Series public lecture on rural policy, people and place

The 6 November public lecture in the Caring for the Australian Countryside series was given by Professor Margaret Alston OAM, from Monash University. She focused on rural people and places, noting the changes and uncertainties relating to climate, policy, population movements and socio-economic factors.

Rural policy, people and place: sustainability in an uncertain future

This lecture will focus on rural people and places. It will note the changes and uncertainties relating to climate, policy, population movements and socio-economic factors on Australia’s rural heartland. Professor Alston will examine issues and policies that are shaping rural spaces including those relating to water, production, climate change, environment, telecommunications, health and education. Underlying these factors is an unstated assumption based on technological and economic ‘certainties’ that rural people will adapt and that rural places will reshape in efficient, down-scaled ways. She will examine these assumptions and their impact on rural people and places, arguing for greater attention to the social aspects of rural life. She will suggest the goal of rural policy should be vibrant, well-serviced and supported people and places.