Part 6 of our series: What I'm Grateful For From 2020
Regional living, family and opportunities - Regional Startup Connector with the UNE SMART Region Incubator, Alison Treloar, has found much to be thankful for upon looking back on 2020.
"It has been a challenging for everyone, but there is so much to be grateful for leading into the new year.
"For one thing, I am grateful to be living in a regional area, which has provided a level of protection from COVID-19.
"I'm also grateful for the career pathways that now exist in regional Australia. COVID-19 or not, there are so many opportunities to step outside the box. I'm thrilled to be able to do the work I am doing within the incubator, helping start-ups to progress their businesses. I've been able to take my transferable skills and step into a role that's in a completely different industry.
"This year I have also been grateful for the space and reduced congestion of living in regional Australia. Our family is fortunate to live right on the edge of town in Tamworth. During lockdown, our three kids could roam the nearby hills and bushland. We also have a big enough backyard to get chickens - a COVID-cliché but something we have always wanted to do - and we resurrected our vegie gardens.
“We had so much space to move around in and to enjoy activities that people in a metro area couldn't dream of. I feel incredibly grateful for that physical space.
"I also feel very grateful for family and what a big role they play in our lives. Not being able to visit family members just around the corner during lockdown reminded us of just how important family is."
Also in this series:
- Part 1: 'I won't go back to what I was doing before'
- Part 2: 'My workmates gave me strength when I was on my knees'
- Part 3: A new appreciation of the essentials - the people around us
- Part 4: Back in the arms of family after months of separation
- Part 5: Adventure vs the quiet life: Lifelong traveller ‘lucky in lockdown’
- Part 7: Meditation, exercise, family ... and wi-fi
- Part 8: 'My optimism has surprised even me'
