moving to geraldton this august

**dinkytown** · 03-06-2012, 12:51 PM

hi to all the poms in oz,
hoping for any and all info you guys have on geraldton, whether it be good or bad! i have read a fair bit about the place and overall it sounds like a town on the up, sporty and lots to do with the ocean all of which appeals to me and my family.

im coming over as an overhead linesman, my wife wants to stay involoved in swimmimg tutition and sport related work, my 11 year old lad loves everything sporty and my 18 year old likes a drink and party just like most lads his age.

would like to mainly know best areas to live close to the ocean? best schools for sport? oh and education?

thanks to all in advance

paul

**starlight7** · 04-06-2012, 12:03 AM

You're very brave- hope everything works out well for you!

**Brissydeb** · 04-06-2012, 02:53 PM

Hi Paul, sorry I can't help with any advise on suburbs in WA but I would be interested to see the replies as we also have lads aged 12 & 18 and they like the same things as your boys (especially the eldest with the partying etc).
We are going over in October '12 and, like you, are trying to find a suitable, more lively, place to settle.

Thanks

Debbie

**hutchhouse** · 05-06-2012, 02:28 AM

we've lived here for just over 6 months now. We live in Sunset Beach and love it, Drummonds is lovely too but with 2 lads wanting to go into town just that little bit too far out for us. Wandina the other end - the same - but again quite a way from town (10 mins LOL). One bonus of living Sunset area is the IGA thats open EVERY day till 7pm... great for the small bits.

My boys are 13 & 11 and do pretty much most sports going... Aussie Rules (They both play for Brigades), Soccer (At Geraldton Rovers), both do Surf Life Saving in the Summer months for Champion Bay (Eldest has already competed at Country week in Freemantle for the club), Eldest Surf, both bodyboard, and both want to play Basketball when the season restarts... You could say they both love it here :-)

What else would you like to know?

Mark

**dinkytown** · 07-06-2012, 03:20 PM

sounds like you have falling right into the lifestyle easily, cant imagine who wouldnt! any ideas on best schools? my wife is a swimming instructor and has a sports degree and is wondering how much oppotunity there is with sports centres and pools, stuff like that.
what about night life? clubs and bars for my 18 year old.

have to look up geraldton rovers when we get over, see if my lad can join in there and the life saving club sounds like a great idea too,

we are from maidstone in kent, how about you?

any other info that you may have that feel may would greatly be appreciated!

geraldton here we come

thanks paul

**simpsontribe** · 08-06-2012, 06:16 AM

Lived here 4 months been mixed emotions geraldton had a lot done to it in last 4 years marina is gorgeous. Nightlife seems ok has nightclub and few bars around I've been in bars and had some good bands on.

Schools few to choose from depends on whether you want to pay for senior school how much etc.

Lots of nice areas wandina, tarcoola beach, sunset, I live in beresford close to town there drummonds too which is further out of town lots more areas out of town too there are three areas u shud avoid.

**hutchhouse** · 11-06-2012, 01:27 AM

HI yes have certainly got into the lifestyle... isn't that what coming to OZ is all about? enjoying the outdoor life and the kids living outside?

Best schools... well depends what you are looking for and also how much you are prepared to pay. Our youngest (11) goes to Waggrakine Primary which has recently won a few awards and is very good. (One of the reasons we looked at north end of town for our rental) he does find school very easy but then again is very clever and passed the english 11+ with a near perfect score just before we came. Luckily Waggrakine have seen that and he's in a class half a year up and has also started on the GATEWAY program and goes to another school once a week (Gifted and Talented Program)

Our eldest (13) goes to John Wilcock College (Years 8 & 9) which is the feeder for Geraldton Senior College. He's doing ok but to be fair he lacked application in England and he's not much different here !! (He's our beach bum kid !!)

How old are your kids? apart from John Wilcock which is the state high school, all other education for older kids is paid education - Strathalbyn is the christian school, Nagle is the Catholic school and then there is Geraldton Grammar (Very expensive)

Geraldton Senior College has a very good reputation which is year 10 upwards.

There is only one sports centre / swimming pool in town run by the council. SOme schools actually have their swimming lessons on the beaches in the summer !!

There are clubs in town (2 i think) and pubs although not my scene to be honest. Although once you see the price of alcohol may not be yours !! LOL

We lived on ytour doorstep when we were in England... Greenhithe right next to Bluewater

Hope that helps...

Mark

Originally Posted by dinkytown

sounds like you have falling right into the lifestyle easily, cant imagine who wouldnt! any ideas on best schools? my wife is a swimming instructor and has a sports degree and is wondering how much oppotunity there is with sports centres and pools, stuff like that.
what about night life? clubs and bars for my 18 year old.

have to look up geraldton rovers when we get over, see if my lad can join in there and the life saving club sounds like a great idea too,

we are from maidstone in kent, how about you?

any other info that you may have that feel may would greatly be appreciated!

geraldton here we come

thanks paul

**Gav71** · 05-07-2012, 06:36 AM

Which areas are the ones to avoid?

Gav

**hutchhouse** · 06-07-2012, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Gav71

Which areas are the ones to avoid?

Gav

Rangeway and Spalding for sure...

**MissBehaving** · 08-07-2012, 05:47 AM

Hutchhouse --- I have heard good reports from a friend of mine about Waggrakine Primary School. We are in the process of re-locating and have been toying with the idea of putting our daughter into a private school - she is in year 4. However, after reading what you have just written, perhaps Waggrakine is worth a look.
My daughter was in the top 3 of her class in the UK - the current school she is in is so large that I think she has been 'left to her own devices' and whilst she still came home with A's and B's on her report last term, I felt that she could have done better.

Thanks for your post - it certainly has given me some food for thought.