Are you an OT or Speech Therapist or up and coming graduate looking for work? This is why you should consider working rurally! This is my story! Please Read On!

There are currently many positions for Allied Health availably in the goldfields and other rural areas of Australia. Ther always has been and probably always will be a shortage of staff wanting to come to the outback. Recruiting and retaining Allied Health staff across rural Australia is a growing epidemic!

You see, most new graduates are from the city, they have their network of family and friends in the city and they are for the most part not willing to leave these networks. And I get that; I really do. Today I’m going to share my story in attempt to help change this epidemic; or at least attract a few more people to try out working rurally.

You see, I was the opposite. I was a country girl who had to leave my family, community networks, sports and friends in the country to go to the city for university and the lifestyle change was really tough when I was so young. I ended up moving back home in my 3rd year of university (4 hours from the city) when they changed the course structure to mostly online tutorials. I would go up on the overnight bus once per week to Adelaide to do my 1 day contact at university; and would spend the rest of my week in my home town so I could live within my own community network where I felt safe and comfortable.

Then in my 4th year I met my now husband who was working in my home town. He was from Western Australia and in my first year out of university I packed up my life into my hatchback and travelled across the Nullaboar leaving my networks and safe and comfortable lifestyle once again. We arrived in the goldfields town of Kalgoorlie where we had both never been before and both did not know a soul; and we planned to stay here for 2 years before moving onto Perth.

Within a few weeks we had both been recruited into sporting teams and had met many wonderful and welcoming people. Some were local people, born and bred; but a lot were like us without family, and so over the years all of these people became like our own chosen goldfields family. The allied health department at the hospital were a very social bunch, as we were all in a town without family. The families in town were so welcoming of newcomers and we were even invited to spend xmas with a family from the cricket club when my husband had to work over the silly season.

Personally, it was hard at times. Every time family visited and then left it was hard. Every time I came back after visiting family, it was hard. But I also flourished personally and professionally. I became much more independent, and emotionally resilient.

I threw myself into my work and professionally I was given the opportunity to work in a vary varied paediatric caseload within my first 2 years. I was working with children of all ages, from babies to 18 year olds; and with all types of disabilities and difficulties. I was helping script wheelchairs with support from visiting specialists, running first time parenting baby handling and development courses, and working with children with handwriting difficulties. It was challenging, but it was rewarding and exciting!

Within 2 years I was acting in the Senior Occupational Therapist position at the hospital; an opportunity that would never present itself the city. And whilst looking back I feel that this was probably not ideal at this point in my career; it exposed me to explore management styles and processes that has helped in developing my business.

I also had the opportunity to work in every caseload possible at the Kalgoorlie hospital; including hands, garments for burns and lymphoedema, inpatients, community adults and adult disability. I had the opportunity to experience almost every aspect of OT, I tried caseloads that I never thought I would be interested in yet enjoyed them; and through this I work out what my true passion was.

My husband also was given many opportunities, from working in the mines, to trying his hand at real estate and eventually becoming a firefighter. All opportunities that came from being involved in the community, and opportunities he would not have been given if we moved straight to Perth. You see as a male, you want to come play football here and the club will find you a good job; you want to play cricket, the club will find you a job (hit me up if you know anyone who want to come play footy or cricket – we are always recruiting 😊). Don’t like your current job, your networks will help you find a better fit!

Two years flew by, and we were enjoying the lifestyle in Kalgoorlie. Everything is within 10 minutes drive so you finish work at 4:30 and were home within 10 minutes to enjoy the rest of your day. There was more time for spending with friends, doing community activities, sports, and relaxing. There was more time for sleep ins or exercise in the morning before work. The town is so community minded, there are many varied community activities from week to week; and the clubs you are involved in are more like a family. It’s hard to describe if you have never lived rurally. So just like many families before us… we came with a 2 year plan and stayed 7.

In 2011, only 5 years out of university I opened my own private practice (just part time, whilst I stayed working at the hospital part-time). I was working as a solo OT in my area of passion… paediatrics. This opportunity arose as there were no other OT private practices in town and huge waitlists in the public service. I never imagined that I would be a business owner within a few years of graduating, and I never imagined what it would grow into!

After 7 years in Kalgoorlie and having my first child, we decided to move to Perth to be closer to my husband’s family and only 1 flight away from my family. As there was no other private OT service in Kalgoorlie I was flown in by the local Autism service 4-8 times per year to provide assessments and reviews and I eventually decided to create a full time OT position to service the private market.

I continued to service and support Kalgoorlie for 4.5 years after leaving, which was great as I got to come back for my country fix and see friends whilst being paid.

Eventually after 4.5 years in Perth and 2 kids later, we have returned to live in Kalgoorlie. We came with a 2 year plan yet again and have been back almost 4 years now and counting! We’ve been drawn back once again due to the sheer opportunities that rural living presents. We have been welcomed back with open arms by our networks that we had once left behind. We are back doing more exercise, more involved in the community (as even with hectic work schedules we have more free time), and our kids are thriving in a community where they can have more freedom to explore and be kids without constant hovering parents. We are back living in a community that we have given so much; but in return it has given us more opportunities and experiences than we could ever imagine!

I can honestly say that I would not be in the position in my career today if I had stayed in my safe and comfortable little bubble in my home town or taken a position in the city! Work in the country just falls into your lap; and although at times it is stressful I never have to stress about not having enough work unlike many other businesses!

So business is thriving… there is more work than I care to think about because without recruiting staff to rural areas is only getting harder with the NDIS. So please consider taking an opportunity in a rural area; whether it be in the goldfields or elsewhere in Australia. It will provide you with the opportunity for self growth and professional growth. Take a leap of faith for just one year, broaden your horizons, choose a different adventure and see where it takes you! Your bubble will always be there with open arms if and when you choose to return!