![Peta standing and smiling outside with a hat on, accompanied by the quote, “When the time came to decide if we would return [to Brisbane], we just looked at each other and said, no, this is home; we’re staying.”](/eventsandcommunity/PublishingImages/Blog-Banners/Petas-teaching-journey-in-the-outback-banner.jpg)
There's a reason outback adventures so often become lifelong lifestyle changes for many teachers in Queensland; our rural and remote communities have a way of stealing your heart!
Originally from Brisbane, primary teacher Peta admits she was hesitant when the department called with an offer to head out west but was eventually convinced by the promise of new opportunities and a fresh adventure for her family.
'I was only staying for three years and definitely, definitely going home,' she laughs, recalling her early determination to return. But after over a decade, Peta and her family have found that Longreach is truly where they belong.
They claimed that the decision to stay was not just about the job but about the fantastic life they built there.
The community embraced them with open arms and made them feel at home. Peta, who joined the school, grew personally and professionally in ways she never imagined.
'Professionally, so many opportunities have become available. It would be a very different trajectory if I hadn't come out west, professionally and personally.
I think professionally, I've always aspired to be a leader and I don't believe I would have succeeded and progressed as quickly if I were in a city school.'
'So, when the time came to decide if we would return, we just looked at each other and said, no, this is home; we're staying.'
In this video, Peta shares how a planned adventure led to a lifelong commitment to the Longreach community.