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Natalie and her family emigrated to Australia when she was 16, and she studied for a medical degree at the University of Western Australia in Perth. During a gap year in her career in 1997, Natalie met her husband Steve Razzetti and moved to Cumbria – and pursued her passion for general practice.
“I was heading towards a career in accident and emergency at a busy hospital in Perth, but then I met my now-husband Steve while travelling and ended up moving to Cumbria be with him,” she said.
“I always had a dream to return to the UK as I felt it’s where I belonged. I started to pursue the career I thought I wanted in accident and emergency, but it soon became apparent that it didn’t fit my new outdoor lifestyle in the mountains.
“I got involved in my second love in medicine, general practice, and landed on my feet and got a training position at Caldbeck Surgery, one of the best practices in Cumbria.
“I was then really lucky to be appointed as a partner in 2001. I consider it a real position of privilege to be a member of a small community and a role model as a GP within the community.
“I know all my patients because they’re my neighbours, so you get to grow with them and care about them deeply.”
Natalie is also keen to highlight the opportunities available for partners of medics in Cumbria, and encourage others to find their dream career.
“There are lots of jobs prospects for partners of doctors and lots of big organisations based in Cumbria that people might not be aware of,” she said. “It’s a great place for partners as there are lots of opportunities.”
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Natalie was already a fan of Cumbria after spending holidays in The Lake District as a child, but continues to be impressed by life in the county.
“It’s such a beautiful part of the world, and as a mum of three young boys, the opportunities for children are fantastic,” she said.
“I’ve just submitted a secondary school application for our eldest child and I’ve never had such a difficult decision, as all three schools that are equidistant from our house have Outstanding Ofsted reports. Where else do you get a dilemma of which Outstanding school to choose?
“The transport links are fantastic as well and deserve to be highlighted. It’s really easy to get on the M6 or take the train to London and Scotland and enjoy day trips in places like Edinburgh. It’s well connected to the North East, and from South Cumbria you can get to Manchester very quickly.”
Natalie also loves the weather in Cumbria – and even prefers it to the sunnier climes of Australia.
“I really miss the seasons when I visit family in Australia,” she said. “Here, you have to embrace the weather and the changes. I love the light, the changes in atmosphere and the quality of the air. There’s something about that changing weather that makes you feel alive.”
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Natalie enjoys an outdoor lifestyle with mountain guide and photographer husband Steve and their family, but she has also found a range of cultural events in Cumbria.
“I’d describe myself as a fell runner, and recently did the Bob Graham, which was a massive challenge with 42 summits in 24 hours,” she said. “We have a very active outdoor life and friends with similar interests.
“If you’re into the outdoors, there’s so much going on with events such as Kendal Mountain Festival.
“However, if you look away from the mountains, you’ll see the culture in Cumbria. My husband is into music and we go to loads of concerts at places like the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, and there are great festivals such as Kendal Calling and Solfest.
“I’ll never leave as Cumbria is such a fun and welcoming place to live and work.”