Poms on the Bay founder Emma Clifford-Smith shares decade-long journey

The founder of the Bayside’s largest online community, overseeing a kingdom of 3500 expats, has reflected on a decade of aiding Brits, adjusting to Aussie quirks and fostering local friendships.

The founder of one of the Bayside’s largest online communities has revealed the details of easing the daunting process for Brit’s moving to the Bay.

The founder of one of the Bayside’s largest online communities has revealed the details of easing the daunting process for Brit’s moving to the Bay, the difficulties of managing a community of thousands, as well as members sharing the “weird” Brisbane quirks they have familiarised themselves with.

‘Poms of the Bay’ has celebrated their 10-year anniversary and founder Emma Clifford-Smith said her main motivation, while starting the page with co-founder Nick Pullins, was to ease the emigration process for Brits moving to the Bayside, assist them in joining the community and familiarising themselves with Aussie etiquette.

Ms Clifford-Smith, 51, said she moved to Australia from Surrey, UK, and instantly fell in love with the beaches, the outdoor lifestyle and the friendly faces.

“I went to Sydney when I was 20 and couldn’t believe this was going to be my home, every day I am thankful,” Ms Clifford-Smith said.

“I moved to Brisbane 17 years later and decided to start a group on a meetup website called ‘All my friends are in a couple and I’m single’ which accumulated 3,500 members who regularly met up for pub crawls, meals and more.

Emma Clifford-Smith began Poms on the Bay in 2014.

“When I relocated to Redlands in 2015, where I knew Nick, he wanted me involved shortly after he made the group because of my experience,” she said.

Poms on the Bay gained member after member and has now become the “go-to” page for Brits living in and hoping to move to the Redlands.

“I’m very proud of my English heritage, so lucky to live in an area that is so British,” Mrs Clifford-Smith said.

“It can be very daunting and the group helps people who have just moved to find dog groomers or suburbs, schools, doctor recommendations etc.

“When I started I wanted to make the process of moving here easier, I have even been contacted by families still in the UK who I have helped with their visa applications,” she said.

Poms on the Bay have organised multiple group meet ups at Raby Bay, an opportunity for the English community to come together and meet new families, when some may only have family 12,000 miles away.

A Poms on the Bay social event.

“We have formed so many friendships and helped newcomers with a few Australian customs they might not be used to.

Mrs Clifford-Smith reflected on a humorous story she was told of where a Brit took an empty china plate with no food on it to a BBQ when he was asked to “bring a plate”.

Cleveland resident Tracey Davies said she has had to get used to no daylight savings, bars closing at 9pm and swooping birds.

Resident Carole Barker said she has noted two major differences between Australia and the UK.

“Not being able to buy a bottle of wine in the supermarket and why on earth is bed linen called ‘Manchester’,” she said.

Resident Gilly Graham said, “Having to keep most of your produce in the fridge and realising that’s why the fridges here are so big.”

“I also couldn’t believe that everyone calls me mate, even my GP,” she said.

Mrs Clifford-Smith said she is excited to organise more events in 2024 to watch new friendships be formed in the Bayside sunshine.