COVID struck our country in 2020.
Nesha and Alex had moved back to Victoria one year earlier, the most locked down state in Australia’s history, affecting a whole nation. Moving in and around Victoria was tight with a restriction of a 5 km radius and/or permits. Their transitioning came to a halt. Alex’s future transitioning possibilities and Nesha’s continuation literally stopped in March 2020.
Never one just to sit around, Nesha opened a plant shop, revisited her previous role as a bar tender and became the main chef at the pub. The plant shop had a stylish flair selling old TVs, fridge’s, stoves, clothes and antique furniture and of course selling plants. Alex also worked at the pub and with his usual elegance became an assistant pastry chef in the local bakery.
For a number of years, they had been looking at a block of land online in Tassie. Finally with Nesha’s insistence they came over for a peek, whilst working in regional Victoria. Alex’s stipulation for a home was very clear – and that was a big NO to an unserviced block of land. His demands disappeared when they came face to face with the unserviced, rural block. It was love at first sight and to enable them to move on with their lives they sold two properties, one in Victoria and one in Tasmania.
They moved back to Tasmania in 2023.
The block had no running water, no house, no electricity with a tiny 13-foot caravan to house them and 3 cats Steve, Missy and Sheryl.
On the outside their lives seemed angelic, however on the inside they were both suffering gender dysphoria, causing massive mental anguish. Nesha was often in tears, not knowing who she was and how she fitted in. Alex, always the quieter one, kept his sadness to himself.
They had found the place of their dreams; however, their mental health was spiralling.
I met Nesha and Alex at their lowest. Alex looked terrible and Nesha was miserable. They were not caring for themselves or each other at this time. But as luck would have it, they found two compassionate doctors specialising in HIV and transgender care. One at Clinic 60 and the other at a general practice.
Nesha recommenced transition in Feb 2025 and Alex a month later. To describe the change in their wellbeing is an understatement. After over 50 years of experience in the health field, nothing really surprises me anymore. But the day Nesha and Alex bounced into Taschard I was overjoyed. To recognise, finally, total happiness in their eyes was awesome. It took my breath away.
Nesha says she always felt she was gay but did not necessarily consider herself gay. She had previously described herself like this to conform to society’s needs. In simple terms she regarded herself as a woman trapped in a man’s body.
Alex is transgender and pansexual and sometimes enjoys being masculine and sometimes enjoys being feminine.
They have not completed their journey. Far from it. Alex is complex, and Nesha’s demeanour is changing every day.
The tiny caravan has now turned into bush shack with a fire, kitchen and lounge. The little hut is full of beautiful, hand crafted, home-made wooden furniture
Nesha is writing her life story. It is traumatic and cruel. She could not write this book without Alex by her side.
They have been together 34 Years
For them it’s like a switch has been flicked. The transition did not occur overnight. It has been terrifying at times. And it wasn’t until a couple of months ago they stopped feeling like freaks.
Why did it take so long.
It is almost like society has finally given them permission to be who they want to be.
