“THERE was no television, light was provided through a kerosene lamp and people lived off the land with vegie gardens, orchards, and chooks in the backyard.”
“All the children had chores around the house, including milking the cows by hand each morning. By day we would swim in the creek, fly kites or knock tin cans off stumps with shanghais, and at night we would play shadow puppet games for entertainment.”
Robertson couple David and Helen Tranter have fond memories of growing up in a simpler time when the concept of climate change was not known and never considered.
As far as they are concerned the simple existence could well be the secret to living a full and happy life in current tough economic times and the key to an environmentally secure future.
“There is so much we can learn from the past,” Mr Tranter said.
“I was born at the height of the great depression in October 1929 - it was the same month the New York Stock Exchange collapsed.
“We survived through the tough times using the resources we had - we milked the cows by hand, separated the milk for cream and butter, collected eggs from the chooks and grew our own fruit and vegetables.
“We cooked on wood-fuelled stoves, washed our clothes in coppers and had little or no need for electricity - we were part of a self-sufficient society.
“These days society is working for the economy instead of the economy working for society - we are no longer independent.”
The environmentally conscious couple, who are keen member of Climate Action Now Wingecarribee (CanWin) and various other similar organisations, are quick to point out they are not against development but have grave concerns about continued growth of the economy.
Mr and Mrs Tranter believe growth is about quantity and development is about quality.
“Growth is about consumerism and people wanting more and bigger items such as televisions while development is about making do with the things we already have and ensuring the lives we live are more fulfilling,” Mr Tranter said.
“People are not puppets and they shouldn’t let themselves fall into the trap where they need to consume more.”
Mr and Mrs Tranter are convinced a move away from consumerism would be a move towards an improved environment.
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, October 31
jackie.meyers@ruralpress. com
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