A NAKED lady greets customers in the back bar of the Oaklands Hotel.
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Some joker painted her years ago and labelled the painting Chloe No. 2, after Melbourne's Young and Jackson Hotel original.
Chloe's painting is dwarfed by honour boards for Oaklands Football Club, alas no longer a town team because it merged with Urana in 2005 to form the Billa-bong Crows.
This is a true country pub, warm and friendly, with its own character.
Another artist recently drew cartoons on a wall above the main bar featuring regulars.
Mine host is newcomer Cindy Dodds, who serves jumbo pasties, among other things.
The hotel was built in 1912 after a fire destroyed the old one.
Other landmarks, such as the post office and bank, are now residences.
Several shops are empty and David Gawley's general store is the only surviving shop.
The Oaklands RSL Bowling Club survives 108 years after the first jack was rolled.
The school has 78 students, but there is no doctor nearer than Urana, no supermarket, the sole butcher has closed, the shops in Milthorpe Street are empty and the police have "decamped".
Ask Peter Kerr, who lives in the former bank, what happens if someone gets hurt --. "go and get a Band-Aid," he said.
"If it's serious, we get to Corowa hospital."
Oaklands people shop in Albury, Corowa, Berrigan and Yarrawonga.
Margaret Buntin, a local for 36 years, says while Oaklands relies on other towns, the friendly folk care for each other.
"I am very proud of the way the town has stuck together in difficult times,'' she said.
Bob and Muriel Cartwright moved from Sydney to Oaklands 18 years ago and now wouldn't leave.
"Bloody oath I'm staying,'' Mr Cartwright, 71, said. "I have a plot in the cemetery picked out."
