When Tawanda received an email suggesting a work opportunity in Tasmania, he had to Google to learn more. The senior physiotherapist had been living just outside London for 10 years with his young family and was seeking a change from the hectic pace. The more he read, the more Tasmania seemed a suitable fit.

“Before we moved here, we knew no one, yet for us it couldn’t feel more like home. We are settled and happy,” smiles Tawanda.

Tawanda at the New Norfolk District Hospital. Photo supplied

Tawanda grew up in Zimbabwe and after graduating from the University of Zimbabwe (BSc Honours Physiotherapy), he became Program Director of Moreyears Healthcare Trust – a non-profit trust with a focus on health of the elderly in Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Following the birth of his two children, the family moved to the United Kingdom in 2002 where Tawanda worked initially as an Occupational Health Physiotherapist and then as a Specialist Integrated Care Physiotherapist. His volunteer work and commitment to advocacy for the elderly has featured prominently throughout his career. Today it continues in his role as Senior Physiotherapist with the Tasmanian Health Service, where he works between the New Norfolk and Royal Hobart hospitals.

Tawanda has found his niche in the sub-acute area at the New Norfolk District Hospital, where he works four days a week. He is currently involved with allied health research in practice, supported by the University of Tasmania, evaluating an expert patient-led self-management program for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

As someone who used to commute more than an hour each way to work in London, Tawanda enjoys the much shorter commute to New Norfolk. “Although we were worried about our children adapting to life here, they did so more easily than us. We’ve been here four years, my wife also works as a nurse on the medical ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital.”

“Tasmania reminds me a lot of home because the mountains and farmland feel similar to the undulating terrain of Zimbabwe. We are here for the long term.”

Tawanda with his wife and their two children. Photo supplied

When Tawanda isn’t tending to mobility assessments for his patients or working in falls prevention and pain management, he’s making the most of the outdoors with his family and friends. He has also been instrumental in launching TAFRIC – an African community forum that empowers and supports Africans living in Tasmania. Launching in April 2018, TAFRIC now has close to 50 active members.

“We feel very connected here,” explains Tawanda. “We were not looking for big cities like Melbourne or Sydney, but a laid back family life where we can share time together and have balance. We have found that here. I’d never been fishing in a boat before and during summer we get out most weekends with friends. Sometimes I think our social schedule is as busy as our work one, which is wonderful!”

Are you interested in making a move? Make it Tasmania.

Find out more about migration pathways and the Tasmanian Health Service.

To explore employment opportunities within the Tasmanian Government, visit the jobs website