Welcome your neighbours to town

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:28:21 +1000

In rural and regional communities our home does not stop at our front door and it is not defined by our front fence. Our home is so much more than a building, it is a community.
It is a town, it is people, it is family, it is the environment, it is industry and it is our social network. So when new families move to a rural or regional community they move into our home and we welcome them into our community the same way that we would welcome them into our home, with old fashioned country hospitality.
There are many simple ways to make families feel welcome in your home. Below are some tips for you so that new families in rural and regional communities not only feel welcome but, feel at home so that they will choose to stay in the long term.
Say “Hello”. Introduce yourself and be sure to introduce them to your friends and people you know in the community. Offer to host an informal neighborhood get-together for your new neighbors to meet the current ones.
Provide a welcome gift as a housewarming present.
Here are some suggestions:
o A copy of “Welcome to the Bush” an eBook with everything they need to know to live in a rural or regional community, available now at www.localintelligence.com.au ;
o Personalized stationary with the new homeowners address;

o Homemade baked goods or some local produce such as cheese, fresh picked vegetables and fruit from your garden; and

o Gift certificates for home improvement stores, house cleaners, dog walkers, landscapers, local restaurants, spa, window washers.

Space: A general rule with etiquette is to treat others as you would wish to be treated. Be sure to give new neighbours space to adjust to their new surrounding, but be warm and welcoming when the time is right.

Invite them to be involved in community activities. For example invite new families to attend local festivals or to attend community group meetings such as the Lions club.

Let them know about entertainment options in your town: your favourite radio station, pub, place to eat out, and things to do. Offer advice on your favorite bakery, hair stylist, baby-sitters and sporting clubs.

Have a chat about where they are from and why they moved to your town. Don’t be too intrusive, but do show an interest. Be open to learn from neighbours with different cultural backgrounds.

Answer any questions with sincerity and simplicity. Don’t ridicule questions even though they may seem silly and obvious to you.

Wave to your new neighbours if you don't have the time to talk.

Bring your new neighbours bottles of chilled water on moving day and offer to catch up with them once they get settled.

Give your name, address and phone number with a list of emergency numbers to your new neighbour.
Offer to help new neighbours get unpacked or clean up. Offer to take mountains of packing and moving boxes to the local recycling center for new homeowners.

These are all simple things you can do to welcome neighbours but they will make all the difference to the new family who makes your community their home.

Road Trip Rules

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:16:13 +1000

Road trips are one of the great freedoms in the country and with a little preparation and consideration they will give you memories and adventures which you will talk about forever more.
Here is my list of what to pack and how to drive to make sure you have fun and get home safely.

My list of must haves in the car (I pack these even for hire car trips)
• A roll of toilet paper (wrapped in a plastic bag to keep it dry)
• Bottles of water
• Snacks - muesli bars, nuts, tins of tuna or baked beans and dried fruit are easiest.
• A blanket
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Antibacterial hand gel (very useful after public restrooms)
• Baby wipes
• A torch or lantern
• A map book (still better than a GPS when looking for alternative routes)
• A membership with a roadside assistance provider (such as RACQ)

In my vehicle I always carry the following:
• A 2 way or UHF radio
• A jump start / battery pack
• A fold up chair
• A picnic pack with cups, cutlery and cutting board
• A simple change of clothes (including a clean socks, underwear, a singlet, a sweater, shorts, swim suit and thongs)
• An esky or car fridge
• A power inverter and an array of chargers for my phone etc
• A high visibility vest (important when waiting beside a busy road or working on your car)
• A basic tool kit (mine has an assortment of screw drivers, a shifter, zipties, WD40, electrical tape, an assortment of fuses and a stanley knife) - anything more complicated is in the realm of a mechanic or roadside assistance
• A towel
• A swag

The rules I abide by include:
• If your car is immobile do not leave it unless you can easily see and identify your destination. ie Do not wander off in search of help but if you can see the roadhouse easily you can leave your car to reach it. If you can't see anywhere to go, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
• Do not cross any road you can not see (dark, under water or hidden) and which you have not seen another vehicle previously cross. The road may be washed out or treacherous. Wait for the police or SES to give you the all clear to cross. Even if you can see the first part make sure you can see all the way to the other side.
• Do not park on loose soil, loose road edges or boggy black soil. As the moisture grows the ground may give way dropping your vehicle into a hole or over the edge or bogging you. It is safer to stay parked on the road with your hazard lights flashing.
• Avoid parking under trees. With excessive moisture branches will sometimes break and also roots loosen causing trees to fall on your car. This may happen as a result of recent rain even when it is not raining.
• If driving through water do not stop your vehicle, keep momentum going until you reach the other side. For this reason make sure there is nothing in your way such as another vehicle which might stop. If you are following closely behind a larger vehicle be in constant communication with them via phone or UHF radio to remain aware of their intentions.
• Always call a friend before you leave and let them know your route, your time of departure and your approximate time of arrival. That way if something happens and you have not checked in at the other end they will know how to find you. This person can be anywhere in the world so leave them with the number of police along your route. This way your friend can notify local authorities in case you get into trouble.