Update On A Pristine Island:
The pristine paradise of Norfolk Island is 1600 kilometres north east of Sydney. It has exquisite beauty, magnificent beaches, stunning waters, abundant flora and fauna that make for a wonderful visit. It’s no wonder that people also view it as a desirable place to live.
I’ve written about living on Norfolk Island previously. One local said: ‘We do get a lot of people here to retire in the relaxed safe lifestyle. Especially now that there are no restrictions for Australians or New Zealanders wanting to live or retire here’.
For an update I asked where2now.net Norfolk Island Ambassadors Monica and Ian Anderson about how life has been on Norfolk Island, since the Covid pandemic.
‘Covid seriously affected the number of visitors to the island. Norfolk’s first case of the virus was detected on New Years Eve. It was subsequently decided to close the border to allow the local hospital to cope with potential cases. They coped exceptionally well and we had very few local cases.
Covid affected the community and curtailed a number of potential gatherings but we all wore masks and tried to continue with life as normal.
I run a movie on behalf of Care Norfolk for seniors every Monday morning but this has been discontinued for the time being just to be on the safe side. Everyone knows everyone else so there is not much “social distancing”.
Whether people are now more likely to want to move to Norfolk Island will depend on a number of factors. They would no doubt feel more safe here than in metropolitan areas. However, it is increasingly difficult to find a reasonably priced home, much to the chagrin of young local couples.
Anyone wanting to make improvements will find this very difficult unless they are DIY inclined. It is virtually impossible to find a tradesman. Even those one has dealt with for years are completely tied up. We purchased a new tank some 12 months ago and are still waiting for our plumber to install it.
When the border opened again we began to see an influx of tourists but, because of the general scare, a large number of groups had already cancelled and it will be a while before we get back up to the old numbers. Still, numbers are better now than they have been for most of the past two years’.
Monica and Ian own and run World Traders . The store ‘is a mini-department store in the centre of town. We offer Asics sports footwear and clothing, lingerie, computer supplies, jewellery, Royal Doulton and Royal Albert china, Florence Fine Arts figurines, local souvenirs, interesting finds (you never know what you might find on Norfolk Island) and friendly local service’.
Visit To The Theatre And Movies
Monica and Ian also own and run the local theatre putting on both movies and live theatre. Monica tells me that you can go and see ‘Trial of the Fifteen, the historical courtroom drama. It’s performed every Wednesday at The Ferny Lane Theatre.
Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society is currently rehearsing a new comedy set on a small island.
As very few interesting new movies are currently available we have been screening older but good favourites.
The Norfolk Island Community Choir meets at the Theatre every Tuesday, just to enjoy singing’.
Want to go and see the movies or theatre?
The contact for any of the above is: theatre@norfolk.net.nf
Norfolk Island: a pristine paradise.
Jill Weeks has been an educator and author for many years. She is the author of 21 Ways To Retire, which gives insights into how 21 Australians from different backgrounds adjusted to retirement. She is also the co-author with her husband, Owen, of several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and one of Retire Bizzi.