“I am from a large family and have such fond memories growing up here.
“We felt safe and had the freedom to play outside, ride horses and just enjoy being kids.
“When I was really young, I always thought I wanted to be a hairdresser and move to the big city, but as I matured, I found that I was less inclined to want to leave.
Cody initially began her career with Murrumbidgee Local health District in the kitchen as part of the Health Share team at Batlow Multipurpose Service. But it did not take long for her to discover she loved helping out residents and patients as part of her day.
“I loved the girls in the kitchen and my work but I quickly realised I wanted to be a nurse, so I trained as an Assistant in Nursing and now I am studying to become an enrolled nurse.
“The whole team is wonderful at Batlow because everyone is so friendly, professional and encouraging.
“I wanted to be the best version of myself, and they embraced that, and I have been supported so well while I study and upskill.
Cody thinks that people sometimes overlook employment and career opportunities in smaller regional towns without really understanding what is on offer.
“You don’t always have to leave a smaller regional centre to start a great career, and I am a perfect example of that.
“I started out in the kitchen and now here I am nursing, and I did not have to spend thousands of dollars relocating to a bigger city to do it.
“I love the team I work with, and they are such a dynamic and dedicated group of people, with a wide variety of skills. They are knowledgeable, confident and well equipped to offer an outstanding level of care to our residents and patients,” Cody said.
Cody says that small communities are remarkable at pulling together in tough times, and would not want to be anywhere else.
Now living in Tumut with her partner and commuting to work each day, Cody feels happy to now call two small regional centres home.
“I really believe that what will be, will be, so here I am, having the most wonderful opportunities to live my best live in the home town surrounded by family and friends.
