Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it, begin it now. JOHANNES GOETHE

Amanda Ducker left a journalism career in the city to explore creative options and establish a more serene country life with her nine-year-old daughter, Zia. Since 2000, they have made their home in Nundle, a small yet thriving village of 300 people, 50 km south-east of Tamworth in the western foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Amanda juggles baby Zara, 6 months, freelance journalism, photography and a successful creative hand knitwear business which provides extra income for local knitters. Minx Handknits produces multicoloured garments and accessories from extra-soft pure new wool, spun and dyed at the Nundle Woollen Mill. Amanda’s label is becoming well recognised and sought after both in Australia and overseas.

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

I’ve never seriously considered not following my dreams and have always been self-motivated. I may get off-track from time to time, but my dreams are my guiding light and they pull me back on course.

I don’t have ‘a job’ as such, but many roles. Living in the country, I have become more creative with the way in which I earn a living, so along with being a mother, I work as a journalist, photographer and knitwear designer. Last year I spent writing a novel, but I put that aside when Zara was born in November. I have to admit I’m a bit worried about putting it aside as I did that to my first manuscript, which was short-listed for the Harper Collins Fiction Award, when Zia was born.

I swerve between my passion for writing fiction and my passion for recording real life in words and photos—I do whatever feels most ‘true’ at the time, and whatever I have done yesterday. Finding routine is extremely important in helping me follow my dreams.

Whatever else I do, I am always writing. The knitting is a more recent addition to my repertoire, although I have been knitting one way or another since I was about six. Minx Handknits, now in its fifth year, is a complete joy, except for pattern-making, which is a necessary torment! I work closely with a few knitters to bring ideas to fruition, and then once we’ve nutted out the patterns, the team of up to 20 knitters makes up Minx items. These are sold at the local Nundle Woollen Mill, online at www.minxknits.com, and at various retail outlets. I have spent the past few months learning how to edit the Minx online store so that it becomes a flexible creative outlet for me. I can now pull stock up and down at will and add interesting articles.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

With Minx, it was all thanks to Judy Howarth, who owns the Nundle Woollen Mill. I think she decided I was a knitwear designer, and so I became one! I began making a few jumpers to sell and a local journalist friend, Megan Trousdale, wrote an article on Minx for The Northern Daily Leader. This was picked up by the Sydney media. Before I knew it, The Daily Telegraph, Alan Jones, The Today Show and The Women’s Weekly were calling to do stories. It was really strange for me, as a journalist, to be the subject for once. This burst of publicity provided an incredible amount of follow-up interest and made me realise that there was a demand for the things I was doing. So that was a definite turning point.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a writer, a mother and someone who lived creatively. I have loved writing, photography, knitting, not to mention looking after babies and children, for a very long time, so I guess I am living authentically, and I do feel blessed to the extent that sometimes I have a dreamlike sense of life. Of course, I’m crabby half the time with so much to do, so that adds a tad of realism. Luckily my partner Nick Cummins is a chef and does most of the cooking. And we have a cleaner who comes for three hours a week to do all the weekly jobs like mopping. So, can’t complain!

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

I have loved the country ever since childhood. No matter how hard I tried living in the city or how wonderful my circumstances, something was still missing. I did my journalism training at The Australian newspaper and later worked for Elle and Vogue magazines in Sydney and Paris. It’s hard to explain but I feel more ‘me’ in the country, more raw. I like to be able not to care what I’m wearing as well. When Zia was born and I was in a sweet state of new motherhood, I found myself lured back to the country. I thought I’d never return to the New England district—having spent all those years at school in Armidale—and it wasn’t a conscious choice to come back here, it just sort of happened. It’s very specific things about Nundle that have kept me in this region. The inland is invigorating. I might get a bit floppy in my habits on the coast. I think this climate keeps me rigorous and creative.

Who are your role models?

I am inspired by devoted mothers leading creative lives, and I admire people with great humanitarian ideals, who do something about it. I am surrounded by ‘can do’ people in Nundle. I admire people who do a lot, with intelligence and humour, whilst keeping their children in the centre of their lives.

What does success mean to you?

I love that sense of accomplishment for a job well done, a deadline met etc. I feel successful if I feel happy for the right reasons. I feel happy when my people are happy around me.

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing is finding enough time to get everything done and still get enough sleep. Fellow Nundle journalist Megan Trousdale and I are currently preparing a new magazine called ‘Seed: Organic Living’ for publication later in 2006. Making money is a challenge I’ve had to face since moving here, as most things I’m interested in are not great earners.

Patience is not my strong point and I am a perfectionist. I may appear mellow and serene, but I’m on fire inside! So I have to control my temper and my tendency to try to cram too much into every day. I love the feeling when I successfully slow myself down. Women are cursed by their ability to multi-task, because multi-tasking is hard work on the nerves and the brain. I try to ‘do like a man’ and ruthlessly focus on one thing at a time until it’s done. It is conscious work for me to do so, though. I think Nick is a huge strength. Between us, we cover all bases. He’s top drawer!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

Raising the children and keeping on keeping on, with lots to show for my efforts: beautiful girls, books written, magazines launched, photographs taken and shown, not to mention the world’s longest scarf! I also have the feeling I will become the leader of something that is quite well known, but no details are to hand as yet!

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a ‘Daring to Dream’ journey?

Just keep at it. Stay on track. And if you get off-track, get back on-track. You need to be clear. Mum gave me a card with the famous Goethe quote once, and I’ve always remembered the lines: ‘whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.’