Picturesque and pristine, the untouched environments of the Gascoyne region are some of the most beautiful and bountiful, with a strong focus on indigenous cultural values in the area. The diverse landscapes offer an abundance of activities, of which are often the drawcard to visitors of the region, but pillars of the lifestyle enjoyed by the residents. From the expanse of the deserts and beyond the coastlines, community is at the heart of the Gascoyne region for Simmone Van Buerle, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Gascoyne.
While the environment in this small region boasts two World Heritage Sites, the collaborative mindset and friendship groups that form among residents mean the world to the communities that call the Gascoyne home. Just because the region may be isolated by distance does not mean that residents must face isolation. Based in Carnarvon, the largest town and administrative centre of the region, Simmone is an advocate for improving the quality of life for those in the Gascoyne so that no matter in which stage of life, residents can choose to stay rather than feel forced to leave for further opportunities.
The pursuit of education and training in the regions is often mired with difficult decisions and obstacles. Families with children who reach that high school age are faced with a choice: send your child away to boarding school or uproot the family and move. Simmone noted that this is a common story that impacts her community in the Gascoyne. Adults driven to undertake further academic study, vocational training, or professional development also experience the barriers created by distance. While the COVID pandemic accelerated the use of technologies to connect people to information and networks, some adults still need to travel to Perth or relocate to access programs and courses.
Despite the distance, Simmone remarked that professional development is indeed accessible in the regions, but that it is dependent on collaboration and the willingness for communities in the region to help one another. Some employers have the capacity to financially support employees as they seek professional development opportunities, either sending them to Perth or bringing programs to the community. The Shire of Carnarvon recently secured a trainer to deliver a workshop and because there were spaces still available, they asked another organisation in town if any of their staff would like to attend. The collaborative approach to professional development is a way to share opportunities for their community members to learn and grow and ultimately increase what is on offer in the regions. Simmone highlighted that “we can only develop regionally if we collaborate,” suggesting that the strong bonds throughout regional communities that already exist can serve as the path towards further development.
However, cost remains a deciding factor in accessing professional development, and Simmone recognises that the Gascoyne would benefit from more opportunities for individuals or small businesses to access further leaning and training in the region. Particularly for women in the regions, professional development opportunities that provide tools and strategies which would encourage them to stand up and represent their communities would be ideal. The transferable skills of confidence, public speaking, and leadership would hopefully propel women from behind the scenes to “come forward and be the face or a leader.”
Although the isolation in the regions can create barriers, Simmone is adamant that the regions present unique opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. Relocating to the regions for a management or leadership role is a good way of stepping up and gaining experience in these roles that are often far more competitive in city centres. Because there is a limited number of very senior positions in the regions, the reality is that career progression can sometimes seem to hit a ceiling, but the diversity of roles and quick progression are still worthwhile to those willing to travel or relocate.
Simmone was willing to do just that: take a chance, make a change, and travel. After a self-proclaimed “failed attempt at studying medicine,” Simmone travelled Asia and the UK while she, like many of us, thought about where she wanted to be and who she wanted to become. She completed a physiotherapy degree which she put to use when she worked part time in Vietnam during a short 12-year stint abroad. There, she also founded a business development and fashion company, facilitating connection between Vietnamese women who produced items and international designers ensuring that each could expand their businesses through collaboration. Even in the bustling city of Hanoi, she heard the call of the wide-open spaces of Australia and chose to go regional when she returned, taking with her some amazing real-world experiences and the key skills of collaboration.
Even though Simmone grew up in Perth, she chooses to live regionally – 8 years in the Pilbara and now at home in the Gascoyne. In Perth, Simmone attended an all-girls high school and in the formative years of her youth first realised the “importance of female friends to lift you up.” As the RRR Network Regional Ambassador for the Gascoyne, Simmone hopes to “inspire women to rely on each other” and wants “women to know that they can represent the community they live in.” Simmone is currently working with the RRR Network on a project to encourage women to access positions in councils. She hopes that women will feel confident to become senior leaders in their communities with the support of strong networks of women, like RRR Network, who serve as conduits connecting women, a “network of cheerleaders,” and a place for swapping stories throughout that leadership journey.
If you’re searching for a path towards leadership or simply want to connect, reach out to Simmone Van Buerle, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Gascoyne!
Written by: Lynn Whyatt – RRR Storyteller.