It’s something many rural people have copped on the chin as “the way it is these days”, but not Christine Weston, of “Beaminster”, Cumnock.

Inspired by a similar successful quest of Tasmanian author, Rachael Treasure, to offer abandoned local farmhouses for a token cost, she’s trying the same trick – rent for $1 a week at Cumnock, population 298, near Molong in the Central West.

With the local school under pressure as student numbers drop to just 35, the locals have got together to try to enrich their community with skilled, self-motivated new families.

The price-tag got city folk’s attention when the idea was pitched on Channel Nine’s A Current Affair program last Friday.

The website got 1800 hits and 52 online applications from potential tree-changers, including nurses, teachers and tradesmen, in the first 24 hours – climbing to 2900 hits and 88 applications by the end of the first week.

“The online applications have been astounding,” said Mrs Weston.

“I think I’ve underestimated the number of people who want to move to the country for a better quality of life for their children.”

With the help of the Cumnock and District Progress Association, she has gathered a list of four empty farmhouses for the campaign, and expects more farmers to get involved, and other towns to embrace the idea.

“After all, we’ll only have four lucky families (for Cumnock) so what are we going to do with all of the other families who want to move to the country?” she said.

For Cumnock, a shortlist of families will be interviewed in December and January to allow new families to settle in before the new school year starts.

The houses will be rented on two- or three-year contracts, with renovation work a requirement.