“ I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s really pretty part of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s quite conservative, Southern Baptist Bible belt area. I finished high school and went to beauty school there at 18.
I lived in California for a while and at 22 I moved to Arizona for a few months. I then moved to Oakland, San Fransisco area for 4 years where I was working in a salon and decided I wanted to travel.
I came to Australia and stopped in Hawaii for a while on the way. I moved to Melbourne, didn’t know anyone and a friend linked me up with some people. I worked in a couple of salons in Melbourne and would come back and forth to the Northern Rivers. When it was cold down there I’d travel back here and visit some people in Lismore.
My son’s father grew up here so he had a few friends we’d visit. After we broke up I went to playgroup and met a lot of cool mums with kids. I decided I liked it up here. It felt like a safe place to come. I got a job as soon as I came here with ‘The Boys’ salon. I spoke to them about sponsoring me so I could stay in the country and just recently I became a permanent resident.
I’ve travelled between here and Melbourne a lot but would love to see more of Australia. My son is 4 and half now. He was born in the states. We went back for a visit just before he turned 2 but I’d like to get back this year. My sister who lives in New Orleans is getting married. I have another sister who lives in Siberia. My poor mum, all of her grandkids live overseas.
I love this area. All the towns are so different with so much character. Especially Lismore. It grows on you. It’s an interesting place with so many lovely people. I found my family up here.”