Shane Webcke

Q1. What was your favourite book/s as a child and why?

It was a fascinating book called ‘The BFG’ – the Big Friendly Giant - by Roald Dahl. The story was about a giant of a man in England, who lived in the bush and caught pheasants for a living. It really captured my imagination back then, and I thought ‘what a way to live, and earn a living’. It was read to us at school first, and then I read it myself when I was old enough – about grade seven I think.

Q2. What is a book that you read recently and really enjoyed?

‘Collapse’, by Jarrod Diamond. It’s a book about why societies through the ages have failed, and highlights environmental causes, associated with a societal collapse. Conversely, the book highlights the positive actions of other societies down the ages that have helped prevent such collapses. As someone who intends on making farming my future career, I am not saying that I will never cut down another tree, but I guarantee that anyone who reads this book will alter their ideas on the preservation of our environment.

Q3. What do you like about reading?

If you are a good reader and enjoy reading, it’s like watching a movie, but as a reader the movie can go on for 11 or 12 hours. Good reading is about the images conjured up in your mind, and not what you see. I am a reader at night mostly, and a good book will take me to bed early. Because – as a professional sportsman – I travel a lot, I read on planes and in my hotel room. I always have a good supply of books with me, and even re-read books - the same way people will re-watch a movie.

Q4. What is your favourite word and why?

My favourite word is Australia. It encompasses all the things that I love. A word is only a word I realise, but this one means so much to me. I love our country, its physical presence and the people who live here. And I love what it means to be an Australian.