World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Carnarvon group helps regional Australians build connections
The Old Bastards meet each week in Carnarvon, Western Australia, to talk, play games and raise money for their community.
Despite the name, the group includes people of different ages and genders.
Their regular gatherings help locals feel connected in a town far from other regional centres.
One member says he felt welcomed after moving to Carnarvon, where he had not felt part of the community before.
Research by Ending Loneliness Together found that loneliness and social isolation are more common in regional and rural Australia than in cities.
The group offers a local way to meet people, while an expert says regional communities also lack investment in places and programs that bring people together.
Loneliness can affect health, and the story says the group will continue its weekly gatherings.
The Old Bastards in Carnarvon, Western Australia, meet weekly to help people connect and raise funds for their community.
The group brings together members of different ages and genders, despite its name.
Member Jonathon Foster says the group helped him feel welcome after he moved to the isolated coastal town.
Research cited by ABC found more than half of Australians experience loneliness, with rates higher in regional Australia.
Loneliness expert Michelle Lim says regional and rural communities have higher levels of loneliness and social isolation.
- Who
- Members of the Old Bastards, including John Abreu and his family, and other Carnarvon locals.
- What
- The group meets regularly to socialise, play games and fundraise for its community.
- When
- Every Thursday night; the group also holds weekly morning tea catch-ups.
- Where
- The Gascoyne Hotel in Carnarvon, Western Australia.
- Why
- The gatherings help people connect in a regional town where isolation is a concern.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ending Loneliness Together began surveying Australians.
Jonathon Foster moved to Carnarvon.
The United States Surgeon General described isolation as a public health issue at epidemic proportions.
John Abreu and other Old Bastards members gather at the Gascoyne Hotel.
- Group
- Old Bastards
- Meeting place
- Gascoyne Hotel, Carnarvon, Western Australia
- Meeting schedule
- Every Thursday night
- Distance from Geraldton
- 500 kilometres
- Distance from Karratha
- 600 kilometres
- Loneliness research
- More than half of Australians suffer from loneliness
What people are saying
I didn't feel connected until we met these guys and they just put their arms out and welcomed us into the town.
What people living in those communities are telling us is that there is a lack of infrastructure and investment in spaces, in programs.
Rena, my daughter, she registered as an Old Bastard 27 years ago.