You Moved Where?!

Rika Hamaguchi, a descendant of the Yawuru, Bunaba, Bardi, and Jaru people in the Kimberley Region, discovered her passion for dance as a teen. Following her feet, she left Broome and was accepted into the Bangarra Dance Company, performing on the prestigious Sydney Opera House stage. Leaving Broome was challenging for Rika, who had to learn complex routines while managing homesickness. After thir...

Visual Artist and Curator Caroline Rannersberger has lived a transient life, living in multiple cities across the globe.   Through her art she explores perspective of place, capturing visceral reflections of landscapes. It’s perhaps no coincidence that she found herself moving to the remote Bruny Island - an Island off an Island off an Island. The step away from high-density cities was a natu...

Ever heard of a house having such pervasive powers? Well for Ellie, Dave and Violet, it was indeed a picture perfect house on the banks of the Snowy River that saw them picking up their life in Canberra to move to Dalgety.   Like many who embark on a tree change, the transition was not without its challenges. The enthusiastic trio had to navigate issues with water supply, childcare, and their...

Astrid Volzke, a press photographer, and Perin Mulcahy, a marketing professional, loved their big city jobs in Perth. However, as life would have it they found themselves living in regional Western Australia, in tiny towns with less than 300 people, working in unfamiliar fields. Astrid moved to Darkan in the wheatbelt, surrounded by wildflowers, rivers, and lakes. Perin relocated 150 kilometers aw...

Have you ever made a major life decision on a complete whim? That's exactly what Edwina Bartholomew and Neil Varcoe did when they drove through the charming town of Carcoar and decided to buy the local pub. Balancing Edwina's presenting job on Channel 7's Sunrise and Neil's crash course in renovations wasn't easy, but the warm welcome from the locals made it all worthwhile. Today, they own and ope...

The shire of Katanning in WA has become one of the most multicultural places in regional Australia. In this special episode, we spoke to some people who completely uprooted their lives to move not only to Australia but to the tiny town of Katanning. We talked to award-winning community member Moolay Lah Toh who supports migrant families making the move, new Mum Maeve who is challenging old farming...

Ever imagined having a snake as a roommate? For Emma Jackson, that's her reality in far north Queensland. Originally from Manchester, Emma fell in love while backpacking around Australia and decided to stay. Now, she fully embraces the unique aspects of regional life, including collecting her mail from a makeshift airstrip she built in her own backyard. We would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal...

When you think of the outback, designer dresses probably don't come to mind. But Melinda O'Donoghue is changing that perception. This Moree local moved her flourishing bridal design business to the countryside, and brides are flying into the tiny town, sometimes even staying at her homestead. Melinda is living proof that you don't need the city to grow your career.   We would like to acknowle...

To kick off the new series, Bec Bignell sits down with producer Grace Rouvray to reflect on the lessons learned from the past two series of You Moved Where?! We’ve heard stories from Broadway stars, broadcasters, doctors, and executives. We've visited cattle stations, coastal cottages, artist studios, and she-sheds. We've perched on porches, journeyed down main drags, and been swept up by the vibr...

Episode 8 Title: ‘You Moved Where?!’ - Holly Wainwright Acclaimed author Holly Wainwright, originally from Manchester, was always drawn to bright lights and urban adventures, living in London before relocating down under to Sydney. However, in Australia she was enticed out of the big smoke on family holidays where the experience of a regional lifestyle inspired her to move permanently.  In he...

Australian artists Pippa Grandison and Steve Le Marqued have graced our screens in some of the most iconic television shows and films such as Muriel’s Wedding, AllSaints, Underbelly, Red Dog and Water Rats.  While the prolific creative couple are used to the dizzy heights of show business, they always yearned for a rural property where they could nestle in nature and plant their feet in the d...

Episode 6 - Creativity outside the concrete jungle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5 - Yearning for the saltwater, stars and serenity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4 - At home in Hay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3 - Bush Broadcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2 - The magic of Alice… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YOU MOVED WHERE?! is an eight-episode podcast that shares stories from everyday Australians who’ve made the move from big, capital cities, setting sail for new horizons in regional Australia. And host Bec Bignell is no stranger to this experience herself… You Moved Where?!  is made on the land of the Keneang people. We would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people...

Olympian Giaan Rooney is an expert at living a transient lifestyle. With a successful career traversing swimming to TV broadcast, she’s never been in one place for too long. In 2020 Giaan set her sights on conquering farm life, purchasing a Macadamia Farm in the Northern Rivers. Together with her kids and husband Sam, the family has embraced the community spirit of the region making sure they all...

In pursuit of career aspirations, country girl Ellie Bigwood applied for the Australian Wool Innovation Graduate Training Program. Saying goodbye to WA’s red dirt, Ellie packed her bags and set her sights on an international city life. But when her plans were interrupted by the pandemic, she headed back to the West and found herself living in the Pilbara. Today YOU MOVED WHERE?! was made on the la...

Rising up the ranks in the Australian media landscape, Jacinta Reddan took a leap of faith and headed to Hong Kong. The opportunity and vibrancy grabbed her attention and 18 months turned into 30 years abroad. However, an amazing career opportunity in Cairns enticed her back home amongst the crocodiles and cane toads. Today YOU MOVED WHERE?! was made on the land of the Keneang people with Jacinta...

Ngadju Elder Aunty Yvonne left Norseman, WA to pursue a career in education driven by the fact her parents couldn’t read and write. After long and successful education career in Perth she moved to Esperance, Kepa Kurl. She’s as humble as they come but her impact is as powerful as the awe-inspiring Southern Ocean that laps at her feet. Today YOU MOVED WHERE?! was made on the land of the Whadjuk Noo...

As a city kid from metropolitan Melbourne, Daniel Fletcher never in a million years envisioned he’d wind up living in regional Australia. A few surprising moves, including one to a mates cotton farm, led Daniel and his family to Dalby, Queensland. The once city boy now converted country boy, is fully integrated into the community he calls home. YOU MOVED WHERE?! is made on the land of the Keneang...

American Actor Matt Young has certainly had a few plot twists to his story. Originally from Massachusetts, Matt sung and danced his way from New York to Australia via a cruise ship. A chance encounter at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras found Matt married with children and living in Blackall, Queensland. YOU MOVED WHERE?! is made on the land of the Keneang people with Matt Young joining us fr...

Country born Emily Riggs found herself living and working in Melbourne until love took her to the rural town of Burra in South Australia. Inspired by her surroundings, Emily created not only a life for herself in the sticks, but a career too. YOU MOVED WHERE?! is made on the land of the Keneang people with Emily Riggs joining us from the land of the Ngadjuri people. We would like to acknowledge th...