What is a tree change: Why more Australians are moving to regional towns

Making the move to rural Australia can feel like a daunting task – but this Queensland healthcare worker is encouraging others to make the change.

A record number of Aussies are packing their bags and making the ‘tree change’ to regional country towns.

SEEK’s Healthcare report found the largest net population inflow to regional areas in 2020, with 43,000 people making the move from capital cities in response to the pandemic.

Wannapa Foytong is one of them. She is no stranger to moving rural after residing in Goulburn in southern NSW and Mornington Bay in Victoria over the years, before settling in the outback town of Biloela in Central Queensland.

Despite having a population of less than 6000, Ms Foytong believes that moving rural has been the best decision she’s made – and she’s encouraging others to do the same.

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Wannapa Foytong moved to Biloela, Queensland in July. Pictured: Suppled.

Why do people move rural?

With almost 20 years experience in aged care, Ms Foytong jumped at the opportunity to move to Biloela and start her new role as Service Manager at Lutheran Services Wahroonga Aged Care in July.

Ms Foytong made the move to rural Queensland because she felt her skills and experience could be put to better use.

“I’m a migrant and I have always been very thankful and fascinated by the way Australians distributed healthcare to all Australians,” she said.

“So when there’s an opportunity for me to put my hand up and volunteer to go regional, it’s a way for me to repay the country that has given me so much.”

The self proclaimed ‘country girl’ said she has always had a ‘soft spot and curiosity’ for how health services were provided in rural and regional Australia.

“I spend a lot of time listening and trying to understand the needs of the Biloela community and the larger community in Gladstone and Rockhampton,” she said.

Ms Foytong said the Wahroonga Lutheran Services Aged Care is not just serving the local community, with the next closest residential or aged care service 75km away.

“We take great pride in providing services and an environment where the residents in the area can remain in their own community and family to have that sense of belonging,” she said.

The services manager said serving her community was another big factor in her frequent tree changes across the country.

“I strongly feel that if you feel you can be useful and make a positive change, you must find a way to do so,” she said.

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Ms Foytong is a Service Manager at Lutheran Services Wahroonga Aged Care. Pictured: Supplied.

What to expect when you move to a rural town

When it comes to her workload, Ms Foytong said it’s just as busy as working in an aged care centre in the big smoke.

“In terms of meeting people’s needs and the service delivery from the aged care point of view, there isn’t much difference,” she said.

Ms Foytong said it didn’t take her long to feel settled in Biloela as the people are ‘so exceptionally kind and make you feel comfortable.’

“I have never been so socially busy, I have people over for dinner and I go out more than I ever did in the city,” she said.

“I have so much more time to know people in a more meaningful way.”

Before moving to a rural area, Ms Foytong advised that you need to be open minded and resourceful to make the transition work, as small things like the shops closing early can be difficult to adjust to at the start.

“I wanted to bake scones for my first day but couldn’t buy everything as the shops were closed, so I had an empty bottle that I used for a rolling pin and a glass to cut the dough,” she said.

“You have to be patient and committed to stay the course and don’t throw in the towel when things get difficult,” she said.

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Ms Foytong said anyone can make the move to regional Australia. Pictured: Supplied.

Advice to people considering moving to a rural town

Whether you’re just starting or well-established in your career, Ms Foytong said anyone can make the move to regional Australia.

“The chance to build a trusting relationship with people in the community is very rewarding and it really adds value to your life,” she said.

“Of course, not having any traffic let’s me get to work in five minutes.”

Ms Foytong added that Aussies need to be more open minded as ‘people don’t try to understand what’s really going on in rural and regional communities’. But she said moving to a rural town can help others find their new home and a strong support system.

“I say to everybody out there, your skills and knowledge can be very useful to regional communities and you won’t regret it.”

This article was created in sponsorship with SEEK

Originally published as What is a tree change: Why more Australians are moving to regional towns