BORN and raised in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, Elsa Barbosa arrived on Australian shores in 1983 aged just 17.
“I cried all the way on the plane,” she said.
“I was leaving my friends behind and it was so hard.”
Despite that tough start in Australia, Elsa always had a strong desire to help others.
“There’s no better feeling than knowing that giving a little can mean a lot to someone else,” she said.
Elsa moved to Port Macquarie seven years ago and instantly felt at home.
“From day one I fell in love with the region,” she said.
“The people, the beauty, the lifestyle – I just knew this was my place.”
Through her business, Port AdVenture Cruises, Elsa and her team regularly host events for local charities.
One of those charities was child protection group Bravehearts.
After working with them on an event, Elsa knew she wanted to do more.
“I was so passionate about what they do that I joined their small but active local team,” she explained.
Elsa’s also on the board of the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, where she helps advocate for the industry and support local operators.
“What I love most about volunteering is that it’s genuinely rewarding,” she said.
“It feels good to know you’re making a difference, especially for those who might just need a helping hand.”
Elsa is also now a presenter on 2WayFM, something she never saw coming.
“If you’d told me I’d be on the radio, I would’ve laughed and said, ‘no way!’” she said.
“But here I am, 18 months in and absolutely loving it.”
Her show with her partner Dave Lazarus – “Talking Entertainment with David and Elsa” – has quickly become a local favourite.
“When people stop me in the street and say they’ve heard the show – it’s honestly the best compliment,” Elsa said.
Her hopes for the region for the next year?
“No floods, no cyclones… and maybe world peace,” she said with a smile.
“We’re so lucky to live in Port Macquarie. I just hope we can all enjoy it, live normally, and that the tough stuff is behind us now.”
By Chan ANSELL
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