I am a country woman. I grew up on an island in the Hauraki Gulf, in New Zealand.

My family were hunter-gatherers. We were cash poor, and lived off the land. We gathered mushrooms and blackberries. Caught fish and crayfish. Picked oysters and mussels from the rocks. Our father hunted rabbits. I did feel sorry for the rabbits, but for many years rabbit was the only meat we ate. Dad grew all our vegetables and the property we rented had many fruit trees.

We did not have all we wanted ( I always wanted a Teddy Bear and a tennis racquet) but we had all we needed. We never had to go hungry, we had an abundance of good healthy food.

Now, in my autumn years, I live far away from that island, but I love my new hometown of Pomona, in Queensland, Australia.

Pomona, a picturesque village, sits at the base of Mount Cooroora.

Walking through the village you get a feeling that no-one is in a rush, everyone stops to have a chat. There are no traffic lights or bumper to bumper traffic.

However in the last weekend of July every year, we have the King of the Mountain Festival and thousands of visitors come to watch one hundred competitors run to the top of the mountain and back. Coming down the mountain is demanding and dangerous.

On Festival Day there are stalls offering delicious food, handmade jewellery, art, leatherwork, wood work, soaps, clothing, essential oils, crystals and gemstones. The antique stores are open for business and there is an Antiques Fair in the Memorial Hall.

At the local art gallery, which is housed in the old train station buildings, there are works on display by talented local artists.

An attraction that brings tourists to Pomona is the Silent Movie Theatre, which shows silent movies.

Once a week, I drive for thirty minutes to the coast to enjoy the surf and sand. There are many beaches to choose from. Having grown up on an island, surrounded by water, I need to get my sea-fix at least once a week, even if it is just to walk in the sand and paddle in the water.

I love the village I have adopted as my home, everyone is friendly, no one in a rush. Pomona is welcoming to all. Life is good!