The arrival

Richard got his job offer at the end December 2020. The new year started with a prompt decision: he and his wife, Elena, smiled at each other, when they understood it was time to move on. It was time to start the new adventure: moving from the Eastern Byron Bay (NSW) to the Western Broome (WA). It was hard to leave Byron Bay: all that beauty, made of lush green hills, infinite blue fresh Ocean and so much more.

Changes are scary. Moving is terrifying, emotionally, but also practically. While Richard started off the job on the west side of the country, the rest of his family stayed with a friend in Sydney, to allow him to settle and feel confident about the new start.

“Have all your lattes and bus rides while you can” said Richard to Elena while she was in Sydney with the twins. She did not know exactly what he meant at the time, but she knew it would have all been fine. In a month,the family was finally under the same roof again, in Bidyadanga, an aboriginal dry community two hours drive South of Broome.

Richard’s job came with a house and minimal furniture, a large garden and lovely neighbors.

The jump from Byron Bay, and Sydney, to Bidyadanga was certainly a big one.

Facility wise, in Bidyadanga there is a school, the Women Centre, a general store, a pool that opens in the wet season, a football field and a lot of kids running around. No coffee shops, no big brands, no distractions.

Somehow, Richard and Elena found peace in all of these, but they were not aware just yet.

Richard was the doctor of the community and Elena was taking care of Jordan and Fiona during the day, as they were not in school age, yet.

At the school in Bidyadanga, a program called “Kindilink” allowed Elena, Jordan and Fiona, to spend the morning at school, three days per week, in a room full of educational toys, with structured activities, all while morning tea was provided for little ones and adults, too. Elena’s routine was simple: after a daily stroll to school, she was able to enjoy her kids peacefully. Nothing else to do. It was perfect.

Kindilink saved her the stress to look for playgrounds or different activities or cafes with sweet looking pastries. Everything slowed down.

Richard was working hard at the clinic and Elena was taking care of the kids. Kevin was born a year later and when all our stuff was set in Bidgy, it really felt right.