Making a Home in the Burdekin

When Chantelle Tompkins moved from Townsville to the Burdekin, she didn’t arrive with a clear roadmap, but with an openness to opportunity and the confidence to back herself.

Relocating to the region with her partner in 2018, Chantelle was quickly enveloped by the customary warmth of the community.

“It's a warm little community,” she said.

“Everyone knows each other, everyone’s happy to say hello… it really feels like home.”

She had worked in various customer service roles before joining Raine & Horne Ayr in 2020—her first full-time role, and her first step into an industry she never expected to enter.

“I had no background in real estate… it was never even a thought,” Chantelle laughed.

“But when I was approached, I just thought, why not give it a go?”

Starting at the front counter, she became a familiar face to clients, known for her welcoming smile and calm approach. Over time, curiosity turned into capability, and capability into confidence.

After gradually earning her stripes, an opportunity arose to assist in the sales department. Chantelle put her hand up, despite feeling well outside her comfort zone, and has never looked back since.

Today, she works behind the scenes as a key member of the sales administration team, handling listings, contracts, Form 6s and the logistical backbone that keeps transactions moving smoothly.

“I’m the second-hand man. I do a bit of everything, really,” she said.

“At first it was daunting, but it’s sink or swim. Over time, it just became second nature.”

Chantelle credits Principal Carla with creating a supportive, family-first workplace culture that allowed her to grow.

“She’s not just a boss, she’s one of us. I call her my second mum,” Chantelle said.

“She looks after everyone.”

Outside the office, Chantelle balances the intense nature of her role with creative pursuits like painting and reading, with regular trips back to Townsville to visit her parents and her very unconventional pet: a 300-kilogram pig named Otis.

Now firmly rooted in the Burdekin and going from strength to strength in her role, Chantelle serves as proof that sometimes the best careers begin with a simple, "Why not?"

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