In this episode of Letters from Home, we’re joined by Tannas Godfrey, whose story is one of quiet determination and incredible adaptability.
Tannas grew up on North Stradbroke Island, where life revolved around the surf club, small-town friendships and salt-sprayed independence. But when school on the island finished at Year 8, her parents made a brave decision that would change everything — boarding school. What began as a practical solution to a long barge commute turned into the first step of a remarkable journey.
From Ipswich Girls’ Grammar to a career in the Australian Army — serving in logistics, deployment operations and even United Nations work — Tannas’ path took her far beyond the surf breaks of Straddie. Yet, like so many of us, love drew her back to the bush. She swapped military bases for life on a remote property near Cunnamulla, then further west again into the Northern Territory.
Now a mother and former School of the Air teacher, Tannas shares her lived experience of raising children in isolation, choosing boarding school, and the emotional mix of pride and ache that comes with it. Her reflections on transition, confidence, and finding the right school fit are full of wisdom for any family standing on that edge of change.
This is a story about resilience, belonging, and the power of saying yes to the unknown.
Enjoy my conversation with Tannas Godfrey.
