When Helen Pollard left her CEO role in Tasmania’s aged care sector in 2024, she traded boardrooms for backroads – embarking on a nomadic adventure in a 50-year-old Volkswagen Kombi van. Armed with a lifetime of experience in emergency care, aged care management and community services, Helen set off to explore Australia, one short-term role at a time.
“I wanted to see more of the country, but I didn’t want to stop contributing,” Helen says.
“So I thought, why not take what I’ve learned in my long career on the road?”
Helen is part of a quiet but powerful movement. Experienced health professionals bringing leadership, energy, and care to Australia’s remote and under-served communities. She whetted her appetite with around 20 short stints in homes in Tasmania before jumping on the ferry for the mainland. Next it was placements in homes in Bendigo and Corryong in Victoria’s High Country before a LinkedIn connection suggested Broken Hill
Helen is now the Residential Manager at St Anne’s Nursing home, a 90-bed home operated by Southern Cross Care and she’s stayed far longer than she first expected.
“I signed on for three to six months,” she laughs.
“I’m now in month 11 of that six-month contract. But I really feel like I’ve lived here, not just passed through.”
Life and work in the outback
For Helen, the real difference in rural work isn’t just clinical, it’s cultural.
“In places like Broken Hill, you don’t just go to work. You become part of the community,” she says.
“Whether it’s running with the running club, joining a fundraiser, or biking out to Silverton with a group of retirees, there’s always a way in if you’re willing to say yes.”
She believes this community integration is a crucial factor in workforce retention.
“If you isolate yourself, it’s a hard road. But if you make the effort—go to the local pub, support local events—you get so much back. You’re not just a worker, you’re a neighbour.”
And in a sector where relationships matter, that connection extends to residents and families.
“Aged care isn’t transactional,” she says. “It’s about the whole person—their history, their family, their comfort at the end of life. Being in a smaller community lets you really honour that.”
Why rural roles attract (and keep) talent
Helen sees real potential for rural aged care to attract a new generation of health professionals, especially those open to leadership.
“In regional roles, you often get more exposure, more responsibility, and more variety,” she says.
“There’s less red tape, and because teams are smaller, your contribution is visible. You can often step into senior roles faster.”
And while rural posts may not always come with the same level of infrastructure or professional support, Helen argues the gap is closing.
“With online learning, telehealth, and good peer networks, you’re never really out of touch. And the life outside work? It’s slower, less stressful, more grounded.”
Her advice to others considering the move?
“Try it. Come for a short-term contract or placement. Say yes to the BBQs, the book clubs, the bike rides. The community will meet you halfway.”
The road ahead
Helen’s next stop is uncertain and that suits her just fine. Somewhere north, perhaps Queensland, possibly Cairns … definitely warm. But one thing is clear; her Kombi isn’t just a mode of transport. It’s a symbol of purpose, portability, and a very personal commitment to supporting aged care where it’s needed most.
“Rural communities deserve great care,” Helen says. “And they have so much to give in return.”
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