Well, I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag and say that I am leaving NZ and Willowbrook behind...
Now that I have my fellowship, I am off to greener pastures (in all reality, probably browner pastures) and crossing over to Millie's side of the ditch to work in Australia for a year.
This is in part because I think it will be a great experience working in a rural environment (having worked in the same tertiary hospital for the last 10 years; and with construction on Willowbrook looking like it will start in the next 3 months, I have chosen to exploit the significant pay disparity between Aussi and NZ, for a little while at least.
Above: Dubbo Main Street
I am going to be based in a town called Dubbo, in rural NSW. I am not sure what it is like as a place to live or what leisure options will be open to me, but I am sure I will make a go of it.
Peter is going to stay here and look after the gardens and farm. That will be a little hard on both of us, but we are agreed that this is a sensible thing to do, and I know that every opportunity has an expiry date.
Dubbo is famous for its Zoo...
and its rodeos and cowboys...
Beyond that I am not sure what to expect. It will be a busy job I'm sure, as Dubbo Base Hospital, where I will be working, has 24 ''feeder hospitals'' and services a catchment population of 300,000 people.
Never fear dear readers -with Peter's photographic help and the marvels of the interweb I will continue to blog about Willowbrook et cetera whilst over there.
Dear David,
ReplyDeleteDubbo: What an experience that will be! I have never been there myself although I did spend some time in Wagga Wagga once. I found it to be rather nice so I am sure that you will enjoy Dubbo also.
I shall be interested to here how it all goes - I will also be interested to see how Willowbrook progresses!
Merry Christmas to you and Peter!
Kirk
Goodness, that is a big step - living separately - and I certainly don't envy either of you the difficulty this will be. Since we've been together, (for 27 years), we've never lived apart, and in fact I gave up my highly paid job right at the beginning of our relationship, so that we could remain together. It was a momentous decision that neither of us has ever regretted. But I'm not saying it can't be done, and I'm sure your love will keep you together, whether the sea divides.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is huge news! Best of luck to you and Peter both as you embark on this journey. God speed! Reggie
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo David, have just caught up with this exciting news! You'll enjoy life in Dubbo, I lived in Albury for a year & worked in ICU at the Base hospital & it was the BEST year of my life! Just like Dubbo, Albury is the central Hospital for a huge catchment area. We didn't know from one minute to the next what would come hurtling through our doors. From large trauma to big burns to snake bite to obstetric emergencies to STEMI's - I leant more in that year than I would have done in a lifetime at a city Hospital.
ReplyDeleteI know you will be very much missed at home, but the year will pass by very quickly my friend. Take care & keep in touch.
Millie xx