As president of the Public Libraries Association South Australia, Pepper Mickan prepares for Firstival, held at libraries around the state, she chats about go-karting through the streets of Tokyo and shares a hair-raising photo.
Describe the best day of your life.
I wouldn’t say there’s been just one “best day” in my life — I’ve been lucky to have plenty of amazing ones. But one of the most unforgettable recent moments was go-karting through the streets of Tokyo at 50km/h. Zooming through Shibuya Crossing, dressed in a bright orange Pokémon onesie felt completely surreal.
What brings you joy in life?
From my professional life it is connecting with library customers from the youngest children and their families to the more experienced members in the community. It still amazes me how a seemingly simple conversation can have a positive impact on the other person, but what they don’t necessarily realise is the positive impact it has on me as well.
From a more personal perspective, it’s catching up with family and playing games – board or card games, backyard cricket or even Mickan Family Survivor challenges. You’re never too old to play and I happen to have a competitive streak.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Apart from the “helpful” advice I have received from my extended family, it would be “Be brave for just five minutes more”. This advice was given by Todd Sampson, a keynote speaker at a 2013 Public Libraries SA Conference and it has stayed with me ever since. Whether it has been as I have prepared to bungee jump, sky dive or have been dealing with a tricky situation, it has been a bite sized piece of advice that has helped me through various situations.
What is your most treasured photograph you have and why?
It’s hard to pick one, but this photo continues to bring joy and laughs more than 10 years later. Three friends and I decided to go on the Tower of Terror at Paris Disneyland and going by the photo that was taken at the time, it was truly terrifying. The friends sitting at either end thought it was great fun, and myself and another friend in the middle did not have quite the same level of enjoyment.
Describe the best meal you’ve ever eaten.
To be honest, anything that I’m not responsible for cooking is a great meal, but I was lucky to have an amazing steak in Port Douglas a few years back (and the corn ribs). Mum also makes an amazing pavlova.
What was your best purchase?
Plane tickets to Europe in 2015 (to see Robbie Williams in concert in Barcelona – incredible!). This was my first overseas trip, and it well and truly sparked the travel bug. Since this time, I have had the opportunity to travel to different countries, experience different cultures, visit a library or two (or more), meet people from other backgrounds (and give a lift to a hitchhiker or two).
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What are the best qualities of your favourite person?
The ability to have a laugh – with others and at themselves, a fun sense of humour and a genuine care for others. I’m lucky to have had a few people in my life like this and these were qualities that I saw in my Grandpa Colin Mickan. When he was around, you could see those qualities in the way he interacted with both his family and in the community.
What are the best five songs on your playlist?
Viva la Vida – Coldplay
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Mr Brightside – The Killers
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Forbidden Road – Robbie Williams
Pepper Mickan is president of the Public Libraries Association South Australia and community services manager at Light Regional Council. She became a library volunteer at just 12 years old. During July, she’s helping to facilitate this month’s Firstival, which offers more than 350 events across South Australia’s network of 130 public libraries. The events encourage people to try something for the first time, from kombucha workshops to K-pop dancing, Mario Kart challenges and sourdough pizza workshops.
