04.02.2012 - "A stranger"
One of the reasons we made the move to the country, was due to the lack of community I felt living in Melbourne. I would go down to the local shopping strip, and everyone was a stranger. I missed being part of community that cared about each other and took the time to stop and chat. Growing up on a farm with my grand parents in one house, uncle and his family in another, and a small school of only 40 children, I was surrounded by community. I missed it.
After 24 years I now have that again. I live in a fantastically community minded town. There are all sorts of ways to join in and meet people. Just a few - cricket club, football club, tennis club, pony club, CFA, SES, CWA, folk festival committee, arts society, garden club, historical society, lawn bowls club, land care, fishing club, book group, craft group. It isn't a big town. Only around 2,000 people, but there is always lots happening.
I've joined the Lions Club and our group isn't as stiff and boring as you may think. There is always lots of laughing and joking. This photo is taken at the market we hold the 3rd Sunday of the month. With so much great produce grown in the area, and talented arts people there is something for everyone. Even though we work hard, we play hard too and finish market day with a "debrief" at the pub.
I don't feel like a stranger anymore.
I'm so glad that you've found that sense of community that you were looking for, even though we miss having you in Melbourne! You know, I do have a strong sense of community in Thornbury, but that's probably because of all the connections that we have made since having children. But it's one of the reasons that I wouldn't leave - because now that we have that strong community, I'd hate to move away from it!
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