Recent research indicates that more than half of Australians experience loneliness, with rates even higher in regional and rural communities. To combat isolation, local grassroots initiatives like Western Australia's "Old Bastards" are stepping up to foster community connection.
Every Thursday night in Carnarvon, Western Australia, the Old Bastards group gathers at the Gascoyne Hotel. Despite its rough-sounding name, the inclusive community group welcomes members of all ages and genders to socialise, play games, have a drink, and raise funds for the local area. For newcomers and long-term residents alike, the weekly meet-ups provide an essential lifeline in an isolated coastal town located hundreds of kilometres from major regional centres.
Experts note that regional areas face heightened risks of social isolation. Associate Professor Michelle Lim, chief executive of the peak national body Ending Loneliness Together, highlights that loneliness impacts health comparably to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and can lead to severe conditions like heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Programs bridging generations—such as the Old Bastards gatherings and the government-funded Chatterbox aged-care visitor scheme on the Gold Coast—are proving vital in building meaningful connections, supporting mental health, and bridging the gap between younger and older Australians.
