WHEN my WA based mother learned I was in a debate in which I had to argue that moving to Mount Isa was not the best decision I ever made, she said; “I thought you’d be going the other way.”
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She has made hints several times about whether it’s time for me to move on, possibly to a place more accessible to Perth. But she knows quite well that if there is a place I would be attached to, it would be here. Will I stay for the long term? Honestly, I don’t know. I want to. There’s so much I’ve yet to do, and yet to give. There are moments though where I am challenged by frustration, loneliness, isolation from friends and family who won’t even try to visit the region and see why I consider this place my home. Don’t get me started on the balance between trying to be myself while also putting on what often seems like a professional mask.
So when chosen by a draw to speak for against I didn’t back out even though it would be easier to be on affirmative because I knew there were a few people who can relate. That some newcomers to town without the roots of family and long term friends or a business are trying to justify their decision to themselves and their families who undoubtedly are pressuring them to return to where they live. But my choice to be devil’s advocate backfired when we won.
People remarked that the company I worked for is against Mount Isa. The company isn’t. I spoke in the debate. Not my company. This is precisely a reason why people hide their struggles, because they feel a pressure not to advertise insecurity or frustration to a community who is sick of trying to defend this fantastic place to people who have never been here. Public vulnerability is not really something some of us can afford for the sake of our careers.
Many who weren’t at the debate are amazed that the negative side could win when the outcome was determined by applause. That’s because all we had to do was prove that moving to Mount Isa wasn’t the best decision. It could be the second best decision, following choosing a religious belief, or giving up drugs, or marrying your partner – even if you met that partner in Mount Isa. Some local friends wondered what the point of the debate even was. I wasn’t sure myself until afterwards, when I spoke to a few newcomers to town who related to what I was saying. At the same time I was able to balance it with my genuine views of the city. -Chris Burns
