Sydney Kiwis on the move

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 21

Sydney Kiwis on the move

From JUDY O’CONNOR in Sydney

New Zealanders in Sydney are doing the unthinkable. They are packing their shorts and jandals, grabbing their guitars, rucksacks and tiki necklaces and deserting their beloved Bondi beach. It seems that the densely populated, wall-to-wall Kiwi stronghold is too much for some of the more sensitive, cultured and ambitious New Zealanders who find the popular ratio of six people to one two-bedroom flat, even if it is within two minutes of the rolling surf, a bit too much to take.

Just as the Aussies deserted Earl’s Court in London some years ago in favour of the more up-market South Kensington so, too, the Kiwis are slowly but surely making their way to the more residential and sophisticated suburbs of Sydney. According to the latest census figures, a distinct proportion have quietly and happily settled

into the charming old beach suburb of Manly, about 12km north of the city centre. Although a bit further out than Bondi, it is still only a pleasant half hour away from the city sights via the decks of the Manly ferry or hydrofoil. According to one local real estate agent, the increase in the number of Kiwis in the area is quite noticeable. “Most of them are younger people aged between 18 and 25. They say they’re finding Bondi a bit rough and they want to get into a slower, more residential suburb with a bit more polish.” Manly’s postmaster agrees: “There’s been a steady trend over the last few years of New Zealanders favouring this area. My figures show the volume of mail to New Zealand from this area has risen dramatically.” Manly Beach, with its famous row of Norfolk pines is still, of course, a great attraction, and

the permanent holiday atmosphere which puts a spring in visitors’ steps as they walk down the street is a great backdrop to anyone wanting to get the most out of a sojourn in this sunburnt country. (In the 1930 s Manly was famous for its breezy slogan: “Seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from care.”) Most of the Kiwis in Manly have good jobs, according to agents, and can afford the $lBO- - a week rentals for a standard two-bedroom unfurnished flat. Bondi is no cheaper, but the leasings there seem to be mainly to groups. The other area luring New Zealanders away from the sparkling shores of Bondi, with its surf shops, take-away food bars, screeching tyres and floating aroma of suntan cream, is the

inner city — but distinctly upmarket — suburb of North Sydney.

It is relatively far from the beaches, but right in the heart of highly fashionable Yuppie territory.

Most Yuppies work as highlypaid, ambitious, trendy computer programmers and advertising executives. It seems that, to a growing number of Kiwis, the desire to assimilate and identify with a successful Australian subculture is more attractive than hanging round Bondi talking to old mates and checking out the discos.

Bondi real estate agents have also noticed the swing. According to L. J. Hooker, Ltd, the area’s largest leasing agents, the usual stream of New Zealanders want-

ing houses and flats has noticeably lessened over the last six months. “I’m missing the Kiwi accents,” one agent says. According to the latest census figures, nearly 30 per cent of people living in Australia were born in other countries. Most come from the United Kingdom, with New Zealanders and Italians following. But there is also a growing representation from a number of other nations, notably Vietnam (44,502 living in Australia) and South Africa (12.348 k

The census also dispelled the common Aussie prejudice that most foreigners can’t speak English. Of the 584,000 people coming from non-English speaking countries, 61 per cent speak English either very well, of well. Fewer than 2000 speak no English.

However, more than 650,000 people speak a language other

than English at home. Most speak Italian, Greek and Arabic or Lebanese. Other languages represented included Chinese (9 per cent), Spanish (6 per cent), German (4 per cent), Serbian and Croatian (4 per cent), and Vietnamese (3 per cent). One Sydney suburb, Marrickville, about 9km west of the city, shows up as the most multicultural, with only half the population native-born Australians. The biggest ethnic community is Greek, with a growing number of Vietnamese moving into the area. 1

So the Aussie landscape is changing. But while most Australians can accept the cross section of new nationalities that are appearing on the streets, the idea of Bondi without its Kiwis is like Sydney Harbour without its bridge.

Thank heavens we still have Vegemite and Paul Hogan ...