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Sarah is Team Leader at our AOD Services in South-West Queensland.
Relocating to Cloncurry in outback Queensland was never part of the plan, but I’m so glad I took the leap.
I began my journey with Lives Lived Well (LLW) in Brisbane back in July 2021, and I never could have imagined where this role would take me. In February 2022, my husband and I packed up everything we owned into our cars and headed to Mackay for a few months, before setting off on our next adventure in Cloncurry.
Cloncurry is a small outback town in North-West Queensland, a solid 18.5-hour drive from Brisbane. I’d only visited once before, and briefly, so I truly had no idea what to expect. I was excited to stay on with LLW, even if it meant working as the sole clinician in one of the most remote parts of the state.
I quickly discovered that life as an alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinician in Western Queensland is quite different from other programs. For starters, we drove a Prado instead of a Yaris! The role brought with it an incredible amount of variety including extensive travel, wide-ranging networking and plenty of opportunities to adapt on the fly. Some outreach trips were over eight hours away, but I genuinely enjoyed the travel, and spotting wild emus never gets old.
Fast forward over three years, and I’m still loving life in the outback. In November 2024, we relocated to Longreach, and the adventure continues. I’ve had so many memorable personal and professional experiences here. These roles have pushed me to think creatively, solve problems independently, and strengthen my communication skills through extensive community engagement.
Our time in Western Queensland isn’t quite over yet, but with a baby on the way later this year, my husband and I are preparing for the next chapter.
Just have a look at the photos to get a taste of what it’s like working in Western Queensland!
The Windorah Sand Hills are a pretty sight to see.
Doing our best to make the LLW sign on top of the Windorah Sand Hills!
Our Western Queensland team at the Jundah Camel Races in June 2024.
Starlight’s Lookout, 40-min drive from Longreach.
Our Cloncurry AOD program provides outreach all the way to Birdsville, which is only 10km from the South Australia border!
The things you come across on outreach travels.
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