The families of Oakey State School are drawn from a broad mix of rural and non rural backgrounds. Farming families have felt the impact of the rural down turn in recent years and this is reflected in declining numbers of children from local farms. The drought has also played a significant role for the local farmers. A small percentage of children are associated with the local military base. Over the years the number of army personnel has declined with an increase in private contractors being employed. The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Oakey has increased significantly over the past few years and this trend shows signs of continuing with many families relocating to Oakey from South West Queensland towns. A considerable number of families are also with the local meatworks. Over the last 12 months we are beginning to enrol ESL students from Brazil and South Africa whose parents are employed at the Meatworks. Reliance upon some form of social security is important for a significant number of families who have been drawn to Oakey by the affordable cost of housing coupled with very good services available in the town and nearby Toowoomba.