http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blog.php Poms In Oz forum for migrating to Australia - Discuss moving to Australia en Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:47:59 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/tangerinev2/misc/rss.jpg http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blog.php http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/auchenharvie/552-new-melbourne.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:09:58 GMT Hello all :jiggy: Hope all is well? I am Mick, i have just moved to melbourne and was wondering where all the expats hang out??. :wideeyed: looking to make friends with people on the same wave lenght and background, im origionally from ayrshire scotland Anyone know of any good irish bars ?? Hello all :jiggy:

Hope all is well? I am Mick, i have just moved to melbourne and was wondering where all the expats hang out??. :wideeyed: looking to make friends with people on the same wave lenght and background, im origionally from ayrshire scotland

Anyone know of any good irish bars ?? ]]> Auchenharvie http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/auchenharvie/552-new-melbourne.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/twinsmom65/551-could-have-some-good-news-next-week.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:03:53 GMT Well, I sent off my OH's resume last week to a company I found on the internet. Well to my surprise we got an email back from them. They were interested in talking to my OH. Well the phone call went well, and basically we are just awating another call or email from them with a package deal. The company is very large and offer's 457 visas. We applied in May for our 176 visa and told the company about that. They may wait until our visa is granted or they might be open to the 457 if they need OH down there sooner.

So we could have some good news next week. The guy who interviewed OH told him, that he would get back to him in about a week and told OH not too worry too much if he hasn't heard back in a few days, the company is in Perth WA, and the guy said that the WA stands for wait awhile.

I am excited although a little scared. I read on the other forum (not as nice as this one), that you can't be guaranteed your visa (the 176), makes you wonder why the hell did you apply in the first place. I can't understand why they would turn you down, if you passed your meds, passed the TRA, have a straightforward application. I guess the other forum is the doomsayer forum. I know that there is always a chance that they can turn you down, but god, why does the other forum have to promote that all the time. All I see on there is don't sell your house until you have the golden ticket, don't assume you are going to get the golden ticket.

Sorry for the rant, this whole process gets me down from time to time. Just gonna be glad once it's all over.

Thank god for PIO, at least I know that this site is friendly and people give great advice.

Karen ]]> twinsmom65 http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/twinsmom65/551-could-have-some-good-news-next-week.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/lcys2460/550-validating-visa.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:28:16 GMT Having not updated you blog for nearly 2 months I thought it was about time. *_The House_* Well no change on that score. Still can’t sell it, sure its been a couple of months since the last viewing, can’t quite remember when but I do know they didn’t even show up! We did have a guy interested but surprise not a peep from him since. *_Validating the Visa_* Well, we got ours back in January and need to validate by 7 Oct. With that in mind and the fact we haven’t even got people viewing anymore, we’ve just booked our flight to Aus to validate the visa. We both had mixed feelings about going. Do we go back to where we want to live, go somewhere different or what. We plumped for the traditional holiday experience as really don’t want to be reminded to much of where we want to be living – not sure that will make sense to anyone else but its what we’re doing. In September we’re flying out to Darwin via Singapore for literally 2 weeks – a long way to go for such a short time, but the flight prices started going up every day (£300+ in 4 days!) and is costing us about £1k more than last year to fly to Aus – that with the fact that OH is self employed we decided to spend as little as poss. I’m very excited about going to Darwin, it looks a truly amazing place. We both love the sun and hoping we can do all the touristy bits, National Parks and stuff out there and have a few days on the beach or by the pool as it will be around 30’ish – make up for our summer so far! So for me, I’m on a big countdown – 11 weeks this Friday and I just can’t wait! *_The Future_* I guess this is where it’s all shades of grey. I do now say to people when asked about our plans that I think we will be here (in the UK) for another year maybe two. I know inside I’m hoping we can go next Spring, Summer at worst – but I do want to go next year and not the one after! So does OH, he’s on about changing mortgage to a buy to let and taking out a lump sum against the house to take to Aus. This does seem like the way to go, but I can’t see anything to suggest it will reduce our mortgage payments – at the moment renting our house is a good £300+ short of our mortgage payment. You’ve also got to think about what if it sits empty – you still need to pay your mortgage. To be honest, I don’t know what the answer is. I know the media/the press are not my favourite people because I really do believe that they have made people scared and made this situation worse than it should be. Oh well, visa will be validated soon and will have another 4 years to work something out! Just hope an answer comes up soon! Having not updated you blog for nearly 2 months I thought it was about time.

The House

Well no change on that score. Still can’t sell it, sure its been a couple of months since the last viewing, can’t quite remember when but I do know they didn’t even show up! We did have a guy interested but surprise not a peep from him since.

Validating the Visa

Well, we got ours back in January and need to validate by 7 Oct. With that in mind and the fact we haven’t even got people viewing anymore, we’ve just booked our flight to Aus to validate the visa.

We both had mixed feelings about going. Do we go back to where we want to live, go somewhere different or what. We plumped for the traditional holiday experience as really don’t want to be reminded to much of where we want to be living – not sure that will make sense to anyone else but its what we’re doing.

In September we’re flying out to Darwin via Singapore for literally 2 weeks – a long way to go for such a short time, but the flight prices started going up every day (£300+ in 4 days!) and is costing us about £1k more than last year to fly to Aus – that with the fact that OH is self employed we decided to spend as little as poss.

I’m very excited about going to Darwin, it looks a truly amazing place. We both love the sun and hoping we can do all the touristy bits, National Parks and stuff out there and have a few days on the beach or by the pool as it will be around 30’ish – make up for our summer so far!

So for me, I’m on a big countdown – 11 weeks this Friday and I just can’t wait!

The Future

I guess this is where it’s all shades of grey. I do now say to people when asked about our plans that I think we will be here (in the UK) for another year maybe two. I know inside I’m hoping we can go next Spring, Summer at worst – but I do want to go next year and not the one after!

So does OH, he’s on about changing mortgage to a buy to let and taking out a lump sum against the house to take to Aus. This does seem like the way to go, but I can’t see anything to suggest it will reduce our mortgage payments – at the moment renting our house is a good £300+ short of our mortgage payment. You’ve also got to think about what if it sits empty – you still need to pay your mortgage.

To be honest, I don’t know what the answer is. I know the media/the press are not my favourite people because I really do believe that they have made people scared and made this situation worse than it should be.

Oh well, visa will be validated soon and will have another 4 years to work something out! Just hope an answer comes up soon! ]]> lcys2460 http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/lcys2460/550-validating-visa.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/daiqianwen/549-memory-childhood.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:39:36 GMT A year old

It is father's memory, he always says: "This girl is stubborn! I wear and emit the son, wear because of carelessness aslantly, she has pulled upright by oneself! I make fun of her, have pulled to the left on purpose, it is pulled upright that she is stoic, I draw it left again, it is pulled upright that she is stoic Like this, repeat dozens of this, wait ***Asked while having lunch, you were still not irritated, a stoic once pulls your emitting the son upright once "

When father says these, always seem very proud, sparkling in the eyes! It is glorious that black red cheek flashes! I can't understand a father's mental state, but every this mentions, move me!

Two years old

Father's memory, he says: "You, very strange at that time, did not smile, but cried, common people only offended and cried for you, why not coax obediently either! Strange too in fact, when you celebrate birthday at two years old, I go outside you the public meet you, your granddad holds you and hands over to to have for time in my chest, smile of you ' puff '! You granddad scold at that time ' grandson this, household family Zhang finally, see people on one's own side can smile! Strange

Ball son! ',unless oh, look, how it is in you heavy for now! "

This is a memory that I like most, I smile at one and stay forever in father's heart!

Three years old

It is mother's memory! It is mentioned slowly after a meal that always we are finishing her on the eve of the lunar New Year! "You at that time, what trouble does it know either, want I hold, sleep on! Do not hold sleeping and cry! As soon as your sister is just a year old, I will embrace you after coaxing your sister! It becomes bowlegs that I left the bed and walked at that time! You must raise me carefully afterwards! I to embrace defect that you fall in cervical vertebra this! "

What mother said is, I really loved her for holding and sleeping at that time, I remembered dimly, I do not understand, just think mother holds me, can settle down to fall asleep by oneself! Later, I studied in the primary school, could not let mothers embrace while sleeping, but the arm drawing mother from the top of the head came, embrace it on the front, go to sleep so!

Four years old

Sister-in-law's confused memory!

The sister-in-law says: "I liked leading you to go out to play most at that time! ***Give you dress clean to say you a long one distressed too, lead you go out, have face very much! One day, I take you old mattress house, she play, can say with you ' baby of you, the nose is stepped on, like a dustpan! ' . I hear angry, return a compliment to her one sentence, ***the nose looks like a toy trumpet! Oh "

Hearing this each time, all of us can't help laughing, although has said many times, can make us very happy each time! I am very grateful each time, thank my relative!

Five years old

From at this time, I had one's own memory!

We were in Lanzhou at that time, younger sister is three years old, younger brother is a year old! Every day, I go to the store of the road opposite to hit **,There is that kind which is put the chopped scallion. I will take bowls of beef noodle by the way, small bowl those kind very! Do not have now! Not either together with the taste at that time! Behind harvesting the good milk, the small partners of the store will all send me off to cross the road, and then see me entering the gate of building site A strange one of mine is, so little a I go outside, my parents were not afraid unexpectedly I was hit by car, or is abducted! Ask the old mother, her saying stunned: "Having never thought so complicated, the person at that time was good! Have not considered these questions either! " Then, I think, perhaps it is Lanzhou at that time, there were few cars, it was simple for people!

Six years old

We have waited for in Lanzhou for one year, the daddy's project is fast dwindling! It was all very familiar that the neighbour around got along! This comes from foreign policies very well of parents. One is not hostile to person, treat others kindly. Two does not refuse persons to ask, carry strength to aid. Third should be honest, did what had been said. Four will be learnt to share with the person! This is their way to handle affairs where I summarize, try it, the result is very good! Remember the family was more widely to want at that time, was the color TV young in 88? We have, watch cartoon all day, " black cat police chief " " energetical sailor " " whether I Xie auspicious". " seven-piece puzzle " did not fall once at that time, was waiting to be wishing to see the chrysanthemum duckweed! That is an idol in my heart!

Seven years old

The clear one comes to aunt's home, shout ***! It was the school that liked going least, in order to play truant, cry, make a noise, bore the others' kneading board! Later, developed to let the younger sister accompany one's spouse who is studying abroad! Do not I understand what the examination is? I like climbing and singing one's own song on the garden wall alone, compile the lyrics now by oneself. Little sub girls at one's side, crawl to let me sing again, it is very pleasant to say! I load with mould make to say kind also: "That is not good, I sing one for you again! " Oh, in fact I do not remember what is sung above, people! Oh, very talented at that time!

Eight - Ten years old

Because the reason not understood has returned to homeland, at parents' side, since then, the younger sister has not met again! Moreover, learn not to do very well, I have never done the consciousness of the homework. Do not understand either what the marks of the examination mean, very fuzzy! How concept without mark is high, how it is low! What I wonder to mother stamps with rage! Though, will get a scolding, never the pressure, always simple and happy!

11 - 21 I understand what it asks living to be the original sin gradually! This ten years, it is ten years when I really grow up! It is over that we are rich, the poverty is over, has laughed heartily, the agony passes! It is out of date to work as all these and row in my constantly ripe memory, parents are old, we have grown up! All samsara Cosco all in time of sufferings will go, I think the impassable one is bitter in those, have gone in this way! My heart is become noisy simply!

21 - Today

From university to now, an adult of picture whom I make great efforts to put! It is until install I,it put on as! I thank suffering for suffering's and rub the calendar and make me strong! But this kind best mask! I begin to miss my childhood's simplicity and happiness! One reads the fairy tale silently, watch the cartoon, watch the cartoon, I like what the child likes too! Like listening to the children's song, listen to the children's song! I pass by the bridge every day, appearance is cold and beautiful and serious, but missing some children's thing in the heart! Why does the spider weave a net? Why there will be some grasses " The milk " ? Are there a lot of fish in the shallow hole under the bridge? How could people eat so sick a thing of pike? It was better if I did not go to work! Oh, it will be better that could sleep more in the morning! Thinking of the something strange in the heart, what heard is " the snail and oriole's bird " in ears. Ha Ha Ha, I am really very tired, so let oneself yearn for the child's life! Get up to put adults first hard, is not it more tired that this will put children? I! Really I?

More about: hatena.ne||noblog||shashin||pwblog ]]> daiqianwen http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/daiqianwen/549-memory-childhood.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/scamp/548-reality-dogs-melbourne.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:08:23 GMT hi - would really appreciate anyone commenting who has had experience taking their dog over from England to Melbourne. I have a great opportunity to emigrate and be a mature student - however my biggest mental hurdle is my lovely Cocker Spaniel who I would not on any account leave behind. I find I am more worried about him than myself as I think I have everything straight in my head regarding my own arrangements. I feel I am being cruel putting him on that long flight, am worried sick he'll die of dehydration (have already read some horrible stories on the internet) and cannot imagine what will happen in 30 days of quarantine. To add to this I'm now convinced he'll be bitten by a snake because being a Cocker he is forever sniffing into long grass and loves rivers or he'll eat a poisonous spider - something he is content to do with any insect in the UK and gets away with it. I am also concerned the summer will be too hot for him to do his normal activities such as long walks in the green countryside chasing rabbits and that he'll become a miserable shadow of his former self. I desperately need a reality check from people who have a similar type of dog (maybe a gundog) who can share their own honest experiences as this whole worry thing is keeping me stuck here looking at those spaniel eyes and feeling mighty guilty !!!:unsure:
Thank you for reading this post - hope to hear.
xx ]]> Scamp http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/scamp/548-reality-dogs-melbourne.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/tanya-and-martin/547-partner-migration-47sp.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:42:56 GMT Hi. Have sent of application for a spouse visa on 13th May 08. Had case officer appointed of the 22nd May 08, and they also requested a few items to be sent. Since then have not heard anything from them, Meds everything sent in all together. Getting concerned now, anyone any idea how long this will take!!!!! Hope to go tho perth by end of year. Hi. Have sent of application for a spouse visa on 13th May 08. Had case officer appointed of the 22nd May 08, and they also requested a few items to be sent. Since then have not heard anything from them, Meds everything sent in all together. Getting concerned now, anyone any idea how long this will take!!!!! Hope to go tho perth by end of year. ]]> http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/tanya-and-martin/547-partner-migration-47sp.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/forgetmenot/546-citizen-australia.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:45:34 GMT Where do I start. I was born in Lincolnshire and lived in Suffolk till we left the UK to emigrate to Africa where we lived in the now Zimbabwe we really loved it there but with the troubles my father took us to live in New Zealand. When my uncle emigrated to Perth my parents went to live in Perth and I went to live in Sydney. Sydney was difficult at that time as if you were not a member of any club there was not much to do this, membership is now much easier to obtain and from my observations most people belong to the RSL or a Leagues Club in Sydney. My friends and I move to Melbourne and we loved it much better. I married a Scot who lived in geordieland and returned to the UK to live for a while. We then returned to Aus and have lived here ever since. Having lived around the world I must say that when I return to Australia from a visit overseas now I am so pleased to get home. There are things I miss about the UK and the family as we had a large family over there but I feel safer here, away from the hub ub of world problems. I love the open space and we go often to the high country in the summer as we are not a fan of snow and its beautiful up there, so peaceful and so much space. We were just discussing the other day that when we go somewhere and there is someone else already there in the country we think what are they doing here we are just so used to being the only people. I love the 90 mile beach to walk on it in the winter no one else there. I love to walk on the beach at Balnarring not far from my home in the winter, its a beautiful beach. Living on the Mornington Peninsula it takes us about an hour to get to the city not that we go very often. Unless to see my friend who lives right in the city. I go to the races and belong the Mornington Race Club and love it not expensive and a good day out. We do not bet huge just fun, do not use the pokies at all. My children love the Peninsula and have grown up here from the ages of six and seven and know so many people. My son works in the country as a Maths teacher now and will not return to live in Melbourne as he loves the country life and the fact he can ride his bike to school each day and walk to the pub. Where we live its mainly English and Australian people who live here although my neighbour is filipino married to an Aus and lovely lady. I know my neighbours and put it down to the fact that as we live on large blocks we are more friendly I know people do not agree and will not agree but I think the less oppressed we feel the more open we become. That is why we moved here away from the city as it was arranged play etc for the children and I do not believe in that. I have many friends and only one English one. We made our minds up to mix in when we came here and we have and its been great. I think that this site is wonderful for people and hope I can help people. Some people will love Australia and others will hate it and others will keep looking for that elusive shangrila, I know I lived it with my parents and believe me the other side of hill is not greener. Its make up your mind stick to it expect things to be different do not dwell on the past and things will be bright and rosy wherever you live. Its the weather and the open space when the city becomes too much jump in the car (if you can afford it) and head out to a quiet place. :jiggy: Where do I start.

I was born in Lincolnshire and lived in Suffolk till we left the UK to emigrate to Africa where we lived in the now Zimbabwe we really loved it there but with the troubles my father took us to live in New Zealand. When my uncle emigrated to Perth my parents went to live in Perth and I went to live in Sydney.

Sydney was difficult at that time as if you were not a member of any club there was not much to do this, membership is now much easier to obtain and from my observations most people belong to the RSL or a Leagues Club in Sydney.

My friends and I move to Melbourne and we loved it much better.

I married a Scot who lived in geordieland and returned to the UK to live for a while.

We then returned to Aus and have lived here ever since.

Having lived around the world I must say that when I return to Australia from a visit overseas now I am so pleased to get home. There are things I miss about the UK and the family as we had a large family over there but I feel safer here, away from the hub ub of world problems.

I love the open space and we go often to the high country in the summer as we are not a fan of snow and its beautiful up there, so peaceful and so much space.

We were just discussing the other day that when we go somewhere and there is someone else already there in the country we think what are they doing here we are just so used to being the only people.

I love the 90 mile beach to walk on it in the winter no one else there.

I love to walk on the beach at Balnarring not far from my home in the winter, its a beautiful beach.

Living on the Mornington Peninsula it takes us about an hour to get to the city not that we go very often. Unless to see my friend who lives right in the city.

I go to the races and belong the Mornington Race Club and love it not expensive and a good day out. We do not bet huge just fun, do not use the pokies at all.

My children love the Peninsula and have grown up here from the ages of six and seven and know so many people.

My son works in the country as a Maths teacher now and will not return to live in Melbourne as he loves the country life and the fact he can ride his bike to school each day and walk to the pub.

Where we live its mainly English and Australian people who live here although my neighbour is filipino married to an Aus and lovely lady.

I know my neighbours and put it down to the fact that as we live on large blocks we are more friendly I know people do not agree and will not agree but I think the less oppressed we feel the more open we become. That is why we moved here away from the city as it was arranged play etc for the children and I do not believe in that.

I have many friends and only one English one. We made our minds up to mix in when we came here and we have and its been great.

I think that this site is wonderful for people and hope I can help people.

Some people will love Australia and others will hate it and others will keep looking for that elusive shangrila, I know I lived it with my parents and believe me the other side of hill is not greener. Its make up your mind stick to it expect things to be different do not dwell on the past and things will be bright and rosy wherever you live.

Its the weather and the open space when the city becomes too much jump in the car (if you can afford it) and head out to a quiet place.

:jiggy: ]]> Forgetmenot http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/forgetmenot/546-citizen-australia.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/emmadon/545-got-job.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:21:36 GMT Hey Hey, guess what? Interview on Monday and I get the phonecall on Friday to offer me the job!! Very Pleased.
A good weekend all round. Friday (when I got the call), we were on a Tank Driving range in Hampshire (pressie for OH's 40th) Kids were having a great time riding on Cheiftain, Abbott and APC's (I enjoyed too) then we had Katie's 6th Birthday Party on Sunday, which went really well. Katie's birthday is today, so I had the afternoon off to do a bit of shopping for tea party stuff and to pick the kids up from school. Handed my notice in this morning, they were ok in work happy for me, but sad that I was going. 4 weeks till I start my new job. It will be very strange, but I'm ready for a change, and as I believe that everything happens for a reason, you never know what is going to come of it!!

So once I've taken katie's friends home, and the kids are bathed and bedded, I shall pour myself a large glass of Australian Chardonay (funny how all I buy is oz wine now!).

A GOOD WEEKEND :smile: ]]> EmmaDon http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/emmadon/545-got-job.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/angandandy/544-bloody-time-wasters.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:09:30 GMT We had a viewing on the house which turned to a second viewing, they were here for an hour the second time, they left it a few days then said it wasnt the house for them. Why oh why do they put us through the turmoil a second time, surely you know the first time you go to a property whether its for you??

Anyway, have sent all the info off to agent for the vetassess, she has input all the info, all i have to do is print sign and pay for it. Happy days. Hopefully it wont take long to go through.

I had to get documents certified, what a trauma that was. I had to wait 2 hours before seeing three magistrates. I thought it would be an informal chat with someone. Oh no, i had to stand with others behind me waiting for warrants and all sorts, three magistrates come to the front of the court and i get called over. I have to stand, state my name and why i am there, very very formal, i was shaking like a leaf!!

Anyway it was worth it as it cost me nothing and solicitors wanted £5 a document. At the end they wished me luck and were very nice.

So my vetassess will be sent this week, i have sent off for my passport as i never updated it since we got married. Once i've got that back i can book the ielts test, then lodge the visa, all being well.

Just hope we sell the house as it would be ahuge burden removed, but i think a lot of us are in the same boat. :arghh: ]]> angandandy http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/angandandy/544-bloody-time-wasters.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/les-and-woz/543-sale-house.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:47:29 GMT Now that the excitement of getting visas has died down, we need to sell the house. The next stage of the journey. Had estate agent round on Thursday 19th June and it is now on the internet for sale!!!! We don't expect a rush of viewers but are looking forward to hopefully getting some soon. We've booked flights (return) on 30 March 09 to go and validate the visas and won't come back if we sell the house in the meantime. Am feeling very laid back at the moment, not in any rush - what will be will be.:goofy: ]]> http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/les-and-woz/543-sale-house.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/ajgwa/542-4-month-update.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:21:35 GMT Well I have now been here 4 months. So as I have not been on here for a while I thought I would drop a few comments down for people to have a read of – maybe learn from or ask some questions. My job took me to Brisbane. I am in the ADF and they sorted the transfer and everything for me. I had been here before – but it was 8 years ago and Bris has changed a great deal and gotten a lot bigger and busier. The first thing to do was find a place to live and as I am sure people have put on here – it is quite difficult to find a place to rent. There can be loads of people viewing each property and you need to put your application in straight away as places can go the same day that they come onto the market. Carry completed applications, copies of birth certs / passports / visa cards / mortgage payments, etc for the 100 point check so you can hand it in when you see the place if you like it. Opening a bank account is dead easy – you can do it from the UK and then just verify you are who you say you are when you get here. Mobile phones. Try and bring an unlocked one with you when you come so you can buy a pay as you go sim straight away. Once you have an address / bank acct, then it is easier to get a contract phone. It took me a while to sort out. Internet and phones I think are a bit more expensive here than back in the UK in that a lot more types of connection have download limits set on them. Foxtel (sky TV) is expensive – but why do you need it when there is so much to do outside?! Driving licence. If you have PR status, then you are not supposed to drive on your UK licence after 3 months. I changed mine the other week and while my motorbike and car licences were changed over, the minibus, 7.5T truck, etc, didn’t. I have to do another test on each one. Worth remembering for people who might be relying on the licence. It might be a queensland thing only – not sure. And Queenslanders cannot drive for toffee! I used to loathe early mornings back home. It takes a bit of getting used to but things seem to start from 0600 in the morning here! And as it is dark by 1730 your day seems very different. I would never have contemplated getting up at 7 in the morning on a Sunday for a run in the UK – but here it seems like the norm. Especially down around south bank where there are hundreds of people out running / walking / cycling every morning. And then heading off for brekkie somewhere. Public transport is reasonably priced, so jumping on the river cat to head up or down river for brekkie elsewhere is great! Eating out is reasonable and plenty of variety. The place is great fun so far – and while it is very similar in some respects – it is very different. I never realised that the world and the sun revolved around Australia! Bris is a very green city and although my place looks over the Gabba and the city, there is still plenty of trees and parkland around, which make it very pleasant to live in. I have been up and down the coast a few times. I have become a typical aussie and bought a 4x4 to do some off roading. The next trip planned is straddie island for some camping and fishing. They certainly know how to do the outdoors, with big fridges and swags… a swag is a mattress and tent thing combined. Huge – but very comfy! My citizenship was confirmed last week – so I am just waiting for the details of my ceremony which will probably be in august. Then I will be a proper bogan, wearing a singlet and thongs and drinking stubbies of VB and goon bags… Most importantly I am enjoying the place. There is so much to do and although I am missing people – when you are busy that is much easier to cope with! Maybe I will see some of you at the ceremony in August – or around and about Brisbane or the east coast! Well I have now been here 4 months. So as I have not been on here for a while I thought I would drop a few comments down for people to have a read of – maybe learn from or ask some questions.

My job took me to Brisbane. I am in the ADF and they sorted the transfer and everything for me. I had been here before – but it was 8 years ago and Bris has changed a great deal and gotten a lot bigger and busier.

The first thing to do was find a place to live and as I am sure people have put on here – it is quite difficult to find a place to rent. There can be loads of people viewing each property and you need to put your application in straight away as places can go the same day that they come onto the market. Carry completed applications, copies of birth certs / passports / visa cards / mortgage payments, etc for the 100 point check so you can hand it in when you see the place if you like it. Opening a bank account is dead easy – you can do it from the UK and then just verify you are who you say you are when you get here.

Mobile phones. Try and bring an unlocked one with you when you come so you can buy a pay as you go sim straight away. Once you have an address / bank acct, then it is easier to get a contract phone. It took me a while to sort out. Internet and phones I think are a bit more expensive here than back in the UK in that a lot more types of connection have download limits set on them. Foxtel (sky TV) is expensive – but why do you need it when there is so much to do outside?!

Driving licence. If you have PR status, then you are not supposed to drive on your UK licence after 3 months. I changed mine the other week and while my motorbike and car licences were changed over, the minibus, 7.5T truck, etc, didn’t. I have to do another test on each one. Worth remembering for people who might be relying on the licence. It might be a queensland thing only – not sure. And Queenslanders cannot drive for toffee!

I used to loathe early mornings back home. It takes a bit of getting used to but things seem to start from 0600 in the morning here! And as it is dark by 1730 your day seems very different. I would never have contemplated getting up at 7 in the morning on a Sunday for a run in the UK – but here it seems like the norm. Especially down around south bank where there are hundreds of people out running / walking / cycling every morning. And then heading off for brekkie somewhere. Public transport is reasonably priced, so jumping on the river cat to head up or down river for brekkie elsewhere is great! Eating out is reasonable and plenty of variety.

The place is great fun so far – and while it is very similar in some respects – it is very different. I never realised that the world and the sun revolved around Australia! Bris is a very green city and although my place looks over the Gabba and the city, there is still plenty of trees and parkland around, which make it very pleasant to live in.

I have been up and down the coast a few times. I have become a typical aussie and bought a 4x4 to do some off roading. The next trip planned is straddie island for some camping and fishing. They certainly know how to do the outdoors, with big fridges and swags… a swag is a mattress and tent thing combined. Huge – but very comfy!

My citizenship was confirmed last week – so I am just waiting for the details of my ceremony which will probably be in august. Then I will be a proper bogan, wearing a singlet and thongs and drinking stubbies of VB and goon bags…

Most importantly I am enjoying the place. There is so much to do and although I am missing people – when you are busy that is much easier to cope with! Maybe I will see some of you at the ceremony in August – or around and about Brisbane or the east coast! ]]> ajgwa http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/ajgwa/542-4-month-update.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/big30/541-first-stages-application-form-questions-worries.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:31:44 GMT :yes:after a long time thinking, my husband and 3 children have decided to fill out the application form and post it to the embassy in australia. but before we do, does anyone think we should wait for kids passports to arrive so can put passport numbers on application form or write that we will forward them on later? is anyone getting help from an immigration agency or doing it all themselves? slight worry we have, we cant get my husbands ex to sign a declaration to say we can take sonn out the country as we havent seen her for 11 years(he lives with us) is now 14. dont know where she lives? was told hubbie can sign a statutory declaration? am waiting for call back from solicitor before posting application. advice and suggestions? :yes:after a long time thinking, my husband and 3 children have decided to fill out the application form and post it to the embassy in australia. but before we do, does anyone think we should wait for kids passports to arrive so can put passport numbers on application form or write that we will forward them on later? is anyone getting help from an immigration agency or doing it all themselves? slight worry we have, we cant get my husbands ex to sign a declaration to say we can take sonn out the country as we havent seen her for 11 years(he lives with us) is now 14. dont know where she lives? was told hubbie can sign a statutory declaration? am waiting for call back from solicitor before posting application. advice and suggestions? ]]> big30 http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/big30/541-first-stages-application-form-questions-worries.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/wietske/540-sydney-here-we-come.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:24:38 GMT Sydney here we come!!! Even as I am writing this, I can barely believe it is happening. Only a month and a half ago, I was enjoying life as a London-based financial journalist, looking forward to summer (okay, the UK version of summer) and hoping the credit crunch (and by extension my workload) would ease up. Now, thanks to a boyfriend who’s been offered an almost too good to be true publishing job in Sydney (which naturally he could not refuse) I have a visa to Sydney and a one way flight scheduled for the 7th of July. I have no idea where we are going to live, have never set foot in the country and am wondering whether arachnophobics like me and Sydney funnel web spiders can ever live in peace but my god, I am excited. I’ve been reading up on other people’s experiences and am trying to prepare myself for what’s ahead but it is hard to know until you’re experiencing it I suppose. I doubt I’ll suffer from major bouts of homesickness – I’m originally from Holland and have been living abroad (in the UK and France) for the past eight years – though I suppose the journey home will take a little bit longer:jiggy: My only possible worry is that I’m going to be working as a freelancing writer, covering Asia, and that I may end up feeling a little lonely – not just because I’ll miss the usual banter with my collegues, but also because it will clearly be harder to meet people. If anyone has any good suggestions as to clubs to join, places to see, fun things to do, and nice areas to live, I’d love to hear about it. And in the meantime, please keep posting your blogs online, it’s great to have such a platform to share experiences! Sydney here we come!!! Even as I am writing this, I can barely believe it is happening. Only a month and a half ago, I was enjoying life as a London-based financial journalist, looking forward to summer (okay, the UK version of summer) and hoping the credit crunch (and by extension my workload) would ease up. Now, thanks to a boyfriend who’s been offered an almost too good to be true publishing job in Sydney (which naturally he could not refuse) I have a visa to Sydney and a one way flight scheduled for the 7th of July. I have no idea where we are going to live, have never set foot in the country and am wondering whether arachnophobics like me and Sydney funnel web spiders can ever live in peace but my god, I am excited. I’ve been reading up on other people’s experiences and am trying to prepare myself for what’s ahead but it is hard to know until you’re experiencing it I suppose. I doubt I’ll suffer from major bouts of homesickness – I’m originally from Holland and have been living abroad (in the UK and France) for the past eight years – though I suppose the journey home will take a little bit longer:jiggy: My only possible worry is that I’m going to be working as a freelancing writer, covering Asia, and that I may end up feeling a little lonely – not just because I’ll miss the usual banter with my collegues, but also because it will clearly be harder to meet people. If anyone has any good suggestions as to clubs to join, places to see, fun things to do, and nice areas to live, I’d love to hear about it. And in the meantime, please keep posting your blogs online, it’s great to have such a platform to share experiences! ]]> wietske http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/wietske/540-sydney-here-we-come.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/loopz/539-we-have-enough-points.html Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:37:20 GMT Yippey! We have enough points to get into Oz! :yes: The first hurdle is crossed! We've had a look around at some of the agents and different forums for advice. Everyone has been a great help so far. We've decided to go with an agent, thinkingaustralia, as our case may not be straight forward. We have prove my partner's skills and we think this would be hard without advice on the exact content. Also, we have to get permission from my biological father, to him to Oz. As he has regular contact, I dont think this is going to be an easy matter to approach.

Hopefully we are going to make the first payments to our agent this week and get the ball rolling! Its starting to get exciting now....we're going for it!! ]]> Loopz http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/loopz/539-we-have-enough-points.html http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/charliebrown/538-back-oz.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:57:15 GMT leaving Blighty on Saturday 21st for a couple of well overdue weeks in Perth. Hopefully (although I said that last time) this *will* actually be the last visit before I move... leaving Blighty on Saturday 21st for a couple of well overdue weeks in Perth. Hopefully (although I said that last time) this *will* actually be the last visit before I move... ]]> charliebrown http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/blogs/charliebrown/538-back-oz.html