Here in my region, small country towns, not near a railway line, can struggle, but can also develop a strong sense of community.
In the Cold Chisel song "Flame Trees" one lyric says "there's no change, there's no pace, everything was in its place". I think many small towns are old fashioned, in, for example, business opening times. No all night shopping to be had there. Not even open Saturday afternoons and Sundays, and forget Christmas Day eating out, the pub staff have gone home to their families. Here's the question: can cities learn from that?
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Where are the people on Saturday afternoon? Well they might be engaging in local sports. Football is big in the winter, and cricket in the Summer. Or they might be at ballet lessons. Boating, fishing, dirt bike riding, or a BBQ at home are enjoyed. I take a look at the lawn height, while hubby tries to hide... The milk bar is always open during the day, and evening. I like to walk there with a dog or two and buy an icecream in a cone.
Pubs are quite often the only venue that is open on a Friday and Saturday night, except the occasional restaurant. It's a place for people to meet, talk and compare rainfall, stock prices , discuss the footy, and the like,plus local gossip, or play a game of pool or gamble on the machines.
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Teens aren't very impressed, not being allowed to drink alcohol in, or to be unattended by a guardian in a pub until they're 18. "Cause there's nothin' else to set fire to this town", (from Flame Trees). Small towns can be stifling for many teens, socially. Many move away as soon as they can, looking for study opportunities, work, and a chance to dance to a DJ.
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Fish Creek Hotel. Link
The Fish Creek Hotel actually does have a large fish attached to the roof!
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YARRAM CLUB HOTEL
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If your pub has been left out, don't worry! We drop into lots of pubs for daughter and hubby to have a game of pool, and you might get a mention in future posts. We are usually on the soft drink though. Get some diet brands in for me! Cheers!
