About Us | Living Small Towns - Life in Small Australian Towns and Villages

Our Story

Living Small Towns began in 2015 when Emma Mitchell and Jack Harrison, two journalists with a shared passion for rural Australia, found themselves frustrated by the lack of authentic coverage of small-town life. Having grown up in regional Victoria, Emma had witnessed firsthand the rich community spirit and innovation that thrived beyond city limits, while Jack, a former urban planner, was fascinated by the sustainable lifestyle models developing in rural areas.

What started as a simple blog documenting their weekend explorations of small towns across Victoria soon evolved into a comprehensive multimedia platform. After their feature on Maldon's community-led heritage restoration project went viral in 2016, Emma and Jack realized there was a significant audience hungry for authentic stories from rural Australia.

By 2018, they had assembled a dedicated team of researchers, photographers, and rural development specialists, and secured funding to expand their coverage nationwide. Today, Living Small Towns has documented over 560 communities across Australia, established partnerships with regional development agencies, and helped thousands of city-dwellers connect with rural opportunities through our relocation resources and community networks.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

At Living Small Towns, we're dedicated to showcasing the authentic character and vibrancy of Australia's rural communities, challenging stereotypes, and connecting people with opportunities beyond metropolitan boundaries.

We believe that small towns represent vital nodes in Australia's cultural and ecological landscape, offering sustainable lifestyle alternatives that deserve greater recognition and support.

Our Core Values

Authenticity: We present communities as they truly are, honoring both their strengths and challenges without romanticization or judgment.
Community Respect: We prioritize the voices and perspectives of local residents in all our storytelling and research.
Environmental Stewardship: We recognize and celebrate the vital role small towns play in sustainable land management and ecological innovation.
Cultural Preservation: We value the unique traditions, heritage, and knowledge systems maintained in rural communities.
Accessibility: We believe information about rural opportunities should be available to all, regardless of background or resources.

Meet Our Team

The passionate individuals behind Living Small Towns who are dedicated to sharing authentic rural Australian stories.

Emma Mitchell

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

With a background in rural journalism spanning 15 years, Emma brings deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Australian country towns. Her award-winning documentary series "Shifting Grounds" explored the evolution of agricultural communities in the face of climate change.

Emma divides her time between the Living Small Towns office in Beechworth and her family's regenerative farm in northeast Victoria.

Jack Harrison

Co-Founder & Research Director

Jack oversees our research methodology and data analysis, drawing on his background in urban planning and regional development. His approach combines rigorous demographic research with qualitative community engagement to create comprehensive town profiles.

Previously, Jack worked with the Regional Australia Institute, where he developed innovative approaches to measuring community wellbeing beyond economic indicators.

Leila Nguyen

Community Engagement Manager

Leila leads our community outreach programs and facilitates connections between urban change-seekers and rural communities. Her innovative "Rural Welcome" program has helped over 200 families successfully transition to country living.

With a background in community development and cross-cultural communication, Leila ensures our research reflects diverse experiences and that small towns are portrayed with cultural sensitivity.

David Yarlupurka

Indigenous Partnerships Coordinator

David ensures that our coverage of rural communities respectfully includes Indigenous perspectives and acknowledges traditional ownership. His "Shared Country" framework guides our approach to documenting the complex histories of Australian towns.

A respected Elder from the Kamilaroi nation, David brings 25 years of experience in cultural heritage management and community reconciliation initiatives to our team.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2015, Living Small Towns has grown from a passion project to a respected resource for rural Australian communities and those seeking to connect with them. Here are some of our key achievements:

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Research Impact

Comprehensive profiles of 560+ Australian towns
Published 15 regional research reports
Data partnership with 3 major universities
Cited in Federal Rural Development Strategy

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Recognition

Australian Regional Media Award (2019)
Community Engagement Excellence Award (2021)
Digital Innovation in Rural Journalism Prize (2022)
Finalist for National Geographic Society Grant

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Community Impact

Facilitated 320+ successful relocations to rural areas
Supported 45 community-led tourism initiatives
Helped secure $2.3M in grants for rural projects
12,400+ personal stories documented and shared

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Reach & Engagement

Monthly audience of 150,000+ unique visitors
Social media community of 85,000+ followers
Podcast downloaded in 42 countries worldwide
95% positive feedback from featured communities

What People Say About Us

"Living Small Towns' feature on Bright completely transformed our visitor numbers. Their authentic portrayal of our community went beyond tourist attractions to highlight our sustainable business practices and community initiatives. Within months of the article being published, we saw a 30% increase in visitors specifically mentioning they discovered us through the website."

Sarah Jenkins

Owner, Mountain Fresh Café | Bright, Victoria

"The research team at Living Small Towns approached our community with genuine curiosity and respect. Unlike previous media coverage that focused solely on our mining industry, they took time to understand the diverse initiatives making Roxby Downs unique. Their comprehensive profile has become an invaluable resource for attracting new residents and changing perceptions about life in our town."

Martin Cooley

Mayor | Roxby Downs, South Australia

"Living Small Towns was absolutely instrumental in our decision to leave Sydney for regional NSW. Their honest assessments of different communities, including challenges like healthcare access and internet connectivity, gave us confidence we were making an informed choice. The relocation guide and community connections they provided helped us navigate everything from finding housing to enrolling our children in schools. Three years on, we couldn't be happier with our tree-change."

Amelia and Ben Wright

Former Sydneysiders | Now in Bellingen, NSW

Our Work in Pictures

Interviewing local artisan in rural studio

Documenting sustainable farming practices

Team conducting field research in outback

Presentation at rural development conference

Ready to Connect With Us?

Whether you're a rural community looking to share your story, a potential partner interested in collaboration, or someone considering a tree-change, we'd love to hear from you.

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