Positive community times at Jerdacuttup

The Federal Government's 2006 census declared the town had a population of six but when figures were collated at the 2011 census, the number was 341, due to mining activity in the area.

But today, according to Jerdacuttup Community Association president Marion "Mazz" Hyatt, you would be struggling to get past a 60 head count.

Naturally there's no footy or hockey team, no local shop and the CBH bin has closed.

Corporate farms and the mining industry have contributed to the population decline along with natural attrition of families - unable to afford boarding school fees - moving to other districts so their children can attend secondary schools.

Drive into Jerdacuttup off the South Coast Highway, 57km east of Ravensthorpe, and you could be forgiven for missing it.

In the ghostly silence, one reflects that even the Aboriginal word Jerdacuttup has an unknown meaning.

There's the forlorn structure of the old CBH bin which closed in 2010 as you hit a T-junction and turn left towards Hopetoun.

Reverse back 500 metres and behind the bush on the left is the Jerdacuttup Primary School.

And behind that, negotiated by a dirt track, is the re-furbished Jerdacuttup Hall and a new shed for the fire truck.

The silence is broken once you enter the school grounds and watch farmers' wives-turned-teachers supervise a gardening project, providing the children with hands-on knowledge of biology and nature.

It's a scene replicated every school day in every community in the bush.

In fact, you could consider Jerdacuttup as a microcosm of a bigger picture in Australian agriculture which these days see a plethora of communities struggling to cope with declining population pressures and increasing costs.

And then there's the effervescent Ms Hyatt - "please call me Mazz".

Her enthusiasm is considered a driving force in the small community, the stereotypical kind of character who puts a capital P in positivity.

There's no denying the struggles, the sheer hard work and long hours, combining farm duties with community activities - Mazz is part of a family farm with her partner Kurt Atherton and apart from her work with the community association, she is a volunteer gardener, cleaner, plumber and Ms Fix-it at the school.

"I'm only new to this," she said, referring to her president role.

"There are four of us girls on the committee, each with a role, such as treasurer, secretary, etc, and we've all got kids going to the school and we want them to enjoy country life.

"It's a great upbringing and we don't want to lose that, which is why we want to keep Jerdy alive.

"We meet once a month to come up with ideas that can involve the community and we've renovated the hall so it has modern facilities and is an appealing place to meet up for activities."

The Jerdy hall has quickly become a catch-cry throughout the South Coast, identified as the place to go for unique events, including arts displays, plays, concerts, farmer gatherings and more recently, a display of World War One diaries, as part of the ANZAC centenary celebrations.

The inaugural Jerdacuttup Festival was also a highlight of a busy year drawing sponsorship and trade displays from Ravensthorpe and Esperance along with mandatory cake stalls and children's activities.

"It was a great day and local farmers provided gen sets for power requirements," Mazz said.

It was not exactly an event to generate front page news but when you consider the upside, such country events should attract more attention from a society being fed daily with negative stories.

"When you get a community together and have fun it does wonders for your wellbeing," Mazz said.

"We all need an outlet off the farm and such activities are so good for your mental outlook.

"The Beyond Blue organisation is highlighting the daily struggles with depression, particularly in country areas, which is why we have a motto for Jerdacuttup of 'sharing is caring'.

"Too often problems are kept within because of a lack of trust and the fear of gossip within the community.

"Trust is a big thing and on the farm we have an entertainment deck where anybody can come and have a few drinks and share anything.

"It's the kind of environment that engenders trust and I often find we become sounding boards for each other.

"We're also lucky to have a resident doctor, Hermanus Lochnear, who has involved himself in the community and made himself available just to talk with anybody.

"That's the sort of thing we all should be doing.

"People often say they haven't got time and it can be an excuse for busy bees and the like, but even contributing 30 minutes can have a big impact and it makes you feel good."