why she’s committed to the Greens and why young people give her hope for the future.
1. What do you remember about your first election?
I voted Labor to end conscription and university fees.
2. Endangered Australian animal that’s captured your heart?
Tasmanian devil.
3. What’s your precious place and why?
My home. It's an oasis amongst all the big new homes popping up around it.
4. Favourite Greens policy?
Phase out coal and have all renewables by 2030.
5. Best part of your work with the Greens?
Working with like-minded people towards such important goals.
6. What keeps you going?
Love and good health, and faith in younger generations coming on.
7. Favourite political song?
Billy Bragg’s ‘Between the Wars’.
8. Who inspires you? Why?
Greta Thunberg. The strength of her conviction and her courage is astounding.
My three children also inspire me. They are tolerant, aware, intelligent, humble and much braver than I am about the future of mankind. They stand up for what matters and their friends do the same. My grandchildren will hopefully carry on their work when they grow up.
9. Comfort food?
Crisps.
10. What would you spend $20 billion on?
Some toward homelessness, some towards conserving the environment, and some to somehow help refugees in their plight.
11. Secret vice?
Piña colada, but on rare occasions.
12. Best coffee/drink in town?
Mel & Co Garden in Nedlands (WA) for great coffee and atmosphere.
13. Three apps you can’t live without?
Google Maps, Uber and News.
14. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A social worker or speech therapist.
In high school, I did a careers aptitude test and an interview with a careers councillor who recommended I would suit these careers. In the end, I did go to uni to study science but I majored in pure and applied maths. I went on to teach maths and science for 30 years before I changed over to teaching French dancing in schools.
15. Morning run or night time swim?
Morning run along the river.
16. What’s your greatest hope for the future?
The youth of today. Young people like Greta Thunberg and Jordon Steele-John give me hope in their convictions and courage.
Young people striking and protesting – willing to risk everything – in Hong Kong also give me hope for the future.
17. Magic wand to solve one world problem — what would it be?
A decent, honest politician getting into power and starting a trend in other countries.
18. What advice would you give a new volunteer?
You’ll get lots of support and training, and you are doing something really important for mankind and the planet.
19. You can travel through time – where do you go?
To medieval France with the knowledge I have now.
Having lived in France with my family, I feel at home there and love their traditions, which they still respect and celebrate. I have been involved in French Medieval dance and music for many years and, in doing so, I have researched that period in France.
Ultimately, I think I’d like to be living somewhere without technology, mass production of goods, consumerism, and waste. I’d like to travel back in time to a simpler life.
20. If you weren’t doing this for a living, what would you be doing?
If I had the money, travelling to trace ancestors. My ancestors are from Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and other British counties, and Prussia, the part which is now called Germany. I have ancestors buried in Victoria, South Australia and NSW, too, and I want to meet someday their descendants – my cousins – whether close or distant.
Family really matters in these days of uncertainty and pressures, and I find it very rewarding to find new cousins I didn’t know I had.