perhaps i am alone ... no matter, page-26

Dave, I too remember a different Australia.
The good news is that those old attitudes and values that we recall still do exist.
The bad news, for some, not all, is that you have to move to a 3rd world or developing country to experience them.
That may not neccessarily be as bad a move as you might expect, in fact it could end up being the best move you ever made.
If you were able to bond with people here who shared those same values, then you should be able to bond with others irrespective of where they may be.