But in Lisa Cockayne’s case, the change ended up being one of the best decisions of her life.
The Bunnaloo Public School teacher has held her position for the past 30 years — and she couldn’t be happier.
But it wasn’t always her plan to stay around the area.
“It was 1990 when I got sent out to Bunnaloo,” she said.
“I had just finished my University degree in Sydney and I planned to do my 12 months and move back to the city.
“I was a city girl and in my mind that’s where I wanted to be at the time.”
Lisa was sent to a tiny town in a new state, one she had never heard of.
“I’d never heard of Bunnaloo, but I was lucky. I had a uni friend from Wakool so she knew where I was going,” she said.
She made the move and found herself working in a two-teacher school with 26 students.
But her luck would soon change.
“It seemed like everyone in the district was told about these two young, single teachers who were new to town,” she said.
“All the young men started coming out of the woodwork then and that’s when I met the love of my life.”
Lisa married a local farmer and began to build her life in the small town.
As the years went on and things began to change, her love for the job didn’t.
“I’d always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl — and then I was lucky enough to meet a fantastic mentor when I arrived in Bunnaloo,” she said.
“Her name was Bev Rankin and she taught me everything I know.
‘‘She also cemented my love for the job.’’
The school itself grew, with more students, more technology, new facilities and more staff, but Lisa remained through it all.
“I could never imagine my life anywhere else,” she said. “I love the job, love the staff, love the students and I wake up every day so excited to go to work. It’s not just a job, it’s something I’ve always loved and I can’t wait to see how the school goes in the future.”
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