Moving to Kalgoorlie

**ChloeAdele** · July 21st, 2009, 08:44 PM

Hi, I live in melbourne and my partner just got offered a job in Kalgoorlie. My first baby is due in January. So it looks like we're moving to Kalgoorlie in about a month, and I was wondering if anyone knows what its like to move there or how it is fitting in there, also what kind of child facilities are available, and if there's any mothers groups or something similar that I could join to make friends.

I'm very anxious about moving, and I guess i just need some reassurance...!

**Doodlebug** · July 21st, 2009, 09:25 PM

Sorry hun, don't know much about Kalgoorlie.

Did a quick google, this might give you some info?

City Of Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Good luck with the move!

**Madham** · July 21st, 2009, 09:41 PM

My brother and his wife move there last year from Victoria they have 2 children aged 2 and 4, i can get some details from them if you like and get back to you.

**Laranna** · July 21st, 2009, 11:20 PM

It's a WA country town (ex-mining, gold). Most people who live there do so because they have jobs there. I live in WA and I've never been to Kalgoorlie, not a touristy town unfortunately, unless you're interested in the gold mining history. But, hey as long as you have the internet and BB land you'll be fine!

**entreat** · July 21st, 2009, 11:36 PM

I live there!!!

I don't know much about the specifics of mother's groups, etc, but I know they exist! There's a few commuinty groups & a toy library too. You'll fit in just fine.

Kal has everything you need. Lots of shops, a couple of Gyms, family friendly restaurants. It's a much more family-oriented town than it used to be, so I'm told. I've been here 4 years next month.

I moved from Melbourne too... biggest change you'll make is no sunday trading. 2nd biggest - no daylight savings... very strange state this one...

If you want to meet up, PM me your number. Or if you wanted any other Kal-related advice.
Will you be flying over, driving, or catching the train? What will you husband be doing?

Yay! I'm excited for you, even if you're nervous.

**ChloeAdele** · July 22nd, 2009, 11:04 AM

Thank you so much ladies! I am new to this forum stuff, its so nice to get one response let alone all of these!
Entreat- I'm still trying to work out how we're getting over there, I think that we'll be driving and having our stuff taken over there, its just too expensive to get our cars taken across, although I'd love to fly!!
My partner will be teaching at Curtain Tafe, and being 4 months pregnant I dont think I'll be able to find a job for such a short while which scares me being alone most days in a new place. I'm only 21 so I'm very hesitant to leave my own mum seeing that I have a newborn on the way, as she has been such a great support!
I met someone the other day who said that Kal people were anti-melbournians or anyone from other major cities, did you find that?
I'm sure all will be ok once we get there but its just very daunting.
Thanks ladies!

**Helen B** · July 22nd, 2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Chloe,
I live in Kalgoorlie and it is a great town with many facilities. Although shopping isn't fabulous, there is a baby shop. I know that the hospital puts mothers in groups with other ladies who have had a baby around the same time. I'm not sure about classes etc but I'm due in January too so when I next go to the doctor I'll find out what is available.
cheers
Helen

**entreat** · July 22nd, 2009, 08:28 PM

Nah - some born & bred Kalgoorlie people think we're all blow-ins, but there's so many of us here, that I'm sure we out-number them now!

Hi HelenB! Maybe the three of us should catch up. I'm always slightly jealous of the meets the members in big cities have.

**Samcougar** · July 26th, 2009, 09:34 AM

Hi,
I have friends over there and they have 2 daughters 2 and 4. They love it over there apart from missing their families. Goodluck hun.

**Winter** · July 26th, 2009, 12:24 PM

I lived in Kal a few years ago for 5 years and still have lots of friends there. Its a really family friendly town and friends are only 10 minutes away from whereever you are living! You'll find that you meet people easily and get invited to BBQs etc as people have to make their own fun and with the transient population people are always coming and going so new people are always welcome.

I hope you enjoy Kal as much as I did!

**kate_mcd** · April 30th, 2010, 09:01 PM

due to unforeseen circumstances our experience was hard and we have returned to Victoria.

**kate_mcd** · April 30th, 2010, 09:03 PM

We moved to Kal and then 6 months later moved back to Victoria- be prepared for hard work and isolation, especially if you are close with your family.

**kate_mcd** · April 30th, 2010, 09:04 PM

Kal was a great experience. We are now back in victoria.
But I highly recommend going to the Golden Mile Community Centre for friends and support especially with young children.

**entreat** · April 30th, 2010, 09:17 PM

Hello!! Congrats on making the big move. I'm from Melbourne & have been in Kal for 5 years now.

I'd love to catch up. What date are you arriving? I'm disappearing to Perth to birth my baby from May 21st. But I'm available almost any time before then.

I'll email you later... dinner's ready.

**KatieRabbit** · April 30th, 2010, 11:03 PM

ChloeAdele- Kalgoorlie is a great town. I loved living there. People are super friendly and many in the same position as you. You will have no worries if you make an effort to join groups and make friends. I didn't want to leave but had to for my work!

**entreat** · May 1st, 2010, 01:03 AM

And please don't be alarmed by the earthquakes we've been having. Honestly, they give people 'Chicken Little' Syndrome - a whole lot of clucking over not much. As a geologist, I can tell you, they're just good fun now. The big one was an eye-opener (and damaging to Boulder), but these aftershocks are just amusing (but wont break much unless it's already broken).

**googly** · January 16th, 2013, 08:39 AM

Hi entreat,

Im thinking about Kalgoorlie and noticed you have ICSI in your signature.

I have to try that and I wonder if there any possibility of that in Kalgoorlie.

I'll appreciate your reply.

Thanks.

I live there!!!

I don't know much about the specifics of mother's groups, etc, but I know they exist! There's a few commuinty groups & a toy library too. You'll fit in just fine.

Kal has everything you need. Lots of shops, a couple of Gyms, family friendly restaurants. It's a much more family-oriented town than it used to be, so I'm told. I've been here 4 years next month.

I moved from Melbourne too... biggest change you'll make is no sunday trading. 2nd biggest - no daylight savings... very strange state this one...

If you want to meet up, PM me your number. Or if you wanted any other Kal-related advice.
Will you be flying over, driving, or catching the train? What will you husband be doing?

Yay! I'm excited for you, even if you're nervous.

**entreat** · January 18th, 2013, 01:02 AM

Hi Googly,
You do need to travel to Perth for all IVF treatments as none of the facilities are available out here. You do get a small amount back through the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) for your travel and accommodation expenses to Perth. Basically, you have your main treatment appointments in Perth with your specialist clinic, and they give you all the drugs you need to take home with you. You then have all your blood tests and scans done in Kalgoorlie (the OB is experienced in ART, and is linked with one or two of the fertility clinics in Perth - he does most of the scans, but there's also the hospital & a private clinic that can do the required scans) until the time is right, then you (with fairly short notice) go to Perth for any procedures.

It's not easy. The main challenge I faced was getting blood results to the clinic because there are only two pathology places in Kalgoorlie & they only send their blood once a day (in the mid afternoon). Even when it was sent to Perth for processing on time, the results were frequently not sent through in a timely manner (I would expect something labelled 'URGENT' would help, but no!), and the clinic would have to chase it up. That can be really nerve racking when you're trying to create a life. The next frustration was the one & only obstetrician being unavailable one the odd occasion. The hospital isn't always very professional when it comes to keeping appointments, but the private clinic were great (however, they are not claimable on Medicare). The final hassle is medication. There is not much in the way of fertility supplies out here, and I have been in a throat clutching position to rely on another patient with spare medication, and another mercy-dash from a family member to pick up the drugs from the clinic for me.

Our first baby needed quite a few trips to Perth (1 egg collections, two FET, and a polypectomy, plus ~3 consultations). The baby in utero only took less: 2 consults, 1 egg collection, 1 FET.

So, that's about all I can type at midnight. Let me know if you need any more info.