Heavenly Beverley : Why On Earth Did We Move To Heavenly Beverley?

Whilst I was in the midst of the Great East End Gallery revamp, we actually welcomed quite a few guests through the front door. They cheerfully stepped adroitly around the chaos. The Ikea cubes sourced by that exceedingly efficient and resourceful potter, Jan Cross transformed the Giftshop. When the mess was finally tamed, we had removed three big tables out of the Giftshop that had been taking up much of the centre space. What a difference.

During that time of total disarray, I was asked by a couple of guests the reasons for our move to live to Beverley. Particularly as I had been a city girl through and through. Although I was easily able to rattle off any number of circumstances that precipitated our move here almost thirteen years ago, I decided to really ponder this question. And explain why we have truly embraced Beverley as our home.

Any small country town tends to be a microcosm of the city. There are all sorts - the good, the bad and the ugly. We have endured a less than satisfactory tenant for the last twelve months, who has now thankfully packed up the contents of his "antiques" shop and departed yesterday afternoon.We have, unfortunately, suffered from the actions of a couple of low-lives who broke into the Red Vault Cafe and damaged a car.

Thankfully, these are not common occurrences in Heavenly Beverley. This emerging gem in the Central Wheatbelt has charm with a most attractive main street, a cheerful and welcoming community, beautiful Federation and Art Deco buildings and plenty of activities for the entire family. Every day, I meet people with hidden talents and genuine interest in others.

We have an eclectic art scene with artisans of all disciplines working happily in their spaces - Mandy Evans, Bec Buglass, Marion Luck, Kelly Duncan and our fabulous Artist-in- Residence programme at Beverley Station Arts. These artists offer fantastic workshops for visitors and locals alike. Then there are Beverley's artists who work out of their home studios - Jan George, Val Burns, Gracie Courtney, Greg Burley, Robyn Cashmore, Shirley Gillis, David Lillico, Luke Thynne, Pat McKie, Denese Borlini and of course my beloved Michael. We thoroughly embrace our "repeat offender" artists who keep returning to Beverley. Plus the multitude of others from the Perth Hills to the Wheatbelt and beyond who have become the heart and soul of the East End Gallery. Beverley has hosted Plein Air events and artists' retreats, as well as the booming annual Easter Art Exhibition and Prize.

Thanks to Beverley Station Arts, we have performances all year round - ballet, concerts, choirs, movies, plays and a spectacular Christmas party. For anyone wishing to indulge in a sporting life, there are a myriad of clubs and groups always eager for new members. All are also welcome at the Beverley Community Garden and the Gardening Club, the CWA, the RSL, or as a volunteer at the Dead Finish Museum or at the Visitors' Centre.

Some years ago, Beverley was rebranded to reflect our ambition that we could all "BE" whatever we wanted to be in our town. We wanted to "BE" us, rather than a copy of any other country town.

Being active, being airborne, being arty, being handy at the Men's Shed, being well dressed courtesy of "Lucky Find", being green-fingered or being excited by a new Tapas Bar and deli inching closer to completion. Be very satisfied by a meal or a snack at the Red Vault Cafe (still looking for a new owner), the Beverley Bakery or either of the pubs. Be charmed by the Beverley Rose Show this coming weekend. Be moved by the spirit of Remembrance Day on 11 November.

With summer's arrival, be very cool at our pool complex or be very spoilt by the best oval in the Wheatbelt for a twilight walk with the dogs. We also cater for our kids to be very physical with an outstanding playground and skate park in the centre of town, also equipped with shade, water, free BBQs, lighting and safety fencing.

Our local kids can attend the Beverley District High School, which offers Distance Education to Year 12. Northam, sixty-eight kilometres up the road has a Senior High School and St Joseph's Catholic School, both to Year 12, with a bus delivering the students to and from Beverley. A start in the Beverley Horse and Pony Club may lead on to one of the Agricultural colleges for those interested in a trade or working on the land.

For us, the final attraction of Beverley is its proximity to the Big Smoke. We can reach the eastern precincts in under ninety minutes. Depending on traffic, we can be in the city in under two hours. Visiting the kids in the northern suburbs is less hair-raising as we can bypass the CBD altogether. Specialist appointments and hospital visits, which annoyingly tend to occur more frequently for Elderly Folk, very rarely keep us away from home overnight. Most undertakings can be easily achieved during the day.

We have just returned from a trip down the hill. We enjoyed a slow morning at Station House, visited a specialist mid afternoon, caught up with family for a cuppa and arrived home just before dark. We were greeted by our pair of excitable dogs, a squealing parrot and a disdainful cat.

What could be better than that?