PERTH
Perth was foundered in 1829 and is the 4th largest city in Australia and is the Capital city of Western Australia. Perth is the fastest growing Capital City in Australia (10% p.a.) and has a population of approximately 1.6M people. Due to Australia being about 5,000 Klms (3,500 Mls) wide, Perth is relatively remote from the rest of Australia. Even though there is some feeling of isolation from the other States and Capital Cities, Perth is the most progressive State in the Commonwealth of Australia. Mining is the major catalyst for the drive in expansion. There are other growing industries such as the wine industry around the Southern Region with Margaret River one of the most famous. Tourism, the pearling industry, oil and fishing have a major contribution.
Temperatures range from an average minimum of 9 degrees and an average maximum of 30 degrees, occasionally rising to 35 degrees during summer. The “Fremantle Doctor”, which is a breeze off the Atlantic Ocean, passing over Perth’s major port, Fremantle first, has a cooling effect in the afternoon in Perth.
Perth’s population has a large English emigrant community, with Scottish, Irish, Italian, Greek, Dutch, Germans, Chinese and more recently South African and Eastern Europeans. “Packing for Perth” became a catch phrase for those moving to Australia from South Africa in the 1980’s and 1990’s, whether they were going to settle in Perth or not.
The diversity of occupations are the same as with any major city worldwide, and due to the Skilled shortage in so many occupations, opportunities exist for the Accountant, Doctor, Registered Nurse, Teacher, Electrician, Mechanic, Carpenter, Plumber, Welder, Sheet Metal Worker. The list is endless. The mining industry is booming and the short fall of virtually all skilled tradespersons is immense and large wages are paid to attract those with the skills to outback Western Australia.
Housing prices are currently growing at about 2.0% which is less than the majority of Capital Cities (Hobart 3.8%, Brisbane 2.9%, Darwin 2.8%), with units for $250,000 and houses from $350,000. These prices will be in the outer suburbs, with houses on the Swan River and the bay at $3-5M plus.
The Education system has Public (Government run) and Private (Fees paid by parents) schools. There are a large number of Child Care facilities (0-5yrs), Pre-school (4-5yrs), some Pre-Prep (4-5yrs) and then years 1-12. There are many Private Colleges (girls only, boys only as well as mixed), TAFE Colleges, Universities, Museums, Art Galleries, Performing Arts, Live Theatre and Music Academy.
Sports are too numerous to mention, but include Cricket, Soccer, Rugby (both codes), AFL (similar to Gallic football), Swimming, Surfing, Sailing, Tennis, Horse Racing, Harness Racing, Basketball and Netball.
