My story starts in Perth, travels through Bendigo, and finds its home in the Northern Rivers.

I was born in Perth, Western Australia, and not long after my family made the long journey across the country to Bendigo in regional Victoria. I do not remember the move itself, but I have spent my whole life shaped by what came after it. Bendigo became home, and country life became the lens through which I see the world. The wide streets, the familiar faces at the local shops, the way neighbours noticed when you were not yourself that week. Those small details added up to something much bigger.

Growing up regional teaches you a particular kind of patience. You learn that relationships are built slowly, that trust is earned, and that the people around you are the reason any of it works. My parents instilled a strong sense of looking after the people in your corner. If a friend needed a hand moving, you turned up. If a neighbour was unwell, you dropped a meal at the door. That mindset has never left me, and it quietly underpins the way I work today.

School in Bendigo was where I first noticed I was naturally drawn to people. I was the friend others came to when something was on their mind. I liked listening, I liked helping people find their footing, and I liked the feeling of being useful in a quiet, practical way. At the time I did not know that would shape my career, but looking back the thread has always been there.

Finding my way into insurance

I started my career in insurance in 2010. It was not a path I had mapped out as a child, but the moment I stepped into the industry I understood why it suited me. Insurance, at its heart, is about people. It is about understanding what someone has worked hard to build, what they love, and what they would struggle to recover from if things went wrong. The technical side matters, but the human side is what makes the work meaningful.

In those early years I learned the craft. I learned how policies are structured, how claims unfold, and how much difference a clear conversation can make at a difficult moment in someone life. I also learned how easily people can feel overwhelmed by paperwork and jargon, and I made a quiet commitment to never let that be the experience of anyone I worked with. If I could not explain something simply, I needed to keep working at it until I could.

The move to the Northern Rivers

In 2021 my partner and I made the move to the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. We had visited the region a few times and each visit left us a little more attached to the place. The rolling green hills, the rainforest sitting alongside the coast, the mix of farming towns and creative coastal communities. It felt familiar in the way regional Victoria had always felt familiar, but with its own distinct rhythm.

Settling in was not just about finding a house. It was about finding our people. That happened at the local markets, on early morning walks with the dog, and in conversations at the cafe where the staff started to remember our order. The Northern Rivers has a strong sense of identity, and the longer I live here the more grateful I am to be part of it. I work with farmers, tradespeople, small business owners, and families who have called this region home for generations. Each conversation deepens my understanding of what matters here.

The people who keep me grounded

Away from work, my world is fairly simple, and I like it that way. My family and close friends are the centre of it. We share long meals, easy weekends, and the quiet sort of catch ups where nothing in particular needs to happen. My dog rounds out the household and makes sure I never skip a morning walk, which is good for both of us. I find a lot of joy in the small, unhurried parts of life.

I am a believer that the way you live shapes the way you work. If I am rested, connected to the people I love, and spending time in the landscape around me, I show up as a better version of myself for my clients. The Northern Rivers makes that easy. Whether it is a swim at the beach, a drive through the hinterland, or a coffee with a friend in town, the region keeps me grounded and reminds me why I do what I do.

What this work means to me

When I think about why I have stayed in insurance for more than a decade, the answer is the same as it was at the start. It is the people. It is sitting across from someone, hearing what they have built, and helping them feel confident that they are looked after. It is showing up in person when it matters. It is being the steady voice on the other end of the phone when something has gone wrong. It is being part of a community, not just servicing it.

My story is still being written, and I am genuinely grateful that so much of it is now woven through the Northern Rivers. If you ever want to share yours over a coffee, I would love that.