Published in SALIFE by Zoe Rice
CEO of ILA, Adelaide’s Centre of Immersive Light and Art, Becc Bates chats about her favourite SA spot and the four-legged unofficial “Mayor of Semaphore”.
Describe the best moment of your life.
It’s hard to pinpoint just one, I’m incredibly lucky to have a wonderful life. Waking up from major surgery to find out it was a success has to be the big one for me though. On an emotional level, the moment I realised I’d found my person.
Then, if I think about career highlights, meeting Robert Stigwood and some of his colleagues in London was really special – and a little surreal. Having been in music management myself years ago, I have huge respect for all that he achieved. He was so humble too, very quick to point out that he couldn’t have done all he did without the people he had worked with. I heard the stories about the incredible artists he worked with, and the movies he produced – including casting the young Elton John in Tommy the Musical.
What brings you joy in life?
Many things! Live music, the cheeky laughter of my partner, kayaking with dolphins… I went camping and fishing a lot as a kid and young adult. So, having my feet planted in the sand with big dark skies overhead watching for shooting stars brings me joy. I spend a lot of time at Normanville these days and watching the wedge tails soar overhead and hearing the different birdsongs washes me in calm. I am also ‘in my happy place’ when I’m cooking up a storm on a Sunday afternoon with a glass of wine and good music. Or, belting a classic song or three with good friends and our guitars.
What is the best photograph you have?
This is my handsome boy, Leo. Our vet engaged local photographer, Josie Mortimer to do a professional shoot of some of their (best looking) clients to hang in the new surgery. Leo loved the camera and charmed everyone with his smiling eyes – at home we call him ‘The Mayor of Semaphore’.
