Written by Elena Perse
“Treat it like an adventure!” That’s the number one piece of advice that Andrea Mattingly has for other young regional women moving to the city. In 2018, Andrea packed up her life and relocated to Perth to begin an enabling course at Curtin that would put her on the path to degrees in Coastal and Marine Science and Agribusiness.
Originally from Hyden, Andrea grew up close to Wave Rock but a long way from any actual beaches. “I think because the ocean was so far away and so special”, Andrea says, “that was part of what made me think ‘I really want to do this!’” While living in Hyden, Andrea would only visit the beach around once a year, so every visit was always unique and exciting, drawing her towards the world of marine science.
“I’ve loved being at uni”, Andrea says. “When I say that I’m doing a second undergrad, people often ask why, but I actually just enjoy uni!” At the beginning of 2022, having finished her degree in Coastal and Marine Science, Andrea began studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness. Andrea grew up on a broadacre farm, with her family. She hopes to return to living regionally and working on a farm like her family’s, helped by her Agribusiness degree. Andrea really values the sheep farming expertise that her adoptive father imparted on her, and so she decided to specialise in the sector of crop and pasture management to ensure she has a good balance of knowledge in both areas. “Sheep and crop really need to be working hand in hand on a property”, Andrea explains. Her studies at Curtin have given her the opportunity to develop her knowledge and skills in the area of crop and pasture management, an area that she had little practical experience in when she first began her studies.
After spending a year working regionally before moving to Perth, Andrea embarked on an enabling course, which prepared her for her degrees in Marine Science and Agribusiness. Andrea found that the bridging course was the perfect stepping stone between high school and university; she took university units in a high school environment and was close enough to Curtin to use the library and get involved in co-curricular activities. The support she received through these studies helped Andrea to develop her study skills and increased her confidence. Having struggled with dyslexia throughout high school, Andrea was excited to begin university and determined to give it her best. The new environment and the challenge of being at university pushed her to achieve. Getting the results she had always dreamed of in high school motivated her even further. Relocating to Perth gave Andrea the opportunity to move outside her comfort zone and to embrace new opportunities. Now, after four years at university, Andrea is secretary of the Curtin Divers’ Club and loves that living in Perth has driven her to learn and develop as a person.
As much as she loves university, though, the strong sense of community in small country towns is something that Andrea really misses. As soon as “I’m finished with uni”, Andrea says, “I’ll head straight back to Hyden!” With a total population of around only 400 people, almost everyone knows each other in Hyden, and Andrea felt like she experienced culture shock when she moved to Perth. Getting used to the idea that not everyone around her knew her and didn’t necessarily have her best interests at heart was one of the biggest challenges she faced in moving to the city. Another obstacle that Andrea experienced was essentially starting from scratch in Perth – having to find a new job and somewhere new to live on top of starting at university for the first time. She received a Curtin scholarship that assisted with her relocation to Perth, and the funds were quickly spent on rent and new furniture. “I hate to think what the move would have been like if I hadn’t had that financial cushion”, Andrea says. However, the experience she gained through these situations was worth it. “It’s really important to me to encourage other women to go and further their education in the way that I have”, Andrea says. “To come and challenge yourself, I think that’s a really good thing!”
Andrea has undoubtedly succeeded at Curtin, and in Perth generally, and coped with many challenges, but she can’t wait to get back to the country. While she would love to return to Hyden, what matters to her the most is living in a small country town where she can be involved with the community and develop that same sense of belonging that she loves about Hyden. “Even with my Marine Science degree, I would like to be regionally based with that and just work remotely”, Andrea explains. However, she’s especially hopeful that she will one day run a sheep farm like the one that she grew up on in Hyden. “I was a free-range kid, always running around and playing outside”, Andrea says. “One day, I want to raise my children in that environment too. That’s the most important reason that I want to move back regionally.”
Andrea encourages other young women considering moving to the city to just take the plunge and go for it. “Give it a try – you can’t really go wrong with it! Do your best and stretch your brain while you’re young”, she urges. Andrea’s experience studying in Perth has given her the tools to embark on her exciting future in regional Western Australia.