How some who once felt blessed became Hanson’s people

May 14, 2026 — 9:55am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

We never thought much about city people when I was a child, unless it was to feel a bit sorry for them.

We lived on the land.

Yes, we powered up the lights at night by kicking to life a diesel generator in the shed, and we had to turn off a light in the kitchen if we wanted to turn one on in the lounge.

Did we envy city people enjoying reliable power and luxuries such as sewerage?

Perhaps. But there was an absence of resentment.

We could travel to the big city by a regular train if we wished, climbing aboard at our own local station.

If cattle and wool prices were up, we could fly aboard one of Reg Ansett’s Fokker Friendships, which took off every day from either one of two aerodromes in towns not far away.

We didn’t take the opportunity often.

Melbourne felt crowded. Everyone seemed in a hurry. All those houses side by side. The shops were amazing, but who could afford all that stuff?

Life in the country felt pretty good.

Politicians fell over themselves to make sure country people were content. In return, Bob Menzies’ Liberals and Black Jack McEwen’s Country Party received overwhelming support.

Protectionism was the order of the day and Britain was our big reliable market for agricultural products such as beef, wool, wheat and butter, until the UK joined the European Community in 1973 and dumped Australian agriculture like a cast-off bride.

Every little place had a doctor and at least a bush nursing........

© WA Today