Julie Rutherford has a terrific set up on the Far South Coast of NSW in the great town of Bermagui. She’s the region’s top real estate agent and one of those community linchpins that the town could not do without. She’s also the mother of four amazing young women, and the bloke in the pic is her husband Neil. And, of course, she’s a keen Squiz’er. Please enjoy Julie’s Three Minute Squiz.

How and where do you Squiz?
Every morning after exercise, shower and while eating breakfast at home at Wallaga Lake. Reading The Squiz is part of the morning routine!

Where were you born?
Bairnsdale, Victoria

What was the first album you ever owned?
Something called theGo Set Pop Poll Awards Album I still have it! To give you an idea of how old it was Eleanor Rigby by Zeus is one of the hits. Showing my age.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Anything by Shania Twain

What’s your guilty TV-watching secret?
Because I rarely watch TV anything I watch is a guilty secret.

Tell us two things about Bermagui that most people wouldn’t know.
1. How mild and beautiful the Bermagui winter season is.
2. The last weekend in September is ReBoot in Bermagui – the best weekend of the year.

So you know that bloke, Paul West, from River Cottage Australia – the TV series that was shot in the hills near Bermagui? Four questions:
1. Did you ever meet him and what was he like?
Yes and he is a great bloke.

2. Did you meet his dog Digger and what was he like?
Ditto great dog.

3. Did you sell him his house? And what did he pay?
No and not telling.

4. Does he still live there? If not, is his house for sale because we totally want it.
Not at the moment but he will be back!! And sorry, too late! We sold the River Cottage in July this year. See the story here.

Name four people – living or dead – you’d kill to sit down to dinner with.
1. My Irish great-great-grandmother who was born in the famine in 1844, came to Australia in 1860 when she was 16, pioneered East Gippsland together with my great-grandfather, she had nine children and she lived to be 99yo what a woman!

2. Mother Theresa because she epitomises what it is to be a Christian one of the 20^th centuries greatest influencers.

3. Dolly Parton because she can sing like a bird, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and aw honey I love her accent.

4. Mel Gibson because he is famous, flawed, talented and contrite.

Your favourite writers?
I love reading so enjoy particular books rather than authors but Jane Austen. I also love Maeve Binchy and Liane Moriarty and love a good epic think Trinity, Exodus, Pillars of the Earth and Shantaram.

What skill or talent do you not have but wish you did?
I love music and secretly wish I could SING!

As Bermagui’s best real estate agent, what would be your advice to any stressed city slicker dreaming of making a tree change?
Just Do It. And start here atwww.julierutherford.com.au. I have five people working for me that are living proof of the success of a tree/sea change. They love it!

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Patience.

You’re the mother of four feisty women: the one sure-fire parenting tip to turn out strong, independent offspring?
Be a parent first, second and third and not an indulgent friend. Children will do as you do not as you say be what you want them to be!

What’s your no-fail dinner party recipe?
Fresh fish straight off the boats from Bermagui Co-op Baked Ling or Blue Eye cod with fresh salad. No bones!

What qualities do you most value in a friend?
Honesty.

What would you say is the most currently overlooked news story we should know about?
For the average person like me it is difficult to know a news story that we should know about if it is “overlooked”. I do think that too much ‘opinion’ is presented as fact and journalists/news editors are selective in the stories presented to the public. Love The Squiz because I have an early morning “snapshot” of the news (and sometimes a little gossip) and can then follow up if I want more info later in the day when time is available.