Five years ago, Jodie Green and her husband made a move they never expected: leaving behind the fast-paced life in Sydney for the quieter South Coast. “We loved the hustle and bustle of city life,” Jodie recalls. However, as her father grew older, the couple began to consider the benefits of living closer to family. What initially felt like a drastic shift soon became the start of an exciting new chapter.
When Jodie first arrived on the South Coast, she had to take a step back in her career to eventually move forward. After years of working as a Hotel Sales Manager in Sydney, she accepted a Maternity Leave role in events at Worrigee Sports, which required her to get back to basics. “My first role here was setting tables for events,” Jodie explains.
But she didn’t let that deter her. Soon after, she jumped at the opportunity to take a new position and from there, she began reshaping the role, combining both events and marketing into one cohesive, in-house role.
“I met with Bernie, the CEO, and talked him through my ideas for bringing marketing in-house,” Jodie recalls. She saw a missing piece in how the club was communicating with its members.
“I knew what we were lacking was a real connection to the community we were serving,” Jodie says. The club had been outsourcing its marketing to a Sydney-based firm, which didn’t have the local insight needed to truly engage with the members.
“Now, we can be much more thoughtful with our marketing activities because I understand what our community wants.”
Since taking on the combined role of Events and Marketing Manager at Shoalhaven Ex-Services, Jodie hasn’t looked back. She values the career growth she’s experienced on the South Coast, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice professional development for a quieter lifestyle.
“I can’t sit still, I always need to keep learning and growing in my career. Moving to the South Coast has allowed me to do that while still progressing professionally.”
The move also brought another unexpected blessing into Jodie’s life: parenthood. After years of thinking that having a family wouldn’t be possible while living in Sydney, Jodie and her partner welcomed their baby boy 3.5 years ago. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us and something we just didn’t think was ever going to be our future when living in Sydney,” she shares.
Jodie credits the flexibility of her role at Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group with helping her balance her career and family life. “Bernie understands my need for balance, and he’s been supportive, allowing me to work two days a week from home,” Jodie says. This balance has allowed her to continue excelling in her role while being present for her young son.
Jodie and the wider team have also earned a reputation as one of the premier venues on the South Coast, winning 2 years running the Best Wedding Function Centre in Shoalhaven and the South Coast, and it’s easy to see why. They stand out for their staff’s high customer service as well as the venue’s décor and beautiful location overlooking the golf course. The feedback from guests speaks for itself: “Food, service and venue outstanding – will definitely recommend” and “Everyone left raving about the food.” Jodie takes pride in leading a team that is known for its positive attitude and its willingness to meet every request with a smile.
