Community Profile: Cornelius Hammer
Cornelius is a familiar face to those who visit the Rimouski Resource Centre library. He generously volunteers for our organization, working in the library, and more recently assisting Alexandra Rao synthesize the data collected from the Needs Assessment focus groups. We’re grateful to call him an active member of our community!
Where are you from? Where is home for you? Originally, I am from Australia. At the age of 5 my parents moved to Germany and I grew up in Hamburg. Later, I moved around a lot and have finally come to settle here in Rimouski. If you’d asked me 30 years ago where I thought I would settle, it would never have crossed my mind that it would be Rimouski! I had something in mind like a beach in Australia. But life had something different in mind for me. Now, I am in Rimouski and I feel really well here. It’s my home now, and it makes me happy! I don’t know which season I love more: the summer or the winter? The autumn or … spring? What spring?
Did you know about poutine before you arrived? Best place to get it if you do know? I had never heard of poutine before, and frankly, I am not such a big fan of it. Fast food in general isn’t my favourite. I love to cook at home, find new recipes…
What is your favourite place in the Lower Saint Lawrence, and why? My favourite place is the Isle Verte. It’s just magic.
Your favourite pastime? Being alone on my sailing boat far out there at night, one hour before sunrise, with a blinking lighthouse in the far distance, assuring me.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Time, health, love and be loved, a relaxed mind, slow mornings with a perfect coffee, rest without guilt, no financial worries, sleeping well, good friends, meaningful conversations, a view over the river.
What talent would you most like to have? Playing an instrument (well enough)
What is your greatest achievement? Having overcome a serious phobia
What is your motto? The best way to success is do it again
Biggest regret? Not always having been courageous enough when I was younger. Whenever I was courageous eventually, it turned out to be a success. As compared to others, I have indeed been very courageous and I took quite a number of risks during my life. So, why was I so anxious when I was young? I think, I missed so many great opportunities back then.
