It’s a long way from the oil-rich gulf country Kuwait to Jamestown, alongside rivers, forests and farms, north of Adelaide. Yet Registered Nurse Titty Mol Antony has done just that with her family – moving from the Middle East to the Mid North.
Having been a nurse for 21 years, including 13 years in Kuwait, Titty moved to New Zealand to complete the Competency Assessment Program (CAP) in 2024. She obtained her New Zealand registration, which also enabled her to gain her AHPRA registration in Australia. Interested in working in aged care in Australia, Titty worked with Australian Migration and Recruitment Consulting in Melbourne, which identified and liaised with Helping Hand as a potential employer. Helping Hand was then able to support her visa application, along with supporting her accommodation and basic moving needs. With her husband and two sons, aged 14 and 8, she arrived in South Australia ready to become part of her new community.
“The community has been very welcoming and supportive, which has helped us feel comfortable quickly,” Titty said. “Since arriving, we have been actively involved in the local community through St James Catholic Church. We attend regular church services and participate in various church activities. We also enjoy joining in community celebrations, such as joint Christmas events and other festivals, which help us feel connected and part of the town.”
Moving from Kuwait – which has a population of about 4.8 million – to Jamestown – with a population of fewer than 1,400 people – has been a breath of fresh air for the family. Life was busier in Kuwait, which often comes when you’re living in a bustling, high-tech city.
“Here, it is much quieter and more peaceful, which we really appreciate as a family. The calm environment makes it a great place to relax and spend quality time together,” she said. “What I enjoy most about living in a regional community is the peaceful and quiet environment. There is less traffic, very low crime, fresh air, and beautiful natural surroundings.”
Both of her boys are settling in well. Her older son is studying at St Mark’s College in Port Pirie, while her younger son is at St James Catholic School in Jamestown.
“The students and staff have been very friendly and supportive, which has helped them feel comfortable and happy at school.”
Aside from living in a completely different culture and climate, Titty has embraced her working life in aged care. As a hospital worker in the past, she now fills the role of an RN and has higher responsibilities at Helping Hand. Her role is more independent than it was with previous employers, and unlike hospitals, there are no doctors on-site, or supervisors overseeing her work.
“This has allowed me to develop my decision-making skills and build closer relationships with residents, which is very rewarding.”
She appreciates working in aged care because it has given her the opportunity to spend more time with older people, helping with their needs and providing companionship to ease their loneliness. She is embracing her working life in Jamestown, where she enjoys working with her colleagues, finding them “supportive, friendly and approachable, which makes teamwork smooth and enjoyable”.
“Life in a regional area is peaceful, safe, and family-friendly and it offers a great work-life balance. With the right support, like Helping Hand provides, settling in is much easier than you might expect.”
While she hasn’t quite settled into the “vegemite on toast” breakfast diet, Titty and her family have so far enjoyed eating out locally, in Port Pirie and in Adelaide, where they have been able to find their favourite foods.
Life is sounding quite comfortable and settled for Titty and her family, and she is encouraging others to follow her lead and move to a regional community. While it might be that little bit quieter, it has been all-the-more rewarding.
