WA Country Health Service
Considering the country?
Health Professionals Guide to Country WA
Living in Country WA
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LIVING IN COUNTRY WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Country Western Australia encompasses one-third of Country Western Australia Australia’s land area. Its half million people Population: 519,016 represent only 2.7 % of Australia’s and 27 % of the State’s population. Basically, country WA is very vast, with a very dispersed and unique population.
COUNTRY REGIONS
Country Western Australia is used to describe nine regions: Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Midwest, Wheatbelt, Goldfields, Great Southern, Peel and SouthWest. There is great diversity between the nine regions, with variety between their individual economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities - no two regions are the same.
WA Country Health Service incorporates 8 of the nine country regions of Western Australia:
Kimberley; Pilbara Gascoyne; Midwest Murchison;
Goldfields South East; Wheatbelt; SouthWest, and Some of the highlights… Great Southern. • The relaxed and friendly lifestyle.
• Enjoying a strong sense of community. Kimberley • Experience our rich and diverse cultural
heritage Resident Distance From • A 'can do' and optimistic local spirit. Major Centres Population Perth • The fantastic recreational experiences on offer Broome 15,242 2230km including camping, fishing and four-wheel Kununurra 5,220 3206km driving. Derby 3,661 2383km • Meet new friends – for life. Halls Creek 1,266 2846km • Get into a whole new social scene. Whyndam 787 3216km • Explore the great state of WA. Fitzroy Crossing 1,448 2558km
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, Pilbara accounting for approximately one third of the
Australian continent. It covers 2,525,500 square Distance From kilometres. The United Kingdom would fit over 10 Major Centres Population Perth times into Western Australia. Despite the huge size, Karratha 10,730 1537km the population is less than 2.0 million, 80% of which Port Hedland 12,697 1638km live in and around Perth (approx. 1.5 million).
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Newman 3515 1186km Perth Tom Price 3,094 1458km Albany 22,256 540km Katanning 3,676 297km Midwest Denmark 2,433 414km Mt Barker 1,723 359km Distance From Kojonup 1,127 256km Major Centres Population Perth Gnowangerup 673 356km Geraldton 25,324 427km Dongara 2,199 362km South West Kalbarri 2,123 592km Morawa 622 373km Distance From Major Centres Population Meekathara 948 765km Perth Mullewa 532 452km Bunbury 45, 153 179km Carnarvon 7,189 904km Collie 6, 946 202km Exmouth 3,027 1263km Busselton 13, 863 228km Manjimup 4,387 301km Goldfields Margaret River 3,629 274km
Distance From ** Populations describe number of residents in the town Major Centres Population (rather than the shire). Figures based on 2001 Census. Perth Kalgoorlie 28,196 595km CLIMATE Leonora 1,072 830km The climate of country Laverton 440 954km Useful Links & Information WA is varied, ranging Norseman 1,058 721km Bureau of Meteorology: from chilly winters in www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/ Esperance 9,365 730km Comprehensive climate Albany to balmy Ravensthorpe 348 540km information summer nights on Cable Beach in Broome. The
below table provides a summary of the average Wheatbelt temperatures across country WA.
Distance From Major Centres Population Summer Winter Perth Area Northam 6,137 97km Max Min Max Min Moora 1,711 174km Kimberley 34 25 30 15 Merredin 2,803 259km Pilbara 40 29 29 14 Narrogin 4,424 192km Gascoyne 36 21 25 12 Southern Cross 890 369km Midwest 34 18 22 10 York 2,015 96km Goldfields 32 17 17 5 Wheatbelt 31 19 19 8 Great Southern Great Southern 25 13 16 7 South West 28 13 17 8 Major Centres Population Distance From
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Childs play, country style…
ECONOMY very useful resources are the Country Development Commission’s websites and local shire/council One impressive measure of the importance of the websites. country regions to the state of WA is its significant contribution to exports; collectively the country MAPS & STREET DIRECTORIES contribute 22% of the nation’s and 82% of the states exports. Detailed maps Useful Links & Information
of WA can be UBD (Country Road Atlas) www.ubd.com.au Our major industries include: pastoralism, found on the Department of Local Government and agriculture (crop, wool, livestock) mining (minerals, Department of Regional Development: Maps www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/statisticInfo/regi gas and petroleum), horticulture, aquaculture, and Local onMaps.asp. fishing. The tourism industry has also grown Government and Where Is? Online Street Directory rapidly and is no one of the largest contributors to Regional www.whereis.com regional economy. Development Australian Street Directory www.street-directory.com.au website. It is REGION & TOWN INFORMATION recommended that before you visit a new community that you access a copy street directory and map of the Useful Links & Information community to give you a better perspective of the Regional Development Commissions town’s location. A range of maps are available for Kimberley www.kdc.wa.gov.au Pilbara www.pdc.wa.gov.au sale or downloadable from the Internet. Gascoyne www.gdc.wa.gov.au Midwest www.mwdc.wa.gov.au Wheatbelt www.wheatbelt.wa.gov.au Goldfields Esperance www.gedc.wa.gov.au PEOPLE & POPULATION Great Southern www.gsdc.wa.gov.au South West www.swdc.wa.gov.au
Council/Shire Websites Country WA has a population of over 500,000 www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/localGovt/localGovtContacts people. It includes both regional centres and Other Online WA www.onlinewa.com.au smaller towns, offering dynamic multicultural Western Australian Government www.wa.gov.au communities with a relaxed, friendly lifestyle. Country WA is sparsely populated. Outside of the The World Wide Web is a wonderful source of information about areas within country WA. Two
Page 4 metropolitan area, the largest towns are just over services. Bus services are available between Perth 30,000 people in size. and most country towns. Rail services are available
Area 2003 Resident Population between Perth and Kalgoorlie (The Prospector)
*Kimberley 35,748 Car
*Pilbara 39,282 Cars are the primary mode of travel within country WA. Main Roads (WA) provide excellent resources *Midwest 50,064 to assist you in planning travel via car, including the *Gascoyne 9,854 Online Distance Book (maps, routes and recommended stops) on the Department of Main *Goldfields 53,661 Roads website. *Great Southern 53,738 Further Information and Links Driving in the *Wheatbelt 70,132 Department of Main Roads country is quite www.mainroads.wa.gov.au Click, Region and then Touring *South West 140,846 different from WA. metropolitan Peel 91,853 driving. You need to consider factors such as TOTAL 545,185 hazards (weather, wildlife), fatigue and road conditions (typically single lane gravel roads). *Denotes areas within WACHS catchment. Population based on Census 2001 estimated population (2005). Air Further Information and Links
Air travel is Qantas www.qantas.com.au Approximately 82% of country people live in a town, offered by a Sky West www.skywest.com.au with just 9% on a rural property, and 9% in some number of other situation (e.g. mine site). Most country Virgin Blue providers www.virginblue.com.au people are not born in their current locality. They including: are from other country areas, the city or from overseas. The regional Western Australian Qantas: Offers flights from Perth to Newman, population is highly mobile. This can offer benefits Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome, in that you will find many people in the community Kununurra and Kalgoorlie. just like you – new to a town and looking for friends and activities. It is quite amazing how quickly you SkyWest: Offers flights from Perth to Kalgoorlie, can make friends (for life) in the country. Esperance, Albany, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Monkey
Mia, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Port Hedland, Kununurra GETTING THERE and Broome.
Train & Bus Virgin: Offers flights from Perth to Broome. TransWA is the Useful Links and Information primary rail and TransWA http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/. Regional airlines include Skippers bus network. Greyhound (www.skippers.com.au) and NorthWest Regional Greyhound offers www.greyhound.com.au Airlines (www.northwestregional.com.au) further bus
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GETTING AROUND car license renewal. Postage between the Most larger communities have taxi and bus services metropolitan and the country areas typically takes (although bus time tables tend to be quite two days. For more remote sites, delivery time is infrequent). Small communities can be without longer. Always check the mail delivery times before public transport facilities or taxi services. If you are sending mail. not taking your own transport, this can make getting around the community a little more difficult. Before Telephones & Mobiles you go out to a community, look in to: All country communities have access to land or • The distance of your accommodation from satellite phones. Mobile phone coverage will be your work site and other facilities, such as specific to your local carrier, with some carriers not supermarkets. having reception in all countries communities. It is
• Local Further Information and Links recommended you check mobile phone coverage for
transport Telstra www.telstra.com.au service before moving to a new community.
facilities, Optus www.optus.net.au such as Internet Access Vodaphone www.vodafone.com.au buses and In recent years there has been significant taxis. improvement in Internet access. The roll out of • Alternative transport, such as bike hire, broadband to country WA means people now have which is often a cheap option worth thinking faster and more reliable access to the Internet. about. Many towns also have public access through Internet Cafes, local libraries or through local Telecentre. POST & COMMUNICATION Newspapers & Magazines Australia Post The West Australian newspaper is the main daily Most country newspaper in WA, printed from Monday to Saturday. Further Information and Links The Sunday Times is the main Sunday paper. Both communities have a Australia Post local post office. papers are available in most country towns. Delivery www.auspost.com.au Australia post provides times vary between towns (depending on the comprehensive information about postal rates, distance from Perth). Most country communities postcodes and delivery times. A range of services is also have a local newspaper (see available at the local post offices including bill pay, www.nla.gov.au/npapers)
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Radio and TV Useful Information and Links University
Four television TV Guide WA has four principal universities, some with www.ebroadcast.com.au stations country campus: Curtin University of Technology operate in country WA: GWN, WIN, ABC and SBS. (Perth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Karratha); Most communities have access to local AM and FM University of Western Australia (Perth); Murdoch stations. Triple J (JJJ) is available in many country University (Perth); Edith Cowan University (Perth); towns. and Notre Dame University (Perth, Broome).
EDUCATION Useful Information and Links
Curtin University www.curtin.edu.au Child Care University of WA www.uwa.edu.au Child care facilities are available in most larger Murdoch University www.murdoch.edu.au country towns. For child care services visit the Edith Cowan University www.ecu.edu.au Notre Dame University www.nd.edu.au Yellow Pages (www.yellowpages.com.au) under ‘Child Care’. Care for Kids (www.careforkids.com.au) also provides a listing of Country campuses are typically partnership childcare facilities in country WA. campuses, and offer a reduced range of courses. All WA universities offer a range of courses/units Primary and Secondary Schools available via flexible delivery (e.g. distance Primary and high learning, e-modules, intensive). Useful Information and Links schools are located Department of Education & Training LIFESTYLE across country WA. www.eddept.wa.edu.au/schoolinfo/.
The Department of Associations of Independent Schools WA People in country WA feel safe, have a strong Education and http://www.ais.wa.edu.au/) Training provides a affinity with their location and are generally happy comprehensive profile of all public primary and with community facilities (particularly sports). secondary schools. Private primary and high schools Country people are perceived as very friendly and are also available. thrive on community sprit.
TAFE THINGS TO DO
TAFE Colleges are based across a number of country Useful Information and Links communities. Public and Department of Education and Training: School Terms and Public Holidays School http://www.eddept.wa.edu.au/termdates/ Useful Information and Links Holidays
There are 10 Great Southern www.gstafe.wa.gov.au public holidays in Western Australia; New Years Day, Kimberley www.kimtafe.wa.edu.au Australia Day, Labour Day, Good Friday, Easter Pilbara www.pilbaratafe.wa.edu.au Central West www.centralwest.wa.edu.au Monday, Anzac Day, Foundation Day, Queens Goldfields South East www.kalg.curtin.edu.au/vtec Birthday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Some Wheatbelt www.cyoc.wa.edu.au country towns also celebrate the Queens Birthday Southwest http://www.swdc.wa.gov.au on alternative dates, to coincide with local events of significance.
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What are you doing on the weekend?
Field Days, Shows and Fairs Goldfields South East Kalgoorlie - Boulder Community Fair March Local community shows or fairs are events not to be Diggers and Dealers Forum July missed event. In fact many of these events have World 2 Up Championship September become iconic of the Australian culture (e.g Goldfields Mining Expo November Dowerin Field Day, Ord Valley Muster etc.). Local Coolgardie Day September Agricultural Show with Esperance Shears October shire websites usually include a calendar of Sailboard Classic (Esperance) December community events. A small snap shot of the diversity of country fairs include: Wheatbelt Pingelly Art and Tulip Festival August Eisteddfod Music Festival (Narrogin) July
Across the Lake Regatta January Kimberley Kellerberrin Agricultural Show September Derby Rodeo August Vintage Fair and Country Festival Sept-Oct Boab Festival July (Merredin) Merredin Halls Creek Agricultural Show July Central Wheatbelt Games May The Ord Valley Muster May Moondyne Colonial & Convict Festival August Top of the West Festival September Avon Descent Festival April Opera Under the Stairs August Camel Races (Northam) November Stair Case to the Moon AprilApril Country Music Festival
Pilbara Gascoyne Great Southern Karratha Festival June Great Southern Wine Festival February Dampier Fishing Classic August Winter Festival August Cossack Fair and Regatta June Mount Barker Mardi Gras January Port Headland Festival January Wildflower Festival September Tropical Festival (Carnarvon) May
Fremantle to Carnarvon Yachting Classic May
SouthWest Midwest Murchison Vintage Blues Festival January Batavia Coast Fishing Classic April Leeuwin Concert February Festival of Geraldton (Sunshine Festival) October Margaret River Pro (Surfing) March Morawa Music Spectacular October Quit Forrest Rally May Perenjori Agricultural Show September Mingenew Expo September Northampton Airing of the Quits October Visit the Calendar of Events at Qfest (Cue) October www.westernaustralia.com for a full list of events.
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THINGS TO SEE Wheatbelt Living in a country community puts you that one • Historic town of York • Nambung National Park step closer to some of the amazing travel • Pinnacles Desert • Wave Rock • New Norcia • Hippo’s Yawn Cave opportunities in country WA. You can dive with the • Wildflower Way • Yanchep National Park whale sharks, walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees, sleep under canopy of stars in the desert, Great Southern explore the gorges and wilderness areas, or live it • Valley of the Giants • Castle Rock & Bluff Knoll • Porongurup & Stirling • Green’s Pool & Elephant up in a sea side resort. Living in country WA can be Ranges Rocks a truly amazing Australian outback experience. • Frenchman’s Bay • Whale World
SouthWest Kimberley • Cape Naturalist & Cape • Gloucester Tree • Cable Beach • Horizontal Waterfalls Leeuwin • Coomboona Bay • Dampier Peninsula • Bell Gorge • Blackwood River • Wine Tasting in Margaret • Beagle Bay • Geikie Gorge National Park • Lake & Mammoth Cave River • Buccaneer Archipelago • Lake Argyle • Surfers Point Lookout • Busselton Jetty • Bungle Bungle Range • Mitchell Plateau Entertainment, Culture and Special Events Pilbara Country towns are • Karujini National Park • Millstream-Chichester & Further Information and Links • Opthalmia Range Cape Range National Park never short of WA Tourism Commission • Historic Cossack • Mount Augustus National www.westernaustralia.com entertainment, Park WA Window including touring http://www.west-oz.com/ bands, cinema and a Gascoyne Scoop Traveller • Ningaloo Reef • Dampier Archipelago www.scooptraveller.com.au range of cultural • Monkey Mia, Sharks Bay events. You will also find yourself engaged in & Coral Bay entertainment unique to community (e.g. festivals, race days, fairs etc). Entertainment is not less in Midwest the country – but it is different. • Badgingarra National • Murchison River Gorge Park • Wildflower Way Sport and Activities • Kalbarri National Park • Batavia Coast Sport is the lifeblood of rural communities and is (Nature’s Window, often the key to socialising. Most rural Hawk’s Head, Loop & Z- communities, even the smallest ones, will offer a Bend) • Geraldton Maritime range of sporting options from football, netball, Museum swimming, soccer, golf, lawn bowls, hockey and tennis, to the more adventurous windsurfing, Goldfields ballooning, skydiving and scuba diving. • Lake Ballard • Recherche Archipelago
• Broad Arrow, Kookyne, • Great Ocean Drive Ora Banda & Gwalia • Cape Le Grand & Pubs and Clubs • Two Up School & Super Frenchman’s Peak The Aussie pub is the cornerstone of any country WA Pit • Windarra Heritage Trail community. No matter how small, all country towns • Hannans Tourist Mine will have a have a pub or sports club (or two). Nightclubs are not so common, mostly only available in the bigger country centres.
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WA’s beautiful coast is yours to explore…
Clubs & Organisations prices, especially fruit and vegetables vary Clubs such as significant, and increase the more remote your Further Information and Links Rotary and Lions location. The price of petrol also rises the further Rotary www.rotary.org.au are a major part of Lion’s www.lionsclubs.org.au you are from Perth. It is recommended you rural community research cost of living variances by talking to a local life, so are volunteer organisations such as community member before arrival. Volunteer Fire Brigade, St Johns Ambulance and State Emergency Service (SES). They can be a great Banks & Money way to not only get involved in the community, but Most country towns have access to at least one bank also meet new people. branch and an ATM. Before arriving in your new community it is recommended you check access to Eating Out branches and ATMs with your bank. The most The number and type of restaurants depend on the common banks in country WA are Bankwest, ANZ, size of the town. Most towns will have a roadhouse Westpac, Commonwealth, and National. or a local pub. Larger towns will have a range of restaurants and cafes. Fast food outlets vary also. Shopping MacDonald’s/Hungry Jacks are only found in the Most country towns have at least one supermarket larger regional centres. Chicken Treat, Red Rooster in the community. Target is located in Bunbury, and KFC are available in a great range of medium to Broome, Kununurra, Carnarvon, Geraldton, large communities. Merredin, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Katanning, Northam, and Narrogin. Kmart is located in Albany, FACILITIES AND AMMENITIES Kalgoorlie, and South Hedland.
Costs of Living Country towns don’t usually have access to large The cost of living varies depending on location. For department stores such as Myer, David Jones or example in the Pilbara and Kimberley the cost of many of the specialty clothes boutiques. However, household amenities are the same as in Perth, but mail order and Internet based shopping is becoming up to 30-40% higher for accommodation. Food
Page 10 a lot more popular – with your all your favourite For further information visit the Nature Base brands just the Internet and post away. website developed the Department of Environment and Conservation (www.calm.wa.gov.au). Recreation Swimming pools (especially if you live inland) and SETTLING INTO A COUNTRY COMMUNITY recreation facilities are available in most towns.
Refer to the local council websites to view Country WA represents a significant diversity of amenities available in a community. communities. As you can see facilities, activities,
and people are unique for each town. Moving to the Accommodation country is a big decision. It often involves leaving Rental rates and property prices in country family, friends and established social networks. Not communities vary significantly. For general only are you starting a new job, but also you guidance regarding prices visit www.reiwa.com.au starting a new life. Before moving to the country FLORA & FAUNA you need to decide what country town is for you.
WA is renowned for its diversity of plants and Research animals. Magnificent wildflowers begin blooming in Investigate the type of community you would like to mid-winter in the north and sweep south to end the live in. Remember you are moving to the season in mid to late summer along the cooler south community not only to work, but also to live in. It coast. Country WA also harbours a range of wildlife, has to suit you in and outside of work. Ask yourself although care and distance does need to be what are you basic community requirements (e.g. exercised to protect both them and yourself. Living can you live without the beach, or access to a gym). side by side with our wonderful fauna does come You also need to think about how far away from with some responsibility: your friends and family you would like to be. Do
you want to go back to the city frequently? Do you • Be alert for kangaroos and emus when driving in need to be in driving distance from a bigger country areas, as they do tend to cross the road community with greater services/facilities? Spend unexpectedly, especially at dusk and dawn. some time researching the community. • Watch out for stray sheep or cattle that may
wander on the road. Talk • Enjoy wildlife from a distance – please don't feed Talk to people who live in the community. Find out them, and avoid chasing them (or letting your first hand what it is like to be a ‘local’. The local pets chase them). tourism centre can be extremely helpful, as can • The North West waterways are home to the other local health professionals. saltwater and freshwater crocodile. They are
natural predators and considered very dangerous Visit to humans. Always observe warning signs and if If possible try and visit the town before deciding to in doubt DO NOT swim, canoe or use small boats move. There is no better way to appreciate a in estuaries, tidal rivers and deep pools. community than to physically see and explore it. The cost of visiting the town is a small price to pay to ensure that the town if suitable for you.
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Be part of the community…
SETTLING IN 6. Say YES to everything. As the new person in town and at work you will be invited to attend a People jokingly say that you have to born in a town host of activities, parties and gatherings. Even to be a local. Despite this, all rural communities though it is uncomfortable to begin with (unless are very welcoming of new people to town. Some you are the extrovert social butterfly) go along sure fire ways to help you transition include: and make the effort – it will be worth it in the long run. 1. Visit the local library and tourist centre. These 7. Look for things in the new community that you centers distribute maps, newspapers, enjoyed in your old one. If you enjoy golf, find community calendars, brochures and much out about your local golf facilities. If you were more. part of a support group, see if there is a similar 2. Invite a close relative or friend to stay with you group in town. right after the move. The two of you can 8. Go to all the local community events (even then explore unfamiliar territory together, and you'll ones you would never have considered going to have an extra pair of hands to help unpack. before moving). Local events are an important 3. Remember the rule about six degrees of part of the country life. separation. Contact friends and relatives about 9. Buy to local newspaper. This is an easy and their ties to your new town. Someone always enjoyable way to get acquainted with a new will know someone who lives or who has lived in community and to get a taste of what life is like your new community. Give them a call or take there. them to coffee/the pub and ask them to tell you 10. Become a volunteer. Community service and about the town. volunteerism may be one of the best ways to 4. Buy a map and start exploring. Seeing your create meaningful new ties. Find opportunities new town is fun and right away gives you through local community centers or library, your something in common with other people. And job, churches, or schools, or online. Join a club! you'll start developing your favourite haunts—a Salsa dancing, rock climbing, chess? true sign of home! 11. Latch on to other newbies. Seek out other 5. Join a local sports team (even if you have never families/people who have moved recently. played that sports before – have a go!). Many Chances are they will be in the same stage of health professionals have suddenly become getting settled, so their calendars will have as tennis players or soccer plays on arrival to a much white space as yours. new town.
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WA Country Health Service
www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au
Ph: 1800 629 028 (within Australia)
Ph: +61 8 9223 8500 (outside Australia)
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