sharonp53
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Please understand that my reply is not designed to be rude, or nasty. You asked a question and ai want to give you an honest answer. First thing is that Australia is currently a very different place than the country I knew back in the 80s. It is currently a very divided society and one that looks readily for scapegoats. It is not a comfortable place to be different. Hanson is a symbol of what is wrong. The government is very pro-China, which while the focus is on a different group is fine. But nothing lasts, and Hanson is a symptom of a wider discomfort in Australia and no ethnic or religious group is immune. Having a family member who lives with Chinese-born person, I would say the real question is will you adapt to life in Australia? The reason I ask this is based on personal observation rather than my own feelings. You see, this person told me, following a challenge in the relationship, that they hadn't been lying, just not reveling the truth, and that was their right, and culturally acceptable unless a person lies to a blood-relative. Now, to an Australian that is is a problem. While we may choose to lie, it is with the clear understanding of the fact that it is not right. But it is also random and situation-based and not because one person is less worthy of the truth than another. This person had to learn the hard way why some Chinese people (with his attitude) find it hard to adapt. I don't wish to suggest that all Chinese people are dishonest, just to use that as an example of different values. I have lived in five different countries, one in Africa, three in Europe and the USA and often the values of the locals conflicted with my own. I had to learn quickly that I needed to respect the local ways, even where they conflicted with my own. That did not mean I accepted them, I just understood that I was living in their country and needed to respect their culture and rights. And, I learned that, where I behaved in a way they found unacceptable, that I needed to live with criticism and not to be too senstive. The only other point I would make is for you to be aware that your government and businesses are not popular with many Australians due to the recent purchases of farms, resources and homes. So in some areas you may be seen as part of the reason young Australians cannot afford their own homes. Actually there are many reasons and most have to do with government decisions, but foreign investment is the easiest to focus on. I will give you the same advice I would give any potential migrant, think carefully about your decsion. Visit Australia for an extended holiday and mix with the locals, avoid areas where Chinese people live and work and areas with high migrant populations. We are very direct, even blunt people. We do not like people that come here just for what they can get from our country. If you are a giving person, one who is willing to call this country home, particpate in the community, mix with us, live among us, apart from the odd unhappy encounter, you will be welcomed. But if you are coming here only for what you can get then please think again. i wish you well with your decision making and if you do choose to make Australia home then I hope you will be very happy here.
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As an Aussie who returned home with my British husband (who had never even visited Oz) I can say the Gold Coast is the pits! Except Burleigh as that is where my two-week old granddaughter lives with her mummy and daddy....lol. But I digress! Anyway, I couldn't live there for five minutes! But depending on your ability to move there are many options. My suggestion, if you really can't cope with the mozzies, move south, far south! We did a trip last year and found we really loved the area around Bega, Tilba, and Cobargo was the best of all. About an hour from Canberra, with cold winters, beautiful old properties and, Cobargo in particular, was a gorgeous,old, craft-based little town, popular with tourists. Hot summers, but cold winters and close to Canberra, which has loads of culture and the mountains for a snow-based option in winter. If we didn't have such a strong reason to stay here it would be our first choice. My next suggestion would be Tasmania, but stay in the country areas. We loved Deloraine, pretty, very friendly and a really nice community-feel. But it does rain! I love that though, having spent many of my childhood years in Cornwall. Finally, for us, the choice is the northern rivers. We wanted to be part of a real community, close to family and where we could afford to buy a farm. The area is vibrant and diverse. The "hippy" town of Nimbin is amazing when you get beyond the obvious. People actually care about each other, and if you jump in and get involved it is easy to be accepted. Kyogle is a very different town, but still plenty going on and the council is working hard to bring new, but sustainable, agriculture and tourism based growth to the region. The Channon is gorgeous, and the entire area through to Byron and south is lovely, although, being a country girl I would avoid the coast. Winters are cooler, and last longer, there is more rain, but it is still fairly humid in summer, but often cooler than here. And, it's close enough for you to go and take a look. Tyalgum would also be worth looking at. It is an exciting, inclusive country town, as is Uki. We currently live in Glass House Mountains, but the Qld government seems hell-bent on destroying the beauty of this region and turning it into another Gold Coast, so we are leaving while our property is still worth its true value! Wishing you luck with it all but honestly, no where stays the same. It is easy to see only the good back in the UK when you visit the family on holiday, but when you are sitting inside for week after week in summer because it is pouring with rain you would look back and wish you were here. You have entered the never, never land of the migrant, and home will never be the same again. I know, I have done it both ways. So much I love, and hate, in both places. So nirvana will never be yours. Make the best of your remaining time to get your citizenship and find a place you love. Who knows, you may find a place you can truly call home. Good luck. And please PM me if you need an older friend, we are not far away.
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According to the Immigration Department's own charter they are supposed to reply in set times. See here for details of required response times. http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/client-service-charter1.pdf I would call though as often a CO may be away and their emails may not be checked, or responded to (not sure which). Good luck, it's a very stressful time.
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I agree, this was my experience as well. The agent was more of a hinderance than a help. Obviously if it is complicated you do need one, but I just lacked confidence and it was a mistake.
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Oh my goodness - huge hugs to you. At least we went through it together. I really hope yours comes through soon. Good luck and stay in touch, PM if you like. I will also give you my number if you feel like letting off steam sometime. :hug: Sharon
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We would be delighted to help with any information you need. I think PM maybe better to avoid clogging up this forum. So, please PM me with the kind of information you would like and I will fill you in as best I can. Cheers for now, I am off to bed. Sharon
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Hi to you all. I have not posted here since our visa was granted last year. We returned to Oz in late October 2010. The visa wait was a killer for a number of reasons, including an expectation of shorter processing times based on those of people submitting a few months prior to us, and our home having been sold and business relocated to Oz ahead of the move. Doing all that before applying was not the best, but dropping property prices and falling £ had us running scared. In addition I had family pressures in Oz. We stayed with friends and did Holiday rentals until visa grant came through and then the worst blow of all, our lovely dog (we rescued from Greece 3 years prior) failed her medical. Ultimately we rehomed her with a dear friend in France, still not over that! But we have been at home for 9 months now and are living in a lovely home in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. There have been loads of adjustments for both of us (my OH had never been to Oz) but we are settling in and adapting well to being here. I would not be anywhere else now. It has not been easy, and looking back we could have taken the pressure off ourselves and enjoyed the journey more, but it is worth it in the end. For those of you waiting I really advise you to carry on with enjoying life while you wait as you will need all your physical and emotional strength for the actual move. Having said that I know I stressed every step of the way, so a big hug for you all and if I can help you I certainly will, Sharon.
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Hi, Yes, we were asked for specific evidence for one period (can't remember, but I think it was a year). We provided all we could (which was not much more than they already had) and they were happy and my husband was granted a permanent visa from the outset. I found it a challenging process as I just wanted to get home as soon as I could. But, now we are here it is all lost in the mists of time. It is FANTASTIC to be home. I was away for nearly 13 years. Good luck to you and try not to worry, you will be fine. Cheers for now, Sharon
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Good luck with all the moving guys and the trip over. I hope by the time you get here the weather will be behaving better. But, even if it isn't it is such a thrill knowing you have finally made it! I hope we get to meet you at some stage soon. We are on the Sunshine Coast, I think I may have mentioned that before, but are in Brisbane at least once a month. Love and hugs to you both, Sharon and Graham
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If you have the stamp in the passport it serves as two forms of primary ID. It has been invaluable to my husband. I have put loads of info on ID requirements for various things, such as Medicare, drivers licenses etc. The process of getting all this is easy if you prepare, but a nightmare if you don't. Please take a look at the thread I set up "Our first days in Queensland". We have been here 9 days today. Good luck. By the way they will do the visa stamp readily, but if you can take the passport in rather than send it, we had a last-minute panic as they were much slower than promised.
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Oh wow, that is great news!! Conrgatulations and enjoy your new life :hug:
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Wow, congratulations!!!!!!!
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Wow, congratulations! Now starts the rest of your life. We flew to LA yesterday in the first stage of the journey to Australia, here for 11 days and it feels amazing. Enjoy every step! Now, go party, party, party........:jiggy:
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Congratulations!! I hope all goes well and you are soon on your way. :jiggy: We are flying out on Monday, 10 days in US and then on to NZ for two more days then into Brisbane on 25th. Very exciting. Bye for now and good luck, Sharon
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Oh FANTASTIC GeorgeD. I am so thrilled for you! I am sure you will have a fantastic weekend now. Please stay in touch and let us know how your plans go. Doesn't it feel amazing? :biggrin:
