In the deepest of Rural and Regional

I'm privileged to work for one of Australia's largest and most respected charities. Over the last two days this privilege has extended to meeting some of our staff who work in our sites located in rural and regional New England.


The last two days has been a whirlwind of visits to Armidale, Tenterfield, Inverell and Moree. In between 300 km of driving, being fed way too much food and even a recreation of Sir Henry Parkes' federation speech, we met incredibly inspiring and insightful staff members, co-operative and helpful service providers, community leaders oozing of natural leadership and the disadvantaged communities they serve, their people and their struggles. We got to learn a bit about the communities we visited, their struggles with things we might take for granted such as access to basic services (e.g. dental care) and were told of stories involving children and families, mental health, isolation and desperation.


I know at the moment the world seems to be experiencing one natural disaster after another with the QLD floods, the Christchurch earthquake and Japan's ongoing crisis... but perhaps  this tour has reminded me that despite all the work that needs to happen around the world, the work, the meaningful kind to the people who live here, must start from home.