Why Don’t You Go to Darwin? – Part 2: The Leap

It had been three months since that Boxing Day chat with K at my brother’s house in 2023.

I’d actually found a job I was interested in but it wasn’t in Darwin.

It was in Far North Queensland.

I applied. They got back to me straight away. I had a final interview lined up. My housemate at the time overheard the whole thing from his room. There were a few red flags, sure, but I was seriously considering it. I’ve always loved taking risks and they usually paid off.

The interview finished. I walked into the kitchen.

My housemate came out and said:

“Man, what they said to you isn’t true. I’ve worked in roles like that. You’ll be running around doing everything, completely stressed out. Don’t take it.”

I heard the truth in his voice. And I accepted it.

The next day, I withdrew my application.

If I was going to leave Melbourne, I needed to feel some kind of confidence.

A few weeks later, I was lying in bed scrolling through Seek.

That’s when I saw it.

A listing for Ambulance Officer / Patient Transport positions in the Northern Territory.

Tennant Creek. Alice Springs. Nhulunbuy.

Nhulunbuy?

I’d never even heard of it.

The listing said they’d pay for your flights and cover all training.

I had no medical background but I had solid experience in senior corporate positions and volunteering.

I thought… What’s the worst that could happen?

I applied.

About a week later, I got the call.

A recruiter had read my application and wanted to set up an online interview over Microsoft Teams.

I said yes, it was booked for a couple of weeks later.

The interview came. I showed up honestly.

I’d done my research. I told them I was interested in playing local footy, maybe doing some coaching I’d been helping out at my old club and was enjoying it. I mentioned I’d be keen to volunteer in the community if I could offer anything useful.

I had zero medical knowledge. But they put me through some scenarios, and I did okay. Nothing flash.

They asked if I had a preference between Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, and Nhulunbuy.

I said Nhulunbuy.

They told me there were only three positions available there.

I told them, That’s where I’d like to go. But if not, then Alice. Then Tennant Creek.

I finished the interview feeling like it was 50/50, good vibe but no expectations.

Then came the email.

“You’ve progressed to the next round.”

This was getting real.

I had to do a psychological assessment.

A physical test.

I passed both.

Then, silence. Three weeks of it.

In that time, I was offered a possible promotion at the local council I’d been working at for a few months. My family and friends started getting in my ear:

“Why would you move to the NT?”

“Have you seen the news?”

“It’s all bad up there.”

There was a lot of negative press. I started to doubt myself.

I sent an email withdrawing from the application.

No response. I figured that was it.

And then came the sliding doors moment.

It was a Friday afternoon. I’d applied for a more senior role at the council. I hadn’t heard back in weeks, but the big boss had said I was a strong chance.

Then I found out through someone else that the role had already been given to someone.

No interview. No transparency.

Backdoor dealings.

I was pissed off.

Thirty minutes later, I was driving home, on the phone to my friend G, when an unknown number rang.

Hello, Chris speaking?”

It was the recruiter from the ambulance job.

She said:

“I saw your email. But I wanted to double check, I’ve got a contract on my desk. With your name on it.

For Nhulunbuy.

Are you sure you want to withdraw?”

I didn’t even blink.

“Send me the contract. I’m in.”

Just like that — I was off to Darwin.

Three months of training and induction.

Then onto Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem Land.

An adventure I never saw coming.