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Living and working in Roxby Downs: A conversation with Keely from the Roxby Community Hub
Our interview with Keely
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in a remote mining town?
In this webinar, we spoke with Keely, Community Hub Coordinator at the Roxby Downs Community Hub, about what life is like in this remote South Australian mining town.
From community groups and sporting clubs to health services, schools, family activities and the people who make the town feel like home, Keely shared her experience of living in Roxby Downs and what she has discovered since making the move from New Zealand.
Key Facts
Current Role: Community Hub Coordinator
Location: Roxby Downs, South Australia
Originally From: New Zealand
Time Living in Roxby: 3+ years
Focus: Community, lifestyle and living in a remote mining town
Favorite Part of Living in Roxby: The people, community connection and the way friends quickly become family.
Advice in One Sentence: Take the leap, get involved in the community and give yourself the chance to find your people.
Meet Keely: Life in Roxby Downs
Keely moved to Roxby Downs from Dunedin, New Zealand, with her partner. When they first made the move, the plan was to stay for a year, save some money and then move to a larger center. More than three years later, they are still in Roxby.
Keely has worked at the Roxby Downs Community Hub since moving to town, where she helps connect residents with community events, support, services and activities.
While she has never worked on the mine site herself, her partner works at Olympic Dam, giving Keely an insight into both the community and the working environment.
What started as a temporary move quickly became something much more permanent.
"We just fell in love with it."
For Keely, it is the people and the sense of community that have made Roxby feel like home. With family living across Queensland, Victoria and New Zealand, she says friends can quickly become family when you live remotely.
Getting to Know Roxby Downs
Roxby Downs is a tight-knit and diverse community of just under 4,000 people. Keely describes it as a young community, with many young families and people from a wide range of backgrounds.
The town has two schools, childcare and preschool facilities, sporting clubs, parks, health services, shops and a range of community facilities, meaning residents can access much of what they need without having to regularly travel to a larger center.
For Keely, living remotely is something you get used to, but the community makes the distance worthwhile.
A Young and Diverse Community
Roxby has a strong young family population, with plenty of facilities and activities for children.
There are dog parks, a large town oval, sporting complexes and plenty of opportunities for kids to spend time outdoors. Keely says friends with young children describe Roxby as an "absolutely brilliant place to raise young kids."
The town also has a diverse population, with Keely recalling more than 36 different ethnicities and nationalities represented in the community.
"Roxby as an absolutely brilliant place to raise young kids."
Life for Families in Roxby Downs
For families, there are a number of services available locally, including two schools, childcare, kindergarten and preschool.
The Children's Centre provides care from newborns through to kindergarten and preschool, including long day care that can be particularly useful for families working on site.
There are also plenty of activities for families throughout the year, from sporting clubs and community events to the aquatic center, library programs and school holiday activities.
Things to Do in Roxby Downs
There is plenty happening outside of work.
The Roxby Link is one of the major community facilities, with a library, sporting stadiums, movie theatre, squash courts, cafe and a new gym opening soon.
The town also has an 18-hole golf course, an aquatic center with indoor and outdoor pools and a splash pad for younger children.
Sport is a big part of the community, with four local sporting clubs and activities including football, netball, basketball, soccer and cricket.
Many of these clubs are volunteer-run, giving residents another way to meet people and become part of the community.
"If you’re willing to get involved and get out there and be a part of the community, it’ll reward you tenfold."
Health, Wellbeing and Support Services
Despite being a remote community, Roxby Downs has a range of health and support services available locally.
The town has a 24-hour hospital with an emergency department, as well as two doctors' surgeries. There are also counsellors for adults and young people and a range of visiting allied health services.
The Community Hub helps connect residents with services such as NDIS support, Medicare services and visiting health providers, while also helping residents find information and support when they are unsure where to go.
Connecting Through Community Groups
Community groups are an important part of life in Roxby.
The Community Hub runs regular groups based on the needs of the community, including groups for parents and babies, young parents and women.
There are also sporting clubs, Scouts and other volunteer organisations.
For Keely, getting involved is one of the biggest parts of settling into life in Roxby
A Strong Sense of Community
One of the biggest differences between Roxby and city life is the way people connect.
In a smaller community, it is common to know the people around you, stop for a chat and see familiar faces wherever you go.
Keely says that connection is one of the things that makes Roxby special.
"This community, it just feels like home."
Moving to Roxby Downs: What to Expect
Moving to a remote town can be a big lifestyle change, particularly if you are leaving behind family, friends and the familiarity of a larger city.
Keely knows what that feels like. She moved from New Zealand with her partner and initially expected to stay for just one year.
Her experience has been that the best way to settle in is to get involved, meet people and give yourself the opportunity to find your place in the community.
Keely's Advice for Anyone Considering the Move
For anyone considering moving to Roxby Downs, Keely says it can feel like a big leap, but it is also an opportunity to experience something completely different.
"Go for it. You’ll never know unless you take the leap."
For Keely, New Zealand will always be home, but after more than three years in Roxby, she says a piece of her heart and soul will always be in the community.
What's Happening in Roxby Downs?
There is always something happening in Roxby, with events organised throughout the year by the Community Hub, Roxby Link, Council, schools, the library and other local groups.
Upcoming events include Mental Health Month activities, Nature Play, community fitness activities, the Desert Dash, Christmas events and school holiday programs.
The Roxby Downs Community Hub, Roxby Downs Community Library, Roxby Council and Roxby Link all share upcoming events through their Facebook pages and websites.
Moving to Roxby Downs: What to Expect
For anyone new to Roxby, there are plenty of ways to start meeting people and finding your place.
Join a sporting club, attend a community event, visit the library, get involved with a local group or simply drop into the Community Hub for a coffee and a chat.
As Keely says:
"Once you find your people in Roxby, it’s just incredible."
Key Community Connections & Links
Roxby Downs Council - Roxby Council | Roxby Council
Roxby Downs Community Hub - Community Hub
Regional Development Australia - Regional Development South Australia (RDSA)
Roxby Link - Roxby Link | Roxby Council
Thank you to Keely for sharing her experience of living and working in Roxby Downs.
Every experience of living and working in regional and remote communities is unique. Through sharing the stories of South Australians and those who have made regional South Australia home, we're helping students, job seekers and career changers understand the different lifestyles, opportunities and communities that exist across the resources sector.
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