General News
16 September, 2024
Wimmera township a safe haven
Meri Gardiner left the eastern fringe of Melbourne in search of safety.
And she found that in the country surrounds of Hopetoun.
Ms Gardiner and her son Matt, 24, moved to the Mallee in the midst of COVID restrictions.
Before moving from Gippsland Ms Gardiner was a music teacher and owner of a music school, along with a school teacher in Warragul.
"It was my dream job until COVID came along and destroyed my business, then I was dealing with domestic violence issues so my son and I made the call to leave," she said.
Finding employment wasn't an issue for Ms Gardiner or her son, and she said she was lucky to be able to easily secure work.
"I had a job lined up with NAB Warracknabeal just after I’d moved so I ended up having an extended holiday at Christmas/New Year before starting my new job in February," said Ms Gardiner, who is now employed by Buloke Shire Council.
"Matt scored his first job at the local IGA.
"After a year working and living in Hopetoun, he left town and moved back to Melbourne for studies.
"He comes up to Hopetoun to visit every now and then."
Ms Gardiner said Hopetoun appealed to her as her new hometown because it was easy to secure an affordable house and home loan on her own, plus she loved living close to Lake Lascelles.
"I also enjoy the clean air and that it's a small country town and people are willing to help if you need help," Ms Gardiner said, adding that she enjoyed being close to wildlife.
"I do miss my family and being close to facilities."
There is a downside, though - and that's distance.
"Unfortunately, I have to drive to Horsham or Mildura if I want to go shopping in places like Kmart or Harvey Norman," she said.
"Hopetoun is limited with choices/facilities so I need drive outside of town - same with my work.
"Because I drive a lot for work or visiting family in Melbourne, I’m finding I’m having to replace my car a lot quicker than when I was living in Melbourne."