Nearly 10 million people, or close to 40 per cent of Australia’s population, now live in regional Australia and for many of them it’s been a choice – but why?
That question is at the heart of You Moved Where?!, a podcast developed by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), as part of the Move to More initiative, that features the stories of everyday Australians who have packed up their lives in big cities and settled in the regions.
Hosted by film and tv producer, Bec Bignell, herself a recently returned regional resident, You Moved Where?! is back for its third season, taking a glimpse into the highs and lows of moving away from a metropolitan lifestyle.
“It’s been such a privilege to speak to people about their journeys. For many of them, it’s truly been a journey into the unknown! What has emerged throughout this podcast though, is almost everyone has commented about four special aspects of regional living: the sky, the sunsets, the space, and time they’ve been able to get back,” Bec said.
Since 2018, regional Australia’s population has grown by more than 6 per cent. Figures released by the RAI for the March quarter show 25 per cent more people are moving from cities to regions, than in the opposite direction.
The new season of You Moved Where?! kicked off this week with a special bonus episode featuring a chat between Bec and podcast producer Grace Rouvray, charting the learnings and highlights of the past two seasons.
Eight new episodes will then be released weekly and include Emma Jackson’s move from Manchester, England to Cape York where she had an unforgettable encounter with a python; visual artist Caroline Rannersberger’s relocation to the breathtaking Bruny Island, where extreme weather is regular occurrence; and Rika Hamaguchi’s journey from the Kimberley to Sydney, to perform with the Bangara Dance Company, and then back home again.
The first episode of the season will feature wedding dress designer Melinda O’Donoghue’s life in Gurley, just outside of Moree in north-west New South Wales.
Melinda has some cheeky advice for those who think country and couture don’t quite mix:
“I was recently on a panel for International Women’s Day, and I looked out across this sea of amazingly clad, beautiful local women. I think a lot of people from the city think everyone is daggy wearing ugg boots and flannelette shirts, but country people are very stylish and country women are savvy and they know exactly what they want.”
You Moved Where?! is available on the Move to More website, and you can subscribe to receive new episodes as they drop at Apple and Spotify.
