One of the things, though, that I noticed quite quickly is that because the pace is slower and the intensity and pressures are less than in the big city, people have time to stop and talk and enjoy each other's company. Even small interactions - in cafes, pubs, with shop attendants, at the petrol station (where they fill it up for you!) - there's a true joy in communion. And always a good laugh.
I've also come to once again, appreciate the old school Aussie spirit and character - which is alive and kicking in the yet to be 'internationalised' areas of regional Australia such as this. It's significantly on the decline, lacking, fading in places like Sydney due to a massive influx of multiculturalism. There's no turning back the tide in the big cities - and there's plenty of upside to the mixed bag of nationalities - but I have found it refreshing to be back in a place that still vibrates with an old school Australian type of character, behaviour and humour.
It reminds me of the country I grew up in. It reminds me of the uniqueness of the classic, laconic spirit that used to prevail. To find it still existing, to be immersed in it again, is an added side benefit to the other natural positives of life in the Biggest Little Town in Australia. It's a river that runs deep and is an element of this nation that gets dissipated and forgotten amongst the progress and demands of the big city life. It's a dry, wry, hard-nosed kinship, at once stand-off-ish and embracing, that is unique to this land and a great joy to be part of once again.