Helping Country Towns to Survive.

yobarr · Guru

Helping Country Towns to Survive.

Basher · Senior Member

I really don't think outback towns anywhere in Australia are competing with anyone on line, cafes, servos, pubs etc etc
Yobarr take your head out of the sand, have anothrr drink
Are you serious¿?????
Basher
Ps: maybe l should refer to you as St Yobarr with this comment

Tony Bev · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Many country towns that I visit in my travels are slowly dying, and many of their resudents are trying hard to make a living.
Because if this I spend a lot more money there than I need to, stocking up on higher priced food at corner shops, having breakfast in cafes and roadhouses instead of cooking my own etc etc.
This sign in a small country-town business in WA tells it as it is, but unfortunately many fellow travellers do nothing to help local communities, parking in the free camp behind the local pub, using the showers and toilets, washing their clothes, borrowing the toilet paper, filling their water tanks, and driving away next day, having spent nothing in the pub.
Low lifes who do nothing to encourage towns to allow free camps. Come on fellas. Play the game. No Cheers.
P.S I am well aware that the sign is directed more at locals, but we too can help in a small way.

X2

I think that reasonable travellers, who can not see that the smaller towns throughout Australia are slowly dying, and need us to spend our money there, should either go to specsavers, or open their eyes

Tony Bev · Guru

Basher wrote:
I really don't think outback towns anywhere in Australia are competing with anyone on line, cafes, servos, pubs etc etc
Yobarr take your head out of the sand, have anothrr drink
Are you serious¿?????
Basher
Ps: maybe l should refer to you as St Yobarr with this comment

Just on the assumption, that you are not stirring the pot, Basher

Below is a link to specsavers, as you may not know that your sight is slowly fading

https://www.specsavers.com.au/?gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkavsH0EXUan4_h6q9hQjStPlVCBOHKi1shV7zkr2F01xlKgo-RvPARoCOI0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gundog · Guru

Another combative post from an individual, who rarely contributes positively to a thread.

Yobarr's post is in fact reality for many towns in the bush, its a struggle, my home town in northern Victoria, had 3 hardware stores, then along come a baby big green shed.

2 other continued to thrive but the mitre 10 folded, 4-5 employee lost the jobs, but the new store provided 15 jobs, thre are just something the online store cannot provide and that I need it now requirement, I use evil bay and other online sellers where convient.

It's a balancing act of supporting you local community and your needs, if you want something for your car, often the dealership is many miles away in larger regional centres, your local mechanic is not an auto parts supplier, they buy on a needs basis.

How do you help that small town Australia, simple don't be a tight arse and stay at a free camp and spend nothing in the town, example smallish town in Western qld, has a massive free camp, over 60 vans a night during the season, if they do spend anything in the town it's usually at the servo for fuel that doesn't contribute that much to the local economy, maybe to the IGA from a few things, better you go to the local butcher, baker or pub for a meal.

So I challenge all you free camper, spend 2 night a week in a small town pay to stay facility, be it a caravan park, show grounds etc that helps more than you think.

I need to pick some prescriptions today, a small village chemist on the rim of Caboolture will get my patronage, and I will get some complementary medicines as well.

Basher · Senior Member

Tony Bev wrote:
Basher wrote:
I really don't think outback towns anywhere in Australia are competing with anyone on line, cafes, servos, pubs etc etc
Yobarr take your head out of the sand, have anothrr drink
Are you serious¿?????
Basher
Ps: maybe l should refer to you as St Yobarr with this comment
Just on the assumption, that you are not stirring the pot, Basher
Below is a link to specsavers, as you may not know that your sight is slowly fading
https://www.specsavers.com.au/?gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkavsH0EXUan4_h6q9hQjStPlVCBOHKi1shV7zkr2F01xlKgo-RvPARoCOI0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You missed my point, but thats ok, biggrin

dogbox · Guru

Wikipedia definition

Online trolls are most similar to the playground bullies you would have encountered at school. These people deliberately provoke arguments and fights on social media and forums, often by saying the most grossly insensitive and offensive things.

Often these people are perfectly normal and polite when met in real life; but when protected by the anonymity of the Internet, they can be incredibly aggressive. Often they will make sexist, racist or homophobic jokes to stir up an argument.

Cuppa · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Many country towns that I visit in my travels are slowly dying, and many of their resudents are trying hard to make a living.
Because if this I spend a lot more money there than I need to, stocking up on higher priced food at corner shops, having breakfast in cafes and roadhouses instead of cooking my own etc etc.
This sign in a small country-town business in WA tells it as it is, but unfortunately many fellow travellers do nothing to help local communities, parking in the free camp behind the local pub, using the showers and toilets, washing their clothes, borrowing the toilet paper, filling their water tanks, and driving away next day, having spent nothing in the pub.
Low lifes who do nothing to encourage towns to allow free camps. Come on fellas. Play the game. No Cheers.
P.S I am well aware that the sign is directed more at locals, but we too can help in a small way.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nothing wrong with the sentiment about supporting small towns which are struggling.

No need however to turn it into yet another blaming, disparaging, finger pointing, critical comment.

How about making a conscious effort to keep posts positive now & then ...... it could make a reasonable comment look like a reasonable comment instead of just another whinge or a dig & still get the message across.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 26th of August 2023 09:59:00 AM

peter67 · Guru

dogbox wrote:
Wikipedia definition

Online trolls are most similar to the playground bullies you would have encountered at school. These people deliberately provoke arguments and fights on social media and forums, often by saying the most grossly insensitive and offensive things.

Often these people are perfectly normal and polite when met in real life; but when protected by the anonymity of the Internet, they can be incredibly aggressive. Often they will make sexist, racist or homophobic jokes to stir up an argument.

X2, perhaps basher has become desensitised from humanity by spending long lonely hours cooped up behind his anonymous keyboard. I'll be the first to offer him some soothing personal face time, at my convenience.

Basher · Senior Member

Are Peter, yet another threat hidden not very wel, yes we know the bulliy types!
I have NO time for Yobarr, end of story, my post was directed at the mention of the "online" costing small towns income, when was the last time you bought petrol, or a cup of coffee and cake, or a beer or meal at your small country town pub, etc etc.ONLINE ¿???????????
I am personally a big believer in supporting smaller towns, currently in the back blocks of Qld doing just that.
NOTHING TO DO WITH ONLINE
bl..dy baff..ns
Basher

msg · Guru

In my years of sitting around the table/BBQ or wherever thinking people gather and after much discussion, I have come to the conclusion that there is not much that can be done to save the small towns.

Some, like my home town take on a different persona. Wheat and rice farmers sold out to the Winery and foodies and fresh fruit & veggie farmers together with an entirely different ethnic population. It survived.

But it is now being replaced by mega farms growing the one crop for miles and miles. Soon, there will be no people only big anonymous farms growing GMO modified foods for people overseas owned not by country people who care but some board operating in the best interest of their shareholders. I can already see where pretty soon the water in the river that kept those early settlers alive will be drawn upon so much, (making money) that it will dry up. (or pretty well has) Of course, climate change will be the reason. When will it stop?

Get out there people, explore, it is already disappearing. Yes, patronize those old towns as much as you can, don't use them up. The longer you do that the longer they will survive. Dare I say? For our enjoyment. Lets make it a learning experience as well.

Basher · Senior Member

Sadly l think its just bound to happen, no jobs and the kids strive for bigger things that cities offer, thats life as we know it today. You can hardly blame them!
Although tourism in some areas does give some oppertunity to the brave not everyone is up for the challenge.
I think most caravanners/ travelers try and do their bit, but, it is just not possible to spend money in EVERY small town we travel through.
Support when you can, but don't be critical when you see people driving through and not stopping, you don't know one, their circumstances and two, how much they spent in the last small town.
Lets not forget, some are doing it tough, but still traveling and spending, when they can, and, have you seen the price of fuel at the moment!!?!?!?!
Anyway, over to St Yob..
Basherr biggrin

msg · Guru

I left not because I was looking for bigger things, but because there were no jobs. Also no schools beyond high school and our parents were not able to send us away. Luckily for current kids this has improved somewhat. Travelling 100ks to school was much better and we could usually find someone to board with our parents knew and trusted.

Basher · Senior Member

Yes l feel it is a lack of jobs in many cases, times have changed in these outback areas and the opportunities are just not there any more so people have to move on.
I don't think anyone knows what the fix is, some places sadly will just die
cheers
Basher

SoloMC · Senior Member

I always spend up big in towns that have provided free camps. I also make a point of telling the manager how I appreciate the camp and the services provided in the shops. Online sales are killing the little operators. I used to buy a lot of fishing tackle from the locals in Darwin etc. My mates used to think I was crazy but I reminded them that they won't miss their water hotel the well ran dry, and the tackle shop etc weren't there anymore

Dick0 · Guru

Basher wrote:
I really don't think outback towns anywhere in Australia are competing with anyone on line, cafes, servos, pubs etc etc
Yobarr take your head out of the sand, have anothrr drink
Are you serious¿?????
Basher
Ps: maybe l should refer to you as St Yobarr with this comment

The point is that there are many more other types of businesses in small towns that are bypassed by Online Shopping and not only the few selected ones you have chosen. I don't think anyone here has missed the point.

Basher · Senior Member

Dick0 wrote:
Basher wrote:
I really don't think outback towns anywhere in Australia are competing with anyone on line, cafes, servos, pubs etc etc
Yobarr take your head out of the sand, have anothrr drink
Are you serious¿?????
Basher
Ps: maybe l should refer to you as St Yobarr with this comment
The point is that there are many more other types of businesses in small towns that are bypassed by Online Shopping and not only the few selected ones you have chosen. I don't think anyone here has missed the point.

I guess its open to your own interpretation, the types of small outback towns , and there are hundreds if not more, l was referring to are Not effected by online shopping, so l believe Some have missed the point!

Currently in the small town of Aramac Qld, l can asssure you no shops here have been effected by online shopping, in my opinion.

Basher

-- Edited by Basher on Sunday 27th of August 2023 08:43:08 PM

Cuppa · Guru

Another issue that is neither black nor white.

Some rural/remote communities & stations would find it difficult to exist without the ability to buy (& possibly sell) online.

We have spent time where without the ability to buy online, (& delivered by RASS mail plane) life would have been far more difficult, & where there was no other option available to buy. Eg. our fridge stopped working & needed a new thermistor to get it up & running again. The purchase, via ebay came from a seller in a small rural WA town.

Plain Truth · Guru

Another interesting issue is,how did these remote communities manage to exist all these years,before they could buy online?

msg · Guru

The towns existed to service the needs of farmers. The farmers came into town every Friday and spent the day, did their shopping, took care of business, got their repairs etc and socialized with friends and rellos. Creating a community. When the farms did well and they had a good season, the towns prospered too.

When big business came along and started their humongous farms, they used up all the resources (water and mining) got all their supplies in bulk from the cities. There was no need for many of the services provided by the towns and gradually businesses died out and people had to leave.

A lot more was lost than just livelihoods, a sense of community, and really a lot of the great and unique qualities that are attributed to Australians. Replaced by no service, waiting on phones and all the things we are complaining about.

Plain Truth · Guru

Yes,you have a good point there,sometimes the old ways seem better.

dogbox · Guru

Plain Truth wrote:

Another interesting issue is,how did these remote communities manage to exist all these years,before they could buy online?

can you remember back when we had mail order catalogues? the big department stores printed catalogues we would fill out the order form, post it with payment, then they would dispatch by any means to get it to the receiver which could mean road transport, postal, goods rail, passenger rail, bus ect ect

the on-line stuff is just a modernized version of an old system

-- Edited by dogbox on Sunday 27th of August 2023 07:04:11 PM

Basher · Senior Member

Gundog wrote:
Another combative post from an individual, who rarely contributes positively to a thread.
Yobarr's post is in fact reality for many towns in the bush, its a struggle, my home town in northern Victoria, had 3 hardware stores, then along come a baby big green shed.
2 other continued to thrive but the mitre 10 folded, 4-5 employee lost the jobs, but the new store provided 15 jobs, thre are just something the online store cannot provide and that I need it now requirement, I use evil bay and other online sellers where convient.
It's a balancing act of supporting you local community and your needs, if you want something for your car, often the dealership is many miles away in larger regional centres, your local mechanic is not an auto parts supplier, they buy on a needs basis.
How do you help that small town Australia, simple don't be a tight arse and stay at a free camp and spend nothing in the town, example smallish town in Western qld, has a massive free camp, over 60 vans a night during the season, if they do spend anything in the town it's usually at the servo for fuel that doesn't contribute that much to the local economy, maybe to the IGA from a few things, better you go to the local butcher, baker or pub for a meal.
So I challenge all you free camper, spend 2 night a week in a small town pay to stay facility, be it a caravan park, show grounds etc that helps more than you think.
I need to pick some prescriptions today, a small village chemist on the rim of Caboolture will get my patronage, and I will get some complementary medicines as well.

So, what do you base your stats on, the small town in outback Qld, apparently, well according to you, travellers only spend money at the servo and IGA, seriously where did you get your figures from St Dungog.

Basher

Izabarack · Guru

Was sitting in a van park a long way south of the Isa and close to the Qld border when an 8 metre tray truck turned up With a tarp covered load of a size that looked barely legal. Within 2 hours, a bunch of station utes and Land Cruisers with trailers turned up. Looked a bit like ants devouring a discarded bread roll as the truck load was distributed into and onto the utes and Land Cruisers. It was standard practice, I was told, for families living out there, to buy in bulk from a major coastal town and collectively pay for freight costs to a pick up point. Local town shop/Road House had a jar of coffee on the shelf for 700% more than the price asked in a major city supermarket.

I fail to see how me paying a 800% markup on a couple of items is or would help a small town survive. If the local dont buy local, I figure a couple of dollars in the local church Poor Box would be a better thing to do.

-- Edited by Izabarack on Monday 28th of August 2023 06:49:24 AM

msg · Guru

Sadly you are right Izabarack.

Gundog · Guru

Izabarack wrote:
Was sitting in a van park a long way south of the Isa and close to the Qld border when an 8 metre tray truck turned up With a tarp covered load of a size that looked barely legal. Within 2 hours, a bunch of station utes and Land Cruisers with trailers turned up. Looked a bit like ants devouring a discarded bread roll as the truck load was distributed into and onto the utes and Land Cruisers. It was standard practice, I was told, for families living out there, to buy in bulk from a major coastal town and collectively pay for freight costs to a pick up point. Local town shop/Road House had a jar of coffee on the shelf for 700% more than the price asked in a major city supermarket.
I fail to see how me paying a 800% markup on a couple of items is or would help a small town survive. If the local dont buy local, I figure a couple of dollars in the local church Poor Box would be a better thing to do.

-- Edited by Izabarack on Monday 28th of August 2023 06:49:24 AM

Gee have a grizzle about outback prices, it seems that some here have never been in business and dont understand supply and transport issues.

That little shop/roadhouse would most likely purchase those supplies from the nearest major center from a woolies or coles or a smaller town with an IGA, then you drive 3 or 4 hours to do the shopping for supplies needing a decent amount of refridgeration, or you may be lucky to have a transport company with cold chain, who delivers to your town with a freight rate based on cubic meter and that aint cheap.

Some towns are serviced by a B double in western qld that arrives in a town for a couple of hours, carrying fresh/frozen meat, bread, vegies and dry goods, It used to arrive at 6am in Blackall sunday morning, then heads to Jericho and so on, if I remember the truck either leave from Roma or Mitchell.

Remember those rural store have to be very careful managing stock control, out of date is a killer to the bottom line, hense unless its a fast selling item then you wont buy ctn lots.

Dont compare woolies prices to the route trade, take it from me coca cola pricing for the small bloke is a killer

Izabarack · Guru

Gundog wrote:
Gee have a grizzle about outback prices, it seems that some here have never been in business and dont understand supply and transport issues.
Dont compare woolies prices to the route trade, take it from me coca cola pricing for the small bloke is a killer

Don't see anyone grizzling about outback prices. I have bought supplies out of a three trailer Road Train in outback Qld and never bitched about the price. I've also bought multiple cartons of Coke from Woolies and delived them to a corner store less than 50 K from Ipswich Qld, because I could buy those cartons about 10% cheaper than the store owner's wholesale supplier could supply.

My comment only addressed the silly original post suggesting travellers could make small towns survive by spending lots of money in those towns. Turnover in small towns depends on many things and not so much on whatever money travellers spend at the local bakery. I mention the local bakery because that is the one place I regularly patronise. As a non-drinker and a need to restrict my diet, I do not spend much money at Pubs along the way. So, travelling alone, I don't have much opportunity to support the survival of small towns by spending a lot of money there, except on fuel. In the end, I will continue to enjoy free and low cost opportunities with a clean conscience. If a town or community has offered a free camp site in the belief that the facility will attract money to the town, the more the facility is used, the greater the chance that hope will be true.

Dick0 · Guru

Izabarack wrote:
Gundog wrote:
Gee have a grizzle about outback prices, it seems that some here have never been in business and dont understand supply and transport issues.
Dont compare woolies prices to the route trade, take it from me coca cola pricing for the small bloke is a killer
Don't see anyone grizzling about outback prices. I have bought supplies out of a three trailer Road Train in outback Qld and never bitched about the price. I've also bought multiple cartons of Coke from Woolies and delived them to a corner store less than 50 K from Ipswich Qld, because I could buy those cartons about 10% cheaper than the store owner's wholesale supplier could supply.
My comment only addressed the silly original post suggesting travellers could make small towns survive by spending lots of money in those towns. Turnover in small towns depends on many things and not so much on whatever money travellers spend at the local bakery. I mention the local bakery because that is the one place I regularly patronise. As a non-drinker and a need to restrict my diet, I do not spend much money at Pubs along the way. So, travelling alone, I don't have much opportunity to support the survival of small towns by spending a lot of money there, except on fuel. In the end, I will continue to enjoy free and low cost opportunities with a clean conscience. If a town or community has offered a free camp site in the belief that the facility will attract money to the town, the more the facility is used, the greater the chance that hope will be true.

I think what's also being overlooked are the additional services provided by country communities in addition to Free Camps, like Dump Points, Drinking Water, Hot Showers and an available Laundromat. They tick all the boxes for me and I will long stay at these communities and in return the businesses get my cash, e.g. Mitchell, Augathella, Longreach, Winton Qld etc.

Gundog · Guru

Iza yes you did quote "Local town shop/Road House had a jar of coffee on the shelf for 700% more than the price asked in a major city supermarket."

Cuppa · Guru

Gundog wrote:
Iza yes you did quote "Local town shop/Road House had a jar of coffee on the shelf for 700% more than the price asked in a major city supermarket."

Is this the $5 or the $10 argument (with apologies to Monty Python).