Opinion & Perspectives
18 May, 2026
The power of our small communities
"These small communities, which we belong, to do amazing things for our fellow people a lot of it unregonised and done without any thanks or payments."
By STEPHEN BARRATT
IT HAS been awhile since my last comments.
My time has been taken up by the council budget and various meetings along with my home garden and a successful lawn bowl season with the Wycheproof Bowls Club.
This has been good for the soul as most home gardeners can relate to I am sure.
And social interaction with other community members in the bowls club is positive and something we all need as human beings.
Which got me thinking (dangerous I know) but something which we all are capable of doing from time to time.
These small communities, which we belong, to do amazing things for our fellow people a lot of it unregonised and done without any thanks or payments .
Our Lions Clubs, schools, sporting groups, hospital auxiliaries and many more, which one could name but I won’t for fear of missing them, but you get the drift.
Many, many hours are given to benefit the community and without them, the cost would be great in terms of dollars and lost connection for many people they help and serve.
The past Anzac Day commerations were a classic example of commitment of those groups all pitching in for the benefit of everyone.
The services I attended were well patronised by all walks of life, be it small children and their parents and the older population.
And the various volunteers which made it possible as in band members those who got up early for dawn services the returned men and ladies themselves I thank you, well done.
Also it would be remiss of me not to mention and acknowledge the good work done by the work crews of Buloke Shire in presenting the places of commemoration in pristine condition so thank you all.
Which brings me to a point that was on my mind and that is the good outcomes this council does bring to the community.
Whilst there are those whom critise and jump up and down we are in relative terms a small council whom provides a lot with a small budget and the constraints imposed on us thru various inaction by the State and Federal Government.
We have free pools, good sporting facilities, good recreational opportunities, provision of library services, garbage collection and other service which are comparable to larger councils with bigger budgets.
Yet we don’t give credit to those who provide these services to us but want more which would be fine if one has unlimited resources at our disposal.
In fact some out there go to great lengths to discredit the action of council and I feel is unwarranted on their part and some even in my opinion should know better.
I feel this a waste of good council time and money as let’s face it everything has a cost, labour taking staff away from what they been employed to do, for example.
FYI requests are an example. Some of these requests I believe are not warranted as one could find some answers online be it via Councils own website or the YouTube site as believe been broadcasted via that media.
One hopes that whilst being interested in what happens in the shire a more genuine approach is labelled at Council either in the way of communication to it and what is expected of it considering what it all ready delivers via way of Community Services and Benefits.
So please be considerate of your actions and reflect: “Are they in the best interests of everyone?”
Cr Stephen Barrett is a Lower Avoca Ward councillor for the Buloke Shire Council.
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