Relocating from busy inner-city Sydney, Patrick and Lucy Carson believe that their recent move to East Gippsland was the right one. Their decision to move was aided with the arrival of their daughter, Jemima, now 17 months old, and the close proximity of their new hometown Metung to Lucy’s family. “We had visited the East Gippsland area many times, and we found it harder to leave each time. Moving to Metung has provided us with more freedom and time to enjoy life.”
Growing up in country New South Wales, Patrick enjoyed the lifestyle and wanted the same upbringing for his own children. “East Gippsland is not just rural farming, like where I grew up. It has the added advantage of coastal, river and lakes water systems.” said Patrick. “We can also enjoy loads of additional outdoor activities such as boating, skiing, and motor bike riding. Potentially, from a lifestyle point of view, East Gippsland is the best place we have seen.”
The choice of schools in the area is also an advantage for Patrick and Lucy, as well as the warmer climate, compared to that of Canberra, where they also have family.
Lucy comes from a Sales employment background, which consequently became too demanding on their lifestyle. When the opportunity arose for Patrick to build on his career in East Gippsland, the chance to relocate seemed like a good option. The move also allowed Lucy to continue her work as a qualified Pilates and Fitness Instructor in Metung, as well as starting her own Gourmet Food Business.
Living in Metung has secured an excellent work/life balance for both Patrick and Lucy. Patrick, the Business Manager at SLAP Architects in Bairnsdale, finds the ability to be home from work before his daughter goes to bed very satisfying. “Living in Sydney, I wouldn’t get home from work until well after 7pm due to traffic and after-hours work activities. Now I’m home earlier and I am able to spend more time with my family.”
“My parents moved to East Gippsland about ten years ago, and then my sister Jane moved not long after.” Lucy comments. “Having my family live in the next town allows us all to be closer and to help each other out whenever needed.”
Having family so close was one of the aspects that inspired Lucy and Jane’s newly established Gourmet foods business, East Gippsland Eats. The business, which has been operating since late 2011, delivers a range of products including muesli and sweet biscuits. The sisters are able to take turns at cooking and looking after their daughters, and their mum is also close by to lend a hand when needed. The business venture also coincides with Lucy’s other business, Metung Fitness. “I discovered that my clients were not eating a healthy breakfast, so I developed a muesli to aid them in their fitness goal.” Said Lucy.
Lucy, who previously worked as an Interior Designer, decided to pursue her passion for nutrition through study and subsequently started her own line of gluten-free muesli. Both Jane and Lucy will continue to grow the business and their client base, further attending markets and trade-shows. Such events have already seen the pair land themselves a position at the Prahran Market and local supermarkets such as David Lucke’s Fresh Food Market and IGA Paynesville. Future goals for the business are to increase the product range, once their children are older and they have more time to spare.
Outside of work, activities for Patrick and Lucy include boating, walking, day trips and making use of the East Gippsland Rail-Trail. “There is still so much to discover in East Gippsland. The natural beauty of the country side is intriguing.”
The “village aspect” is an enjoyable part of living in Meting, where Lucy comments she makes sure she has an extra five minutes every time she heads down the street because she knows she will ‘bump’ into somebody for a chat. “All of the locals are so friendly and you get to know everybody, unlike Sydney where everybody is in a rush.”
Both Lucy and Patrick have family in Canberra, which they take the five hour drive to visit on occasion. “It’s such a beautiful drive to Canberra. We can either go along the coast or head up through the mountains.”
As Patrick points out, East Gippsland is relatively unknown to the city of Sydney. “The pace and the culture of East Gippsland is far better than it is in Sydney. There, the people seem grumpy, whereas here the community is sociable.”