Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

I have applied for a job there in scientific photography within the mining industry (what other industry is there in Newman). Not sure yet whether I really want to uproot the family and go there if I get the opportunity though.

Just wondering what your experiences are there? What places there are worth visiting near there and would you do it.

Position is 2 years contract with accommodation subsidized and moving expenses paid for. Job is with BHP (any comments there?).
As I have a wife and 2 daughters (aged 5 & 2) and they've put up with me at uni for 4 years without decent income, the financial side of things is very appealing and my wife is all for it.
I grew up in a country town in Tassie so a little sub-isolation doesn't worry me but I'm sure if it's the best thing for kids...

[bgreeni Member Find all posts View Profile Close bgreeni]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

I am sure others here will know more about it than I do, but have visited there a few times for work.

It looks a nice town with plenty of interesting country around the area. I lived in remote towns when my kids were young and it was a great experience for them - small towns beat the city any time as far as I am concerned. Only problem is the heat if you are not used to it, but with AC in house/car/office/shops/schools it is much better that it was years ago.

I would go for it if the pay and conditions are good, as I am sure they will be.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

Are you joking?

Karijini at your back door. Onslow, Exmouth a bit to the west. The Kimberley just up the road a bit.

Isolated, a bit. Big shopping centre. Indigenous population live on outskirts of town can be a bit of a nuisance but local troopers have that in hand.

Big on sports, reasonable schooling.

Plenty of dollars to be made. Cost of living off-set by tax break. You actually save money by not having to drive too far to go to work, that way saving the fuel for your off-road entertainment.

[peteandkyles Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peteandkyles]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

I have applied for a job there in scientific photography within the mining industry (what other industry is there in Newman). Not sure yet whether I really want to uproot the family and go there if I get the opportunity though.

Just wondering what your experiences are there? What places there are worth visiting near there and would you do it.

Position is 2 years contract with accommodation subsidized and moving expenses paid for. Job is with BHP (any comments there?).
As I have a wife and 2 daughters (aged 5 & 2) and they've put up with me at uni for 4 years without decent income, the financial side of things is very appealing and my wife is all for it.
I grew up in a country town in Tassie so a little sub-isolation doesn't worry me but I'm sure if it's the best thing for kids...

For 2 years you have nothing to loose especially with young family. We lived in Dampier for almost 10 years and absolutelly loved it. Went to Newman many times and it was an ok place (mind you we were spoiled living in Dampier - 42 islands at your doorstep and no crocs). It's only a 12 hour drive to Perth, there is Karajini and many other places that only the locals know about. We spent a lot of time in Tom Price and Paraburdoo for work and they were ok as well.

As for working for BHPB is not so bad at all. We get all sort of benefits that come with a large business like discount with Toyota on new vehicles, discount at Ted's etc. If I was you I would definatelly consider this. Just remember you get out of it as much as you put in.

The only negative thing is that your wife might find it a little hard at first. Just make sure she joins the local play gym or local kids activities. Most of these remote towns once you meet the first few people you will find it a lot easier.

If you want any more specific info about BHPB send me a PM and I'll see if I can find out for you.

[peteandkyles Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peteandkyles]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

Yes,

I know from experience, that remote towns can be alittle "clicky".. they don't mean to be, it is just the isolation that creates it. Ensure she like the look of the place and has a full grasp of what it will be like to live there. Talk to the locals !!!

Couldn't agree more. What we have found is that the more remote it is, the less clicky and more friendly the towns tend to be. Newman is not that remote. One of the best places we have lived was on an Island 600km from Darwin. 1/3 of the Island works for the mine, the other 2/3 are very traditional indiginous. It brings a new level of respect for traditional culture. Places like this you see the good side mainly as the comunities are dry and so remote they are not influenced by stereotypical behaviours we tend to see on the news. As far as the town community is, I think it is the most livable place in the world.

We arived on Monday night in 2004 and the next morning went for a walk to find the local shop and get some fresh milk as the 1L left at the transit house would have run out fairly quickly with a 2 yo. In the 500m walk to the shop, 2 cars stopped, the women introduced themselves and asked if we were new and them invited Kylie out to lunch and to playgroup the next day. We never looked back after that...

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

Thanks for all this guys - gives me a bit more confidence I'd be doing the right thing. Still got to get the interview yet!
Our home town was a little clicky when I was growing up but it didn't worry my family - we got along with everyone fine and I think if you're friendly and honest things should be ok.
I don't know anything about the areas around Newman - never been up there but have been itching to get out there since being married.

If I get a job offer, I'll definitely be asking for a trip out there first to check it out.
So far, it all sounds a nice community and I'm sure we'd fit in. My wife is very outgoing (but not annoyingly so) so she'd have no troubles getting to know others. A big shopping centre should fix any other problems :roll: :roll:

Pete, I'll wait to see how I go with the application - if I get further, I'll be in touch.

The position isn't entirely photography. It's a field technician position which includes a lot of scientific photography of core samples. Depending on how automated/which type of system they use to do this, the job could just as well be suited to many other people. If it's not terribly automated or needs developing, people from my course are about the only ones trained to get the data off the samples the right way.
I'm not really holding up high hopes, but you can only try.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

If you end up landing this job and take the plunge and relocate there PM me and I will have a chat to my cousin that lives there , his a nice kid and loves showing people around his back yard in his 75 series .

[shorty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shorty]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

Hi there, we lived in Newman from 78-87 some of the best years of our lives, plenty of good 4wding, there is a dam, great for canoeing, lots of sports clubs, shopping centre. The road from Newman past Karijini to Auski roadhouse is one of the most scenic drives in oz. We enjoyed and have many happy memories of Newman. Only went up there for 6 months and ended up spending 9 years.
Regards Chris

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

Thanks for that. Haven't heard anything from BHP so I'm not too hopeful now..

..but I'll definitely visit one day anyway!

[Wil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wil]

Re: Anyone been to Newman W.A.??

I lived in Newman for a short while (3 months) when doing a constructions project. It was fun and now 4 years on my kidneys and liver are nearly back to normal. (when i was there they were very proud of the fact that Newman has the highest ratio of liquer licences per capita in australia).

BHP are nortorisouly slow on the HR front. I applied there for a job when i was living in Port Hedland and didnt hear anything back and forgot about it. 2 months later I got a call asking if I could come to an interview and do a medical, which I did and then heard nothing.

Another 2 months or so and i get another call asking me to come for another interview and telling me that they had an offer to put on the table.

I told them that i was no longer interested as I had taken another job and the HR guy got snotty and said "well you could have rang and told us". Moral to the story, BHP HR moves slowly, but they are an awesome company to work for, and as for Newman, its not the Jewel of the Pilbara, but its still a nice little town.

Plus, if you organise a PP event its only 4 hours down the road for me to come!

Will