OPINION: United by vision of a greater Granite Belt

fear of the unknown is probably an apt term to describe some of the emotions that people are feeling when the demerger discussion is thrown on the table.

Well over 200 people attended last night's de-amalgamation 'workshop'. Picture: Matthew Purcell

THE definition of fear is - "an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm or to be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful”.

So, throw the word de-amalgamation into the mix, and fear of the unknown is probably an apt term to describe some of the emotions that people are feeling when the demerger discussion is thrown on the table.

Change is never easy and to have a proposal that will change the very fabric of our region as we have known it for the last 11 years has left many people with fear as their first and only thought.

But just wait one second, "our region as we have known it for the last 11 years” .... what about the other 136 years?

History confirms that Stanthorpe Division and later Stanthorpe Shire has always been a prosperous, forward thinking and standalone entity.

When tin dried up we turned to agriculture.

Later our region realised the potential and unique qualities that we bore and so decided to market itself as a tourism region.

Time and time again, we have reinvented our path and done so on our own backs and with our own resilience.

We have always prided ourselves and the ability to just 'get things done'.

We have always dreamt big and built even bigger.

For those who couldn't attend the council organised meeting on Monday night, change and fear were both thrown around the room at a fast and furious pace.

But let me assure you the word fear was quickly squashed by a room full of passionate and emotive residents and the word change was treated with all the positive sentiment possible.

Never have I been prouder to be a Granite Belt resident.

People from all sectors of our region rose to give forth their opinions and carefully constructed facts and to question how a region, that for 136 years was the top of its game, couldn't be so again.

If history can show us one thing, it is that we can and should move forward.

It teaches us to recognise our mistakes in the past and learn from them.

Today I am more inspired than ever to embrace the potential that we have in front of us as a community.

We are a community that will not be divided by fear, but will be united by our vision of a greater Granite Belt for generation to come.