In the past I have written articles aimed at those who may be from the cities who are visiting or coming to live in rural areas. The aim has been to assist them in adjusting to rural life and to dispel some of the myths and preconceptions that still exist.

Perhaps one preconception is that all rural communities are in arid outback settings and in one-shop towns. However another is one that I am afraid some of our Western Australian politicians seem to think: that an outer suburb of Perth such as  Rockingham is in fact a rural community! Give me strength!!

When we hear politicians and others talking about our cities, we automatically think about the Capital cities scattered around our coasts. We forget about cities such as Canberra, Cairns, Tamworth, Bendigo, Bunbury, Albany and Orange. Do these cities have the same attention from those in power as Sydney, Brisbane or Perth? Or are they treated like rural backwaters (well perhaps not Canberra!)

 Well – what do you class as rural living? Does the classification still stand when we think of those cities mentioned or can we really only classify a rural community if a majority of their industries and the people’s livelihood depends on a primary industry for their survival?  If we are to take this view, we need to take in mining towns, farming towns, and fishing communities. But then where does the town that relies on tourism fit in? Think of Alice Springs and Hyden – farming towns that have developed a massive tourist industry. Would they exist even if the farmers or pastoralists left?

 I would like your thought about these definitions and what you think our politicians think about when they think “rural” or “country”.

While we are on the subject of politicians did you hear that our state treasurer refused to give the Flying Doctors Service a decent slice of the budget because he thought they were “just another interest group”? I hope he never gets stranded on a country road with someone he loves involved in an accident – no wait – he rarely leaves the city so that is not likely! Oh! And then our Federal friends have just cut Regional Development funding – and other schemes designed to keep young people in their communities with jobs when the drought has caused a downturn in prospects. Oh, haven’t you heard – it rained in some places so the drought and its effects are no longer a concern! Again – give me strength.   

Love you thoughts!