60 seconds with Mila Robles

mila

Photographer and mother-to-be

What are you enjoying doing at the moment?
I have just moved and I am enjoying discovering my new neighbourhood: East Brunswick. So many new places and I have CERES around the corner.

If you were a super-heroine, what powers would you like to have? [Or if you had a magic wand, what would you use it for?]
Not interested in physical strength powers, but mind control would be great!

What talent would you most like to possess?
Coming from a family of writers and journalists; I would have loved to be able to write. Instead I just love to read.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I really like being a photographer; but my true love would be to be specifically a travel photographer, without having to worry about post processing in the computer, just shooting and travelling around the world.

What would you work for instead of money?
I would work for interesting projects, organisations or people I want to help, and ideals I believe in; yes I do a lot of rewarding jobs that don’t pay the bills but they make me happy.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone new to Australian culture, what would it be?
Things will be hard, it will take time for people to understand you and you will need time to understand everything. But don’t think you need to change, yes there is a lot you can learn from a society like this, but there is also a lot you can bring to make it better.

What’s your favourite word in the English language? Why?
Hope is a beautiful word

What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
Being so far from my family I really cherish having people around to share food. It is not about the food but more about the company.

If you could invite anyone (dead or living) to dinner tonight, who would it be?
I would love to have my grand parents around once more, show them who I have become and see what they think.

Your most cherished memory?
I don’t think I have one special moment, there are so many. I guess I really cherish my childhood in general as I keep talking about it all the time. Also travel memories, they just make me smile and want to grab my backpack once again.

Name a book or film that changed your life?
There is not one specific, but I was thinking about the books that my father left next to my bedside table when I was a child. He did a good job grabbing my attention and making me love reading.

What are you reading right now? (e.g. blogs, books, magazines, or anything else!)
I went to South America at the beginning of the year, so I am enjoying reading the stash of books in Spanish I brought with me.

Is there a favourite cultural tradition that you love to follow?
I come from a very traditional and religious society, so I have tried not to follow any of the traditions that were imposed for years on me. I am trying to make my own traditions.

What does multiculturalism mean to you?
Multiculturalism is now, all around in our lives. We all should embrace it.

Do you think Australia is multicultural?
Yes. I really believe that Australia is an amazing country thanks to all the cultures that are here, the diversity has made us bigger and better. It is sad that this is not always recognised.

Finish this sentence: “We need feminism because…”
…I want my daughter to have exactly the same options, expectations and opportunities as my son. And also I want my son to have exactly the same options, expectations and opportunities as my daughter. And I mean son and daughter as every child in the world.