HORSHAM podiatrist Andrew Devereaux believes balance and diversity are key in attracting people to live and work in rural areas.

Mr Devereaux moved to the rural city more than three years ago, and works at Wimmera Health Care Group.

While studying podiatry at university in Bendigo, he met his girlfriend, who is from Warracknabeal.

A move to the Wimmera was imminent.

“I did a year of engineering in the city and I didn’t really like it,” he said.

“My twin brother was already working in Horsham at a private clinic for 12 months before I moved, and that and my girlfriend’s family connections to Warracknabeal were a big drawcard to coming across here.”

Mr Devereaux said he was able to achieve work-life balance in Horsham, mixing work with other pursuits such as football.

“I’m not sitting in a car driving hours through traffic to get to and from work or sport; instead it takes me five minutes to get to work and back home,” he said.

“It’s convenient that you can travel five minutes in Horsham and pretty much get anywhere you need.

“It’s a nice, relaxed atmosphere.”

Mr Devereaux – who grew up in Ocean Grove – said living and working in the Wimmera brought a range of benefits.

“I work with a fairly young team, and the majority of the people in my department came from Bendigo as well, so we all sort of know each other,” he said.

“The country has such diverse clientele, whereas in the city you can get people from very distinct areas.

“You get such variety in any rural area. Your scope of practice is so wide because the people in the country are from all walks of life.

“From my perspective, that variety is a big plus.

“You get more balance in terms of the client load, and you get to see different things every day.

“Moving here has been a massive positive for my learning and skill development.”