If you start a run in Omeo, there really is only one way out of town..... up. I ran to the Bald Hills Creek Road via the local water supply. I think the tap pressure must be pretty good in Omeo.
I was in Omeo to present a talk at a seminar on the future of farming in the district. This area is way ahead of farming communities in the rest of Victoria.. in the ageing stakes. They seem to accept that the future is for intergnerational transfer at the point of retirement.. ie the retirement of the next generation. The locals' only remaining hope for a farming dynasty is that the farm becomes the retirement plan for their offspring. I doubt this will be the full story., In three weeks time I am off to Buchan where I suspect matters are much further advanced. Farm and town population has been falling rapidly over the past decade. I think the next generation of those farms has made it clear they won't retire away from the services and comforts of town life. Its going to be an interesting night.
Visual highlight of the trip was the 'Hanging Tree'. Lovers of dogs are advised not to look at the next photograph. I think the site could easily be renamed the 'Smelling Tree'. The local who drove me out to it was very careful to park upwind while I snapped a picture or two.