WA town fears closure of community centre would mark its end after string of service closures....
Norseman, the last major stop before the South Australian border and the Nullarbor Plain to the east, has been in decline for years, with much of its business coming from travellers passing through.
If they where a hell more traveler friendly! I found the town very grumpy towards travelers . Yes I can see why . But it doesnât help . If attitude was friendly and hospitable ? Things would change . We purchased all our groceries for the next few weeks there .. cost a little more, prefere to help
Small country town .
woolman said
11:58 AM Apr 3, 2018
With a State Government with no interest in rural WA this will be the norm. Shut down school boarding colleges,Ag schools, School of Air so far.
Neil
bobsa said
12:03 PM Apr 3, 2018
They need to improve their attitude that's for sure, only good thing about it is the BP for fuel, the guys there were ok Best thing is watching it disappear in the rear view mirror
-- Edited by bobsa on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 01:21:19 PM
kiwijims said
12:32 PM Apr 3, 2018
I've gotta agree with the comments so far, having crossed the Nullarbor 6 times now, we have always called into Norseman, mainly as a place to buy cheaper fuel and stock up on essentials for the crossing, we too have found the attitude of locals a lot to be desired, but who can blame them, put yourself in their place, no work to speak of, a dry dusty town, with little or no prospects of improvement.
If they were to re-route the main highway direct from Coolgardie to Balladonia, just think of the fuel you would save, but it would sure be the end of Norseman, maybe not a bad thing for the Traveller. ???
K.J.
barrie said
04:14 PM Apr 3, 2018
Liberals never cared about country areas .
Aussie1 said
04:26 PM Apr 3, 2018
And they call it the "gateway to WA". What a joke. Have to agree on the adverse comments above. Agree, a road between Coolgardie and Balladonia, plus a road from Balladonia (a decent one not the "track there at present") and Esperance would offer a much more acceptable welcome to WA. After a several incidents of unwelcome attitudes from locals we, like others, only purchase fuel.
jules47 said
06:02 PM Apr 3, 2018
Got to be something wrong in the town - it is the first stop when you cross the border going West, where you can get supplies - we always have, and usually have lunch at a little café nearby - good coffee - great food, reasonable prices.
Never had a problem with the "locals" - I smile and say g'day to everyone! Usually I get a nod or grin or g'day back.
fwdoz said
06:23 PM Apr 3, 2018
Heading across the Nullarbor later this year & from what most of you are saying it will be a place I will drive straight on through
jules47 said
06:26 PM Apr 3, 2018
Don't do that - there is a free RV camp right in town (very safe), the IGA(?) has just about everything, some good little shops, couple of nice cafes. If everyone just drives through the town will indeed die, which would be a great shame.
Gaylehere said
08:28 PM Apr 3, 2018
I'm with Jules. Stop and have a look. Take some photos of the horse statue and the corrugated iron camels. IGA does have a bit of everything as Jules has said. Was a Mitre 10 next door if I remember correctly. We camped up the road at Lake Cowan.
JeffRae said
08:36 PM Apr 3, 2018
Don't miss Norseman, unhook the van, drive up the lookouts, see the big slag heap. Stock up for your adventure along the Hyden-Norseman Road, it's gravel but well kept
TowBall said
08:48 PM Apr 3, 2018
barrie wrote:
Liberals never cared about country areas .
Now Barrie, lets not bring politics into it.....
dogbox said
09:00 PM Apr 3, 2018
fwdoz wrote:
Heading across the Nullarbor later this year & from what most of you are saying it will be a place I will drive straight on through
don't do that only place for miles that you can buy anything
rockylizard said
09:52 PM Apr 3, 2018
Gday...
What interesting reactions
If travellers all decide to "give it a miss" just because of some anecdotal reports that a few locals don't greet ya like royalty, then the town ultimately won't be there.
Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Cheers - John
yobarr said
10:03 PM Apr 3, 2018
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
What interesting reactions
If travellers all decide to "give it a miss" just because of some anecdotal reports that a few locals don't greet ya like royalty, then the town ultimately won't be there.
Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Cheers - John
Careful John.....too much thinking involved for some! Amazing how the sheep mentality quickly surfaces in cases like this, rather than each individual stopping at the town,having their own experience,and then forming their own opinion. Treat others as you would like to be treated,and you may find that the people in Norseman are simply trying to make their way in life,just as you are? Just saying. Safe travels,perhaps to Norseman? Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 10:04:34 PM
blaze said
11:07 PM Apr 3, 2018
Never had a problem in norseman, easy to spend a day looking about.
cheers
blaze
MOLLUSCAN said
11:34 PM Apr 3, 2018
Sorry guys but I cant understand your problems with Norseman. We really like the town and always stay at the beautiful free camp in walking distance to town. The IGA is fine and its a nice little town. The people in the information center are lovely and there is water and a dump point. Dont go past just because others think the people are unfriendly, you could miss a nice experience
-- Edited by MOLLUSCAN on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 11:35:50 PM
cjt55 said
06:43 AM Apr 4, 2018
I too, don't have a problem with Norseman. The free camp in town is a wonderful place which they are working on to make it even better. We had a mechanical problem which was fixed on arrival at Norseman by courtious mechanical staff. We stayed in the free camp for 3 nights and enjoyed the town and the people. You can top up with water at the Visitors centre for a donation. Would definately stay there every time I passed through.
-- Edited by cjt55 on Wednesday 4th of April 2018 06:44:24 AM
chooknphil said
09:43 AM Apr 4, 2018
I generally don't give much time to negative comments as I learnt a long time ago that if you check into that persons comments on thier link most often all thier comments are negative. I like to make up my own mind
Aus-Kiwi said
10:46 AM Apr 4, 2018
My response was to the heading . Not trying to be negative at all . I didnât say to avoid the town . Just some constructive criticism !! All for small business is these country towns .
theberrys said
11:14 AM Apr 4, 2018
I don't like to see poor comments about a battling town they are the ones that we as travellers SHOULD SUPPORT don't add to their problems we have crossed the Nullabor 16 times and stopped at Norseman every time bought fuel stocked up at the IGA done banking (Post Office) bought tyres on one occasion had a mechanical job done and stayed a couple of days on another and enjoyed the surrounding area. OK it would be fair to say that on occasions we have not been treated like royalty but we have never felt threatened or experienced a bad experience in this town. It is a shame that the politicians are not interested in the likes of comments on travellers forums! Regards Tony
sparra said
12:55 PM Apr 4, 2018
Coming across the Nullarbor couple of weeks ago I received an email of a legal document that needed to be digatly signed but it can't be done on any mobile device. I pulled into the information centre at Norseman and asked the very friendly lady is there anywhere in town I could access a computer. She pointed me to the Community centre where another equally friendly lady helped me out, both of these ladies couldn't have been any more helpful. I also stocked up with a few things from the IGA store as well and staff there were cheerful as well,and also the bloke at the Caltex in town where I topped up with fuel.
Kisha said
01:49 PM Apr 4, 2018
Norseman a town with wonderful memories for my siblings and I and others I know dating back to the 60's to present. The days of the Woodline are long gone, yet still a good yarn is told when everyone gets together of times when us as kids thought it was fantastic when a truck would break down on the woodline, or parts were needed, because that would mean a drive from the camps into Norseman to a stop at Murrays Garage where the owners were friendly and gave us kids icypoles and lollies. Now years later, I always stop in Norseman, where I am always greeted with a smile, where the people are wonderful and friendly just as they always have been. I have wonderful communications going on whenever there, which makes me wonder what some people may be putting out to get back such an unfriendly reception. If only you knew what you are missing. Perhaps its a case of my Personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.......Kisha
-- Edited by Kisha on Wednesday 4th of April 2018 01:50:12 PM
Mobi Condo said
08:45 PM Apr 4, 2018
We have always had good and welcoming attitudes in Norseman.
Last stay (August 2015) we got a surprise of a fee request to use the dump point. $2 to access the key as we were not CMCA members.
The explanation given was that the local shire had big costs to pump out and transport the contents to Esperance which had a town effluent system as Norseman was purely septic. Who really knows what the real reason was.
banjo said
09:37 PM Apr 4, 2018
We were last there 2 years ago on our way back home West, the CP was a tip and not cheap, the IGA in town refused to accept my wifes bank card for $11 worth of goods and told her to use the cash point which would have charged her $2 or whatever to draw money out, so wife put the stuff back and told them to stick it !
The whole town has the run down feel and about the only good bit is the road house on the corner of the Eyre Hwy, as the fuel price is usually the last reasonable price before the slog over East till Penong. Or a relief after the exorbitant rip off on the Nullabor.
Shame but it's just the way it is. You would think they would be bending over backwards to encourage visitors not driving them away.
IAN zzz said
09:39 PM Apr 4, 2018
Very sad, but I see many small towns virtually dying or dead in outback WA ...
Stay safe
jules47 said
10:27 AM Apr 5, 2018
Went through Norseman over twenty years ago - doesn't look much different now - but the supermarket has improved out of sight, couple of good little cafe's and a free RV camp in town. It's never going to look like Albany or Esperance because of it's location - either stinking hot or freezing cold.
Santa said
10:40 AM Apr 5, 2018
Norseman is what it is, we enjoyed a short stay there a while back, found the locals friendly enough.
People need to realise, Norseman is a long way from anywhere and it ain't Melbourne.
rockylizard said
10:44 AM Apr 5, 2018
Santa wrote:
SNIP~~~Norseman is a long way from anywhere and it ain't Melbourne.
WA town fears closure of community centre would mark its end after string of service closures....
Norseman, the last major stop before the South Australian border and the Nullarbor Plain to the east, has been in decline for years, with much of its business coming from travellers passing through.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/norseman-fears-closure-of-community-centre-would-mark-the-end/9598196
K.J.
With a State Government with no interest in rural WA this will be the norm. Shut down school boarding colleges,Ag schools, School of Air so far.
Neil
They need to improve their attitude that's for sure, only good thing about it is the BP for fuel, the guys there were ok
Best thing is watching it disappear in the rear view mirror
-- Edited by bobsa on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 01:21:19 PM
I've gotta agree with the comments so far, having crossed the Nullarbor 6 times now, we have always called into Norseman, mainly as a place to buy cheaper fuel and stock up on essentials for the crossing, we too have found the attitude of locals a lot to be desired, but who can blame them, put yourself in their place, no work to speak of, a dry dusty town, with little or no prospects of improvement.
If they were to re-route the main highway direct from Coolgardie to Balladonia, just think of the fuel you would save, but it would sure be the end of Norseman, maybe not a bad thing for the Traveller. ???
K.J.
Liberals never cared about country areas .
Never had a problem with the "locals" - I smile and say g'day to everyone! Usually I get a nod or grin or g'day back.
Heading across the Nullarbor later this year & from what most of you are saying it will be a place I will drive straight on through
Now Barrie, lets not bring politics into it.....
don't do that only place for miles that you can buy anything
Gday...
What interesting reactions
If travellers all decide to "give it a miss" just because of some anecdotal reports that a few locals don't greet ya like royalty, then the town ultimately won't be there.
Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Cheers - John
Careful John.....too much thinking involved for some! Amazing how the sheep mentality quickly surfaces in cases like this, rather than each individual stopping at the town,having their own experience,and then forming their own opinion. Treat others as you would like to be treated,and you may find that the people in Norseman are simply trying to make their way in life,just as you are? Just saying. Safe travels,perhaps to Norseman? Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 10:04:34 PM
cheers
blaze
Sorry guys but I cant understand your problems with Norseman. We really like the town and always stay at the beautiful free camp in walking distance to town. The IGA is fine and its a nice little town. The people in the information center are lovely and there is water and a dump point.
Dont go past just because others think the people are unfriendly, you could miss a nice experience
-- Edited by MOLLUSCAN on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 11:35:50 PM
I too, don't have a problem with Norseman. The free camp in town is a wonderful place which they are working on to make it even better. We had a mechanical problem which was fixed on arrival at Norseman by courtious mechanical staff. We stayed in the free camp for 3 nights and enjoyed the town and the people. You can top up with water at the Visitors centre for a donation. Would definately stay there every time I passed through.
-- Edited by cjt55 on Wednesday 4th of April 2018 06:44:24 AM
Norseman a town with wonderful memories for my siblings and I and others I know dating back to the 60's to present. The days of the Woodline are long gone, yet still a good yarn is told when everyone gets together of times when us as kids thought it was fantastic when a truck would break down on the woodline, or parts were needed, because that would mean a drive from the camps into Norseman to a stop at Murrays Garage where the owners were friendly and gave us kids icypoles and lollies. Now years later, I always stop in Norseman, where I am always greeted with a smile, where the people are wonderful and friendly just as they always have been. I have wonderful communications going on whenever there, which makes me wonder what some people may be putting out to get back such an unfriendly reception. If only you knew what you are missing. Perhaps its a case of my Personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are.......Kisha
-- Edited by Kisha on Wednesday 4th of April 2018 01:50:12 PM
Last stay (August 2015) we got a surprise of a fee request to use the dump point. $2 to access the key as we were not CMCA members.
The explanation given was that the local shire had big costs to pump out and transport the contents to Esperance which had a town effluent system as Norseman was purely septic. Who really knows what the real reason was.
The whole town has the run down feel and about the only good bit is the road house on the corner of the Eyre Hwy, as the fuel price is usually the last reasonable price before the slog over East till Penong. Or a relief after the exorbitant rip off on the Nullabor.
Shame but it's just the way it is. You would think they would be bending over backwards to encourage visitors not driving them away.
Stay safe
Norseman is what it is, we enjoyed a short stay there a while back, found the locals friendly enough.
People need to realise, Norseman is a long way from anywhere and it ain't Melbourne.
Gday...
HALLIE-BLOODY-LOOL-YAH ! ! ! ! !
That's wot makes it a good place to visit
Cheers - John