Editor: Angela T. Ragusa

Rural Lifestyles, Community Well-Being and Social Change: Lessons from Country Australia for Global Citizens

eBook: US $39 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $220
Printed Copy: US $200
Library License: US $156
ISBN: 978-1-60805-803-7 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-60805-802-0 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2014
DOI: 10.2174/97816080580201140101

Introduction

In our increasingly global world, individuals are highly mobile and interconnected. Politics, policies and technologies foster interconnection amongst and within countries as individuals relocate from one place to another. One key issue facing developed and developing countries is urban overcrowding. In Australia, urban density is one factor prompting institutions and individuals to embrace ‘rural revival’ as a possible solution to urban congestion and rural decline. In the past decade, rural Australia has received heightened publicity and interest as a lifestyle destination encouraged by national decentralization policies to alleviate urban overcrowding, particularly the metropolises Melbourne and Sydney, regional councils’ marketing initiatives and international refugee relocation.

Rural communities struggle in contrast with urban counterparts for several, often complex, reasons. The ‘realities’ of rural life are frequently marginalized while marketing campaigns evoke stereotypical imagery of idyllic lifestyles and bucolic pastures to sell dreams of country bliss to fatigued urbanites.

This edited e-book is a collection of articles that explores ‘rural realities’ of country life in Australia for global audiences interested in rurality, health and well-being. By transcending disciplinary-specific boundaries, this multi-disciplinary book not only presents contemporary challenges, but also equips readers with evidence-based knowledge to improve resilience in communities and individuals facing key issues such as aging, depression, disability, environmental degradation, limited service delivery and social isolation. Utilizing a variety of social science research methods, each chapter will enhance readers’ insights about rural amenities, geography, identity, culture, health and governance which impact wellbeing and lifestyle satisfaction. Collectively, this book exposes readers to ideas from a dynamic range of experts in the humanities, social and natural sciences to encourage a holistic approach to developing solutions for a complex social world.

The content of this volume will interest a wide audience of graduates and undergraduates, researchers, professional practitioners and policymakers involved with non-profit and government organizations, and interested community members.

Contributors

Editor(s):
Angela T. Ragusa
Charles Sturt University
Australia




Contributor(s):
Oliver Burmeister
School of Computing and Mathematics
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Jennifer Cox
Faculty of Science
Charles Sturt University
Orange
NSW, 2800
Australia


Andrea Crampton
Faculty of Science
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Andrew Crowther
School of Nursing
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Alicia Curtis
Faculty of Science
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst
NSW, 2795
Australia


David Gilbey
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Stephanie Johnston
Social Work, Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane
QLD, 4000
Australia


Patricia Logan
Health Science, Charles Sturt University
Dubbo
NSW, 2830
Australia


Susan Mlcek
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst
NSW, 2795
Australia


Derek Motion
Booranga Writers’ Centre
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Ndungi Mungai
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Nicholas Osbaldiston
School of Applied Media and Social Sciences
Monash University Northways Drive
Gippsland
Churchill VIC, 3842
Australia


Kevin A. Parton
Institute for Land, Water and Society
Charles Sturt University
Orange
NSW, 2800
Australia


Felicity Picken
School of Sociology and Social Work
University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay Campus
Hobart
TAS, 7001
Australia


Angela T. Ragusa
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Charles Sturt University
Wagga
NSW, 2678
Australia


Megan Smith
School of Community Health, Faculty of Science
Charles Sturt University
Albury
NSW, 2640
Australia


Max Staples
Creaghe Lisle Solicitors
52-54 Gurwood Street
Wagga
NSW, 2650
Australia


Robert Lindsay Tierney
School of Management and Marketing
Mansfield Building, Charles Sturt University
Bathurst
NSW, 2795
Australia




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