Lisa and Ryan’s Australian journey began in Western Australia. They then lived in the serene landscapes of the Southern Highlands in New South Wales for four years prior to moving to the NT. 

“We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the Australian lifestyle, camping on the weekends in the Blue Mountains, snorkelling in Jervis Bay and overnight hikes in the Budawangs. We took a break from work and travelled up to the NT for three months and fell in love with the culture, rugged landscape and remoteness. We promised each other if there would ever be an opportunity to work and live in the NT we would take it without a doubt.”

Their opportunity came when they saw an ALPA job ad for Duty Manager positions. Intrigued by ALPA's ethos and driven by their passion to learn more about First Nations cultures, Ryan and Lisa embarked on a bold move. With their brand new 4WD, they travelled from the Southern Highlands to Darwin, ready for their new chapter.

Embracing Aboriginal culture in Lajamanu 

Lisa and Ryan's journey led them to Lajamanu, a remote community on the edge of the Tanami Desert.

“The first day when we arrived we had a very warm welcome by the staff and the locals. In the first weeks we learned a lot about living in an Aboriginal community and the culture and traditions that are still very strong to this day. We got invited by the local artist Agnes who was very proud showing us her dot paintings. We loved her artwork and couldn't resist buying one for our home in Lajamanu.” 

Lisa and Ryan have enjoyed their time working with the locals and learning about ceremonies, songs and dances. Their roles evolved quickly from Duty Managers to aspiring Store Managers when a new opportunity arose - a job opening for a Store Manager Couple in Badu island.

When it was time to say goodbye to Lajamanu and the crew, a few tears were shed amongst the locals. After a well-deserved holiday, Lisa and Ryan started as Relief Store Managers at the Numburindi store in East Arnhem Land before heading out to Badu Island. 

“We had an amazing time working with the locals in Numburindi and learned a lot of new skills experiencing a different store. When the time came to leave, the staff were wondering if we could take them with us on the plane to these beautiful paradise looking islands that we showed pictures of.”

A new horizon: Badu Island in the Torres Strait

March 2024 marked the beginning of their adventure on Badu Island. 

“We have been in Badu Island for three months and it's been a completely different world. The Torres Strait Islanders are very different than the Aboriginal communities we experienced before. Both equally beautiful and interesting. We are learning about secret rock paintings and how to catch fish like uncle Maira with a handline. The locals here have been very welcoming and we have already learned a lot about their culture, and have even picked up on the traditional language.”

Looking ahead

As they continue their journey on Badu Island, Lisa and Ryan reflect on their experiences. Living on Badu Island, amidst the vastness of the Torres Strait, has undoubtedly fulfilled their dream of living remote. Despite the challenges that come with isolation, Ryan and Lisa have embraced the natural beauty that surrounds them, and continue to enjoy the “island way of life”.

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