Matt has always called the South Coast home, and he has no plans to change that. Living in Albion Park gives him what he sees as the best of both worlds: the convenience of nearby amenities combined with the community feel of a mid-sized town.
He grew up in the family business, an independent supermarket run by his father. After finishing school, Matt joined the team and began managing the store alongside his dad. At first, he assumed that this would be his long-term future. But the reality of seven-day-a-week operations eventually caught up with him.
“Dad has been doing this work for 30 years and he’s been very successful,” Matt says. “He has a great mindset, and I really appreciate what he’s achieved. It just wasn’t for me.”
While the family business offered financial security, it didn’t align with Matt’s personal aspirations. He made the decision to pivot into a field that had always interested him: information technology.
Matt found a flexible, online university course through the University of Sydney that would allow him to gain foundational IT knowledge without committing to a full bachelor’s degree. He managed both study and work, doing morning shifts at the supermarket, then hitting the books in the evening.
“It’s been an effort, but really worth it.” he reflects.
With his studies complete, Matt was ready to take the next step. A connection through his wife’s colleague led him to IT Basecamp, a tech company based in Huskisson. While he didn’t have much professional IT experience, he believes it was his mindset that helped him land the role.
“Brad, the owner, believes in attitude over skills alone. I believe that attitude isn’t something that just appears, it’s something you grow up with, learn, and develop. In the interview, I made sure they knew that even if I wasn’t the most capable at the start, I’d always show up, work hard, and be eager to learn.”
Six months into his role on the Help Desk, Matt has already started taking on additional responsibilities. His daily commute takes him from Albion Park to Huskisson, with a stop in Nowra to drop off his wife, who works as an electrician. His early arrival means he’s often the first one in the office, which has led to some valuable cross-training.
“I’m able to make sure everything’s up and running early.” he explains.
Matt couldn’t be happier with his choice to work at IT Basecamp instead of heading to Wollongong or Sydney.
“I’d drive south over Sydney any day of the week. I was talking to someone who lives near me who commutes to Wollongong, and it takes them an hour. My drive past Berry is pretty beautiful. There are much worse commutes and it’s actually pretty easy.”
He’s found a workplace that suits him, and a team that feels like a great fit.
“There’s a good culture here. Everyone gets along. Some workplaces have a lot of conflict, but it really doesn’t seem like there’s any of that here. They’ve been really welcoming and I’m so happy I’m here.”
Matt is still growing into his role and embracing the fact that IT is a field of lifelong learning.
“It’s been a very humbling experience, going from a job where I knew everything about the supermarket and what our customers needed, to one where something new comes up every day and I don’t always know the answer right away. But that’s the nature of IT. You’re always learning, always adapting to help your customers.”
Matt’s story is a powerful reminder that fulfilling, future-focused careers don’t have to come with a city postcode. Regional areas like the NSW South Coast offer not only professional opportunities in growing industries like tech, but also a lifestyle that’s more connected, balanced, and rewarding.
