Northern Exposure: Thank You Small Town Australia

In early May I spent four days in Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. A few things were different about Mareeba compared to other small towns I've lived in or in which I have family. The people drove on the left side of the road; the city had several round-abouts; and there were crocodiles in nearby streams.

But in many other ways Mareeba was just like many of the small towns I've called home. Agricultural was a major part of the economy. The city had a local manufacturing plant, in this case it was a chicken processing plant. Main street in Mareeba could be swapped out for many a Main Street in small town USA (minus the parking in the street divider). Small town America and small town Australia also have other similarities - the children can play and ride their bike without much fear of harm; and residents of small towns remind me that they can leave their houses or cars unlocked without fearing anyone will take anything.

A friend who traveled on a previous GSE trip told me, "people are people Mario, regardless of where you travel to." This statement stuck in my head as I talked with people from Mareeba. The community faces similar challenges and opportunities as small town America. The community's children are going off to the larger cities for their university education and for jobs - many are not returning. The pressures of global economic competition does not spare them - a once highly profitable mango sector in Mareeba is facing growing competition, and area farmers are moving to growing bananas. This after their once lucrative tobacco growing industry was demolished by international competition who benefited from lower labor costs and less regulation.

Small town America and small town Australia don't get enough credit for their role in their respective country's economic and social vitality. Small towns produce the food and labor for large cities (among other things).

Small town Australia is like small town America in this way also - it is a custodian of long-held customs and values. When we arrived in Mareeba we were greeted and treated as family. Mareeba residents proudly shared their community's history with us. Mareeba honored the past of its people as it looked to the future.

So here I am, saying "thank you" to small town Australia. Away from the movement and noise of large city living I've seen and experienced the essence of Australia's people and country. And for that I am eternally grateful.