Abstract: Have you ever, in the course of your travels by road or rail seen a small community consisting mainly of vacant houses with overgrown unkempt house yards and boarded up shops? Have you ever wondered what may have been contributing factors to these semi ‘ghost' towns? Have you ever mused ‘Where have all the people gone?' or ‘Where have all the young men gone?' or ‘Where have all the flowers gone?' as you gazed at these seemingly deserted and desolate scenes? This article offers three case studies, from the perspective of the Country Women's Association of Australia, that highlight some of the contributing factors and consequences.