The presenter, one half of Star FM’s hit breakfast duo Carly & Dane, said the offer to move to Gladstone’s Hot FM came out of the blue.

“It was a shock, I hadn’t applied for the job,” Ms Portch said.

“I’d just had a conversation with my partner Russell about how happy we were here.

“But, opportunities in radio are few and far between so you have to go when they present themselves.”

Even though Ms Portch had to Google where Griffith was two years ago, the people quickly found a way into her heart.

“The reception when I got here was amazing though, I remember the first weekend we went to Calabria (Family Wines) and everyone was so friendly,” Ms Portch said.

“I feel like I’ve been embraced by the community, people stop and talk to me in the street and they’re not afraid to get to know me.

“I know I can be a bit ridiculous at times but people get it and I don’t feel like I have to impress anyone, I can just be myself.”

Originally hailing from Port Macquarie, on the NSW mid-north coast, Ms Portch also worked in Nowra before coming to Star FM.

However, the move to Gladstone, 550 kilometres north of Brisbane and near the Great Barrier Reef, has her feeling a little nervous.

“I’m comfortable in my bubble here in Griffith,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to heading back over to the coast but my skin will hate me.

“I don’t tan, I freckle, so I might end up being the whitest person in Queensland.”

During her time in Griffith, Ms Portch had been involved in many great causes and had worked with some great people, helping her grow “100 per cent”.

“I feel good that I’ve contributed in some way to the community, that was always a goal,” she said.

“People like Ken and Kellie at Needy Paws, Dom at the cinema, Olga Forner at Can Assist and Cheryl Wood at Central have all been great.

“Not every town has Olgas and Cheryls but Griffith has a way of supporting their own which is just really great.

“There are people I’ve met here who will stay with me forever.”