The babies of the post war era are moving to rural Australia with their skills, energy and ideas, and often with their money.

In fact, the Regional Australia Institute thinks they are having such a positive effect it has labelled them super boomers. Regional Australia Institute CEO Su McCluskey says they have the potential to have a huge impact, to lead change and revitalise regional towns.

She says many are taking up ‘encore careers’, going in a different direction professionally in search of a better life balance and more professional satisfaction.

The Institute estimates baby boomers – aged between 47 and 68 – make up 39 per cent of the regional workforce. It points out baby boomers are also the wealthiest generation to reach retirement, and in retirement they are more energetic and more skilled than earlier generations.

Paul Tomlinson moved from Perth to Northam, 1.5 hours east of Perth in the wheat belt, in 1991.

He is now CEO of Avon Community Development Foundation, and says there are huge advantages to country living. ‘The opportunities in regional and rural Australia are just fabulous.’

Mr Tomlinson, who describes himself as ’68 going on 25′, threw himself into community activities.

‘If you want to be part of the community, the community will embrace you, if you want to be by yourself they won’t judge you.’

He says the unemployment rate in Northam is low, and employers welcome older workers.

And there are also ‘a groundswell of new retirees that are selling up their metropolitan assets, finding less expensive accommodation options in the rural hinterlands which can help them finance their retirement,’ he said. ‘Northam has some great federation buildings and the cost of real estate compared to the metropolitan region is very reasonable.’

Source:ABC.net.au

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