Thread: Moving to Gladstone

Originally Posted by wagoo

I must concede that my perception of Gladstone and indeed Qld in general was clouded by the Joh Bjelke Peterson era. I mean, if that blithering idiot was Top Dog then, what did that say about the rest of the populace?
Bill.

Get bent !



Most of us think Gladstone is a ****hole too !

Originally Posted by wagoo

I've given the subject a little more serious thought, but no,still can't think of anything positive to say about Gladstone,except that it was a useful stepping stone from Melbourne for my 4wd explorations further North and West.

I must concede that my perception of Gladstone and indeed Qld in general was clouded by the Joh Bjelke Peterson era. I mean, if that blithering idiot was Top Dog then, what did that say about the rest of the populace?
Bill.

You mean Henry Bolte and Kennet were examples of good government?

JBP & his Country/National cohorts were crooks like many other Oz politicians. He maintained his position by a extraordinary gerrymander, a politicised police force, ruthless treatment of anybody who spoke out. Yet in rural areas many voters still consider him "a great man who got things done". Never mind the amount of till tickling that went on, the graft and corruption, the rigged tenders, the jobs for the boys, the blatant refusal to do anything in electorates that didn't vote his way. Of course, nothing like this happened in other states, did it?

Anyone who regarded JBP as "a blithering idiot" usually found out the hard way that he wasn't. He may have been uneducated but he was dead cunning, ruthless, dishonest, greedy, but not stupid. He never forgot a slight and savoured revenge.

Gladstone has been booming and expanding more or less since about 1964 when construction of the alumina refinery started. Prior to then it was a small railway, port, and seasonal meatworks town. Population in 1950 given as 5244 in the railway guide. This shrunk considerably with the closure of the Barney Point meatworks where the alumina refinery now stands. Much of the town became derelict. Facilities, services, and housing have been playing catch-up ever since. Friends who have lived there a long time tell me that anyone who doesn't have a job in Gladstone doesn't want to work.

Housing is an expensive problem in Gladstone itself and many of the nearby villages. If going there on spec, you should investigate housing first. If taking up a job offer or transfer, then housing or a housing allowance should be negotiated with your employer.