by Raelene Hall
Downsizing generally means moving from a large house to a smaller home or unit. For my husband and I it has meant the transition from a million acre cattle station to a suburban block.
It’s been made a little easier having bought our home in Leeming some years ago and renting it to our daughter working in the city. Instead of paying for accommodation we now had a permanent base on visits to Perth. This was invaluable when my husband had a health issue which required some weeks spent in Perth.
My husband always planned to retire at 65 and hand the station management to our two sons, so 2023 saw us settle full-time into city life.
The move has been easier for me, as I’m a very social person who likes to be involved in things. I’ve joined a gym, become part of a coffee group and book club as well as doing some volunteer work.
Still having the property is a lifeline for my husband as he can, at times, return to the place where his heart will always belong. He is also doing some volunteering. His other role is as the ‘gopher’ for the boys, finding parts, tools and other station requirements.
We have, since our move, had the opportunity to travel to areas of our state we hadn’t previously visited. Getting away from a station is never easy.
Whilst we have both settled in well to life in Leeming there are aspects of our former life we will always miss. The wide, open spaces and the amazing night skies can never be replicated down here. We keep one section of our bedroom blinds open at night so we can see the occasional star.
The city is never silent – how could it possibly be? At the station there are days when not a sound disturbs the peace – no vehicles, animals, planes, birds or generator (as we have solar power).
The freedom to walk out your door and not have to worry about locks and keys is something I took for granted over my 40 years on the station. Don’t tell my husband but I have, since downsizing, been known to leave our back door unlocked or the garage door up on occasion.
We’ve pondered over sorting household rubbish here in the city. Does it go in the green bin, red bin or yellow bin? Previously we would put it in the chook bucket, feed it to the dog or cows, keep it ‘just in case’ or burnt it in a drum out back.
Shopping is now a low key affair that can be done once a week or fortnight, knowing we can nip back if we forget something. Just a tad different to a 420km round trip that we did from the station, filling the car to the brim and hoping we hadn’t forgotten anything.
Retirement life is very different and combining it with such an enormous change of location has had its challenges but the arrival of our first grandchild born on July 10 this year, a beautiful little girl born to our daughter and son-in-law here in Perth, has brought us a whole new level of joy. I can’t imagine being thousands of kms away from her. So we look back with pride at our achievements whilst looking forward with anticipation.
Raelene has published two books of humorous short stories based on her station life.
The first Legitimate Bush Woman sold out. Her second book Legitimate Bush Woman Goes to Town is now available for $30 or $35 including postage. Contact Raelene at kmkpublishing@gmail.com.
