John Barr, Registered Nurse, Cairns Hospital, Queensland Health
For registered nurse John Barr and his partner, occupational therapist Sarah Vernal, Glasgow’s gloomy skies were no match for the lure of Australia’s brilliant weather and
the opportunities they have found at Cairns Hospital in Queensland to advance their mental health careers.
“There are so many opportunities for advancement and variety of practice in Queensland, including the chance to work with indigenous communities and learn more about the culture,” John said. “We also wanted the beach and rainforest areas to be more accessible, and have a more laidback lifestyle.
“Once we’d got the ball rolling on our paperwork, it was fairly smooth sailing. We were sponsored by Queensland Health, and advice and guidance from the hospital team was available every step of the way. And even though we’d arrived in Queensland with just our suitcases, it didn’t take us long to start over with a lovely new home and pool, car, bikes – plus a great new circle of welcoming friends.”
Sarah agrees that the move has been a positive one in terms of their quality of life and career prospects. “The superannuation schemes are very sound and the cost of living is much lower than in the UK, so we do enjoy a sense of freedom. We love the fact that Australians have a positive outlook on life and everyone is encouraged to have a ‘fair go’.
“Don’t be put off by the idea of dealing with immigration and registration; it’s easier than you’d think. We’ve embraced this opportunity to experience life in Australia, and it has absolutely been worth the effort.”
-Story provided by Queensland Health
