People@ANU

Name:   Heather McLeod

Age: 51

Job: Adviser to Staff

Where were you born? Randwick, Sydney

How long have you worked at ANU? 12 years

Currently working on: Doing daily counselling with staff — keeps me on my toes and is the core business that I do; I also coordinate a psychoeducational seminar series for staff and students which covers subjects such as love and intimacy, ageing parents, body image, and staying sane in the workplace. You can access these seminars on the Counselling Centre or Adviser to Staff webpage.

How did you spend your lunch break today? I ate in while doing some work — very naughty, but I will get a chance to walk across the campus for a meeting later.

What’s your favourite place at ANU and why? I like Vivaldi's to eat at because it's quiet and the food is good. I also like walking around the campus along the fringes of the lake and around the ovals and streams — it's very beautiful and gives me a chance to get out of the office.

When was the last time you became lost on campus? I don’t often get lost any more, but sometimes I forget where a particular building is and once I’m in it, finding the room can be interesting.

Favourite place to eat in Canberra: I eat a lot at the Noodle Bar in Manuka — it's fresh, quick and cheap. When I’m splashing out for something special, I like Foreign Affair and the Ottoman.

Currently reading — what's it about? White Teeth by Zadie Smith — only just started it but apparently it's supposed to be about  generations of a family and their relationships, friendship and loves — it's supposed to be funny as well — I could do with that.

What couldn’t you live without and why? My children — they drive you mad but you can't really live without them in your life once you’ve got them. I also couldn’t live without getting good sleep — I become a moron when I don’t get enough sleep and can't function well at all.

What do you do to unwind? Depending on whether it’s the weekend or during the week, I’d do some exercise, drink, watch TV, have a sleep, go out with friends, read, sit near some water.

What would you do if you had 24 hours left to live? Gather my family and friends together, talk about the good things we had done in our lives and the things that mattered, drink really good wine, laugh and maybe make everyone do karaoke with me.

If you could change one thing about Canberra what would it be? I’d put it near a beach and make the winter a bit shorter.

Who would you like to play you in the film of your life and why? Probably Diane Keaton — I think she would be able to carry off my whacky sense of humour as well as the serious side to me and she is in the right age bracket for now.

Who would you most like to go sailing on Lake Burley Griffin with and why? My friends — they are good fun.

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