For Emily, Billabong has become a place to return to, grow and connect. Now here for her third time, she’s a dedicated volunteer and kitchen hand, sharing her energy, warmth and hard work with our community. We caught up with Emily to hear what keeps bringing her back.

Interview with Emily

Emily, this is your third time coming back to Billabong. What is it about Billabong that keeps calling you back?

There’s something about Billabong that feels like coming home, a sense of belonging. Every time I leave, I take something with me, and somehow I’m always drawn back when I feel there’s more for me to experience or learn.

I love the simplicity of life here, being surrounded by nature, yoga and spirituality, but most of all, I love the people. I’ve formed beautiful, lasting friendships here, particularly with the people working hard behind the scenes. Those relationships have become one of the most meaningful reasons I return.

Do you remember your first experience at Billabong, and how has your relationship with the retreat changed over the years?

I remember being struck by how peaceful and special the place felt. The beautiful sounds of nature just out side of the city. Waking up to the choir of birds is something I will never forget.

Each time I return, I experience it through a different lens. I’ve changed, grown and deepened my relationship with yoga and spirituality, and Billabong has been part of that evolution. It has almost become a reflection of my own journey.

When I first came to Billabong, I was so inspired by the incredible yoga instructors. Their depth of knowledge, dedication and genuine passion for the practice really ignited something in me and sparked my own desire to deepen my journey with yoga. Being able to join classes and meditations every day gave me the opportunity to experience what it was like to truly live a yoga lifestyle and practise every day with these amazing teachers.

You have spent quite a few months living and working here this time. What is it like to actually call Billabong home for a period of your life?

It’s really special. There’s something beautiful about letting a place become part of your everyday life rather than simply visiting it. You wake up here, work here, eat here, practise here and share the ordinary moments.

You also get to see what happens behind the scenes. Guests experience the peaceful, beautiful retreat, but there are so many people quietly working to create that experience.

It reminds me that home isn’t always a building or a particular place. Sometimes home is a feeling of belonging, connection and being exactly where you’re meant to be.

You’ve been on quite a journey with yoga, including completing yoga teacher training. How has yoga influenced the way you live, work and relate to people?

Yoga has changed much more than my physical practice. It has taught me to be present, to breathe through uncomfortable moments and to become more aware of myself and the people around me.

The more I learn about yoga and meditation, the more I realise it’s really a way of living. It reminds me to practise compassion, patience, non-judgement and gratitude—not just on the mat, but in everyday life.

It has also taught me that everyone is on their own journey. We all carry different experiences, and that encourages me to meet people with more compassion.

What has brought you back to Billabong after your yoga training, and how does being here fit into where you are in your journey now?

After completing my training, I felt drawn to keep learning through experience rather than rushing into the next thing.

The teachers here are incredible, their depth of knowledge inspired me to do my training so coming back felt like a natural way to continue to grow.

Billabong gives me the opportunity to live the values I’ve learnt through yoga—service, presence, community, simplicity and connection. I think sometimes the next step in our journey isn’t about going somewhere new; it’s about going deeper into where we already are.

Being here has allowed me to practise yoga off the mat—to live it through work, relationships, service and simply being present.

You’ve worked across different areas at Billabong and are now spending a lot of time in the kitchen. What do you enjoy most about working behind the scenes to create the experience our guests have?

I love being behind the scenes and knowing that the small things we do contribute to someone’s experience here. Food is such an important part of bringing people together.

Being a part of the nutrition workshops and working alongside incredible cooks has taught me so much about food and nutrition. Being aware of what we put inside our bodies is so important. Food is medicine and it can impact how we think, feel and act in everyday life. 

There’s also something quite spiritual about preparing food with care and intention then seeing everyone sit down and share a meal. You don’t always see the impact of the work you’re doing, but you know that every little contribution helps create the bigger experience.

What have you learned from working in the kitchen and serving hundreds of different guests?

I’ve learned patience, teamwork, adaptability and of course some incredibly yummy recipes. Every person arrives with their own story, energy and needs. You learn to meet people where they are.

I’ve also learned how much the little things matter. A meal prepared with care, a clean space, remembering someone’s needs or simply offering a warm smile can completely change how someone experiences a place.

Service doesn’t have to be something grand. Often, it’s simply noticing what someone needs and helping before they have to ask.

Living in the staff house and being part of the volunteer community means you’re surrounded by people constantly coming and going. What have you enjoyed about that community?

I love the diversity of people who come through here. Everyone arrives with a different story, but for a while we share this little world together.

When you share long days, meals, laughs and challenges, you get to know people on a deeper level. Some people may only be here for a short time, but they can still leave a lasting impression.

I’ve made friendships here that I know I’ll carry with me long after I leave Billabong.

You’ve also become someone who helps train and guide new volunteers when they arrive. What do you think makes a great Billabong volunteer?

I think a great volunteer comes with an open heart and is willing to contribute wherever they’re needed. You don’t have to know everything or be perfect. Being reliable, willing to learn, having a good attitude and being aware of the people around you makes such a difference. A love for yoga and food helps as there is so much opportunity to learn here.

The best volunteers are the ones who understand that every task, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger experience.

You seem to have an incredible ability to keep going, even when the days are long and the work is demanding. Where do you think that resilience comes from?

I come from a family of very resilient people. I think a lot of it comes from learning to take things one moment at a time. Life can be challenging but yoga has taught me that when something feels difficult, you can always return to the breath and find your centre again.

You don’t have to have everything figured out. You keep showing up, breathe, do the next thing in front of you and trust the process.

What does “service” mean to you?

To me, service is giving without needing recognition in return. It’s asking, “How can I contribute?” rather than “What am I going to get?”

There’s something very spiritual about that. When you serve from a genuine place, even the smallest task can have meaning. Whether you’re cooking a meal, cleaning a room or helping someone feel welcome, you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself.

You’re someone who often notices things that need doing and takes the initiative without being asked. What motivates you to go that extra mile?

I like seeing people happy so helping make someone’s day a little easier comes naturally to me. 

Ive also learnt from the staff here. Everyone goes above and beyond. They notice things others might overlook and take pride in creating a beautiful guest experience.

It’s taught me that attention to detail really matters. It’s not always the big things—it’s the clean space, the presentation, the timing, the warmth and the thoughtfulness that come together to make someone feel genuinely cared for.

So I don’t really see it as going the extra mile. It’s simply being part of a team and taking responsibility for the space you’re in.

What is something working at Billabong has taught you about yourself?

It has taught me that I’m capable of much more than I sometimes believe I am. It’s also shown me how much I value community, meaningful work and being of service.

I’ve learned that I don’t need everything to be perfect to feel fulfilled. Sometimes there is beauty in simply showing up, doing your best and being present for whatever the day brings.

Is there a particular guest, moment or experience at Billabong that has stayed with you?

There have been so many little moments rather than one particular experience.

Sometimes it’s being in a yoga class with the guests and feeling a communal connection or joining a meditation and being a part of their experience. Sometimes it’s seeing a guest arrive looking tired or disconnected and then watching them soften over the days they’re here.

Those moments remind me why places like Billabong exist. You never really know what someone is carrying when they arrive. Being able to contribute to a space where someone can breathe, reconnect, eat nourishing meals  and perhaps find a little bit of themselves again is really meaningful.

What do you think makes the Billabong experience different from simply staying somewhere beautiful?

I think it’s the intention behind the place. It’s not just about the beautiful surroundings. It’s the energy created by the people, the practices, the hosts, the staff, the food, the nature and the sense of community.

There’s an invitation here to slow down and reconnect with yourself. You can feel when a place has a deeper purpose.

After coming back three times, what does the word “community” mean to you now?

The word Yoga itself means union or to unite. When we come together around a common interest or shared purpose, we begin to realise that we are not as separate from one another as we think we are.

At the heart of it, I think we’re all just human beings wanting the same things—to be seen, to be heard, to be accepted and to feel like we belong.

That’s what I’ve experienced at Billabong. People come from completely different backgrounds and parts of the world, but when we live and work alongside each other, those differences become less important. We share meals, work, stories and laughter.

Living together like our ancestors did. There’s something deeply spiritual in that. We realise we are all connected, that we are all one, and that what we give to one another matters.

For me, community is about feeling connected to something bigger than yourself and knowing you have a place within it.

If you could describe Billabong in three words, what would they be — and why?

Connection. Growth. Home.

Connection because of the people and relationships you form here.

Growth because every time I return, I learn something new about myself and life.

And home because, after three visits, Billabong has become a place where I feel I belong.

What would you say to someone considering coming to Billabong as a volunteer?

Come with an open mind and an open heart.

You might arrive thinking you’re here to give your time, but you’ll probably receive just as much in return. Be willing to get your hands dirty, learn, and embrace the simple moments.

Get to know the people you’re working alongside. Some of those friendships can become the most beautiful part of the experience.

And don’t underestimate the small things you do. Every meal you prepare, every mat you clean and every task you complete with care contributes to someone else’s experience.

And finally, Emily… if Billabong could speak to you, what do you think it would say after having you return three times?

I think it would probably say, “You were always welcome here.”

And maybe, “You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going. Just keep following what feels true. Never give up.”

Every time I’ve returned, I’ve arrived as a slightly different version of myself, and each time Billabong has met me exactly where I was.

I’m incredibly grateful for the place and for the people who have become such an important part of my story. The friendships I’ve formed here will stay with me long after I leave.

Maybe that’s why I keep coming back—not because I’m looking for the same experience, but because there is always something here to learn, someone to connect with, or another part of myself to discover.

Some places become part of your story without you realising it. Billabong has definitely become part of mine.