NAT’S HEART IS AT HOME

AFTER STEPPING AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT, TV HOST NATALIE GRUZLEWSKI SAYS SHE’S FINALLY WHERE SHE WANTS TO BE, WRITES ROSEMARY BALL

Gold Coast TV presenter Natalie Gruzlewski has traipsed the globe but says the ultimate luxury is being able to enjoy home. Since walking away from her small-screen career six years ago, the former weather

presenter, Getaway host and Farmer Wants A Wife

matchmaker has been enjoying motherhood and relishing quiet time on the Coast.

“It was the best decision,” the 43-year-old says. “I was happy to slow down and focus on my family for a few years. I absolutely love being a mum, that’s been my main priority, and I am trying to make the most of every stage because they grow up so quickly.”

But when Natalie heard the feel-good reality TV dating show

Farmer Wants A Wife, which she fronted for the first eight seasons from 2007 to 2012, was returning to Aussie screens, she knew it was time to grab her Akubra and make a comeback.

“This wonderful opportunity to return to a show I love came along at just the right time,” she says.

“My daughter (Olivia) is almost seven and I’m ready to get back into working more. I loved being a part of Farmer and have so many fond memories of the show – it was fantastic to hit the road filming again. We had so much fun and it’s always exciting to be involved in a show that can change people’s lives in such a positive way. From the outset, these men and women actually choose each other and I think that contributes to the number of relationships we have seen. I love helping couples find true love.”

Following her divorce from her first husband, former surfer Luke Egan in 2010, Natalie did not need Cupid’s intervention to find her now-husband, property developer Jack Ray. Their love story has been textbook material, despite juggling a long-distance relationship early on. They both lived on the Gold Coast, met through friends, went for dinner, fell in love, threw a surprise wedding in 2012 and welcomed Olivia three months later.

Now, with the addition of Sunny, an 18 month-old cavoodle, Natalie says her days are filled to the brim with happiness.

But when it’s time to escape the everyday grind, she prefers a day trip to the Gold Coast Hinterland or a weekend on the Sunshine Coast over jetsetting.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pinching myself that I had the opportunity to work with Getaway for almost a decade,” the Palm Beach Currumbin High 1994 graduate and Griffith University alumni says.

“It was fantastic, not many people get to travel the world, relish the Italian way of life and see the Acropolis of Athens as their day job, but nothing beats the relaxed lifestyle of the Gold Coast and my family is here. It’s a beautiful part of the world with the best beaches and weather.”

On her days off she loves bushwalking and picnicking in the hinterland, grabbing coffee at BSKT cafe, having a rustic breakfast with the family at Paddock Bakery and drinking sunset cocktails with friends at Burleigh Pavilion.

Natalie says she is looking forward to showing off some of her favourite Coast spots on an upcoming episode of Channel 7’s

Better Homes and Gardens.

As she reminisces on her career, which started in 1999 as the host of Prime Television’s Surf

TV, she says her success is partly thanks to her strong network of family and friends.

“They are amazing and I will always look up to my mum (who tragically passed away from cancer in 2007) as a strong, loving, caring and wonderful role model,” she says.

“I also believe anything is possible if you have perseverance, passion and back yourself.”