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60 seconds with … Fiona Wheeler

30 September 2009

Fiona Wheeler
Ms Wheeler at an attraction at Glenrowan.

Name: Fiona Wheeler
Role: PhD Student
Year level: Final year
Campus: Berwick
Mode: Research

What is it about your Unit and the University that helped you to choose Monash?

Without a doubt, the people. When I immigrated to Melbourne from Hong Kong in 2004, I made contact with all of the universities in the city that have a tourism focus. The team at Monash TRU, under the stewardship of Professor Betty Weiler, was by far and away the standout - professional, friendly, collegiate and supportive. I don't remember actually choosing to be honest; it was simply a good fit so it just happened. I think we chose each other in fact!

What has been your favourite part of the PhD journey and why?

The fieldwork - It was challenging. I drove thousands of kilometres and spent many weeks on the road away from home but it was tempered by the pleasure of travelling around regional Victoria, exploring the many delights this state has to offer. I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of many wonderful people in beautiful north east Victoria, who kindly gave of their time, experience and perspectives to provide my research study with such richness. Doing qualitative research, listening to people talk about their feelings and perspectives and how they view their world is a great privilege, and one which broadens our own perspectives and helps all of us make sense of the world we live in. I am so very grateful for the opportunity and for all the wonderful conversations I have had and friends I have made along the way.

What challenges are ahead for you this year?

The biggest challenge I face at the present time is transforming my draft thesis into a polished PhD and submitting it for examination by the end of 2009. Following that will be the (joyful) challenge of transitioning from PhD student to Doctor as an early career academic I hope. I am very much looking forward exploring the various opportunities and projects that are presenting themselves.

What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?

Research and marketing are my areas of expertise, from my career prior to returning to academia to complete my PhD. So I intend to continue to pursue these in the future, preferably in the field of tourism. Professionally my research interests are regional development and tourism, destination marketing as well as heritage tourism. And wine and wine tourism are some of my passions - so my ideal would be able to combine all of these in some way, and tourism in regional areas provides the perfect setting to do so. I would also like to gain some more teaching experience, as I think I'd be a lot more confident now than I was when I tutored as a first year PhD student! I also hope to live and work overseas again in the future.

What is it about your PhD that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

The richness of the material that I have gathered during my fieldwork, the interrelationship between this evidence and the literature, and how they bring each other to life. I love watching the narrative unfold as I write up my PhD. It is really challenging work, but when it flows and you see it all coming together. It's a beautiful thing - a giant buzz.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

There's too many. I'd pick Lao - it's a serenely magical place. The people - their spirituality and self-sufficiency - are inspiring. And the food and local beer are world-class!

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

"True intelligence operates silently. Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found." Eckhart Tolle.

What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?

In 2001 I participated in the World Elephant Polo Association Championship in the Chitwan National Park in Nepal. I was a member of the Tickle and the Ivories team and I scored the winning goal in the ladies championship! Living among elephants for a week and riding them each day, as well as working with the local Nepalese community (especially the elephant's keeper) was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

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