Taree Universities Campus Welcomes Sarah Holmstrom to the Community Connector Program
MEDIA RELEASE
21st July 2026
Sarah and Kate of the Community Connector Program
Taree Universities Campus (TUC) has appointed Sarah Holmstrom to support the Community Connector Program, bolstering a service that has already helped more than 300 professionals and over 650 people — including their families — settle successfully on the Mid Coast since its launch in July 2023.
Holmstrom will work alongside current Community Connector Kate Dunn, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding of the relocation journey to the role.
Originally from the UK, Holmstrom moved to Australia around sixteen years ago — first to Sydney, then to the Mid Coast five years ago with her husband and two young children.
"That lived experience matters," said Kate Dunn. "When someone arrives overwhelmed by practical decisions, it helps enormously to speak with someone who genuinely understands what it feels like to start over in a new place — especially a regional community where the rhythm of life is different from a city."
Holmstrom also brings a background in project management and change management, including time with IT company PlanIt.
"At its heart, helping someone relocate well is change management," said Holmstrom. "You're walking alongside people through a significant life transition. There are timelines and competing priorities — but there are also emotions, families, and moments where someone just needs you to slow down and listen."
The Community Connector Program sits within the broader TUC CROWD Initiative and is grounded in the Attract, Connect, Stay model developed by Dr Cath Cosgrave — a framework built on a straightforward idea: attracting someone to a role is only the beginning. If you want them to stay, you need to genuinely connect them to the community.
Dunn's work has already brought new nurses, medical staff, engineers, electricians, building contractors, and manufacturing staff to the Mid Coast. Businesses can engage the program to support incoming staff, and individuals or families relocating independently can access the service directly.
For more information about the Community Connector Program, including service options for businesses and individuals, visit https://communityconnector.com.au/ or contact Kate Dunn: kate@communityconnector.com.au or 0422 943 505
Media Contact:
Donna Ballard • CEO, Taree Universities Campus
ceo@tareeuni.org.au 0417 570 359