Natalie and Joel Shave have been as busy as, well, bees.
The couple, along with their two daughters, made a huge life change several years ago, packing up their lives in Brisbane and moving to Coolamon, NSW, in February 2022.
Moving with a four-year-old and a four-month-old is not for the faint of heart. But the couple were driven by their passion to launch a business and create a slower-paced life in the country for their girls.
‘The motivation for our move was the culmination of a few factors – namely our decision to start a commercial beekeeping business, COVID restrictions easing in NSW, and our tenancy lease coming to an end, all underpinned by a long-standing desire to live in the rural countryside.’
Despite a few challenges along the way, their brave move has steered them towards a more fulfilling family life in the country. When they’re not working on the business, you’ll find the young family swimming at Middle Beach and canoeing on the Murrumbidgee River, horse riding or exploring the scenic region.
.png)
Leaving city life and their support network back in Brisbane, the young parents found the move isolating at first. ‘[But] as we began to establish some roots and community connections, and with our children getting older, we’ve been able to transition away from the fight or flight responses, and allow ourselves to find more time for our family to relax and connect.’
And ultimately, the close-knit community began to feel like their home, too. ‘When we arrived in Coolamon, there was such a strong sense of community it was a bit intimidating to be honest. I imagine this to be the case in any move to a regional town unless you already have ties to the area. As welcoming as the locals were, it was a good year or so before we began to feel like this is our home.’
But now the Shave family are indeed an important part of the Coolamon community. ‘The community has been very welcoming. As we've gotten to know more and more of the locals, it’s been our experience that most everyone is kind and happy to help, which very much aligns with our values.’
One conversation in 2018 was all it took to ignite Joel and Natalie’s passion for bees. But what began as a hobby soon evolved into a shared calling and prompted their dramatic career shift from finance, and their move from Brisbane to regional NSW. It also sparked their launch of a new rural life as they built up their bee-focused business, Waggle & Round, and became a beloved local honey producer.
Their role in the local agriculture industry has also helped them to earn a place within the community. ‘Our business Waggle & Round primarily focuses on honey production and crop pollination. However, we’re always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate with local businesses.’
Things haven’t always been easy, but the couple are adamant that they’ve always been worth it.
‘Owning our own business is the hardest yet most rewarding experience. We’ve faced some significant challenges since moving to Coolamon to start Waggle & Round. From Varroa Mite and the COVID-like movement restrictions, to heavy rain and flooding, and now this yea, no rain and minimal flowering flora, resulting in cancelled pollination contracts and disruptions to our honey-production efforts.’
‘The learning curve was steep and we had much to learn about running a commercial-sized beekeeping business.’ ‘But there’s nothing like a tough few years to welcome you to a primary industry. We have a whole new respect for farmers now. The mental strength it takes to overcome the stress and endure the tough times – most of which are caused by factors outside your control – is next level. We’ve both grown to be better versions of ourselves as a result of the challenges we've faced.
.png)
One of the benefits of their tree change is the fantastic work-life balance the couple have been able to carve out, though with a brand new business, it wasn’t always easy, particularly in the beginning.
Natalie says, ‘Striking a good work/life balance wasn't easy – frankly, it was a big challenge that we had to overcome! But now that we have a few years under our belt, we can better plan and anticipate our days/weeks/months, which enables us to find that healthy balance our family needs.’
‘I find I'm able to be home more on average than I would be if I were working a job and commuting. Sure, we may be sacrificing some earning potential, but it’s a healthier decision while our family is still young.’
There are hundreds of reasons why someone might choose Coolamon for their tree change, with its blend of rural charm and modern amenities. The town boasts beautifully preserved heritage architecture and offers boutique shops, cozy cafes, yummy local foods (like the Coolamon Cheese Co.), museums (like the RSL Museum and the Ganmain Historical Museum) and the historic Up-to-Date Store Cultural Precinct. Nature lovers can explore the local Kindra State Forest – a 520-hectare reserve featuring walking and biking trails where they can enjoy native flora and fauna.
Coolamon’s strong sense of community is evident in its active local events, such as the Vintage Rail Journeys Riverina tours and the Marrar Campdraft (which is coming up this month!). With affordable housing options, quality schools and excellent healthcare facilities, Coolamon has so much to offer to any new family.
.png)
For the Shaves, Coolamon offered them an opportunity they simply couldn’t pass up. ‘We chose Coolamon purely due to the fact that the beehives we purchased were in Coolamon, along with our mentor,’ they explain. ‘It just so happened that Coolamon turned out to be an ideal town to choose, with its close proximity to Wagga Wagga and a fairly central position in the Riverina providing access to a wide variety of local native and cultivated flora.’
‘Natalie and I feel very fortunate that the community has been very welcoming and we've met some of the kindest people here in Coolamon,’ says Joel.
Find out more about a Country Change to Coolamon or contact us for support, we’d love to help!
.webp)
.webp)
.png)
.png)
.png)