The aftermath of the fire brought overwhelming challenges. Renee’s family faced homelessness, moving five times in six months and living out of suitcases. “We made do with such generous donations of shoes and clothing.”
Despite losing her laptop and university work in the fire, Renee resolved to continue her studies. “I made a decision to keep going,” she says.
With a borrowed laptop and makeshift living conditions that included a shipping container and tents, she embarked on her second year of university.
“I began my second year of my degree on a borrowed laptop which I rested on my lap to do my work as I did not own a desk - and nor would it fit in our makeshift housing.”
“Conditions were rough,” Renee recalls. “We moved back to our block and were forced to live in a shipping container and tents on our property. We had no heating in winter, no cooling in summer. It was one of the hardest times of our lives.”
A series of setbacks, including a cabin flooding incident and a ruptured appendix, tested her resilience further. Yet, Renee remained steadfast, driven by the desire to create a better future for her family.
“It was such a difficult time and very difficult for my family while I was away for long periods of time to complete my mandatory student placements. Leaving them in rough conditions was hard but I had the drive to complete my degree to better my family’s life.”
In 2021, Renee and her husband Peter took on the challenge of rebuilding their home as owner-builders. Juggling work, university studies, and construction - often working late into the night - they slowly rebuilt their lives.
“We were working during the day, doing uni work at night and then whilst everyone else slept my husband I worked on our new home, sometimes until 2-3am.”
By the end of that year, Renee achieved a major milestone: she completed her nursing degree and moved into her newly rebuilt home.
Renee has recently been promoted to Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Nurse for the Eurobodalla. She is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control with Griffith University, continuing her commitment to professional growth.
Kelly Anne Knight, Infection Prevention Clinical Nurse Consultant, shares her admiration for Renee’s journey: “Renee is a powerhouse, she is so dedicated to her family and her career. She brings a very positive and upbeat energy to our team.”
“I’ve known Renee for years. Our sons played rugby together when they were kids. I remember the boys playing a fundraiser in Braidwood, in very stinky mud, and just how positive Renee was even after everything she and her family had just been through.”
