29yo teacher’s career tree change from Melbourne to Cape Otway

Moving his life from Melbourne to rural Cape Otway, Sam Wooster decided to start his teaching career way out of his comfort zone. He hasn’t looked back.

On the tail end of his Masters of Secondary Education from the University of Melbourne, former hospitality worker Sam Wooster chose to take his career on the road less travelled.

Instead of looking for a job in the greater Melbourne area, he chose a rural position which took him to the Otway Shire in South West Victoria, a two-hour drive southwest of Melbourne. Although he had visited the region on family holidays, he saw the move as an opportunity to travel while Australia’s international borders were still shut.

“At the time lockdown was still on in Melbourne and I had planned to spend some time overseas in the 12 to 18 months after finishing my masters but international travel was not a thing,” he says.

After overseas travel was off the cards, Mr Wooster took his career on the road less travelled. Picture: Supplied.

Although Mr Wooster had secured the role by October 2020, he wasn’t able to visit the school until November once lockdowns had lifted. Just months after, however, he made the move to Cape Otway in January this year before the start of the school year and is currently working as a high school English and Indonesian teacher.

His relocation was also supported by the Victorian government through their Teach the Future campaign. Part of the costs were subsidised and the Department of Education also organised accommodation 400m from the school. Although his new lifestyle is “quieter”, he’s used the time to discover new hobbies.

“You’ve got more time in the day, you’ve got more time to take care of yourself and do things that you want to do for you,” he says.

“I think the ability to engage with the environment around you is fundamental to living down there for me – so being able to go surfing, trail running and just spending time out in nature.”

Mr Wooster says his move to rural Otway Shire has given him more time to discover new hobbies. Picture: Supplied.

Being able to engage with the local community has also been a highlight.

“You’re in a small community and you’re teaching their children or their friend’s children,” he says. “It’s a privilege and quite a special thing to arrive somewhere and be a part of the fabric of that community in some way.”

“It’s quite a warm atmosphere.”

Navigating the transition, he says it’s the “little things” that took the longest to adjust to.

“Just having to plan a week ahead to do your shopping because the closest supermarket isn’t just a few minutes away and the access you have to amenities and resources is a bit scarcer so it takes more planning and forethought everyday,” he says.

According to SEEK data, having improved work-life-balance is a core reason why Aussies would consider a move to a regional area, with 36 per cent of Aussies willing to consider a pay cut if it meant they had better work-life balance.

For Mr Wooster, however, he also believes that his career tree change has given him a number of professional advantages and will ultimately make him a “better teacher”.

“I think people can get a little comfortable with their everyday life and it’s a very valuable experience to put yourself in new situations and develop your character,” he says.

“Ultimately it’ll make you a better teacher and fast-tracks your career because of the access to opportunities.

“The challenges you’ll face will ultimately make you a better person and teacher and it gives you more skills to take to the future.”

This article was created in sponsorship with SEEK

Originally published as 29yo teacher’s career tree change from Melbourne to Cape Otway