Written by Lizzie Macaulay
From the snow-capped Rocky Mountains of her Canadian homeland to the sun-drenched shores of Hervey Bay, Dawn Hoodless has journeyed far to become part of our coastal community. With her thoughtful manner and genuine approach, Dawn has quietly woven herself into local life over the past few years. Balancing nursing studies and hospice work while raising two young adventurers, Zane and Vaya, with husband Josh (known to many through LIFT Personal Training and Fitness Studio), Dawn exemplifies how newcomers strengthen and diversify our growing community.
Dawn’s Australian story began with an unexpected meeting in the picturesque Canadian Rockies.
“Coincidentally, my now husband moved to Banff, a small beautiful tourist town in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, three months after I did. I left Ontario (3 days drive) for a big change and for lack of better words, to start over, and it seems he did too. We met on his first day of work and ended up spending the year together,” Dawn recalls.
What started as a mountain town romance evolved into a life-changing decision when Josh prepared to return to his Australian business and home.
“We decided that I would come to Australia on a three month tourist visa to check it out. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself knowing that it’s a huge commitment to leave my family, friends, career and my whole life to move across the other side of the world. Two more tourist visas later and we were engaged to be married,” she shares.
The decision wasn’t straightforward, even then. “We are still wondering why we chose Australia because we have a love for both countries.”
While moving for love might sound romantic, the reality involves navigating a complex emotional landscape.
“It is definitely harder than anyone would think,” Dawn admits frankly. “The first couple of years were the hardest. I struggled to find my identity and nothing was mine at first, it was either Josh’s or sometimes ours. I wanted to share a life with him but if it was going to work I needed to create my own life too.”
Over the years, Dawn has encountered moments that disappoint those of us who pride ourselves on our welcoming community. “When out in the community, it was difficult to have people rudely respond with ‘We call it a toilet over here, not a washroom’, ‘it’s called sauce not ketchup’ even though they knew what I meant. I think that made me a little homesick at times and also try harder to fit in.” Such thoughtlessness over trifling differences show how deeply small remarks can hurt newcomers making their best effort to fit in. That Dawn persevered despite such experiences speaks volumes about her resilience and commitment to making Hervey Bay her home.
Like many newcomers to our region, Dawn faced the challenge of building a social circle from scratch. “A big challenge is finding new friends,” she explains. She found connection through local gatherings: “I joined a church that made me feel welcome and at home.” In our rapidly expanding community, she discovered an unexpected silver lining. “Hervey Bay is growing which means new faces from all over Australia, and beyond. So many people are building a new life here in this community. Sometimes it doesn’t matter if you are moving here from a different country or a different Australian city, we all feel a bit out of place and lonely while seeking friendship and community support.”
This shared experience of seeking belonging has given Dawn a special empathy that makes her such a valued presence, particularly for newcomers. “I find myself relating to people that have recently arrived to the area because I can sympathise with how they are feeling.”
Though oceans separate her from her Canadian roots, Dawn has woven beautiful threads of her heritage into the tapestry of her Australian life. Those lucky enough to receive an invitation to the Hoodless household in October experience something truly special. “Thanksgiving in Canada is one of my favourite holidays with decorations, autumn colours and the festive food. Every year in Australia, in October, in our house, I have recreated Thanksgiving and it’s now a permanent tradition for us.”
This celebration has evolved in a way that perfectly captures Dawn’s gift for community-building. “Instead of having family, we have people who have supported or helped us out in some way over the year to say thank you. I decorate the table and house and put on a very big traditional meal with all the trimmings. It feels like Canada (apart from the weather) for a day and we look forward to it.”
For Dawn, as for many women, motherhood transformed everything. Those who knew her before and after Zane and Vaya arrived have witnessed this evolution firsthand. “I didn’t feel like I truly had a purpose until I had my children. Once my children came I felt like my community truly started to grow.” Her connection to our shores deepened profoundly through raising her Australian-born children. “I feel more a part of Australia because both my children were born here. It makes me feel connected.”
With her hands already full raising two energetic youngsters, Dawn’s decision to pursue nursing education speaks volumes about her determined spirit. Her motivation reveals the values at the heart of the Hoodless home: “I wanted to show my children the importance of hard work and helping others.” She balances these aspirations with the needs of little Zane and Vaya: “Studying part time means I can still have my children at home everyday and by the time they are ready for school I’ll be able to start employment.”
The moment Hervey Bay truly became home for Dawn came with a particular milestone. “When we bought our first home together as a family. Watching our kids grow up in our house,” she shares simply. This house, where the kids are growing up, textbooks are furiously reviewed, and the family business is nourished, represents Dawn’s permanent commitment to building her life here.
Years in the region, away from her original home, have transformed Dawn’s understanding of what “home” really means. “My perspective has changed over the years,” she reflects with the wisdom of someone who carries two countries in her heart. “Home isn’t a house or even a country. To me, home will always be when I am surrounded by my husband and children. They are my home.”
In Dawn—with her Canadian warmth, innate compassion, and quiet dedication to family and community—our Hervey Bay community has gained far more than just another resident. Her journey reminds us that what makes our growing town special is enriched by those who bring their unique perspectives, traditions and love from distant shores to our sun-drenched corner of Queensland.