As the region reeled from the pain and loss of the St Patrick’s Day bushfires, we responded to others in need in ways that underlined why the region largely remains a pocket of friendliness and kindness.

On any given day in any town across the region, people stop for a yarn with old mates (and new), shoppers are greeted with a sincere “Hello! How are you today?”, those less lucky are helped in small and magnanimous ways ... we gather easily and regularly for sport, for family and for fun in ways that our city cousins cannot dream of.

When farmers both near and far needed our help when they were burnt out or crippled by drought, we gave. When fires burned or winds blew, a small army of volunteers gave their time to help. When hard times faced retailers and other businesses, we rallied and supported them.  

The south-west has retained its character, its charm and its appeal.

We continue to live in a clean air, surrounded by rugged coastal beauty.

We are lucky because we continue to make our own luck.

We can gather and enjoy our lives and families this Christmas.

We can be optimistic about the future and what 2019 holds.

But with happiness comes care. We must care about the state of our roads, public transport, the need for an upgraded hospital, for vigorous and result-driven political leadership at the federal, state and local government levels.

We must care about what is happening to our schools and how fairer funding can be achieved.

We must care about how our world-class environment is being managed and how inevitable population pressures can be planned for and delivered in balanced ways.

We must continue to stand up for ourselves and each other.

It has always been our way and it will continue to be the way of the future.

Merry Christmas to you all. Stay safe and look out for each other.