DIANA KINNANE AND GREG WERNER WAVED GOODBYE TO A REMOTE ISLAND OFF THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN COASTLINE, CAUGHT A PLANE TO DARWIN AND THEN MOTORED MORE THAN 3500 KILOMETRES TO TAKE UP THEIR NEW POST AS RESORT MANAGERS AT GEMLIFE HIGHFIELDS OVER-50S LIFESTYLE RESORT.
The couple, who are originally from South Australia and have been together for two years, arrived about five weeks ago from Groote Eylandt where Diana worked in a Centrelink community development program which provided training and assessment and helped the Indigenous population with skills-based activities and applying for jobs.
Greg spent 40 years in mixed farming in South Australia prior to heading up to the island to drive trucks for a civil engineering company before eventually taking on a mentoring and supervising role with the Indigenous community.
Both were seeking a tree change when the Resort Managers role came up at GemLife Highfields, and couldn’t believe their luck when they were given the thumbs up, and finally arrived at their new home.
“Wow! It was magnificent and so civilised compared to where we have come from – the resort and our accommodation are just perfect.
What’s more, there are no snakes, crocodiles or dingoes to eat our food!” laughed Greg, who oversees all the outdoor maintenance, gardening and upkeep.
Meanwhile, Diana is handling the day-to-day responsibilities on the administration and office side of the operation.
“We have both been meeting lots of residents who are all so lovely and interesting. Some have even been to Groote Eylandt which has become a popular topic of conversation,” said Diana.
Greg and Diana said they are keen to earn the trust and respect of homeowners by providing them with the best customer service possible.
While the Toowoomba temperatures are considerably cooler than Groote Eylandt, the couple love their new roles and can’t wait to see and experience more of the surrounding area and what it has to offer.