A British nurse who got a job in a rural Australian town thought she would be living her dream, but it soon turned into a nightmare.
Kelly Wainwright had always dreamed of working in Australia, but at the age of 43 her visa options were limited – until she took on a role that “no one else wanted” in the Queensland town of Mount Isa.
Within a few months, she was back on a plane to the UK, fleeing Australia not because of “the weather or the bugs” which she thought might be difficult to deal with, but because violent crime made her feel unsafe in her own right. home.
Before arriving in this inland city, Wainwright was unaware of its high levels of crime and violence.
When he arrived, he thought it “looked like any old, dusty cowboy town in the middle of the backcountry,” but he soon discovered that appearances were deceiving.
British nurse Kelly Wainwright (pictured), who landed a job in a rural Australian town that “no one else wanted”, thought she would be living her dream – but it soon turned into a nightmare.
Before arriving in the inner city, Wainwright was unaware of its high levels of crime and violence.
Ms Wainwright took up the role of manager in the sexual health unit at Mt Isa Hospital, a position that had been vacant for almost two years before her arrival.
She said 9News that “not even for a second” did she think that “the volatility of the area” would soon make her flee the city and the countryside.
Six weeks after her arrival, Mrs. Wainwright’s government-provided home was raided.
Shortly after, her home was attacked by teenagers, who allegedly brutally assaulted a 14-year-old relative who was staying with her.
Footage of the alleged attack showed a fierce fight involving kicks, punches and slaps between at least three teenagers in the house.
Mrs Wainwright reported the attack to police but said she was told: “You live in Mt Isa, I suggest you go and learn to fight.”
Her employers were so concerned about her safety that they asked senior health officials to move her and her teenage cousin to a safer home.
But the request was denied, he said.
Emails obtained by Nine revealed the nursing manager wrote: “I fear for the immediate emotional well-being of Kelly and her family as a result of informing them that her request to move was not supported.”
Ms Wainwright soon found she could no longer bear the situation, but as her visa was specifically linked to work at Mt Isa Hospital, she decided her only option was to return home to the UK.
He left in such a hurry that he simply packed his bags and left there.
Ms Wainwright (pictured) soon found she could no longer bear the situation, but as her visa was specifically linked to work at Mt Isa Hospital, she decided her only option was to return home to the UK.
“I just gave away all (my possessions) and we left with just our suitcases,” he said.
Not receiving support “the way we should have received” was “really disheartening,” she said.
North West Hospital and Health Service did not comment on individual matters, but said it provides “safe” accommodation that “meets the needs of our employees.”
In a recent crackdown on youth violence in Mt Isa, more than 30 youths were arrested between April 26 and May 3, resulting in 84 charges.
