Karen, behind the till in the town store —
Sharon... dead. It's hard to believe. She was too young, my age actually.
I can't say we were friends, although we hung out when we were little. It's only a small school and there weren't many of us girls. I remember she was pretty smart. I went to boarding school after that. While
I was away, I heard she was in a car accident. She was all right I think,
but the driver was killed. But, yeah, I didn't know him. He was from out of
town. Then I went to university and I heard she had a couple of kids. She
was still pretty young when she had them. I saw her a few times, when she
came into the shop, but I haven't been home long. Just since dad died. I
won't be staying. I just came to help with the accounts and the shop,
until Mom is settled and back on her feet. It was all right growing up here,
but it's just not enough, you know?
Natalie, on the footpath outside the post office —
Yeah, we were mates once, but you know, I don't want to speak ill of the
dead or nothin', but she was a slut. She stole my boyfriend, just like
that. Click. We went through a lot together; skipping school, the accident
and stuff. I was really there for her then. I mean, we were all sad and
that, but Brett was her boyfriend and she made out like his dyin' was the
end of the world. Then she just went and betrayed me, going off with
Stewart. It's not like she couldn't had any other fella. I feel sad for
them kids though.
Stewart, driving in his car —
Stupid cow—doin' such a thing. I should never a got involved with her in
the first place— her ending up the town bike and all. Now I'm stuck payin'
for these kids. She was a good Mom, I gotta say that for her. Me Mom
reckons I should take one of them paternity blood tests, but I don't know,
they're all right kids I guess. They think I'm their dad and they just lost
their Mom. I wouldn't wanna put more on 'em. I'm headin' out west soon, to
work in the mines. Good money and that, but it means I can't have 'em livin
' with me. They're better off with their gran, even if she is a bit of a
bitch. She's the one shoulda known what was gonna happen, being Sharon's Mom
and all.
Yvonne, behind the bar —
It really surprised me, she seemed all right, had lots of friends. Some
said she was the town bike, and sure, she flirted a bit, but I only seen her
go home alone. Stewart and her had a thing... years back, they're his kids.
They still got on though. Used to have a drink together. Sharon was always
good for a joke and a laugh. Sometimes she'd bring her kiddies in. They'd
sit on the veranda with lemonade and some crisps. They were always well
behaved. It's the kiddies I feel sorry for.
Dr Brown, in his office —
She was one of my babies. They grow up so fast don't they? One minute you'
re weighing them in the grams and giving them vaccinations, the next minute
you're weighing their babies. And then... well... you're writing a death
certificate. She was a nice girl. She tried hard. She gave up smoking
when she was pregnant, which is more than I can say for some. Yes, I do feel
guilty, but it couldn't be helped. She said she couldn't sleep. That was a
few years ago. She'd come in for her prescriptions and I'd try to get her
to talk, but she just said she couldn't sleep. There was no other help
anyway. It is not like the mental health service will come out here, and
she couldn't afford to pay. In the end I have to tell myself you can only
help someone when they're ready. I guess she'll never be ready now.
Lyle Jacobs, Link Line, 24-Hour Telephone Counseling Service —
Case Notes: 28th July, 12.55 am. Duration of call: 9.34 minutes.
Female caller reported feeling unhappy and dissatisfied with her life. She
wanted to find a job or do some study, but felt the opportunities in her
small town prevented the achievement of these goals. As the call progressed
she became distressed. She said she was "sick of the pub and town gossip."
There may have been some underlying addiction issues.
Referral Alcohol and Drug Counseling Service —
Regional Technical College
Outcome:
While the caller was concerned about the large travel time to these services
she ended the call determined to make changes in her life.
General Notes for Supervisor:
Service provision in these small rural towns remains an issue. Is there
somewhere we can take this?
