Something I used to enjoy about Australia was its strong sense of egalitarianism. Even when it was blatantly obvious that a class system was flourishing, Australia seemed to relish and promote the image of a land of opportunity, and one where the underdog was protected and everyone was given a fair go.
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Growing up with these attitudes (even though the reality was different), in 2010 it was like coming home to a foreign nation – seeing how the gap between rich and poor had widened, and how difficult it was becoming for people to raise their standard of living. Attitudes had changed.
Incredibly callous and misinformed comments were emerging from our politicians regarding those in need or struggling financially.
A culture of entitlement and contempt emerged, where once there was an attempt to hide these attitudes. Now they are flaunted, and a chasm emerged between haves and have-nots.
Daylesford was one place which seemed immune to this sort of blatant discrimination, which of course exists everywhere.
But at least, in Daylesford, it was considered to be in bad taste. However, now it seems to have finally caught up with the rest of Australia.
Or has it? I am heartened by the social media response to the actions of the owners of Victoria Park toward a group of their permanent residents.
Here is not the place to cover the background, it's been covered by this paper already and has been a long-running saga.
The residents were paying rent, living quietly and taking care of their property. When, a year or so ago now, they were threatened with eviction by the park's new leaseholders, Daylesford took action.
Private citizens formed a group, councillors came to the party, as did other politicians. There was a stay of execution.
I have a great deal of respect and admiration for those involved in protecting these vulnerable people, victims of some oblique laws and guidelines.
But just when their futures at the park seemed secure, things changed again.
In my opinion, moving these sites to another part of the park differs little from kicking these people out.
The new leaseholders took over the park knowing there were permanent residents there, and that these residents did not fit into their business plan.
Along the way there has been anguish, conflict and an enormous amount of anger generated. It need not have ended this way, and there may still be a chance for savvy minds to prevail.
Pop culture's depiction of successful business people is of the stubborn, belligerent standover merchant, steamrolling over “little people” in a heartless and unrelenting quest for money. This is bullshit.
Successful business people are flexible, can read a community well and are opportunists. In tourist towns like Daylesford, during a time of national economic insecurity and rapidly decreasing disposable income, permanent residents at a caravan park are a godsend and a liability.
The steady income is a godsend, but for some travellers, I can see that permanent residents could be off-putting.
Solutions to this could have been worked out between the two sides many, many months ago.
Daylesford is blessed with many fantastic volunteer organisations and individuals brimming with skills, goodwill and problem-solving abilities.
Ultimately, conflict is not good business sense. As a former consultant, my message to the new operators of Victoria Park is that in order to succeed in business in any community, including tourist towns, you engage with the community right from the start. You may well have won this battle, but you could lose the war.
It is not too late to find a more attainable and satisfying outcome for all involved.
There is a solution for every problem. That is savvy business practice.