In 2019 I was 28 and at a crossroads in my career. I was teaching at a school not far from where I grew up, but I felt it was time to look for the next challenge, to step outside my comfort zone and fulfill a dream of working somewhere either rural or remote.
After sending out some applications I had two very different choices before me. One was an offer of employment as an assistant principal. It would be a step forward in my career and a permanent leadership position. The other was a six-month contract as a teacher in Wilcannia, an outback community on the Darling-Baaka River, about two hours from Broken Hill. The traditional owners are the Barkindji people.
They were two very different paths. Two worlds pulling me in different directions.
I found myself thinking, what was it I was seeking? For me, the most important thing about being a teacher is the relationship you form with your students and their families - knowing your students, knowing their context. At uni, one of my favourite subjects was Koori education. So when Mum said, 'What does your gut tell you?' I knew right away. I'm not a teacher for leadership or positions. I'm a teacher for kids and community. Wilcannia was the obvious choice.
I bought a second-hand Ford Territory and filled my new car to the brim. Mum and Dad joined me for the drive out west, which we did over two days. As the dirt turned red, my feeling of excitement grew. It's a long way from Sydney's Eastern Suburbs to Wilcannia and none of us really knew what to expect.
When I Googled Wilcannia, two of the first related searches were: "Why is Wilcannia dangerous?" and "Wilcannia crime". When I'd told friends and family of the move they'd mention Wilcannia's reputation, but I was stubbornly determined to prove them wrong. When we arrived, I could see Mum was a little tense.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
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This story is from the April 2023 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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