In the 30-plus years that I have lived here, my town has been going through a metamorphosis. But unlike the butterfly when it emerges from the cocoon complete in every detail, Kyogle is still struggling to discover what mould it will fit.
Will it be a service centre, or will it concentrate on providing services for the burgeoning tourism trade? Will it be a combination of both? Evidence of this struggle is reflected in the ownership and services offered in the town’s businesses.
Youth is replacing the long-standing owner who often treated their business as a hobby. The range of goods and services available is also changing which reflects changes in the population and their demand for sustainable, healthy products. Will this struggle resolve itself? Sadly, not in my lifetime.