South West Life

It's amazing that a really important thing can be happening right in front of you, but if it's a fairly quiet undertaking, you hardly notice.

For reasons not really to do with South West Life, I had to visit Brook Lodge, which provides accommodation for backpackers in Donnybrook.  Two things I didn't realise were that the lodge regularly has more than 100 backpackers staying there, and that mostly they're all working.  Local employers are able to ring Brook Lodge and request a number of workers for their casual vacancies in the near future.  We know that's not the best way of doing it, but it seems that some want a dozen as soon as tomorrow.  Given that your very good correspondent has been known to underplan sometimes, I'm aware how silly that can be, but I know that people do it, and guess what?  The folks at Brook Lodge are often able to help.

Having got myself aware of the significant numbers who are there almost all the time, I started to ponder what that means to the local economy.  A quick glance up the street at the end of the work day shows that the local vendors are seeing a bunch of Koreans and Taiwanese putting money through the tills.  There are all manner of internationals involved and some are not quite so obvious, but the regular numbers have to be good for local traders.

A moment's thought makes me wonder just how locals like the orchardists and vignerons would get along without labourers, and again the importance of this one enterprise comes into a sharp focus.  There are literally hundreds of jobs being done round the calendar, and because the orchardists aren't able to offer security, locals move on and find something that suits them better.  It's a good thing that there are travellers around, and that the casual work actually suits them, because it seems that then mutual benefits kick in for all of us.  Fruit gets picked, I get to eat it and some travellers get to experience a fantastic place for their holidays.

So what does all this look like?  The venue is about what I'd have expected.  Built just after WWII, it's a timber framed construction that looks like it was built as some kind of worker's camp.  I'd never imagine from the outside that it had room for about 120 people but it's a bit like the Tardis, bigger on the inside than the outside.  There is a kitchen that seems like a study in ordered chaos at times but clearly people with a range of culinary needs and various languages work out how to make it serve their purpose.  Maybe it points the way to global harmony?

As evening rolls on, labourers trickle, then flood back home for a shower and then laze around meeting friends and newcomers and a very social atmosphere strikes up.  There's a limited bar for people who are too worn out to go out again, but there are also plenty who step out to see what's on around Donnybrook or to pick up supplies.

The grounds run down to the river, and with around 100 new friends on tap, it's common to see a game of frisbee or footy (of one description or another) underway out on the grass.  Later on there are people who might eat out picnic style, though this really shows I checked it out in the summertime.

At the level of hospitality being shown, there are a few regular jobs for the locals too, and from my perspective they all seemed to be enjoying the place.

For Bruce and Lynne who own and run the show, there is plenty of work and it's clear that they've bitten off plenty and are chewing pretty hard, but as two former public servants this is a new challenge and a business that they can see themselves growing in, and gaining some ongoing benefits.

The whole thing makes me smile, and from the outside I'd have hardly noticed it.  If you've got friends and family overseas, maybe this is something they could have a look at.