“People need to be on the first page of Google. Ironically, it’s a lot like PR was 25 years ago. Clients then wanted to be in a specific magazine or newspaper. Now, they want to be seen online. It’s the same need, just a different platform.”
Rebecca has spent much of her professional life in bustling cities. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, specialising in Public Relations, she began her career in Sydney working in Media Relations in the fast-evolving IT sector. This was followed by a stint in London where she took the opportunity to expand her skill set with further studies in web design. “Back in those days of the early Naughties, this meant plain ol’ HTML,” explains Rebecca.
As they began their own family, Rebecca and her husband moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands, where they spent the next decade. Despite loving their time there, they always knew the UK wouldn’t be a forever home, and every Christmas returned to Australia to soak up the South Coast sunshine with extended family in Vincentia.
Eventually, they purchased a house in Culburra Beach while still living in the UK, using it as a cherished summer escape. The area quickly became a second home, where their children played with neighbours and built lasting friendships.
When it came time to return permanently to Australia, the Culburra home served them well. Having experienced the outside-the-city lifestyle offered in Jersey, they were keen to maintain this quality of life for the family back in Oz and chose to settle permanently on the South Coast.
As their children grew and started to gain their independence, it became time for Rebecca to reconsider her career path. In 2017, a pivotal moment came when she met Brad from IT Basecamp on the beach during Nippers.
Although Rebecca didn’t have recent work experience in web development, Brad saw potential. “Brad’s what I always describe as a genuinely good guy. He’s supportive and he believes in giving people a go,” she says.
“At the time, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) was gaining momentum in the digital world and Brad could see the fit between my previous career experience in account management, communications/PR and writing, with the Web Team’s need for SEO skills to complement the web development and coding expertise the team already had. He was willing to put the investment into training me on the SEO side of things.”
Rebecca joined the Web team at IT Basecamp and, remarkably, the team has remained nearly unchanged since. Each team member specialises in different areas from web design, development and hosting, to software coding, app development, and systems integration. Combined with the company’s Tech team and Cyber Heroes division, IT Basecamp is a truly one-stop shop for any business’s IT support requirements.
Rebecca runs IT Basecamp’s Digital Packages, which focus on making her clients’ websites visible to their target audience through boosting search engine rankings.
“People need to be on the first page of Google. Ironically, it’s a lot like PR was 25 years ago. Clients then wanted to be in a specific magazine or newspaper. Now, they want to be seen online. It’s the same need, just a different platform.”
“I think what makes our digital packages super valuable to clients is that we are flexible in meeting their needs. Some clients have in-house marketing resources and others don’t. Some want to be hands-on with their website and others just don’t have time and want it completely managed for them. On a digital package, the goal is always the same – to strengthen and target the online presence over time – but the process can be tailored to suit the client. While our work starts with the website SEO as the core aspect, we also work with clients on their social media, GMB profiles and online advertising because all of these affect how the website is used … and therefore its ranking.” explains Rebecca.
Working for IT Basecamp lets Rebecca enjoy a hybrid setup, working remotely from home part of the week and spending the rest in the office. The workplace perks like monthly massages and team bootcamps don’t hurt either. “The hybrid model gives me back 1.5 hours twice a week, which feels like a gift. I also like that it lightens my personal carbon footprint as I’m not commuting every day.”
For Rebecca, living and working on the South Coast has been a dream. Her children have grown up near the beach, experienced the freedom of living in a small village and being able to walk the streets and bike with friends in safety from a young age. They’ve attended excellent schools and there’s been no shortage of sporting clubs and opportunities – everything from Nippers and surf lifesaving to dance, drama, swimming and Taekwondo. Now that her kids are older and have all moved away for University, she and her husband are enjoying the great outdoors and re-discovering pre-children interests like scuba diving. “We’re loving it,” she says with a smile.
Interested in a Career as an SEO or Digital Marketing Specialist on the South Coast?
A career in SEO and digital marketing combines creativity, strategy, and technology to help businesses grow their online presence. Studying digital marketing equips you with essential skills in search engine optimisation (SEO), social media marketing, Google Ads, content creation, and web analytics. These practical and in-demand skills are relevant across industries, from small local businesses to large corporations.
With career pathways in SEO strategy, digital advertising, content marketing, and analytics, the digital marketing industry offers flexible and future-proof job opportunities. Ready to take the next step? You could start with a Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication with TAFE or a Bachelor of Communication and Media (Marketing Communication and Advertising). Alternatively, if you’re already working in the industry, a short course like the Introduction to SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Course could be the upskill you’re after.
