Leaving Kalgoorlie

It’s starting to sink in now that we’ll be leaving Kalgoorlie soon to start a new life in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

I haven’t written much about it so far because everything has been up in the air regarding Dad’s health. He has pancreatic cancer and his condition has deteriorated in the past week.

I obtained agreement from my employer today to finish at the Kalgoorlie Miner a little earlier than planned, next Friday, May 23. That’s eight weeks after I gave notice.

It doesn’t leave much time though to pack, say farewell and get organised for the big trip; the distance is 2598km.

Why are we leaving?

1. Dad’s illness: We’d like to see him before he goes and be closer afterwards to family in Victoria.
2. Career growth: There are limited opportunities for me in Western Australian country media.
3. Lifestyle: Kalgoorlie has been great, but it’s isolated and hot in summer.

Mount Gambier is an attractive city halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide. It’s similar in size to Kalgoorlie, but the region is much more densely settled with a mix of agriculture, viticulture, manufacturing and forestry underpinning the economy.

I’m going to be editor of The Border Watch (Mount Gambier, four days a week), the South Eastern Times (Millicent, twice a week) and the Penola Pennant (weekly). It’s an independent, locally owned publishing company with its own printing press and on the lookout for growth opportunities.

We’ve bought a six-bedroom house there for $248,000. There are no homes of that size in Kalgoorlie and the asking price for a four-bedroom house has started to climb past $600,000.

We think the children’s education and sporting prospects are better there. Mount Gambier is closer to both Melbourne and Adelaide than Kalgoorlie is to Perth.

If I had to weight the reasons for moving I’d say 50 percent family, 25 percent each for career and lifestyle.

I’ll look back on our time at Kalgoorlie with great fondness. It’s the quintessential outback city complete with rich heritage, red dirt, melting pot of cultures, entrepreneurs and mavericks.

It used to have a “wild west” reputation. It’s more family oriented now though. Even the brothel madam said that when she put her establishment on the market.

The mining boom has created opportunities for many and problems for others. It’s an exciting time, but the city has challenges ahead.

I see Mount Gambier as being more stable, not as dynamic perhaps, but probably more resilient through economic downtimes given its diverse economic base.

The Kalgoorlie Miner is a great paper and I’ve enjoyed my time there. It’s the only regional daily newspaper in Western Australia.

I’m in awe that I followed in the footsteps of Sir John Kirwan, who was a key figure in Western Australia joining the Commonwealth of Australia and became the first Federal Member for Kalgoorlie.

The Border Watch also has a fine history. It was established in 1861, more than 30 years before the Miner.

One of the former editors, John Watson, was recognised in 1975 by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-serving editor ever recorded for a newspaper (62 years). I can guarantee I won’t be there that long!

The next three weeks are going to be busy with packing, organising and driving.

I look forward to writing more later about the trip and our new life in Mount Gambier.