with Howard Obst - Pincipal - Obst Legal
I am born and bred in Melbourne, having never lived anywhere else in the world and so I am envious of all the wonderful French people I have met who have had the courage to make a life in Australia and other places, even if for short periods. My wife, Judith (or Judy to Australians) is a committed Francophile and her enthusiasm for everything French has spread to me resulting in an overseas holiday each year.
I have been a lawyer for 33 years, the last 3 of which have been in running my own business with a talented and supportive group of professionals., principally defending lawyers against allegations of negligence.
How long have you lived in Melbourne? Since the day I was born.
What do you like best about Melbourne? I love the excitement of international cities like Paris and London, but it is so much easier to live in Melbourne where the biggest problem we have is the train is 10 minutes late – in Europe the weather can cause whole cities to shut down.
What is your favourite building in Melbourne, and why? The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an iconic structure being one of the largest stadiums in the world with a seating capacity of almost 100,000 people. Sitting in the stands when the ground is full is exhilarating and when the ground is empty it is awesome in its size. It is also only 5 minutes from home and I feel fortunate my morning walk to work takes me past one of the most famous buildings in the sporting world.
What do you think is the most important thing to have happened in Melbourne during your time here? Immigration. I remember when the influence of immigrants was limited to unskilled labourers and one pizza restaurant in Carlton. Now we have one of the more diversified populations in the world and I love it. The importance of the various nationalities and cultures (particularly French bien sur!) to the growth of Melbourne’s soul cannot be overstated.
Where’s the most romantic place in Melbourne? Apart from my home...
Which football team do you barrack for? Melbourne – wooden spooners – but don’t tell anybody.
What do you do to relax? I most enjoy restaurants (across the range of cuisine and price) and I suppose that is relaxation. Frankly I am not good at it.
What is your favourite restaurant in Melbourne? Too many! I prefer the City for good dining (eg Taxi or Becco), the suburbs for cheaper dining (Café Bedda in Northcote or Noi Thai in Richmond) but always avoid the Crown Entertainment Complex.
Describe Melbourne in one sentence. Melbourne is a relaxed but stylish cosmopolitan city where the living is easy.
What is your favourite French wine? And your favourite Australian wine?
I enjoy most wines but Bourgogne reds (amazing that a pinot noir grape can produce such flavour) and the Alsatian whites while in Australia, the cabernet sauvignon of the Coonawarra is of world class.
What couldn’t you live without? What married man is going to go public and say anything except “my wife”?
Where do you see yourself in ten years? Working less but still working. I am one of those fortunate people who loves what he does.
What do you like best about being a member of the French Chamber? The opportunity to have met so many international people who have fed our desire to learn about Europe and France in particular. |
