RobynMargarat

Rockingham also has a high school goes from years 8 to 12, the later being the highest, before the students pass from schools to other learning ideals, for example, the local Tafe and Universities, we have one of each. Rockingham Senior high school has among the general studies a course on maritime and the sea, so anyone with links to those sorts of learning can start, which will lead to marine biology, building ships and driving them. We have a Naval Base at Garden Island across the * coathanger* causeway (an engineering acheivement from last century ) 40kls long, an environmental area prohibited for public use ( though supervised access is apparently available via the sea at the rear of the island) I know my brother goes sailing, snorkelling and diving in the bay behind there. There is a large catholic presence in this city with the Catholic church and the Star of the Sea Primary school, (not sure if any nuns teach there though)which is around the back of the Rockingham High school. there is also a Catholic high school Kolbe College, teachers come from all areas to teach there. The Rockingham College of TAFE, is mostly a technical school, maritime studies, IT courses, engineering, commerce, arts as there are many industries in the Fremantle to Rockingham area whose apprentices have to do studies there, the college has many short and long courses, for people to take, including social classes such as all those art courses you never took at school but can get your head around now. Look for adult education. challenger. wa edu au. Hillman, is another older suburb, has a primary school, the local business area is on the outskirts of it, there is a railway line running through the rear of it, so if you love the sound of trains, you know where to go. It has a few streets running around the edge of it, but consists of mainly cul-de-sacs, or courts, like so many suburbs , where you are necouraged to walk. the buses are frequent. Woodbridge is another popular area, the Local hospital is here, and many medical centres are surrounding it. After many years, the Federal Government has provided funding to take it into the future for medical and surgical needs. A lot of specialists do attend to your medial needs there. There is also a state dental clinic that can service your needs too. The children living in this area attend the Coolongup school. There is a local shopping area and a Tavern, no service or petrol servo though, it closed down, when its 25 year licence expired. The Rockingham Golf club is in the trees down behind the hospital, its is licenced , and is about 20 years old. My father used to play there, you are able to use golf buggies etc to get about.

East Waikiki, has its only shopping centre, with a major food chain as its basis. It also has a very good primary school, same name. Your children can take part in a learning system called Pathfinder, which brings out the best in them, which is also run by other schools. My youngest daughter took part in it for a few years.There is also a newer area in this neighbourhood with very up market homes which the developer builds for sale every year, they come on the market for such as short time they are snapped up very quickly. There are very nice parks with ponds ( the pond in that development is frequently used by the planes carrying water to extinguish fires in the district, as it has its own bore to replenish the pond water) Waikiki is adjacent to the beach along Safety Bay road, a small local shopping centre ( the Waikiki Pub was demolished last year as it was getting too old. The owners were going to develop it into something nice, but they ran out of money as part of the downturn in the Global fiasco) There is a *special needs school* in that area, which caters for lots of physically and mentally challenged people including children! Warnbro is also another older area, with local shops, a Tavern, a licenced lawn bowling club attached to a very large recreational area, used for all sports hockey, footy , soccer, cricket to name a few, the beach is also popular in the summer. There are pockets of new & expensive homes built around the sandhills of Warnbro. Koorana is part of Warnbro, when it was first developed it was called Palm Springs, and Palm Lakes. a few vacant blocks are still available to build on but not many.There is a school and Warnbro fair(centro) shopping centre is part of the development. Housing is affordable, a basic 3 bedroom is priced between $364,000 to $470,00 depending what you are looking for ! (I just had a quick lool through my local paper ) rents are usually changed at 10% There is a Warnbro High School and a large indoor Swimming complex, which is used all year around. Run by the YMCA. there are also lots of churches. St Claire is the name the developer named one of his housing estates and its stuck, the people living there prefer to say that`s where they live. but its postcode comes under Port Kennedy. Port Kennedy has 2 public schools, Endeavour and its name sake, there is also a catholic school St Bernadette`s . Port Kennedy primary and St Bernadette`s share the sports facilities,. Port Kennedy also has a Tavern, a large industrial and shopping area, cars, camping, garden centres, vehicle servicing areas, and some manufacturing . Secret Harbour is a modern housing area with its own shops, schools, both primary and high school. A lot of business people work from home in this area as when it was first developed cable tv and internet connections were included in the construction costs. There is also quite a few real estate companies working there. A relatively new & expensive sports complex to cover the whole of Rockingham city sports needs is partly under construction,Lark Hill ( named after the pastoral lease it was built over) some already being utilized. Trotting and Harness racing, soccer, and rugby. Singleton is a coastal community with its own shops, school and family centre, I have found it a very community conscious area with very friendly people. Golden Bay (named after the golden beach) clean tidy and also friendly with its own schools shops and some call it a sleepy town, but don`t tell them I said so. Madora Bay is closer to Mandurah but still part of Rockingham district and surrounds. It has a tavern with affordable meals on Sundays, it advertised in the local paper a few times last year. Schools, older homes, but newer ones are being built there too. :smiloe:

The City Rocking ham consists of more that 10 suburbs, Bungaree, adjacent to the Rockingham city shopping centre, in a westerly direction, as its own primary school, another older area built in the 1960s Careeba also adjacent to the Rockingham shops but out to the East. Cooloongup, has a neighbourhood shopping centre, its own school, a lot of naval personell reside there as the Government Employees Housing Authority own the houses they live in and rent. A nice area I used to live in when I first came to this area. Rockingham Park, the area surrounding the shopping centre ( the shopping centre has in the past 2 years had a major rebuilding so its now over 20 hectares, with a lot of the major retailers there. It also has a street or restaurants and a new cinema complex.) Rockingham Beach, the older area near the beach, very nice grassed areas to encourage people from all over Perth to come and enjoy in the summer weekends. You hav e to get there early to get a good spot as migrants from Armadale and other areas, take it over. Has lots of cafes and eateries . Some high rise buildings of over 10 stories have been built in the past 6 years. Apartments. There are also very modern townhouses, being built there, some for sale, most for rent. We also have some award winning restaurants , some people come to enjoy our sunsets over the sea as well. There is also a Rockingham Beach Primary school .The oldest school in the district. The Rockingham hotel was, in an article I read quite a while ago, reputed to sell the most packaged beer and spirits, than any other outlet in the West. There is also a Yatch Club, a Lawn Bowling(licenced) club Various noisy nightclubs, and a some fast food joints. Safety Bay I mentioned in another posting. But it has a High School and a primary school which has been virtually rebuilt at a cost of over $5million in the last few year. A neighbourhood shopping centre in the road its named after. affordable housing in anyones pocket. A licenced Lawn Bowling club. A new area called Belgravia I think, very modern up-market houses, built by one main builder by the looks of the designs,, a local shopping centre ( coffee shop included) Shoalwater has alarge shopping centre and aTavern Sometimes the name of the suburb stems from whatever the Company developing it names it to catch peoples attention. Old Rockingham (Rockingham Beach)

Hi We might pass each other sometime maybe down at Warnbro Fair, or Stargate shops , what do you think of the area you live in? I have adult kids around your age, but unfortunately they don`t live in this state. 2 Live in Brisbane outer suburbs, Carole Park, near the industrial area of Waco, and Morayfields a semi-rural urban area. I wonder who, out of all the poms on this site who repeatedly ask to meet people, actually attended the Meet-up bbq a couple of weekends ago? Australians are a rather gregarious lot, they will drive for miles to meet people, its not like in Britain where towns and villages are only a few miles apart. When I lived at Ravensthorpe a country mining and farming town, over 500klms from here, down near the south coast, 180 miles from Albany, and 120 miles from Esperance, I would travel to either town alternately for my shopping. I have friends in Kalgoorlie ( the gold mining town, heading out towards the east,who frequently travel to Perth for entertainment, attending concerts and theatrical shows. Now you know why I frequently mention the distance between the areas that have been mentioned, Joondalup and Rockingham. Sometimes these same areas, the school kids belong to some sports association, for example Basketball, these suburbs are part of the same association, so you will find if your children join any, you may be travelling between them quite frequently. So it pays to get yourself a car. There are often vehicles sold at auctions around East Perth and up in Wanneroo, you don`t always have to buy brand new!

You can catch a train from central Perth and be in Mandurah in around half an hour, stopping at about 6 stations, as they are few and far between down here. Then you will have to catch a bus into the centre of Mandurah. Foot traffic is mostly the way you get around in the old part of Mandurah, but there is plenty of places to picnic along the river foreshore. There are also lots of eateries, both up market and fast food. There is a board walk that takes you all the way along the river to the Mandurah Performing arts centre. Look it up you may find something that`s planned that you may wish to see.

Rockingham is around 90 kilometres from Joondalup, has a modern railway line with lots of stations. A very modern shopping area with new business` opening just about every month. Lots of new housing estates still being planned and the houses are brick & tile not wooden. People are generally helpful when you ask questions. most sports are either backed by a school, or a committee attached to a school. You need to find Mirc, understand it and you will find so many suburbs that have schools with their own websites for information too. a lot more people use it rather than just emails. its so hard to be able to say what I mean when this site does`nt want me or anyone to advertise, the groups etc can be found in those sites too.:smiloe:

Hi It must have been a terrible shock to you, coming from a frozen country, like Britain this year with its coldest climate for 30 years, to one that is having the dryest Summer on record.(over 68 days since it rained.) Hope you have coped?? It has however rained a few times in Port Kennedy, even if it was only for 10 minutes, Boxing Day ( 2.30am)but we don`t count. Did you rent a place with a pool? King Edward Memorial Hospital is where a lot of Perth people were born.The best Maternity hospital in Perth, maybe even the whole of WA! Its a private hospital with an excellent reputation, for caring people, even though it has had some controversy at times. Yes so many people come here to advance their nursing skills. Hope you are settling in ok and the staff are helpful:smiloe:??

Mt Whaleback golf course runs a sunday morning group that is very popular, with guys of all ages, and business`. As does the Swan Brewery course which is I thin k is in Canningvale ( Ranford Road or South Street) Some of the inner suburb courses are too expensive to play at every week..The above club I think is off High Road in Willeton, but dont quote me. get yourself a UBD map book to guide yourself around. It has maps of just about everywhere in the city and adjacent areas, from Yanchep and 2 rox to down past Mandurah, and east way out past Stoneville. cheers Ogdens at the Gosnells pub, which is adjacent to it has the railway markets on Saturdays & Sundays, there is a good eatery there!. As an example of a place to make arrangements to meet people. Lots of people of all ages attend that Ogdens on Saturday nights for the music, 6IX (radio station)used to play their music from there also. There is also quite a good pub at the Lynwood Arms, and also the Kardy, (Kardinya Tavern)and I think either one of the Blues Clubs or a Country & Western club have meetings and popular talent nights there. Take note of an ad that runs on some of the commercial tv stations in Perth, called Whats`s on.. There is also a tavern at Cannington that is popular with the younger generation..cant think of its name..but the music is loud. There is also an Ogdens in Claremont or Cottesloe which is popular. The In-crowd tend to hang around there.. . Little Creatures Brewery in East Fremantle is also popular. I have a cousin who works there, but one of my daughters loves to spend time there when she is in Perth! Not all of our football clubs have liquor licences like you do in Britain, and you need to be a member to get in, or be sponsored.. You can also join a lawn Bowls club for the activity or social groups. Its not only for the oldies.

I have been reading a lot of the posts on this site. I used to work as a Market Research Interviewer, door-to-door, yes! one of those crazy people who wish to ask you the mundane questions that sometime appear on Survey results in the paper. I was told, pin a smile on your face, be polite, and don`t take to heart, the attitude of the person who answers the door to you, you would have interrupted, a good read, a footy game, weekend work, a nice pleasent snooze, and sometimes even an argument. I did that work for over 20 years, in various suburbs of Perth and the country, most weekends. So I find some of the answers on your threads can be negative as well as positive. But if you don`t get all those opinions it would`nt be a unbiased, site. You will notice I only answer some of those subjects, that have had more than 5 looks, as as I see it, if so many people looked it must be interesting, unless of course, its just all the relatives of all the people who made the postings in the first place. ( it does happen) I will answer those that I know anything about, if I can help , if not I won`t be offended if your moderators tell me I`m doing something wrong. I am hoping to re-start a drop in for coffee and advice at my home that I have done in the past. My family of girls are 38, 35, 32, the oldest and youngest live in Brisbane, my middle daughter ( who has a British passport, as her Father was a pom when she was born) lives in an outer suburb of London, has a *little pom* son born last year. Incidently she is married to a Morroccan, who she met in Italy where he had lived over 10 years.Talk about the United nations:smile: My ex- came out here with his family in the early 1950s, his father and uncles had had an Ice factory at Scarborough during the British Fishing Industry, and when that died moved to Grimsby, and emigrated from there! there are still lots of their relatives who live and work in that town/city. So if I can in anyway help to intergrate people into their new lives in the area I live in, let me know.. At least I am answering some of your questions, are`nt I?

I guess it takes a while to settle down in a new Country, let alone a city such as Rockingham, where there are over 80,000 people (that`s how many have to live here to be proclaimed a city) its not as big as some other cities in other states. Rockingham has other suburbs, just giving you the names of a few for example. Rockingham Beach is the oldest part of this city, developed from the *word go* where the ships bringing immigrants, had them settle first. But as the suburb of Kwinana, an industrial area where metals, gas and petroleum, where made into what we use today, a lot of British immigrants settled here. Shoalwater, is also an older part developing from the 1940`s, parts of it are still bush, near the area leading to the Naval station on Garden Island. Hillman was also developed from around 1954, then Rockingham city shopping centre was started, after a Building society from Britain, not sure of its name, offered the Rockingham Town Council, a parcel of land for development. One counsillor resigned and bought that land and started to develope it from around 1968. The area also included in the deal was that area that is now the suburb of Cooloongup, and the building company Its Name is something to do with the base of a mountain)which builds more homes in this area also started. Safety Bay is called that as its a safe area for swimming, being alarge sound. But in the summer its inundated with guys using surf skis, and wind surfing from all over the city areas.. Takes about 40 minutes to windsurf from Sorrento to down past Mandurah to Falcon. But I digress, sorry, Safety bay has, vast beaches, a sm all neighbourhood shopping centre which aslo includes a few realesate agents, a lawn bowling club, the closest Pub is at Shoalwater shops around 3klms up the road, A local library, (includes internet use for patrons) A yacht club building which is used for other purposes. The Safety bay primary school, underwent a massive rebuilding in the past 2 years, at a cost of over $5 million. There is also a Safety Bay High school, which is a very fine school with over 800 students (my 3 girls attended it in the past, so I know) there are also, so many sports available, soccer, tennis, sailing, footy( aft not the kind you poms play) little athletics for the kids, teeball, junior cricket I could go on. When ever I meet people who have just moved I give them a book that is part of finding your way around its called The Link which has everything of interest to get you started. The Local school, with the address and phone number, The various churches " " " The shopping centres etc, the local shops, milk man ( not applicable any more) Plumber and no,The newsagent for the paper delivery, rubbish collection day, Council information, all the service clubs, like Rotary, The Lions, all the trademen, business`s etc. I used to also do a morning tea for new familiesto meet local people of your own ilk. but I find some people are`nt interested in doing that any more. but I grew up in the country and that was what used to happen in communities.:smiloe:

Go to the local Family Centre, I think its called Comet Bay family centre. Look for a notice for the local Playgroup, they should have a notice for one. Or enquire at the local school, the Kindy, or early childhood centre, or even just at the local Deli~... local paper The Sound Telegraph has a page marked What`s on. I think even the Weekend Courier, has an events page. Look , read or ask, ... just what popped into my mind when I read your notice. .

maybe you need to get out of the city and find the country people are more friendly, more helpful, and put up with a lot more, are alsao more patient.City people are always in too much of a hurry, and hardly any of them know their neighbours, like who do you ask in the middle of the night to come and fix a plumbing problem when your toilet springs a leak.. The Pommy guy across the road , whose been here since the 1960s, he fixes just about anything and If he cant he tells you straight away, not after he has pulled everything apart.... giggling

hI Did you try to find Kalgoorlie via the Local Government facility. or just google the word Kalgoorlie and maybe a sport you are interested in, that way it will lead you to more than just the town, and map. A lot of people look for a citizens advice bureau. Or google a copy of any newspaper for that town. tooo. just what popped into my mind when I read your request!

Decide what your most important decision will be, will it be employment, education for your children, or your quality of life. Rents on average range from $200 for state tenants of the housing commision for lower criterior dwellings like houses, flats and units in the older areas of Perth.(Balga Inglewood, Westminster to name a few) But the further away you go from the city, cbd, the higher the prices are. Perth city, East Perth, South Perth, West Perth, the high price of rents make it harder to cope if you don`t have a very good job. rent for a flat/unit in Kings Park Road I looked at last week, started @ $450 a week, and that was a 2 beroom fully furnished, almost opposite Kings Park.. But we have a more than adequate railway system for transport to jobs and the bus system is also good. Incidently most houses, units, flat townhouses have either a garage, carport or parking bay that comes with the tenancy.. Not like you have in Britain.Some Industrial areas, are Osborne park, Midland, Joondalup, Fremantle, Mirrabooka , Wanneroo (part of the food chain growing areas) Rockingham has an industrial area adjacent called Kwinana where some manufacturing is done from resources, Oil, Mineral sands, Superphosphate, Iron ore, Aluminium, and then there is the gold mine at Boddington, Wagerup and Pinjarra for aluminum, and mineral sands down near Bunbury... I could go on for hours here. hope this helps.

Hi there, I read about this site in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago now. I am not a *Pom* but I do have a daughter who lives in Wimbleton, works for a charity Lifeways, and has a almost new son born in September 2009 in London. For those of your who are *poms* do you know where the nickname came from? A dear friend of my Mum told me years ago, that the new British immigrants, face`s burnt so quickly in the hot Australian climate that they looked like the bloom on a Pomegranite ( the fruit that is made into Grenadine). That fruit is pale yellow or lemon, and when it reaches maturity it has a reddish blush on the outside.. I am not very clear what the change your profile technical details is about so I will be leaving it alone. No, I am NOT into Facebook, or Twitter, got better things to do with my time, even though I am an advocate of sms, pixmessages and voice mail. Am getting good at Skype too, as that`s the way I chat to Julie in Britain. I live in an area well covered by people of British extraction, Rockingham, though I call where I live North Mandurah as a lot of immigrantsknow where that is. There is nothing really about me on the windows live thing, as I prefer telephone for that.... Where else can you live, when you wake in the earkt morning around 4.30am, who do you call. I send a text message to Julie & if she is home she rings me back within 10 minutes from Britain. Britishtelecom is brilliant, free phone calls to fixed lines in Australia, if your not on that system, try joining it, makes life more interesting than emails..and you get the answer faster.. South of the river.... the deciding line from North to south is the Swan river... cheers... sorry I talk too much.