jaseprior

I have lived on McSweeney Cres. Mt Nebo, for the last 7 years.

Mt Nebo is a beautiful community with a fusion of cultures.
You can be whatever you want - a professional, a hippie, it doesn't matter - everyone is very supportive of all the residents.

I think the best thing about the mountain is the public school.
Apart from the beautiful, constant 'chime' of the Bellbirds, that rings out all day at the school..
It has only 45-50 children and is seperated into 2 class groups.
The children interact with all ages and there is little oppurtunity for social groups to exclude other children - bullying is basically non-existant.
Both the school and also the after-school-care have a strong focus on developing the childrens artistic growth.
My 3 children attended this beautiful little school and they have all developed into well adjusted, articulate teenagers.

There is a couple of things that you must accept if you are to settle comfortably into this community:
1. There are no 'shops' - only a couple of cafes with very basic supplies - milk, cream, cakes and soft-drinks. You need to be organised on your way home from work as a special trip to pick up your basic grocery needs once you are on the mountain will take you at least 40 mins driving (return).
2. When you first move here, the range road (to The Gap) feels like it takes forever on week days (it's actually only 20 mins each way, but it's 20mins that you NEED TO CONCENTRATE on your driving) there is no point speeding - just sit back, relax and enjoy the National park.
You will still be in the centre of the city in 40mins without the stop-start of heavy traffic.
After a year or so, you won't even notice the drive - it's over before you even think about it.
On the weekends, you will be faced with 100's of cyclists and slow, day-tripping drivers.
There is limited oppurtunity to over-take and you must be patient and wait until it is safe to do so.
This can make a 20min trip a 30-35min trip - so leave a little earlier and don't get frustrated.
Similarly, it is expected that if a faster driver appears in your rear-view mirror, you find the next safe place to pull off the road (not a blind corner) and let them past...
3. You will meet your neighbours - garanteed. It is a small community so everyone who has lived there for more than a a year or two knows when new residents arrive. You will find yourself waving to every other car you pass on the roads. This also helps when you run out of food supplies - it's no problem to borrow a cup of sugar and saves you the 40min return trip.
4. Residents electronic "Billboard" keeps you informed on all current issues facing those who live on the mountain - it is fantastic.
5. Cats are not very popular - so if you have one, keep it inside or restricted from attacking the prolific bird-life. Dogs should similarly be kept under control so the don't bother the native fauna.
6. You will need to be at least a little self-sufficient.
You live off tank water.
You will have a septic.
You will not only need to dispose of all your rubbish to the local tip (5mins away), but you will also need to fully sort your waste to optimise the recyling of materials.
You will need a post box - there is limited mail delivery.
You need to drive slowly and share the narrow roads with the people you wave to every day.
7. You will be living in the most dangerous bush fire area in Queensland - recently fitted with a state-of-the-art community siren warning system. If fire has any chance of hitting the mountain - JUST GET OUT - QUICKLY.
8. The community hall holds the best dances / functions / events and it is widely supported by all who live on the mountain.

I have made the best friendships on the mountain and it broke my heart to leave, but I'll always be glad I spent my time there with the clouds, birds and wonderful people.