{
  "id": 16793005,
  "title": "Regional Australians are feeling lonely, but these Old Bastards are helping",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/regional-australians-are-feeling-lonely-but-these-old-bastards-are",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-27T20:42:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-28/loneliness-isolation-old-bastards-regional-rural-australia/107312856"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every Thursday night, John Abreu and his family gather at the Gascoyne Hotel in Carnarvon, Western Australia, to partake in the Old Bastards' weekly meet-up. The group enjoys catching up, drinking, playing games, and raising funds for their community. John's daughter Rena joined them 27 years ago, when she was just nine months old. Loneliness is a growing concern, especially in regional Australia, with recent research indicating that over half of Australians experience loneliness, with the number being even higher in rural areas. The Old Bastards provide a much-needed social outlet for locals like Jonathon Foster, who moved to an isolated coastal town six years ago. Jonathon felt disconnected from the town until he met the Old Bastards, who welcomed him and his family with open arms. Despite the town's remote location, the Old Bastards' regular get-togethers have become a lifeline for many locals. Leading loneliness expert Associate Professor Michelle Lim, the CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, emphasizes the higher prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in regional and rural communities. The group's research highlights the lack of infrastructure and investment in spaces and programs to address these issues. A 2023 report by Ending Loneliness Together found that regional and rural Australia is an isolation hotspot. The consequences of loneliness are severe, impacting longevity as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and contributing to health complications such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, and increased risk of stroke. In the Gold Coast, Queensland, the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, known as Chatterbox, addresses loneliness by matching volunteers with older people who would otherwise lack human connection. Darren Maughan, a volunteer, became involved after observing the loneliness and isolation of residents at a care facility. Chatterbox volunteers have had significant positive impacts on the health and well-being of the older people they visit, fostering friendships that transcend generations. Professor Lim believes that intergenerational friendships are crucial, as both young and older individuals can learn from each other: young people bring energy, new ideas, and enthusiasm, while older people offer wisdom, mentorship, and life experience. The article underscores the importance of addressing loneliness in regional Australia, with community groups like the Old Bastards playing a vital role in combating this growing issue.",
  "summary": "More than half of Australians say they're lonely — but rural areas are 'isolation hotspots. So, how are small community groups helping?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}