Junior solicitor living between Perth and Boyup Brook supports rural working women

Growing up in regional WA, Bailiwick Legal junior solicitor Matilda Lloyd was eager to leave country town life to pursue law in the big smoke. But after studying in Perth, she has since returned to her country roots, balancing city life with remote work while partly living in Boyup Brook. Ms Lloyd said living in the city had been isolating, and she longed to be back in a small community. She found support from the Rural Regional Remote Women’s Network of WA, which she is now an ambassador of, aiming to help other women pursue careers in their hometowns. Born in Bridgetown and growing up Boyup Brook, Ms Lloyd was exposed to farming, agriculture, and the export industry from a young age. “I’ve had a very diverse background, but I’ve always had a connection to ag and a regional community,” she said. “Both my parents grew up in the Wheatbelt from farming families.” Growing up, she spent time in Jerdacuttup, Albany, and up north, getting to know the challenges and benefits of rural living. “When we were living at Jerdacuttup, it was very remote,” Ms Lloyd said. “You’d do your monthly shop, and you probably wouldn’t see anyone else once unless they came out to the farm. Knowing everyone in school, catching the same school bus with all the same kids each day — I loved my childhood.” Finishing high school in Albany, Ms Lloyd was keen to study law and commerce at Curtin University, but quickly realised there were challenges — just as isolating as rural living — in the city. “It was a real shift for me, and it was the first time I appreciated being from the country,” she said. “It was also the first time I really identified as a country kid. “It’s one of those things you miss in the city is having people around you and a community that you know can support you and you can contribute to. “When I started university, the only real pathway to return to regional areas was if you were studying to be a teacher or a nurse — sort of traditional occupations and services in regional areas.” After meeting her partner about a year ago Ms Lloyd has found herself back in the Boyup Brook community most weekends — this time at her partner’s family’s sheep and venison farm. Working remotely has allowed her to travel between the city and her hometown community. “I really, really enjoy working regionally, and that’s what I’ve been working towards since joining Bailiwick Legal — being able to have some flexibility and work remotely,” Ms Lloyd said. “I’m very confident being able to pursue a career in a regional area because I have that flexibility. “We’ve got so many, and I hate to say it, but dying towns in regional WA, and if we can boost those communities, they’re only going to be an asset to us. “I’m passionate about regional communities, about agriculture and supporting them in any way I can. “Being able to practice in a regional area, for me, is a way of achieving that goal.”