I want to tell you about my love affair with my home town, like most regional area’s we are struggling to attract skilled professionals, trades people and families. If you’re reading this you’ve probably hit Google up post COVID, something about a new adventure, a new opportunity, the ability to accelerate your career made you click to find out more.
I want to share with you photo’s and information about living and working in Kalgoorlie-Boulder to pique your interest, to prompt you to do some research to seriously consider relocating here. If you’ve clicked because you are seeking FIFO opportunities this isn’t what this post is about – but stick around because I reckon I could change your mind by the time you get to the end of the post.
So a bit of background; I’m a locally based independent HR Consultant. I work with locally owned small – medium businesses to assist with creating professional & contemporary workplaces, and part of this consists of assisting with recruitment. I have my finger on the pulse of the local community, and as a long term local and business owner I want to do everything I can to promote our community and to encourage individuals & families to relocate here to enjoy the many spoils of living & working in Kalgoorlie-Boulder (in the least touristy way possible.)
The primary industry of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is mining and you may know of Kalgoorlie as being the home of the Superpit, supporting the mining companies are hundreds of locally owned businesses such as mechanical workshops, industrial retail, earthmoving, plant hire, heavy fabrication, electrical contractors and then of course feeding into that are the industries and careers that keep the town ticking; government, childcare, hospitality, retail, education to name but a few.
Right now local industry is crying out for workers – Mechanics, boilermakers, machinists, heavy machinery operators, chefs, carpenters, mining professionals, child care workers you name it. If you are great at what you do, we want you living here!
Kalgoorlie is quite unique in that our town centre is quite cosmopolitan with numerous restaurants, cafe’s and high street retail, yet, a 20 minute drive from the CBD finds you out bush and amongst nature.
If you are prepared to put yourself out there and make connections through workplaces, community and sporting groups Kalgoorlie is a very welcoming community.
From the streetscaping in the city centre to the multitude of suburban playgrounds you’d be forgiven for believing that you weren’t on the edge of the desert.
The Goldfields Oasis and adjoining playing fields are home to the majority of team based sports as well as an indoor pool complex & gym. The newly constructed Ray Finlayson complex is home to soccer, cricket and the 20/20 season.
Linked by a series of bike paths weekends can be spent on lazy bike rides, or jump in the 4WD and headout to one of the numerous dams & camp sites surrounding the town.
The family will love Hammond Park with its lush green lawns and gardens, BBQ’s, play equipment and animals such as birds, peacocks, emu’s and kangaroos
Serviced by the big nationals such as Target, Kmart, Woolworths & Coles and joined by IGA’s, high street stores, local independent retailers and award winning beauty & hair salons theres always the opportunity to indulge in a bit of retail therapy or luxe pamper sesh.
From the Hannans Boulevard situated in the northern suburbs to the Target, Woolies and Kmart complexs in the CBD, and arts centric shops in Burt St, there is a little bit of something for everyone.
In recent years Kalgoorlie has seen an explosion in the local makers & artists scene.
The Heartwalk street art project has bought a new look to the city’s buildings, art trails, the annual Art Prize, markets, theatre groups, Goldfields Art Centre and the WA Museum are just a few of the experiences on offer to enrich your soul
Take a stroll down Hannan Street stopping in St Barbara’s Square to sit & soak up the sun while enjoying a coffee from a nearby cafe.
Our cosmopolitan cafe & restaurant scene is well catered for to suit all tastes & budgets. Both Hannan & Burt Streets are dotted with pubs, restaurants and cafes sure to appeal to all age groups and demographics.
Whether seeking out a parmi & a pint, Melbourne style laneway cafes, multicultural cuisine or just a great meal in a modern setting, Kalgoorlie can cater to all tastes.
Shops are open 7 days per week all year round
Housing in Kalgoorlie is a wonderful mix of heritage and modern (& the decades in between).
From the traditional old Goldfielder’s of Lamington, miners cottages of Boulder to the modern brick homes in the newer suburbs of O’Connor, Hannans & Broadwood you are sure to find something to suit your needs & style.
The Goldfields has a rich sporting history, home to a multitude of sports and state of the art complexes. AFL, soccer, touch, squash, cricket, tennis, tri’s, cycling, swimming, t-ball, motorsport, moto x, park runs, golf, water polo, pony club, BMX, horse racing, netball & basketball are all well represented
Very much a family town, the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is home to a number of state & private schools.
Primary & Upper school students are well serviced by a number of state schools servicing each suburb with a separate senior campus for year 11 & 12. Both the state and private high schools are support by the Central Regional TAFE in it’s vocational courses for VET students.
Curtin University operates the WA School of Mines (WASM) in the city centre, a world class facility, WASM delivers mining based degrees as well as those in health science, commerce and education
With Perth a short 1 hour flight away and a direct flight to Melbourne once a week, catching up with family and friends (or going to the footy at the G) can fit easily into a weekend.
Missing the beach? Australia’s best beaches are located a 4 hour drive south in Esperance.
Seeking a bit of history? At the turn of the century the Goldfields was home to a number of bustling mining towns. With most now nothing more than a cemetary and a few relics, they can be explored in a day trip, or, take the weekend and head north to the historic townsite of Kookynie and Lake Ballard, home to the famous art installation by Antony Gormley
But you can’t talk about Kalgoorlie without talking about how much we love a party
The days of Kalgoorlie being the wild west are long gone. Nowadays you’re more likely to find the average Kalgoorlie resident frocked up for the ultra glam Childrens Charity Ball & the iconic Race Round events.
A quiet drink listening to live music in Judds beer garden or downing a famous Broady Burger at the Broad Arrow Tavern.
From Sunset at the Soundshell, Coffee & Cars, the Community Fair, Kidsfest, the Multicultural Festival, the lighting of the Christmas tree to the St Barbaras Day parade there is always something happening.
So how did I go? Ready to find out more? Click Here to view the GO BOLD website
Like what you see? Click around and discover how partnering with us can give your business a competitive advantage by aligning strategy with people & culture, or, give us a like on Facebook for regular updates on industry trends, blog posts & photo’s of me having coffee at my regular haunts and / or my dog & cat disrupting my work day
It’s time for HR to move beyond policies, practices and processes, HR’s value proposition to business is to ensure HR professionals and their practices’ produce positive outcomes for key stakeholders, employees, line managers, customers and investors.
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