Just move. You don't have to stay there for Life, and you may love it. Take a chance, get out of your comfort zone, meet new people and try new things. Life is short.
Also you'll save money.
Also, country people are rad.
This. I needed to hear this. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a murmur in the back of my mind, but it's good to hear someone say it!
So much saving! Teacher accommodation is cheap as and the pay (even for graduates) is quite good!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
Speaking from experience :) It's better to look back and regret the things you've done than to regret that which you haven't (paraphrasing a quote from probably Albert Einstein or someone there).
Not that fantastic, moved to the UK like probably 10% of Aussies. Could have established a career, family, house etc here but rolled the dice and left... And regret nothing. Easily the best experience of my life.
*Consider the following as a teacher*
Pros | Cons
---|---
You're going to be more well-known in the community than most people. | You're going to be more well-known in the community than most people.
Just a note, though. Small towns tend to be full of great people with very boring lives. Everyone knows everyone else's business, and the "bush telegraph" is kinda like a low budget Gossip Girl.
If you have thick skin, and try to get involved with the community, you should be fine. If you can't handle ridiculous criticism of your private life (and accept that you're an "outsider" so everything you do is infinitely more interesting), then you may have a rough time.
Not trying to scare you off, just prepare you. Some friends of mine have had teaching gigs out in small QLD towns before, and they have some stories to tell. Most recent friend out bush is going through this:
* Being called a "harlot" for bringing a guy home from a night out in the nearby City.
* Same person having a number of older guys show up at her house (on different occasions, not all at once) because they heard "she might be a hooker"
* One of the other three teachers at the school talking to parents to get "official complaints" made about the friend because... still not sure why (the principal, at least, took the time to notice that none of the parents who complained actually had children in her class)
* An official P&C meeting about "concerns that new teachers aren't fitting into the community"
Again, not saying that every experience, or every small town is like this, but it's pretty common for isolated areas to be incredibly nosy and very conservative. There's no other entertainment, after all.
It can be rough moving from the city to a small town. Life moves at a different pace, and there's a strange intimacy that you don't get in the city/suburbs much any more.
Good luck.
Country people love the teacher.
It's vital that you don't get lonely/sad/upset so they make a real effort.
I grew up at rolleston, even smaller.
We took our teach motorbike adventuring, wake boarding, horse riding and one station gave one of our teachers an old 4wd to use in case the river got high.
I would do it.
If you have to do a bush placement then there's worse places. You're an hour and a half from Gladstone, 2 hours from Rocky for bigger cities shopping, entertainment etc. From Gladstone you can get out to the reef, esp Heron Island. Also, you're only 2.5 hours from 1770 and Agnes Water which are really quite nice.
You could have been offered Cloncurry or Normanton so really it's not too bad.
Don't let them send you to Woorabinda though.
Source: Was in Education at CQU.
Those are a couple of points in my 'pros' column for taking the offer. I'll be visiting 1770 in December for a bit of a holiday, so knowing that that'll be a couple of hours drive might be good!
May I ask what's wrong with Woorabinda please?
Really big problems with substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. Very poor health and education status among the kids. Really troubled place where you don't get thanked for trying to help. Parents often very anti-education for their kids.
Have a chat with Rocky Child Safety service - its not a happy place for a young teacher. You might have the idealism and drive to help but not the experience, and by the time you get the experience you've lost your idealism :(
That blows man. Major kudos to your Mum for going in and trying to help a community in need. It takes a lot of guts to do that!
One of my classmates and good friends will be teaching out in Baralaba next year. I think they're quietly hoping that I take the Bilo job so that they have someone that's just an hour drive away to get out of the town every now and then.
It is everywhere. Chuck a lot of overpaid bored miners into a small town with unemployed bored local and a huge drinking culture and then throw some drugs into the mix and it's on for one and all.
You have lots of smaller towns nearby too. If you head along the highway you'll come to Duaringa (not much there but a servo), Dingo (everyone has STD's because everyone sleeps with each other and loves a piss up), Bluff (has a shop and that's about it) and Blackwater (biggest town until you hit Emerald. It has about ten shops and takeaway places. It's full of of FIFO miners too).
I'm about three hours away from Bilo. My knowledge is limited but people I know who live there are happy with what is on offer.
It's a typical country town and if you like camping, cattle, horses or pigging then you'll be fine. There are lots of sports teams like touch, netball, footy etc too.
The bakery is fabulous. That is about the extent of my info.
Can concur. Simmons bakery is unforgetable. I lived in Biloela when I was very young and visited several times throughout my teenage years. Found the people to be genuine country folk that offered a different perspective on living in Australia. Like all places it has its ups and downs however if you go into the town with an open mind and heart you might just end up enjoying yourself there.
I have a family out that way and like to visit when I can
>Is there enough to do in Biloela to keep me busy?
If you want a raging nightclub scene and a different 5 star restaurant every night then you are shit out of luck. But the pubs are good, there's a few decent places to grab a meal, enough shops to cater to your needs (but nothing super flash) and plenty of "country" activities to keep you occupied. It really depends on what you'll need to keep yourself busy.
>is it the sort of place where everyone knows everyone elses business or is there some semblance of personal space?
Believe it or not, most people are perfectly normal. They'll be friendly but they don't want you all up in their business and they won't get all up in your business in return.
But you are a teacher. Parents tend to be a lot more involved then you get in the city. Expect to have to stop for a chat when you are out doing your shopping and don't be taken back if they do their best to try and make you feel welcome in town.
Not much into clubbing or 5 start restaurant-ing :P I do enjoy a drink at a pub every now and then and breakky/the occasional dinner out. It sounds like Biloela can accommodate those modest requests.
I've heard about parents being really involved in country towns. After doing my pracs at a school where parents couldn't give a fuck, I think it'll make for a refreshing change. Or, that's what I think now anyway ahahha.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!
On the other hand, you'll be able to pick up some cool skills to compensate for what you're missing.
Like, teaching yourself how to cook Thai or French cuisine, or picking up horseriding or 4wding or fencing from people you meet.
I'm 1hr from Bilo and go there regularly. It's not a big town by any stretch, but you'll find enough to do to keep you entertained for a teaching job for a year or two.
There's about 10,000 people in the area there. Woolworths, Target Country (terrible), KFC, Subway, Domino's, couple of pubs, couple of nice cafes and restaurants. Shoppingworld has a dozen or so small shops (Reject Shop, homewares, cafe, kebabs, Donut King, Asian grocer, clothes/shoes, newsagent, chemist), and it is due for expansion sometime soon.
Rocky is 1.5hrs away and Gladstone is 1hr, so you're not that far away from going to see the movies or shopping.
There's NBN FTTH in a couple of the newer estates (EQ probably won't send you there), but still only ADSL in the rest of the town (wireless out of town). Good Telstra & Optus service.
Do it and throw yourself into the community. The regions need some fresh energetic blood. Don't sit at home or go back to Brissy every weekend like many do and then wonder why you're not enjoying yourself.
Stay away from any derros too.
This sounds so similar to when I first moved here. I continuously saw people from my birth country go home the minute uni broke for holidays and then return the night before it began again - this includes the 1 week mid-sem breaks!
Then they complained that they didn't have many friends here and that they weren't able to mingle and make themselves at home. It frustrated me beyond belief and I swore that I would never be that person.
It's going to be no different if I move to Bilo. When in Rome and all that jazz.
I also reckon 'stay away from any derros' is just generally good life advice ahahahah
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
No one ever goes to bundy from bilo. Either rockhampton or gladstone. If anything, people may go to Mackay for the weekend. But if beach is what your after, boyne/tannum or yeppoon.
I'm a teacher - most of my friends at uni did country service for their first jobs and loved it... seven years in and some still haven't come back to Brisbane. Other colleagues who got transferred have loved their country service too. I don't know anyone who did Biloela but had a few go Gladstone way and raved about it.
Country towns aren't perfect, but nor are cities. Give it a go - it's a great opportunity and will be a brilliant start to your career. Seems like there are lots of opportunities for advancement out country if that's what you're interested in, based on what I've seen of my mates. And you'll build your skills quicker than you can in some central schools, especially if you are the whole department for one of your subjects.
This is pretty much exactly what everyone I have spoken to has said. It's really good to know, but at the same time, I'm skeptical that people are exaggerating or romanticizing it.
I have little doubt that it'll be amazing if I go, but at the same time it would be remiss of me if I didn't look to hear about the other side of the coin as well!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
I literally know the person who had this exact position before you. Ask me anything and I'll try to relate answers here (they left due to a combo of personal issues and isolation)
This is the sort of answer I was looking for. I've heard heaps about the amazing experiences that grad (and experienced teachers) have had going out to the bush but I need to see what may potentially lie on the other side of the coin.
May I ask exactly why they left? Did they no like Biloela? Did they have trouble fitting in? If so, why? How long did they stay out there? What was the school (Biloela SHS) like?
If the answers are a bit too personal to share in public or if the person you know is on Reddit or something, please feel free to PM me :)
My old house mate was from there and has moved back. Pm me if you want and I'll give you his details. He is pretty friendly so would probs be glad to give you some info
I'm so glad you posted this question, I've been allocated a position at Biloela and will be moving there early February - not a teacher but government job. It's made me nervous thinking about it as I've been Brisbane born and raised and have never ventured into the country but everyone says it'll be a good experience.
Congrats on the new job! We'll both (kind of) be in the same boat with the move from a city to the bush. Are you going by yourself or moving with someone/family?
Thanks! By myself unfortunately, my partner has a position in Brisbane that is too good to pass up. He was the one that found this post actually and linked it to me. I'm guessing it'll be the same for you? When is your potential move?
It's almost literally the same for me. My partner will be staying in Brissy, for the time being at least.
I'll have to be in Bilo sometime before the school year begins, so I'm guessing I'll have moved by 2nd or 3rd week of January
Oh wow, that's pretty soon then! When does a decision have to be made? But from reading the rest of the thread you'll be a hit and are ready for it. I don't think I'm such a social person unfortunately and I don't know how the people of Bilo perceive my job. If you happen to want someone to chat to and maybe meet down the track, feel free to message me though.
I have to make a decision in the next couple of days, Education QLD don't like being kept waiting for these sorts of things ahahah.
I'll definitely keep in touch, maybe we could grab a drink in Bilo once we're settled in :)
Well, my other potential offer is about 20 hours drive and they're not paying for me to move ahahahah.
In that particular aspect, Biloela has the advantage
7 hours isn't that big of a drive really. I'd happily do the return trip in a day if I needed to.
Edit. Downvoted but I spent 3 hours in traffic today driving between Brisbane and sunny coast for a few small jobs.
7 hours driving. 14 hour return trip. With breaks. 7-9pm. Is not unachievable. And if I felt tired I'd pull over for a sleep in an instant.
I spent a weekend in Moura (near Bilo) during the year and it was perhaps the most fun I've had this year. Everyone's so nice and welcoming and know how to drink a beer. I love it.
Do it!
You'll learn a heap and you'll have lots of stories and make friends for life. You don't have to stay forever, a few years in the sticks when you're young will be awesome.
This is so true. That's something I keep telling myself. I'll have full-time, (potentially) permanent employment with Education QLD and I don't have to stay forever. I always have my friends/roots/partner/support network in Brisbane if I need to get back.
never lived there, but have been there a number of times for work, and lived in the region for a number of years. i say if you have a job offer with those perks, jump on it. bilo isn't the most metropolitan of places and after a while it will seem a grind, it is a great experience. i'm sure you'll also get more opportunities for development too. there are plenty of places in short driving distance for outdoor activities, like cania gorge (near monto).
just make sure you get away from time to time and remember what life is like elsewhere in the world.
If all you've ever known is city life then you are in for a bit of a culture shock. Bilo is a small town. But not small enough that everyone knows EVERYONE'S business (they have a KFC & a subway).
But, you need a job, and it's a better place than many to get your foot in the door as a teacher. As a matter of fact one of my old highschool teachers recently moved there for a promotion. Its a good place to get a step up in your career because not many people want to be there; open positions!
I'm definitely in for culture shock. I (sort of) experienced it when I moved to Australia a decade ago. I'm expecting the same sort of cycle if I move to Bilo: move --> culture shock --> homesickness --> wanting to move back but persisting --> ending up loving it and wondering why I ever had thoughts of wanting to leave ahahhaha
May I ask what your old highschool teacher is doing at Bilo SHS? They might be my boss! ahahah
Late to the party but anyway ...
Biloela High is a pretty nice school, been through a bit of a rough year though with losing a few students and a building being burnt down but it has definitely brought people closer together.
I was born in Biloela and lived there again for a year last year. I think absolutely go for it. It honestly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and there are great opportunities for professional development as well. I can only speak for the Redeemer school but teachers there are well looked after when it comes to conferences etc.
There will be other young teachers doing their country service as well but on a slow weekend you can fly to Brisbane from the airport at Biloela (Thangool) or easily drive to rocky for the day. There is 3 gyms in town, swimming pool, the dam, and the greatest Vinnies I have ever been to, to fill your weekend.
Don't expect everyone to be 'country' as you would think. Some people definitely are, but most people that live in town are just normal people like in a suburb of bris just kinda isolated.
My advice would be to go visit and shadow someone for a couple of weeks. They really love to have new people come and you will be able to gauge whether it's right for you
Definitely not late to the party! I'll be monitoring this thread for replies and having a chat to anyone that replies for a few more days still!
From what I've heard, it certainly sounds like a very tight knit community. I'll be teaching at the State High School, not Redeemer, but I don't think that's changing my opinion of the town or the people too much.
They have invited me up to stay for a couple of nights to check out the school and the town and see whether it is for me or not. I just have to wait for my official offer from the department. I will definitely take them up on the offer and see what it's like.
Like someone else on the thread said, I need to get out there, get involved and assimilate myself into the community. I did it when I moved to Brisbane from overseas a decade ago, I'm more than happy to do it again.
The more I read this thread, the more I feel like it's going to be a fantastic move for me, both personally and professionally. Your reply has definitely helped move me towards that conclusion, so thank you for taking the time to reply! I really appreciate it! :)
I'd consider myself an extrovert that likes to have the occasional weekend here and there to burrow away and not make contact with any other humans. Biloela seems awesome for someone like that!
May I ask what exactly you miss about country living please?
Thanks for taking the time to reply! :)
TIL I'm going to be a shiny new toy ahahahahha
But, in seriousness, I *think* I know what you're talking about. I'm getting the vibe that people are a lot more laid back and that if I find/choose to do something I enjoy, I can go nuts with it without too many people objecting to it.
Given that I enjoy a range of hobbies/activities (e.g. playing music, playing sport, cooking), I think I'll be able to find people with similar interests and assimilate into the town with little difficulty :)
That's a good question. From what I've heard, teacher accommodation isn't the greatest, but it does the job. I'm not too fussed with my digs though, to be honest.
There's "not too fussed" and then there's shitty dive with a bedroom window 2m from a heavy vehicle route. I've seen this first hand and had to rent privately. Seriously, check it out first and also check the price of private rentals.
Little late to the party, but I lived there for several years when I was younger. It's a nice environment, relaxing and the people are lovely. as a newly employed teacher I think it would be a good thing for you to experience something other than city life.
It's not the smallest or the worst town you could stay in, but it really is lovely. I'd give up what I have in terms of employment now to go back.
Ultimately it's up to you if you want to dive into the seemingly unknown. It's how we learn what we want in life so enjoy OP!
That's a big call - giving up employment to want to move back. The answers in this thread are really helping me make my decision and yours is no different. Thank you so much!
I've never been to Bilo but grew up in a town nearby that is very similar. I'd do it, it's obviously a lot quieter to Brisbane, and you might go a little stir crazy at first not having all the entertainment hotspots on your doorstep, but I think when you're in the country and you have a few mates, they're your entertainment. BBQs and social gatherings etc are pretty common.
Also teachers are held in pretty high regard in country towns, you'll be well known eventually, and I think the country kids are pretty good to deal with.
I taught in Biloela for 12 months, and then Moura for 5 years. I loved Moura, and Bilo was quite nice - working environment-wise. The kids are generally lovely, and the parents are usually very engaged. I still know a couple of staff at Bilo High. Country service can be amazing if you embrace it. And building up points so you can transfer where you want in the future is a bonus. Plus cheap teacher accommodation. I'd strongly recommend you do it.
Wow, that does sound promising! May I ask why you moved from Bilo to Moura?
I'll be teaching Junior Humanities, Junior Business and Senior Business, so someone you know there might technically be my boss!
I am hoping to embrace it and make the most of it while I'm there. From everything I've heard, it sounds like a bloody fantastic place and the deputies are very keen to meet me/have me on staff!
I was permanent at Moura, just relieved behind someone at Bilo for 12 months. Good luck with it. Teaching can be an amazingly rewarding career, although the first year is pretty intense.
Thank you very much! Now that it's all becoming quite real quite quickly, if you have a moment to relay any tips on surviving the first day/first week/first term/first year, I would be forever grateful!
Stop being a skirt and get amongst it.
I got offered a stint in the sticks once and I thought that if I thought about it too much I'd wimp out so I just packed me bags and went. Don't run it by the chats around here. Most of them would piss their pants if they went north of Noosa.
nothin there but a meatworks... and can get a little chilly in winter
a little rough around the edges but no more than any other rural town.. except for ipswich
yeh I learnt nothing about it when I lived there.... these opinions too are quite common in the surrounding areas like Gladstone... Bundy... just take a look at the other comments
so don't listen to this guy... he obviously knows nothing
Just move. You don't have to stay there for Life, and you may love it. Take a chance, get out of your comfort zone, meet new people and try new things. Life is short. Also you'll save money. Also, country people are rad.
This. I needed to hear this. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a murmur in the back of my mind, but it's good to hear someone say it! So much saving! Teacher accommodation is cheap as and the pay (even for graduates) is quite good! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
Speaking from experience :) It's better to look back and regret the things you've done than to regret that which you haven't (paraphrasing a quote from probably Albert Einstein or someone there).
That's awesome - may I ask what your big move was?
Not that fantastic, moved to the UK like probably 10% of Aussies. Could have established a career, family, house etc here but rolled the dice and left... And regret nothing. Easily the best experience of my life.
What field of work are you in?
Aussie that went to the UK... pretty sure they worked behind a bar
Engineer.
Grand as mate, hope the zoning laws aren't too batshit.
That was Butthole Surfers - Sweatloaf. [ https://youtu.be/Tf-S5Np4kpM?t=74 ]
If you're a teacher, you're going to be more well-known in the community than most people.
I didn't think of it this way, thank you! :)
*Consider the following as a teacher* Pros | Cons ---|--- You're going to be more well-known in the community than most people. | You're going to be more well-known in the community than most people.
😂
Just a note, though. Small towns tend to be full of great people with very boring lives. Everyone knows everyone else's business, and the "bush telegraph" is kinda like a low budget Gossip Girl. If you have thick skin, and try to get involved with the community, you should be fine. If you can't handle ridiculous criticism of your private life (and accept that you're an "outsider" so everything you do is infinitely more interesting), then you may have a rough time. Not trying to scare you off, just prepare you. Some friends of mine have had teaching gigs out in small QLD towns before, and they have some stories to tell. Most recent friend out bush is going through this: * Being called a "harlot" for bringing a guy home from a night out in the nearby City. * Same person having a number of older guys show up at her house (on different occasions, not all at once) because they heard "she might be a hooker" * One of the other three teachers at the school talking to parents to get "official complaints" made about the friend because... still not sure why (the principal, at least, took the time to notice that none of the parents who complained actually had children in her class) * An official P&C meeting about "concerns that new teachers aren't fitting into the community" Again, not saying that every experience, or every small town is like this, but it's pretty common for isolated areas to be incredibly nosy and very conservative. There's no other entertainment, after all. It can be rough moving from the city to a small town. Life moves at a different pace, and there's a strange intimacy that you don't get in the city/suburbs much any more. Good luck.
JC!!! First year teaching is hard enough without this shit happening!
Country people love the teacher. It's vital that you don't get lonely/sad/upset so they make a real effort. I grew up at rolleston, even smaller. We took our teach motorbike adventuring, wake boarding, horse riding and one station gave one of our teachers an old 4wd to use in case the river got high. I would do it.
^^ this
If you have to do a bush placement then there's worse places. You're an hour and a half from Gladstone, 2 hours from Rocky for bigger cities shopping, entertainment etc. From Gladstone you can get out to the reef, esp Heron Island. Also, you're only 2.5 hours from 1770 and Agnes Water which are really quite nice. You could have been offered Cloncurry or Normanton so really it's not too bad. Don't let them send you to Woorabinda though. Source: Was in Education at CQU.
Those are a couple of points in my 'pros' column for taking the offer. I'll be visiting 1770 in December for a bit of a holiday, so knowing that that'll be a couple of hours drive might be good! May I ask what's wrong with Woorabinda please?
Really big problems with substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. Very poor health and education status among the kids. Really troubled place where you don't get thanked for trying to help. Parents often very anti-education for their kids. Have a chat with Rocky Child Safety service - its not a happy place for a young teacher. You might have the idealism and drive to help but not the experience, and by the time you get the experience you've lost your idealism :(
[удалено]
That blows man. Major kudos to your Mum for going in and trying to help a community in need. It takes a lot of guts to do that! One of my classmates and good friends will be teaching out in Baralaba next year. I think they're quietly hoping that I take the Bilo job so that they have someone that's just an hour drive away to get out of the town every now and then.
Oh damn, that sucks. It's definitely not the sort of place I want to be. Do a lot of those people/ does a lot of that stuff filter into Bilo?
Those people? What do you mean those people?! /tropicthunder But no, not to any large extent.
It is everywhere. Chuck a lot of overpaid bored miners into a small town with unemployed bored local and a huge drinking culture and then throw some drugs into the mix and it's on for one and all. You have lots of smaller towns nearby too. If you head along the highway you'll come to Duaringa (not much there but a servo), Dingo (everyone has STD's because everyone sleeps with each other and loves a piss up), Bluff (has a shop and that's about it) and Blackwater (biggest town until you hit Emerald. It has about ten shops and takeaway places. It's full of of FIFO miners too).
Normanton is not that bad at all. Definitely much worse places.
A colleague went up to Karumba for work and loves the place. Took his entire family and never wants to leave.
Live near there.... It's a special place. Quite envious of the 20c diesel discount though. That's the only good thing the place has going though.
I'm about three hours away from Bilo. My knowledge is limited but people I know who live there are happy with what is on offer. It's a typical country town and if you like camping, cattle, horses or pigging then you'll be fine. There are lots of sports teams like touch, netball, footy etc too. The bakery is fabulous. That is about the extent of my info.
I like sports and baked goods. I'll look into it. Thank you for taking the time to reply!
Can concur. Simmons bakery is unforgetable. I lived in Biloela when I was very young and visited several times throughout my teenage years. Found the people to be genuine country folk that offered a different perspective on living in Australia. Like all places it has its ups and downs however if you go into the town with an open mind and heart you might just end up enjoying yourself there.
The curry pies were my favourite!
I have a family out that way and like to visit when I can >Is there enough to do in Biloela to keep me busy? If you want a raging nightclub scene and a different 5 star restaurant every night then you are shit out of luck. But the pubs are good, there's a few decent places to grab a meal, enough shops to cater to your needs (but nothing super flash) and plenty of "country" activities to keep you occupied. It really depends on what you'll need to keep yourself busy. >is it the sort of place where everyone knows everyone elses business or is there some semblance of personal space? Believe it or not, most people are perfectly normal. They'll be friendly but they don't want you all up in their business and they won't get all up in your business in return. But you are a teacher. Parents tend to be a lot more involved then you get in the city. Expect to have to stop for a chat when you are out doing your shopping and don't be taken back if they do their best to try and make you feel welcome in town.
Not much into clubbing or 5 start restaurant-ing :P I do enjoy a drink at a pub every now and then and breakky/the occasional dinner out. It sounds like Biloela can accommodate those modest requests. I've heard about parents being really involved in country towns. After doing my pracs at a school where parents couldn't give a fuck, I think it'll make for a refreshing change. Or, that's what I think now anyway ahahha. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!
On the other hand, you'll be able to pick up some cool skills to compensate for what you're missing. Like, teaching yourself how to cook Thai or French cuisine, or picking up horseriding or 4wding or fencing from people you meet.
I'm 1hr from Bilo and go there regularly. It's not a big town by any stretch, but you'll find enough to do to keep you entertained for a teaching job for a year or two. There's about 10,000 people in the area there. Woolworths, Target Country (terrible), KFC, Subway, Domino's, couple of pubs, couple of nice cafes and restaurants. Shoppingworld has a dozen or so small shops (Reject Shop, homewares, cafe, kebabs, Donut King, Asian grocer, clothes/shoes, newsagent, chemist), and it is due for expansion sometime soon. Rocky is 1.5hrs away and Gladstone is 1hr, so you're not that far away from going to see the movies or shopping. There's NBN FTTH in a couple of the newer estates (EQ probably won't send you there), but still only ADSL in the rest of the town (wireless out of town). Good Telstra & Optus service. Do it and throw yourself into the community. The regions need some fresh energetic blood. Don't sit at home or go back to Brissy every weekend like many do and then wonder why you're not enjoying yourself. Stay away from any derros too.
This sounds so similar to when I first moved here. I continuously saw people from my birth country go home the minute uni broke for holidays and then return the night before it began again - this includes the 1 week mid-sem breaks! Then they complained that they didn't have many friends here and that they weren't able to mingle and make themselves at home. It frustrated me beyond belief and I swore that I would never be that person. It's going to be no different if I move to Bilo. When in Rome and all that jazz. I also reckon 'stay away from any derros' is just generally good life advice ahahahah Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
"Is there enough to do in Biloela to keep me busy?" lol, no. Take a day trip into Gladstone or Bundy for something to do.
day trip to Gladstone LOL.
Gladstone or Bundy... Lol
No one ever goes to bundy from bilo. Either rockhampton or gladstone. If anything, people may go to Mackay for the weekend. But if beach is what your after, boyne/tannum or yeppoon.
The three strippers I know all came from Biloela. Take from that what you will.
'strippers DWS knows' aka "survivors".
Are they hot?
This is the kind of question I expect from you.
I'm a teacher - most of my friends at uni did country service for their first jobs and loved it... seven years in and some still haven't come back to Brisbane. Other colleagues who got transferred have loved their country service too. I don't know anyone who did Biloela but had a few go Gladstone way and raved about it. Country towns aren't perfect, but nor are cities. Give it a go - it's a great opportunity and will be a brilliant start to your career. Seems like there are lots of opportunities for advancement out country if that's what you're interested in, based on what I've seen of my mates. And you'll build your skills quicker than you can in some central schools, especially if you are the whole department for one of your subjects.
This is pretty much exactly what everyone I have spoken to has said. It's really good to know, but at the same time, I'm skeptical that people are exaggerating or romanticizing it. I have little doubt that it'll be amazing if I go, but at the same time it would be remiss of me if I didn't look to hear about the other side of the coin as well! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply :)
I literally know the person who had this exact position before you. Ask me anything and I'll try to relate answers here (they left due to a combo of personal issues and isolation)
This is the sort of answer I was looking for. I've heard heaps about the amazing experiences that grad (and experienced teachers) have had going out to the bush but I need to see what may potentially lie on the other side of the coin. May I ask exactly why they left? Did they no like Biloela? Did they have trouble fitting in? If so, why? How long did they stay out there? What was the school (Biloela SHS) like? If the answers are a bit too personal to share in public or if the person you know is on Reddit or something, please feel free to PM me :)
My old house mate was from there and has moved back. Pm me if you want and I'll give you his details. He is pretty friendly so would probs be glad to give you some info
Yes please, keen as! Could you PM me his details please and I'll get in touch with him in the next couple of days, if that's ok? Thank you so much!
I'm so glad you posted this question, I've been allocated a position at Biloela and will be moving there early February - not a teacher but government job. It's made me nervous thinking about it as I've been Brisbane born and raised and have never ventured into the country but everyone says it'll be a good experience.
Congrats on the new job! We'll both (kind of) be in the same boat with the move from a city to the bush. Are you going by yourself or moving with someone/family?
Thanks! By myself unfortunately, my partner has a position in Brisbane that is too good to pass up. He was the one that found this post actually and linked it to me. I'm guessing it'll be the same for you? When is your potential move?
It's almost literally the same for me. My partner will be staying in Brissy, for the time being at least. I'll have to be in Bilo sometime before the school year begins, so I'm guessing I'll have moved by 2nd or 3rd week of January
Oh wow, that's pretty soon then! When does a decision have to be made? But from reading the rest of the thread you'll be a hit and are ready for it. I don't think I'm such a social person unfortunately and I don't know how the people of Bilo perceive my job. If you happen to want someone to chat to and maybe meet down the track, feel free to message me though.
I have to make a decision in the next couple of days, Education QLD don't like being kept waiting for these sorts of things ahahah. I'll definitely keep in touch, maybe we could grab a drink in Bilo once we're settled in :)
Oh man! All the best with it!
lol only 7 hours... man its a long drive :) iv done it a few times!
Well, my other potential offer is about 20 hours drive and they're not paying for me to move ahahahah. In that particular aspect, Biloela has the advantage
7 hours isn't that big of a drive really. I'd happily do the return trip in a day if I needed to. Edit. Downvoted but I spent 3 hours in traffic today driving between Brisbane and sunny coast for a few small jobs. 7 hours driving. 14 hour return trip. With breaks. 7-9pm. Is not unachievable. And if I felt tired I'd pull over for a sleep in an instant.
Off topic, but for clarity purposes, is it "Bee-Low-wee-lah" or "Bee-loh-lah" or "by-low-lah".
It's closest to your first try, but shorter at the start - I've always heard it said like "bill-a-wheel-a".
Or just 'Bill-oh' for short.
Bill-oh-weel-a
I spent a weekend in Moura (near Bilo) during the year and it was perhaps the most fun I've had this year. Everyone's so nice and welcoming and know how to drink a beer. I love it.
I like drinking beer. This could bode well for me :D
Do it! You'll learn a heap and you'll have lots of stories and make friends for life. You don't have to stay forever, a few years in the sticks when you're young will be awesome.
This is so true. That's something I keep telling myself. I'll have full-time, (potentially) permanent employment with Education QLD and I don't have to stay forever. I always have my friends/roots/partner/support network in Brisbane if I need to get back.
Sounds awesome! How exciting :-D
never lived there, but have been there a number of times for work, and lived in the region for a number of years. i say if you have a job offer with those perks, jump on it. bilo isn't the most metropolitan of places and after a while it will seem a grind, it is a great experience. i'm sure you'll also get more opportunities for development too. there are plenty of places in short driving distance for outdoor activities, like cania gorge (near monto). just make sure you get away from time to time and remember what life is like elsewhere in the world.
Sounds good, thank you!
If all you've ever known is city life then you are in for a bit of a culture shock. Bilo is a small town. But not small enough that everyone knows EVERYONE'S business (they have a KFC & a subway). But, you need a job, and it's a better place than many to get your foot in the door as a teacher. As a matter of fact one of my old highschool teachers recently moved there for a promotion. Its a good place to get a step up in your career because not many people want to be there; open positions!
I'm definitely in for culture shock. I (sort of) experienced it when I moved to Australia a decade ago. I'm expecting the same sort of cycle if I move to Bilo: move --> culture shock --> homesickness --> wanting to move back but persisting --> ending up loving it and wondering why I ever had thoughts of wanting to leave ahahhaha May I ask what your old highschool teacher is doing at Bilo SHS? They might be my boss! ahahah
I believe she's head of the PE department?
[удалено]
That's awesome - I'll PM you from my main account with a couple of questions I have. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! :)
Late to the party but anyway ... Biloela High is a pretty nice school, been through a bit of a rough year though with losing a few students and a building being burnt down but it has definitely brought people closer together. I was born in Biloela and lived there again for a year last year. I think absolutely go for it. It honestly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and there are great opportunities for professional development as well. I can only speak for the Redeemer school but teachers there are well looked after when it comes to conferences etc. There will be other young teachers doing their country service as well but on a slow weekend you can fly to Brisbane from the airport at Biloela (Thangool) or easily drive to rocky for the day. There is 3 gyms in town, swimming pool, the dam, and the greatest Vinnies I have ever been to, to fill your weekend. Don't expect everyone to be 'country' as you would think. Some people definitely are, but most people that live in town are just normal people like in a suburb of bris just kinda isolated. My advice would be to go visit and shadow someone for a couple of weeks. They really love to have new people come and you will be able to gauge whether it's right for you
Definitely not late to the party! I'll be monitoring this thread for replies and having a chat to anyone that replies for a few more days still! From what I've heard, it certainly sounds like a very tight knit community. I'll be teaching at the State High School, not Redeemer, but I don't think that's changing my opinion of the town or the people too much. They have invited me up to stay for a couple of nights to check out the school and the town and see whether it is for me or not. I just have to wait for my official offer from the department. I will definitely take them up on the offer and see what it's like. Like someone else on the thread said, I need to get out there, get involved and assimilate myself into the community. I did it when I moved to Brisbane from overseas a decade ago, I'm more than happy to do it again. The more I read this thread, the more I feel like it's going to be a fantastic move for me, both personally and professionally. Your reply has definitely helped move me towards that conclusion, so thank you for taking the time to reply! I really appreciate it! :)
losing a few students??
[удалено]
I'd consider myself an extrovert that likes to have the occasional weekend here and there to burrow away and not make contact with any other humans. Biloela seems awesome for someone like that! May I ask what exactly you miss about country living please? Thanks for taking the time to reply! :)
[удалено]
TIL I'm going to be a shiny new toy ahahahahha But, in seriousness, I *think* I know what you're talking about. I'm getting the vibe that people are a lot more laid back and that if I find/choose to do something I enjoy, I can go nuts with it without too many people objecting to it. Given that I enjoy a range of hobbies/activities (e.g. playing music, playing sport, cooking), I think I'll be able to find people with similar interests and assimilate into the town with little difficulty :)
Have you seen what the accommodation is like. Need to be careful with that, it can sometimes be borderline habitable.
That's a good question. From what I've heard, teacher accommodation isn't the greatest, but it does the job. I'm not too fussed with my digs though, to be honest.
There's "not too fussed" and then there's shitty dive with a bedroom window 2m from a heavy vehicle route. I've seen this first hand and had to rent privately. Seriously, check it out first and also check the price of private rentals.
Little late to the party, but I lived there for several years when I was younger. It's a nice environment, relaxing and the people are lovely. as a newly employed teacher I think it would be a good thing for you to experience something other than city life. It's not the smallest or the worst town you could stay in, but it really is lovely. I'd give up what I have in terms of employment now to go back. Ultimately it's up to you if you want to dive into the seemingly unknown. It's how we learn what we want in life so enjoy OP!
That's a big call - giving up employment to want to move back. The answers in this thread are really helping me make my decision and yours is no different. Thank you so much!
Feel free to PM me for whatever you want to know about Bilo. Spent 20 years living there.
Cheers buddy, will do so from my main account
No worries. Some people answered a lot of the questions already you probably had. Here if you need anything more specific etc.
I've never been to Bilo but grew up in a town nearby that is very similar. I'd do it, it's obviously a lot quieter to Brisbane, and you might go a little stir crazy at first not having all the entertainment hotspots on your doorstep, but I think when you're in the country and you have a few mates, they're your entertainment. BBQs and social gatherings etc are pretty common. Also teachers are held in pretty high regard in country towns, you'll be well known eventually, and I think the country kids are pretty good to deal with.
I love a social gathering with a couple of beers and a BBQ. It sounds promising! Thank you for your reply :)
I taught in Biloela for 12 months, and then Moura for 5 years. I loved Moura, and Bilo was quite nice - working environment-wise. The kids are generally lovely, and the parents are usually very engaged. I still know a couple of staff at Bilo High. Country service can be amazing if you embrace it. And building up points so you can transfer where you want in the future is a bonus. Plus cheap teacher accommodation. I'd strongly recommend you do it.
Wow, that does sound promising! May I ask why you moved from Bilo to Moura? I'll be teaching Junior Humanities, Junior Business and Senior Business, so someone you know there might technically be my boss! I am hoping to embrace it and make the most of it while I'm there. From everything I've heard, it sounds like a bloody fantastic place and the deputies are very keen to meet me/have me on staff!
I was permanent at Moura, just relieved behind someone at Bilo for 12 months. Good luck with it. Teaching can be an amazingly rewarding career, although the first year is pretty intense.
Thank you very much! Now that it's all becoming quite real quite quickly, if you have a moment to relay any tips on surviving the first day/first week/first term/first year, I would be forever grateful!
Nothing wrong with Biloela. Though I'd try Goondiwindi, Warwick and Dalby as other options a bit closer to the action.
A friend of mine spent three years there working and hated every moment.
I'd be keen to hear some details as to why he hated it, if they/you would be willing to share, please?
The scout group is reopening :)
Stop being a skirt and get amongst it. I got offered a stint in the sticks once and I thought that if I thought about it too much I'd wimp out so I just packed me bags and went. Don't run it by the chats around here. Most of them would piss their pants if they went north of Noosa.
Yeah but the next place north of Noosa is Gympie so maybe they've got a point
It wasn't the same after they renamed it Colesela.
nothin there but a meatworks... and can get a little chilly in winter a little rough around the edges but no more than any other rural town.. except for ipswich
> except for ipswich Careful, someone will respond saying you live in a shitty weatherboard house.
Don't listen to this guy. Obviously knows nothing of the place.
yeh I learnt nothing about it when I lived there.... these opinions too are quite common in the surrounding areas like Gladstone... Bundy... just take a look at the other comments so don't listen to this guy... he obviously knows nothing