The Welcome Experience

Hi I’m Rachel, your Local Connector in Bega Valley

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Organisation: Bega Chamber of Commerce  

About Me

I moved to the Bega Valley in 2017 temporarily, seeking a brief sea-change while I was an at-home parent. Within the year we’d fallen in love with the place and made it permanent!   

The Valley has so much to offer; I live in Bega so I can walk to work and school and it’s a short drive to enjoy stunning beaches, explore wild spaces or to discover interesting shops, markets and cafes in a neighbouring town.  

I moved regularly growing up, so I have lots of experience settling into different places, and in the Bega Valley I found the people and community I have always wanted to be a part of.  I can’t wait to welcome you to the Valley and help make it your home too!  

Hi I’m Brooke, your Local Connector in Broken Hill

Organisation: Regional Development Australia - Far West

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About Me
I’m originally from Western Australia and spent most of my twenties in Hervey Bay QLD. I moved to Broken Hill in 2012 with my husband who was commencing a position at the local mine. We had only intended to stay for a couple of years but the benefits of living here have kept us here far longer. I’ve had fantastic professional development opportunities in Broken Hill and found the cost of living so reasonable in comparison to city life that I could not justify a return to any city, and that’s without considering dealing with traffic again!

At the beginning of 2022, after travelling along the Murray River living in our camper trailer with our dogs for four months, we came back to Broken Hill when I found out I was pregnant, as I knew that the Midwifery Group Practice offered by our local hospital has a fantastic reputation. I firmly believe that Broken Hill offers a wonderful lifestyle opportunity to raise a young family. My husband and I don’t lose family time to long commutes and there are so many activities for our daughter to participate in as she grows up.

While it offers all the conveniences of modern living, I consider Broken Hill the quintessential Australian outback experience and the gateway to a remoteness that is unfathomable to so many in the densely populated world we live in today. I enjoy primitive camping and have loved four-wheel driving through the whole region seeing some truly epic ancient landscapes. Sunrises and sunsets over the desert are an experience not to be missed, and let’s not forgot the beauty of a starlit sky which is amplified by our superb weather with clear skies more often than not.

Broken Hill and the Far West has so much to offer people in all stages of their life and I can’t wait to help you find your niche here.

Hi I’m Sarah, your Local Connector in Coffs Harbour 

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Organisation: Service NSW 

About me

I spent 20 years living abroad before moving to Coffs Harbour in 2019. I had spent several holidays at Coffs Harbour visiting family, so I was fairly familiar with the region. 

After spending the majority of my adult life in cities, being in nature feels like coming home, especially with the shorter commutes to work and gentler pace of life. I cherish that I can share a variety of natural treasures with my family, from beaches to the woods. 

Our son participates in a wide variety of sports, has a very active social life, and I have met so many lovely parents along the road. Running has always been more my style since it allows me to be more independent. I have recently become more involved with a trail running group here in Coffs. It's great attending social runs as it has enabled me to have met like-minded people to geek out with on running trails. 

I want to discover ways to give back and get more active in the community in the coming year. I adore both people and the outdoors, so maybe that will be my objective. 

I am excited to help essential workers to find their own connection to community as I know from my experience it was an essential part of my transition to living in Coffs Harbour. 

Hi I’m Lauren, your Local Connector in Corowa 

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Organisation: Service NSW 

About Me  

I was born and raised in Albury/Wodonga and have spent the last 30 years here. 

I value having a local community that encompasses more than one place because I can usually reach nearby towns within a short drive. 

The Riverina has so much to offer for everyone. During the warmer months, I spend a lot of time outside, paddling or hiking to surrounding lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains. There are countless undiscovered treasures in every direction. In the cooler months, I enjoy watching local football. 

I would prefer to arrange an adventure or unwind in a Pilates class during my free time. I consider myself quite fortunate that these pleasures are all close by and suit my lifestyle. 

I'm excited to welcome you to Corowa and share my local knowledge of the area's stunning surroundings and all that it has to offer to you.  My goal is to make your relocation easier and I know you'll soon call Corowa your home. 

Hi I’m Alexandra, your Local Connector in Goulburn

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Organisation: Regional Development Australia - Southern Inland
 

About me

I moved to Goulburn in 2009 with my husband so we could both pursue full-time teaching positions. We lived on a beautiful rural property named The Old Ruins approximately 20 km north of Goulburn, but after spending a few years opening paddock gates in all weather, we relocated closer to town.

Goulburn is the first inland city. It has everything you could ask for or need. Its location is brilliant – only two hours to the coast, an hour to Canberra and 90 minutes to Campbelltown.

I have four children, so we have a lot of extracurriculars, namely soccer, karate and music lessons taught through the Hume Conservatorium. We love going for long walks along the walkways around town, particularly along the Mulwaree River. I also love visiting GPAC to see then wide variety of shows, and often head to the Arcade with my family for bowling, laser tag and a range of other arcade games.

I would love to chat with you and help you to make the move to beautiful Goulburn. 

We are your Local Connectors in Griffith

Hi I’m Marg

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Organisation: Regional Development Australia - Riverina

About me

After graduating with a teaching degree the plan was to work and travel overseas! That was short lived. Instead, I moved further west to the cosmopolitan regional city of Griffith in the heartland of Wiradjuri country and after 40 years can still say “I love Griffith!”

The allure of the rich tapestry of culture, the spirit of self- made enterprise based on diverse agriculture and industry combined with good public amenity, sophisticated boutiques, authentic cafes and a range of education choices from childcare to university is deeply entrenched. It has been an ideal place for opportunities to design your own future!

Griffith has been the perfect setting to raise a family and still have time to work and stay connected with all that is offered in the community. Sporting options now more than ever are in abundance and supported by state- of -the- art regional sports centre and an  aquatic leisure centre.   The Regional Theatre and Art Gallery is also great place to explore the vibrant arts and culture scene providing opportunities for all ages to entertain and be entertained.

Home is for me is Griffith where the door is open and the table set permanently to share with family and friends! And you know what?  The travel, didn’t go as originally planned but I experienced a gateway to the world in my backyard and have since managed to travel Australia and internationally. Come join us and experience the true pleasures of life in Griffith at the long table shared with good food, good wine and good friends.

Hi I’m Katie

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Organisation: Regional Development Australia - Riverina

About me

After graduating from university in Melbourne, the plan was to move back to Griffith for a year to save and travel. It was to be a year and a year only, then back to Melbourne to start the career. Within a couple of months of being back in Griffith, I met a very charming Griffith farmer. 15 years later, I am still here. Initially, it could have been his Nonna’s gnocchi that kept me here, but it is now home, and a place we’ve chosen to raise our own family.

Griffith isn’t like any other country town. The culture is rich, the traditions are so evident in our lifestyle. It’s been a food and wine region before food and wine regions were cool. Our restaurants, our wineries and the produce that comes from this region is world class. Those crazy Italian migrants knew exactly what they were doing coming this far inland – things grow here! It’s such a unique place and the region’s growth something truly inspiring.

Hi I’m Katrina, your Local Connector in Muswellbrook

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Organisation: Muswellbrook Shire Council

About me

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wish for a life that could bring you more of what you really want? Then I say, make the move to regional NSW today!

I am nomadic by nature and love to uproot and try new horizons, whether for a job, adventure, or love, but my most recent move is the one that resonates with me the most.

A relative newcomer to the Hunter Valley region, I have spent the past seven months discovering and uncovering some unique experiences. Surrounded by horse studs, vineyards, national parks, and a stunning regional art gallery housing an enormous collection of contemporary Australian artists, Muswellbrook is a great base to experience all the delights the region has to offer.

But what really matters, is the locals are so welcoming and accepting. If you ask a local what the main thing they love about our town, and you will get the same answer, it’s the community spirit.

So come join me in Muswellbrook, I’ve done all the heavy lifting in finding out where to go and what to do and how to make your move to the town a whole lot easier. Think of me as someone you can reach out to, whether for information or a friendly chat. Looking forward to welcoming you soon.

Hi I’m Alana, your Local Connector in Walgett

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Organisation: The Department of Regional NSW

About me

I am affectionately known as a Walgett Lifer! Born and bred in Walgett before heading off to Boarding School in Sydney for high School, University in Lismore to study business tourism and then another little stint in Sydney as a travel wholesaler before following my husband home to Walgett. 18 years, one business and three children later; we spend our winters traipsing after the children for their various sporting activities and in the summer we try and get in as much water-skiing as possible! Just this year we have fulfilled a dream of owning our very own lifestyle block 12kms from Walgett right on the beautiful Barwon river and I have never done so much fishing!

Walgett and the surrounding region are a treasure trove of wonderful experiences, events and things to do, there is always something on. Undoubtedly though the very best part of Walgett is it’s community. People from all walks of life find themselves living in Walgett for much longer than they originally anticipated lured by something the locals know as “Levee bank syndrome”. Walgett and its people have away of getting under your skin.  Whether you’re making friends on the court at the weekly netball competition, on the sideline of the kids rugby league match or discussing the latest best seller at book club, you will find your people here.  

We have a saying in Walgett “It is what you make it” so my job as local connector will be to ensure you get the very best experience of Walgett, I want to share with you all of my favourite places and people and help you to find your own. Creating that connection within the community will open up a world of opportunities for you to take advantage of so whether you make Walgett your forever home or just a temporary one; your memories of Walgett will be fond; full of wonderful friends and unforgettable experiences.