Letters From Home

Amanda Ferrari
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Welcome to Letters from Home, a podcast dedicated to Australian boarding families. Hosted by Amanda Ferrari, the show explores all aspects of boarding life - from packing for the first time to life as a boarder & beyond. Amanda interviews graduates who share how boarding shaped their lives, with families about their journey to and through boarding school, speaks with schools about their unique programs, & hosts an annual "Nailing Homesickness" miniseries to help new boarders. Our podcast is essential listening for boarding families and staff, we welcome your feedback, reviews, & ratings.

  1. 1d ago

    The Ripple Effect: Rowing, Belonging and the Bush

    What happens when you take a sport traditionally associated with city rivers, school boat sheds and fiercely competitive regattas - and put it in the middle of the Australian outback? You get something that is about far more than rowing. In this episode of Letters from Home, Amanda speaks with farmer, former Brisbane Grammar boarder and President of Outback Rowing Australia, David Counsell. David shares how rowing first captured him during his final year at Brisbane Grammar, how the Vikings Rowing Club helped spark the idea of taking boats west, and how a recreational lake at Barcaldine became part of an ambitious movement to make rowing accessible across rural and remote Australia. They talk about the extraordinary benefits of rowing for physical and mental wellbeing, the friendships and sense of belonging that grow around a crew, and why rowing doesn't have to end when a country child leaves boarding school and comes home. David also puts out a challenge to boarding families: if you love rowing, bring your kids and their mates west during the school holidays and become part of the Australian Outback Rowing Regatta. And if your own country town has a suitable stretch of water, perhaps your community could be next. The 2026 Australian Outback Rowing Regatta and Convoy runs from 30 September to 5 October, combining the journey through regional Queensland with racing at Barcaldine and Longreach. Outback Rowing describes its mission as improving health, wellbeing and social connection in rural and remote communities by making rowing accessible, inclusive and community driven. LINKS Outback Rowing Australia — website, events and getting involved Churchie — Anglican Church Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School To find your nearest Outback Rowing community - or to put your hand up to help establish one - Outback Rowing also welcomes enquiries from first-time rowers, returning rowers, schools and supporters.

    The Ripple Effect: Rowing, Belonging and the Bush

  2. Aug 12

    She Never Planned to Be a Farmer… Now She's Planning for Boarding School

    Kaitie Nash – The Life She Never Planned Most people know Kaitie Nash as ‘First Time Farmer’ - the funny, warm and wonderfully unfiltered woman sharing the realities of learning to farm alongside her husband Will. But farming wasn't part of Kaitie's original plan. A one-way ticket from Perth to Darwin was supposed to be a three-month adventure. Instead, shemet Will, stayed for eleven years and eventually found herself moving with two small children to his family's farm in NSW - right in the middle of drought. In this episode of Letters from Home, Kaitie and Amanda talk about finding your place in a rural community, raising country kids and learning to appreciate the little things. They also explore a new chapter for Kaitie's family: boarding school.As a mum who never boarded herself, Kaitie shares openly about her early reservations, why Sydney initially felt simply too far away, and how attending a Boarding School Collective Expo changed her perspective completely.She also talks about returning to an Expo with her eldest son and allowing him to begin exploringschools for himself - footy merch’ and all. Kaitie and Amanda discuss: * Kaitie's life before farming and meeting Will in Darwin * Moving to the family farm during drought * Finding friendship and belonging in a new rural community * Why she created ‘First Time Farmer’ * Raising two boys in the country * The impact of distance on opportunities for rural children * Beginning the boarding school research journey * Why meeting schools face-to-face changed her thinking * Giving children a voice in choosing their school * Her experience following her diagnosis with FND * The values she hopes her boys carry into adulthood Find Kaitie online Visit her online The First Time Farmer https://thefirsttimefarmer.com.au/ Follow Kaitie on Instagram: @kaitie_nash Australian Rural & Remote Boarding School Family Survey If you're considering boarding school, currently have children boarding, or have already completed the journey, we'd love to hear from you. The survey is designed to capture the real experiences of rural, regional and remote families - from researching schools and preparing children for boarding through to the challenges, opportunities and unexpected positives along the way. Coming up with The Boarding School Collective Our final two events for 2026 are the Charleville Pop-up on 18–19 October and Mount Isa Pop-up on 30 November. Explore upcoming events and real

    She Never Planned to Be a Farmer… Now She's Planning for Boarding School

  3. Aug 4

    She Wasn't Looking for a Rural Life... Until She Found Her Purpose

    What happens when a young woman from the Gold Coast discovers her purpose in the heart of rural Australia? In this episode of Letters from Home, Amanda Ferrari sits down with teacher, ICPA advocate and researcher Hannah Calcino, whose journey from city life to Winton has been shaped by one unwavering belief - that every child deserves equitable access to education, regardless of where they live. Together they discuss: Growing up on the Gold Coast before unexpectedly falling in love with rural Australia.Life as a governess and the lifelong relationships formed with one remote family.Supporting rural students through the transition to boarding school.Hannah's Masters research into the social and emotional experiences of rural boarders.Why belonging is one of the strongest predictors of a successful boarding transition.The extraordinary commitment of rural teachers and communities.The volunteer advocacy of ICPA Australia and why it continues to make such a difference for geographically isolated families. Useful Links • Queensland ICPA: https://qld.icpa.com.au/ • The Boarding School Collective Mount Isa Expo: https://boardingschoolco.com.au/events/ • The Boarding School Collective: https://boardingschoolco.com.au/

    She Wasn't Looking for a Rural Life... Until She Found Her Purpose

  4. Jul 28

    One Year That Changed Everything

    Kate Brow only spent one year boarding at school, but the lessons she learned during that experience continue to influence her life today. In this episode of Letters from Home, Kate shares how a unique boarding-style year helped build confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships before leading her on an unexpected journey from Geelong to life on a family farm in the Snowy Mountains. Kate also speaks candidly about the challenges she faced as a new mother in rural Australia, her involvement with the Gidget Foundation, and how finding connection through Motherland Village ultimately led her to become the program's manager. This is a conversation about belonging, friendship, motherhood, mental health and the power of community. In This Episode A unique Year 9 boarding experience that changed Kate's perspectiveBuilding resilience through challengeThe friendships that endure long after schoolFalling in love with life on the landMotherhood and isolation in rural AustraliaThe Gidget Foundation and supporting maternal mental healthHow Motherland Village is connecting rural mothers across AustraliaWhy connection matters more than everLinks Motherland Australia: Motherland Australia Motherland Village Program: Motherland Village Kate Brow Instagram: @k8brow The Gidget Foundation: Gidget Foundation Australia

    One Year That Changed Everything

  5. Jul 21

    When Choosing Isn't Easy: A Rural Principal Reflects on the Freedom to Choose

    Can a rural school principal believe deeply in country education while also choosing boarding school for his own children? This week, Amanda sits down with Brett Wilkie, principal of a small rural primary school in Western Australia, to explore one of the most complex conversations facing rural Australia. As both an educator and a parent, Brett shares the emotional reality of weighing up educational opportunities, community commitment and family sacrifice. Together they discuss teacher shortages, access to specialist services, the pressure many families feel to justify their choices and why boarding school should never be viewed as disloyalty to a rural community. This is not a conversation about public versus private education. It's a conversation about access, equity and the freedom for every family to choose the pathway that's right for their child. In this episode • Why two passionate rural educators are considering boarding school for their own children. • The emotional burden of choosing differently in a small community. • Teacher shortages and the realities facing regional schools. • Why access—not loyalty—is at the heart of many educational decisions. • How boarding school can help families remain living and contributing to rural Australia. Further Reading Read Amanda's article: Are Rural Families Allowed to Choose? - The Boarding School Collective (The original Mamamia article that sparked this conversation is linked at the end of Amanda's article.) Connect Follow The Boarding School Collective for resources, events and conversations supporting rural, regional and remote families considering boarding school.

    When Choosing Isn't Easy: A Rural Principal Reflects on the Freedom to Choose

  6. Jul 15

    The Country Girl Who Had a Crack

    Growing up in the small Queensland community of Condamine, Maddie Morgan always knew boarding school would be part of her story. What she didn't know was how profoundly those years would shape her future. Today Maddie is an agribusiness lawyer specialising in succession planning, estate planning and tax structuring. She works closely with farming families across Australia and is passionate about helping agricultural businesses navigate important transitions. She's also the co-founder of Women in Ag, a thriving network connecting, supporting and inspiring women throughout the agricultural sector. In this episode Amanda and Maddie discuss: • Growing up in a tiny rural community • The transition from a one-teacher primary school to boarding school • Independence, discipline and confidence • Lifelong friendships formed through boarding • University and career pathways • Agribusiness law and succession planning • Why country kids often return home • The story behind Women in Ag • Advice for young rural women building their futures Connect with Maddie Hamilton Locke (Agribusiness Team) Hamilton Locke Women in Ag Instagram @womeninag.au Follow Letters from Home Hosted by Amanda Ferrari and proudly produced by The Boarding School Collective, supporting rural, regional and remote families navigating boarding school and educational opportunities across Australia.

    The Country Girl Who Had a Crack

  7. Jul 7

    When Paradise Isn’t Enough

    We'reWatching You: A Coastal Family's Boarding School Journey When Katie and Dan Toney left careers in television journalism to run a holiday park in the tiny coastal community of Seal Rocks, boarding school wasn't part of the plan. In fact, it wasn't even on their radar. But as their children approached high school, long daily bus journeys, limited local options and a growing realisation that their children needed more than what was available locally forced them to ask some difficult questions. In this episode of Letters from Home, Katie shares how a series of conversations changed everything. From holidaymakers planting the first seeds of possibility to spending time west of the Great Dividing Range where boarding school was simply part of everyday life, Katie's story highlights the power of keeping an open mind and exploringopportunities you never imagined for your family. This conversation explores perceptions of boarding school, the realities of regional education, the emotional challenges of making big parenting decisions and the ripple effect one family can have on an entire community. In this episode we discuss: •          Why living on the coast doesn't always mean easy access to education •          The four-hour daily bus commute that prompted a rethink •          Challenging perceptions around who boarding school is for •          Finding the confidence to ask questions and explore options •          The role conversations play in changing family decisions •          Why boarding school allowed their family to stay living in the community they love •          Watching children find their people, opportunities and confidence

    When Paradise Isn’t Enough

  8. Jul 1

    "You Just Make It Work" - One Mum's Journey Through Loss, Boarding School and Bush Resilience

    You Just Make It Work - OneMum's Journey Through Loss, Boarding School and Bush Resilience What happens when the life you planned changesin an instant? For Sophie Elliott, the answer has been onestep at a time. Born and raised on a cattle station outsideWinton, Sophie grew up learning through the School of Distance Education beforeheading away to boarding school herself. Years later, she found herselfteaching her own children through distance education while living remotely withher young family. Then tragedy struck. When her daughter Peggy was just three yearsold and her son Kip only fifteen months, Sophie's partner died suddenly,leaving her to navigate life, motherhood and the future on her own. In this heartfelt conversation, Sophie reflectson rebuilding life in Winton, the challenges of educating children remotely,and the boarding school journey she is now experiencing as a parent. Together, Amanda and Sophie explore: •          Growingup on a remote cattle station and learning through School of the Air •          Therealities of being both mum and teacher in distance education •          Howrural education has changed over the past two decades •          Thegrief of sending children away to boarding school •          Whycommunity matters when life takes an unexpected turn •          Thefinancial realities of boarding school for rural families •          Whatcommunities lose when families are forced to relocate for education •    Whyconfidence, independence and opportunity matter just as much as academicsuccess   Sophie's reflections on the future of ruralcommunities are particularly powerful. She shares why financial support forboarding school can help families remain living and working in regionalAustralia, strengthening the towns and industries that depend on them. This is a conversation about resilience,motherhood, opportunity and the enduring belief that sometimes the hardestchoices are also the most worthwhile. If you've ever wondered whether boarding schoolis worth the sacrifice, Sophie's story offers a deeply personal perspectivefrom someone who has lived both sides of the journey. Listen now on Letters from Home.

    "You Just Make It Work" - One Mum's Journey Through Loss, Boarding School and Bush Resilience
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About

Welcome to Letters from Home, a podcast dedicated to Australian boarding families. Hosted by Amanda Ferrari, the show explores all aspects of boarding life - from packing for the first time to life as a boarder & beyond. Amanda interviews graduates who share how boarding shaped their lives, with families about their journey to and through boarding school, speaks with schools about their unique programs, & hosts an annual "Nailing Homesickness" miniseries to help new boarders. Our podcast is essential listening for boarding families and staff, we welcome your feedback, reviews, & ratings.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Ferrari
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amanda Ferrari
  • Show Website
    Letters From Home