Princess realises the grass is greener in Edenhope

She'd waited five long years for sponsorship and, instead of an exciting new life, found herself in a small rural town with no car and nothing to do. 

“I was depressed for three months because I couldn’t work until my visa changed,” she said. 

“My friend was enticing me to apply for a job here but I was single and wanted to explore the city.” 

Itchy for excitement, Princess secured a job in Melbourne and sped toward the bright lights. But she soon found herself longing for that quiet community from which she'd fled. 

In the Philippines, Princess would regularly escape to her family’s ‘rest house’ farm, where chickens and pigs roamed between rice fields. 

She realised it was a peaceful life, in nature, that made her truly happy. 

“I came crawling back to my friend, who was a manager in Edenhope, and asked for the job,” she said. “It’s really weird that I’m happier here, but the aura is nice and I feel stable in this place.” 

Princess credits a “very friendly community” and supportive peers within Lakeside Living care facility for making her feel welcome. 

Although she misses Melbourne’s shopping and cuisine, there are always workarounds. 

“We need to go to Asian stores in Melbourne and fill the car full,” she said. “That’s why the Filipinos here all have big fridges, sometimes two big fridges!” 

But Princess’ diet is also changing, to include far more beef and salmon. 

“Only rich people can eat salmon in the Philippines, so I take photos and show them,” she laughed. 

When she is not working, Princess can be found sitting by Lake Wallace with a good book. 

She also plans to revive her love of golf and is working up the courage to approach Edenhope Golf Club. 

“I’m still single but the peaceful life is better; if it’s meant to be I’ll find someone here,” she said. 

“I’m thinking now, I’ll be here until I retire.”