AS MANY residents before have found, Leeton has a way of growing on you.
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That is what Katrina Houghton has found since moving to town after meeting her now husband Isaac through mutual friends.
Mrs Houghton moved to Leeton in 2011 after she was initially introduced to Mr Houghton through mutual friends while living in Wagga.
As their relationship blossomed, she decided it was time to come to Leeton and see what all the fuss was about.
Mrs Houghton grew up in Temora, attending both primary and secondary school in the town.
Growing up she always wanted to be an architect, but discovered a passion for cooking as the years went on, which eventually led her to become a qualified chef.
“Even after over a decade in the hospitality industry I still love and enjoy creating delicious food,” she said.
It was on completing her chef apprenticeship that Mrs Houghton moved to Leeton to be with her future husband.
The pair married in October 2015 and it was within the shire they decided to have their big day.
“We both knew we wanted to be married at either one of our home towns,” Mrs Houghton said.
“However, we made a decision pretty early on during our engagement that Leeton was going to be the one.
“Isaac’s family have been on the farm for many many years and it was a sentiment to his grandfather.
“Especially, for our photos to be taken out at ‘Cransley Farm’ and we chose the Catholic Church in Yanco as Isaac grew up attending mass there.”
The special link was one of the many reasons Mrs Houghton continues to have a fondness for Leeton.
“We found everything we wanted and needed for our big day we were able to source either locally or regionally, which was a massive bonus,” she said.
“Leeton is such a supportive and giving town and bursting with community spirit.
“(This) for me is what makes living here so great.
“It was evident from the moment I moved here – whenever the township experiences tough times or a family in need – the community would come together with efforts of donations or fundraising.
“I feel very lucky to be apart of such a great community.”
Mrs Houghton continues to work as a chef in Leeton and found it had been another way to connect and engage with the community. “I currently work at Crate Cafe,” she said.
“Having only opened in February, it's been amazing to be a part of the initial stages of opening and planning the menu ... definitely loving every minute of my job.
“My very first job in Leeton was at Assumption Villa cooking and looking after all of the dietary requirements of all the residents. It was a job I found very rewarding, while getting to know many of them and listening to their stories about what life was like many years ago.”