Business, community and first home:  Bec’s unexpected gifts from tree change to Wentworth

‘This is home and this is where I’ll stay.’

Sometimes, even the most carefully laid plans go awry. Sometimes, something better happens instead.

After diligently devising a 10-year plan to make the move from Melbourne, just a few short years later, Bec Marshall found herself living in her favourite place.

‘I’m a rower, and every year, for years and years, we’d drive from Melbourne to Wentworth for the Easter Regatta, on the Darling River,’ she explains. ‘Then later on in the year, I’d go back to Wentworth for the Flying Doctor Rowathon, which was rowing huge kilometres in a day to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.’

She fell in love with the area. ‘I was so taken with Wentworth, the town and the people, that in 2017, I decided to set myself a 10-year plan to move here,’ Bec says.

‘But just two-and-a-half years into my perfectly designed plan, driving back from a holiday in Wentworth, I decided – why wait? I gave my employer in Melbourne six months’ notice, and I officially became a Wentworth resident on July 1st, 2019.’

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No Regrets For This Tree Changer

Leaving city life behind and making the move to the country felt right for Bec.

‘The town, the community, the attractions, the landscapes [and] being so close to two rivers all helped make my decision,’ she says.

‘The move was easy. I had some wonderful friends who assisted with the move itself and then some more wonderful friends who accommodated me, guided and advised me once I got here, until I had my feet grounded.’

Bec told herself that if she didn’t enjoy her new home, she could always return to Melbourne. But Wentworth won her over, and there’s never been a day when she’s regretted the move.

‘To this day, I’ve never once thought about leaving. This is home, and this is where I’ll stay.’

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The Unexpected Gift of Home Ownership

The move hasn’t just given Bec a better work/life balance, but improved housing affordability has also allowed her to buy her first home.

‘Coming from Melbourne, I could never see myself owning a home. Prices were ridiculous and made it not achievable on a single income to be able to purchase.’ But more favourable conditions in Wentworth Shire presented her with a dream she had thought impossible.

‘I’ll never forget when I approached the bank and went through some initial figures to see about a possible loan. The bank sat there, laughed and said, “You won’t believe this, but even paying a mortgage, you’ll still be saving.” And that combined will be less than the rent I was paying in Melbourne. Not long after that, I purchased my first home!’

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Business Opportunities in an Untapped Market

Bec’s tree change also paved the way for the creation of a side business she loves.

‘Since being in Wentworth, I’ve thrown myself into the community and found there was a need for social media support and website creation. From there, Junction Media Consulting was formed three-and-a-half years ago.’

Bec says 98% of her customers are local businesses. ‘As a small business owner, I try to assist other businesses and community groups within our amazing region. Working with these local businesses has been a great way to become embedded in the fabric of a community.’

And it’s proven a successful formula – Junction Media Consulting has gone from strength to strength.

Bec also services her community as the Community Development & Marketing Coordinator at the Community Bank Wentworth & District. ‘I love my role as every day I’m working with someone from the community. Community banks are all about giving back to the community, and I love that I get to do this on a daily basis.’
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Feeling Supported in a Close Community

Bec has loved being part of such a friendly and supportive community. ‘The community of Wentworth welcomed me with open arms, and I’m so grateful for that as it makes, and still makes, the transition so much easier.’

It also makes challenging times a lot more navigable. The 2022 floods proved a scary time for Wentworth locals. ‘We’re very lucky that we have a levy bank surrounding the town, but there were still some hairy and anxious moments, and when you have the junction of the two biggest rivers on your doorstep,’ she says.

Once again, the Wentworth community proved they have each other’s backs. ‘Like rural and small towns do, people supported each other, and the community came together, which was a special thing to be part of.’

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Natural Beauty Abounds in Wentworth Shire

While the Murray and Darling Rivers flowed a little too strong during the floods, they are ordinarily a scenic drawcard for Wentworth Shire residents and visitors.

Bec herself is Captain and Head Coach of the Wentworth District Rowing Club, while her dog Billy loves swimming in the river and others enjoy water skiing, sailing and fishing. Additional natural highlights in the region include the Perry Sandhills and River Red Gums.

The area has a rich history, as visitors will discover in the Old Wentworth Gaol, Wentworth Military Collection and Wentworth Pioneer Museum. The Wentworth Show offers another opportunity to celebrate the unique character of the regions and Bec enjoys her role as Publicity Officer and Committee member.

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Advice for others considering a tree change

• ‘If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, don’t wait, just bite the bullet and give it a go – you won’t regret it.’
• ‘Be open-minded, immerse yourself into the community you choose and make changes to suit your new lifestyle – your “new you”.’
• ‘I didn’t really set any expectations; I just knew I was making the right decision. All I came with was a hope for a different, positive, more relaxed life – and that certainly has happened. While I’m still very busy, it’s a more relaxed kind of busy. Finding time to enjoy the simple things in life has been a priority.’
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