A cursory count of the vacant shopfronts in the main street is an easy way for an out-of-towner just passing through to gauge the health of a place.

The empty shells of banks, pubs, hardware stores, service stations, eateries, farm supply shops and clothing outlets stand as sad reminders of times gone by.

Many of them have been unoccupied for so long that the absence of “For lease” signs indicates even the owners no longer hold out hope of finding new tenants.

Indeed, the only use for these structures seems to be serving as public notice boards, with flyers adorning their windows advertising everything from cars for sale to Carols by Candlelight. However, one’s heart really sinks when closer inspection reveals the notices are years old and hold no interest to anyone but sticky-beaking strangers stretching their legs.

It seems the only new developments these towns have seen in decades are Soviet-era style public toilet blocks erected for the comfort and convenience of visitors.

Unless, of course, you count the wooden benches built and donated by the local Rotary or Apex club in honour of a long-deceased community stalwart, who no doubt would be rolling in their grave at what had become of their town.

With each passing year, it becomes harder and harder to imagine these places during their halcyon days – when the rains were regular, the harvests bountiful, the pubs full of patrons and money not only circulated the district, but stayed in the district.

These were towns that once provided our nation’s army, air force and navy with its bravest young soldiers, and where migrant families fleeing war torn countries could ascend from farm hands to farm owners in a single generation.

Regional areas have always been vulnerable to the inherent boom and bust nature of the industries – mainly mining, farming and manufacturing – that gave rise to them.

Like an ocean’s tide, populations would swell, then recede, then swell again. But at some point each recovery stopped reaching the previous high watermark.

These man-made icons are on the verge of extinction, and we will all be the poorer for it.

Ross Tyson, deputy editor, Bendigo Advertiser