Snow in Goulburn

This week I was very excited to see snow in Goulburn for the first time.  It may sound a bit silly to some, but to me it was awesome.  For many years I have endured the cold and wind, but the occasional time it snows I am not there.  Finally, the snow coincided with my schedule.

I have the privilege of being a member of 2 communities.  It is not something that many people can say as most people have one home.  For the last 15 years I have spent half of my week in the country town of Goulburn, and the other half of the week in the Sydney suburb Winston Hills.  This allows me to observe the similarities and differences between the two communities.

There is a common belief that you cannot be a true member of a country community without being born and bred in that community.  I am sure that is true for some rural communities, but Goulburn has never appeared that way to me.  If you make the effort and try to fit in without any arrogance about being from the “city”, country people will welcome you with open arms.  I have made the effort.  I have been involved in community groups (Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and other networking events) and of course I meet many clients.  I deliberately made this effort at the start to be social and involved, and then it became a natural part of my time in Goulburn.

I love my Goulburn community.  I love being able to walk down the street and say hello to people.  I love that I know so many people in the community and I can be a voice in that community.  I have the Federal Member in my building and I attend meeting with the State Member and the Mayor.  I know council members, lawyers, dentists and other business owners.  I can speak with farmers and appreciate the weather and its effects on the community in ways I would not have considered before my Goulburn time.  There is a unity that comes in being “Goulburn”.  Regardless of your stature in the community or your wealth, there is a commonality of place that brings acceptance and diversity not seen in Sydney. 

Winston Hills is part of the Hills District in Sydney.  It was where I was born and bred and as such I should feel a belonging here.  Yet I am not sure I feel that same connection. In the suburbs we have micro communities that form around the things we do; sporting organisations, clubs, hotels, schools and workplaces.  We stick to our little groups and we do not look too far beyond that.  Maybe there are just too many similar people in such a small space to look beyond?

In our suburb, like many suburbs of major cities, we are all rather similar.  We are of similar economic status and culture.  Our tribe looks and sounds like us as we have common interests.  I know this is a generalisation and of course there are exceptions, but from my point of view I am invisible in my Sydney community.  In Goulburn I am a visible, active community member.  I know so many more people in Goulburn than in Sydney.  The people are diverse in wealth and culture, so I get to meet people from all walks of life.  I am proud of Goulburn when it achieves something.  I can’t really say that about Winston Hills.

I am fortunate to have a mix of both worlds.  I can be visible for the part of week, and then come back to Winston Hills where no one really knows me.  I get strange looks in Winston Hills when I am walking down the street smiling and acknowledging people.  In Goulburn you always get a friendly acknowledgement back.  However, I do think people are starting to change in Sydney.  I have a great bunch of friends in Winston Hills who allow me to be myself without judgement.  I do get the occasional smile or good morning on my walks now.  I find myself more frequently seeing people I know at the shopping centre (although no-where near as much as in Goulburn). 

I would not have imagined 15 years ago when I first drove into Goulburn to look at an accounting practice with my (then) boss what an impact that place would have on my life.  No one knows what twists and turns may come your way but I am glad I have had the opportunity to be part of another community, and grateful for all the amazing people I have met as a result.