The Voices of Regional Australia project focuses on two regional areas in Australia, centred around Braidwood (NSW)
and Trentham (Victoria). These districts each have their own unique identities, yet share some commonalities. For many thousands of years, the lands around Braidwood have been home to the Walbanga people, of the Yuin nation, and the lands around Trentham have been home to the Dja Dja Wurrung nation. Both areas were first investigated by Europeans in the 1820s, with subsequent development heavily driven by resources including gold, timber, and agriculture. Resource industries continue to play a strong role in these regions, which have also diversified to include new economies that are tourism, service- and creative-based.
Geography
Based on their distance from larger population centres and services, these districts fall into the ABS category of “inner regional Australia”. Due to greater mobility and connectivity, and increasing movement away from capital cities, Australia is witnessing significant demographic changes, especially in inner regional areas which offer a level of both remoteness and connectedness to urban centres that appeals to many. This makes their populations very interesting to study in terms of Australia’s social dynamics.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (Jul2021-Jun2026). Remoteness Areas. ABS.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (12 April 2022), QuickStats, ABS Website, accessed 5 February 2025.
People
Diverse Populations
The populations of these areas are dynamic, comprised of a variety of groups, including:
Long-term residents
- People whose family have been in the area for generations, or people who have lived all their lives there
Some people consider these the “true locals”
Newer residents
- People who have recently moved into the region, or who have not lived there all their lives
- “Tree changers coming in from larger cities
Some people consider these “blow ins”
Weekend/holidayers
- People who spend time there only on the weekends or holidays
- Braidwood: On route from Canberra to the NSW South Coast
- Trentham: Close to holiday destinations Daylesford & Hepburn Springs
Less linguistically diverse than Australia overall
Older population than Australia overall
Australian Bureau of Statistics (12 April 2022), QuickStats, ABS Website, accessed 5 February 2025.