In Focus | Paige MacFarlane

Meet Paige MacFarlane! Paige has lived in Victoria since 1997!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Well, my husband - because he's my husband - and he's also a pretty cool and very funny guy. After 26+ years, we still choose each other every day.

What is your favourite local store in Victoria and why?
Aside from restaurants, which are, like, my favourite anything, I'm gonna say thrift stores. I love thrifting - you can almost always find one-of-a-kind amazing stuff!

Describe yourself in one word.
One word?! that's crazy talk. I'd have to say "interesting"

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
We just came back from Hornby Island so that's a definite contender - turning around and going right back to Tribune Bay sounds good to me! And we're going to Egypt in the fall - so pretty much anywhere between Hornby and Egypt fits the bill.

What is your favourite activity in Victoria?
Exploring! Head out in the convertible on Old West Saanich road, stop in at a winery and a farm stand or two, maybe catch the ferry over to Mill Bay and meander through the Cowichan Valley before heading back into town. And walking the West Song Way.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Oh Lord. There are so many...nothing I'd care to share here, though :)

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?

I have been privileged to travel to every province and territory and to participate in some high-level policy meetings on education and literacy. In connection with that work, I was asked to be a witness at a blanket ceremony associated with the Government Non-Profit Initiative, a collaboration between the not-for-profit sector and the provincial government here in BC.
I spent much of my career in the education sector, with the BC Ministry of Education, and have family members who are Indigenous. Raising awareness of the legacy of colonialism - particularly residential schools - has had a profound and lasting impact on my worldview.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.

I'm not sure this counts as a favourite memory, but I had the unique experience of growing up in two very different cultures as a child. My parents had a free-spirited approach to child rearing (!) and travelled to Mexico every year, where we lived for six months in a travel trailer across the street from the beach in Acapulco. This was well before the drug lords took over...
The other half of the year we lived in a tiny village called Forest Grove, in a rural area (okay, even more rural) near 100 Mile House in the Cariboo.
The two places couldn't have been more different - it gave me a sense very early on that there were many different ways to live your life; and many different perspectives that could guide your path.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?

I took early retirement from the provincial government just over a year ago - which has been yet another amazing stroke of good fortune. The first year I gave myself time to figure out what I wanted to do - which has led me to yoga, meditation, house-sitting, choir (Gettin' Higher Choir), social media, photography (yes, Instagram: @pmacfarl) and collage. None of this is really about giving back - but in some ways it's all about strengthening wellness and contributing to building community. I am also involved in Plan Canada, and help out with Soap for Hope. While I'm not a member, I also support the community-building efforts of the Harbourside Rotary Club.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Right now I have to say I would address the political leadership in the United States of America. I can see nothing more pressing in terms of geo-political stability.

Where would you sneak away to in Victoria to spend some time alone?
Any beach; and either High Rock or Saxe Point parks in Esquimalt.

Where would you like to see positive change in Victoria and why?
Continuing to address issues around mental health, homelessness, addiction and housing affordability. Equally important although perhaps not quite as consistently visible - true, lasting commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

What do you think makes Victoria great?
Our amazing natural setting - the beauty all around us. That's not enough, though - we have to work together to make this a community that cares for one another.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
How lucky am I? We went to Peru last year, so got to see Machu Picchu - that was one.
And - we're going to Egypt and Jordan this coming fall - which will be A-May-Zing.
Going hang-gliding is still on the list.
Doing a house-swap with someone in Portugal or Australia would be another one; oh, and taking a few months to get immersed (again) in Spanish so I can be fluent enough to get off the beaten track in South America.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I used to play the clarinet. (badly)

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
With all its drawbacks, I am still a fan of social media and its ability to connect people. That's my idealism coming out, I guess.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Now that I'm no longer working, I guess I'm my own business - you can find me on Instagram @pmacfarl.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I love to explore with my little point and shoot camera - and I have time!

What is the goal of your business?
To invite people to look around them and appreciate the beauty in everyday life.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Caring too much about "being liked" - that's a big one for a lot of people, I know. That, and imposter syndrome.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I'd probably do the same things all over again - no regrets! Every experience helps make us who we are.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"Seriously?"

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. -- Arthur Ashe Oh, and "when you know better, do better" -- Maya Angelou

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Maybe Gloria Steinem -- maybe Pope Francis -- maybe Ruth Bader-Ginsberg -- maybe the Dalai Lama. Maybe all four? That would be one heck of a lunch date.

Or: maybe just Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand). Yeah, let's make it Jacinda. She's pretty amazing.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Use it or lose it! Plus: jobs.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Ingrid Bergmann, executive coach. Ingrid is empathetic and insightful; her work has strengthened individuals and organizations across Victoria.

My choice for the VictoriaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Cathy Baker - co-director of the Gettin' Higher Choir.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
This has been fun - thanks!

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In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organization that help make our city great. Thank you, Victoria!