Bec finds the real Australia

A self-confessed city girl, Bec, 28, firmly believed urban living was the be-all-end-all.

That was before she found her way to a cattle and crop property south of Charters Towers to clock up three months regional work to extend her Australian visa.

Following graduation with a bachelor of arts, honors’ degree in primary education from Nottingham Trent University in 2007, Bec taught at schools in England for five years.

“With a long-standing hankering to see Australia, I decided I should visit before I turned 30,” she said.

“When I left Nottingham, my school’s head teacher offered to hold my position for 12 months. But after four months of casual teaching in Sydney and keen to experience more of Australia, I’ve opted for a second year visa.”

To extend her stay, Bec is required to complete three months of work in a regional area.

“I reluctantly looked for farm work and decided to accept a position with John and Natalie Kenny at Llanarth Station, because there was an opportunity to teach as well,” she said.

“With no real idea about what to expect I was extremely nervous about leaving Sydney for such a remote area. Even after talking to Natalie by phone and finding out more about the job and lifestyle, it sounded quite frightening and way outside my comfort zone. I didn’t consider for a moment I’d want to stay longer.”

Bec arrived at Llanarth Station in January this year.

A 16,000 ha property, growing mung and soy beans this season, and with more than 3000 head of cattle, there was a lot for Bec to absorb.

“I was really shocked when I first came about how remote Llanarth is,” she said. “I’m a girly girl; I like to shop and had always taken the convenience of accessing services for granted. Out here the nearest school is hours away, there are not any close neighbours, no shops, no banks, no cafes. But after trying my hand at mustering, branding, irrigating and tractor work, I have discovered a new, extraordinary world.”

Despite her initial concerns, Bec says from the outset she was overwhelmed with how welcoming the family and others in the district were.

“Their friendliness made it really easy for me to settle in and not long after learning a little about what’s involved in station life, I started teaching the three older children, Amelia, 10, Gabrielle, 8 and Laura, 6 who learn through Distance Education. Their little brother, Will, is two years-old.”

Three months down the track and Bec has fallen for the bush lifestyle.

“Teaching in the homestead classroom on a one-on-one basis, is amazing,” she said.

“Watching the amount of progress the girls make is unbelievable and we have a really lovely, close relationship. I find the most important thing is to make sure I give each of the girls, who are in different grades, the same amount of one-on-one time. It’s extremely rewarding to watch their enthusiasm and progress. And at the same time, I’m gaining new, professional skills.”

Bec has embraced all that goes with station life.

“I’m doing the things I love like, walking, fishing and water skiing. I’ve met other governesses in the district and I’ve even been to a rodeo in Charters Towers. Most surprising of all, I actually love the sense of isolation. And the people are so genuine – it’s the real Australia out here.”

In July, Bec is flying back to England to attend a wedding and will return to Llanarth to complete her 12-month stay.

“I’m so glad I’m going to be able to finish the year with the kids. It was such a blessing to have been placed with the Kenny family.”

Natalie Kenny said the introduction of the national curriculum had been quite a strain.

“Having Bec help out relieves the pressure and gives me more confidence in delivering the lessons,” Natalie said.

“It’s difficult to find teachers willing to step out of mainstream teaching into a homestead classroom. Bec is so organised and passionate about teaching – the girls love their time in the schoolroom with her. She is making such a positive contribution to our lives.”