From the quiet country charm of Hamilton, Victoria, to the sunlit waters of Hervey Bay, Jodie Kirkwood has lived a life brimming with courage, compassion, and curiosity.
Guided by a strong sense of service and a deep love of people, Jodie's story is one of growth, resilience, and the beauty of following your passions, wherever they may lead.
Born in 1974 in the small town of Hamilton, Jodie grew up with an older brother.
Her early years were filled with community spirit and outdoor adventures.
She joined Brownies, then moved through Girl Guides and Ranger Guides, eventually becoming an assistant leader.
Her dedication earned her the prestigious BP Award (named after Baden-Powell, founder of the Guiding movement) and is one of the highest awards a Guide can earn.
At just seventeen, Jodie was one of only nine Australians chosen to represent the country in an international Guiding exchange to America.
“It was amazing,” she recalls. “We went to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and spent time with local families in New Jersey. We even camped with skunks!”
The trip opened her eyes to a new culture and sparked a lifelong love of travel.
After finishing high school, Jodie wasn’t sure what career path to follow.
While her brother excelled academically, Jodie gravitated toward more hands-on pursuits.
She had an early taste of responsibility with her first job as a paper girl at eleven, followed by years in retail at Coles and IGA, where she eventually became assistant manager.
In her late 20s, Jodie left Hamilton for Adelaide and began working at Cheap as Chips.
Then, her adventurous spirit took over once again, she packed her bags for the U.S., travelling around in a campervan before heading to London.
There, she landed a job with Model Catering, a hospitality business owned by a former model who catered for major clients like Nike and Ralph Lauren.
“I ran the cafe, and while it was a steep learning curve, I absolutely loved it.”
Jodie’s travels took her across Europe, Egypt, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia before she returned to Australia feeling a little lost.
Eventually, a friend invited her on holiday to Hervey Bay, and it changed everything. She fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle and decided to make it her home.
“People are just so friendly here. It’s peaceful. I’ve never looked back,” she says.
Within a day of job-hunting at the marina, she had three offers.
She began working at Café Balaena and later at Marina Photographics, where her passion for photography blossomed.
For years, she photographed tourists on whale boats and shot 'Dining Out' features for the Fraser Coast Chronicle.
When Marina Photographics closed, Jodie moved into marine tourism as a hostess and deckhand, first with Mikat Cruises and later with Tasman Venture.
“Being out on the ocean, seeing whales, turtles, and dolphins, brings me peace. And seeing the joy on people's faces never gets old.”
Sometimes in the off season, she helps out with Blue Dolphin's sunset sails and dolphin tours as well as Spirit of Hervey Bay Mary River Cruises.
Jodie has faced personal loss with the passing of both her parents, her mum to cancer and her dad to Parkinson’s.
Still, she finds joy in simple pleasures like gardening, photography, beach walks, and spending time with her much-loved rehomed Rottweiler.
Her heart finds peace in Bali, a place she’s visited seven times, always avoiding the tourist track in favour of quiet, soulful escapes.
A proud homeowner, Jodie saw her house advertised on the back cover of the former Hervey Bay Independent and just knew it was meant to be.
Kind, grounded, and hardworking, she’s embraced a life of meaning and adventure.
If she could speak to her younger self? “Be free and do what you love. When you find your passion, follow it.”
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine
