This tiny outback town was dying until the locals stepped in to save it | ABC Australia

Mount Mary, a tiny South Australian town of 36 people, has a pub, a handful of houses and now an op shop, providing brand new opportunities to invite people in. Volunteers, including Karen Dreckow, have been working to restore their community hall for four years ahead of the op shop opening. Alongside local publican Donna Manders, who is passionate about activating her new rural home, Mount Mary looks like it has a bright future ahead.

Story by Anita Ward.

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[jennyc]

I love tiny towns, especially ones where not everyone was born there. Nothing harder than trying to fit into a small town where everyone is related. You rock ladies good luck with your venture and merry Christmas from Western Australia 🦘🦘🦘🎅🤗

[gaius_enceladus]

NZer here - good stuff! Go Mt Mary!
There's nothing like a quiet country town to let you relax and unwind.

[MySteamChannel]

I was on the last (steam) train thru Mt Mary on the Morgan line as a young lad in 1969 hauled by loco 526, Duchess Of Gloucester. The Mt Mary pub is awesome and we used to do a run there from Adelaide on the Harley M/cycles....well worth a visit!

[jeepy]

I've driven past Mt Mary many times over the decades visiting the Riverland, and never stopped here because I thought it was just a pub! I'll be dropping in next time for sure! Thanks for bringing this little town to light!

[brimai]

I love these towns! They have a sense of community you won’t find anywhere else! Well done to all of you, you’ve done a magnificent job, I hope the town is thriving for you all! 🥹🙏🏽

[riudpcc]

In the 1980s 1990s there used to be touring motorcycles events here. In a jar the remains of a brown snake minus head that a local bit off Live for a drunken bet. True. I met him.
Lovely pub.

[cheriemoulang]

You are now on my bucket list to visit

[glentomkins]

It makes a nice change to hear some good news about rural Australia. Go Mt Mary!

[sundancer]

I used to have a large block of land out there. Beautiful spot. :)

[aussierheinhardt]

I could move there from brisbane. Seems nice to escape from the dense city into quiet town. Cos my health are not that good and i need a place for chillax. 😘😘😘😘😘

[ThebBe-sv]

I am South African who loves Australia. I am 51years and I have never went out of my country. For some reason I developed the love for Australia. I google or watch videos like this and got excited. You are doing a great job

[debbiesimmons]

I used to have a block at Morgan. Mt Mary pub food was the best.

[leoniemills]

Good on you gal's for making a great input into your town 👍 I wish you all the best
I live on the Gold Coast QLD and see so many people struggling to pay rent..if they can find property
Please send out your joy of living in your town as young families need community and support..also affordable housing
Wishing you all the best xxx

[henrygriffiths]

Great spot east of here on the Murray river. Riverland SA

[herbnalis]

Places like this are perfect retirement suburbs . No congestion, overcrowding, or high crime rates.

[lokesh]

Relaxed ☺️! Infrastructure is really important, Hybrid works, in the outbacks, could generate the demand.

[krazed]

It's only ever going to be locals who step in, the government doesn't act.

[cjames]

These small towns are the real heart beat of Australia! The state governments and big city people have lost touch and simply aren’t Aussies any-longer but rather just people who could be in any large western city in the world

[psychedelicprawncrumpets]

I feel bad for Karens that aren't Karens

[iamasmurf]

railway corporations in australia should be ashamed of themselves closing down a lot of rail