General News
11 May, 2026
Anastasia’s right at home
A MOVE back to family roots and a desire for connection has brought Anastasia Hancock to the Inglewood community.
A MOVE back to family roots and a desire for connection has brought Anastasia Hancock to the Inglewood community.
Originally from inner-city Melbourne, she has spent the past 15 years living and working interstate, including in remote Northern Territory communities such as Yuendumu.
With a career spanning early childhood education and teaching English as an additional language, her work has long centred around people, families and building strong community connections.
The decision to return to Victoria was driven by family ties and the next stage of life.
“My child is getting to the age of starting school, so it felt like the right time to move closer to family,” she said.
Her family links run deep, with her father - and generations before him - calling Inglewood home.
Arriving in town mid last year, she has spent the past 12 months settling into the community, while stepping into her new role more recently as co-ordinator of the community hub.
“It’s been a big adjustment, but a really positive one,” she said.
Despite Inglewood’s small population, she said the town offers a level of accessibility she hadn’t experienced in years.
“The last place I lived at was a similar size, but you were three hours from the nearest town,” she said. “Here, you’re only about 40 minutes from Bendigo ... it feels very connected.”
The shift has also marked her first experience of a Victorian winter in more than a decade.
“It was different, but not as bad as everyone made it out to be,” she said.
Now settling into her role, she hopes to draw on her teaching background to help create a welcoming and inclusive environment for locals.
“My whole career has been about building a sense of belonging,” she said. “I want this to be a place where people can come in, have a chat, and feel comfortable.”
She is also passionate about encouraging lifelong learning and creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage.
“Learning doesn’t stop at school,” she said. “If we can support people at any stage of life, that’s really valuable.”
After years working in remote communities, she brings with her a strong appreciation for connection, culture and the natural environment.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in places where community is everything,” she said. “That’s something I’d really like to help foster here.”
Reflecting on her first year in Inglewood, she said the experience has already challenged some of her early perceptions.
“When you move somewhere new, you naturally make assumptions,” she said. “But this community has been really welcoming, and it’s been great getting to know people.”
For her, the move represents more than just a change of job - it’s a return to family, place and a renewed sense of belonging.
“It’s a really special time to be here,” she said. “To reconnect with family and be part of the community—it means a lot.”
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