“Remote teaching has provided further opportunities for us to progress in leadership roles and to learn from Indigenous community members about their land and culture.”
Hannah and Dane Roberton both finished their teaching degrees in 2013 and worked at schools in Sydney for three years. “Hannah majored in Indigenous Education and we were both interested in teaching in a remote or regional location. We wanted to get a few years of experience under our belts before we headed off on an adventure.” “Dane is originally from Derby and he had always wanted to go back so we decided to try and head to the Kimberley, WA.”
“We transferred our teaching qualifications over to WA and entered the Remote Teaching Pool. Moving was an interesting process and all a part of the adventure. Everything was picked up from Sydney at the end of the year by removalists and completely paid for by the Department of Education. As is typical in remote settings, our possessions didn't arrive until half way through Term 1. There was a heavy wet season so we had to make do until then, but like everything, we received a lot of support from the staff at La Grange Remote Community School.”
When asked what they like about living remotely, Hannah and Dane’s appreciation for their lifestyle is evident. “We love the slower lifestyle that characterises remote locations and the feeling of community. We recently had a baby and the remote location has allowed us to spend more time as a family and to have a greater work and life balance. It is a beautiful part of Australia that we get to explore by going fishing and camping. Our remote teaching allowances, flight subsidies and free teacher housing has made it possible to save more money as a family than we would have been able to do if we lived in the city.”