Hi there,
I just wondered if there was anyone who is living in Geelong who would be willing to be a sort of e-mail pal, to let me know what life is like in Geelong on a regular basis. Give opinions on area's of Geelong, schools, suberbs, good things and bad about the place. It is just so I can build a realistic picture of the Geelong before we go out there. I have been looking on the internet which has given me lots of information but I would like a human perspective. Any pictures would also be welcome.
Thank you in advance.
Karen
Maybe make contact with a lady by the name of Helena Buxton who oversees Regional Migration Initiatives at the City of Greater Geelong - T +61 3 5227 0866.
Best wishes (from a resident of Geelong, on a glorious sunny morning!).
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
Alan,
For some reason I cannot p.m. you??? Would be very grateful for her e-mail address if it is not too much trouble, I know you are a very busy man!
Regards
Karen
Alan,
For some reason I cannot p.m. you??? Would be very grateful for her e-mail address if it is not too much trouble, I know you are a very busy man!
Regards
Karen
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
Hi there,
I just wondered if there was anyone who is living in Geelong who would be willing to be a sort of e-mail pal, to let me know what life is like in Geelong on a regular basis. ...Karen
I don't live in Geelong (I live in Hoppers Crossing) but I manage an office of 30 people in Geelong town centre, almost all of whom live in and around Geelong.
Happy to respond to questions. Geelong is a magnificent place.
Fraser
__________________
Geelong, Victoria's second largest City
I guess what we are looking for is a friendly place to settle in Victoria. How do people take to "outsiders" or isn't it even thought of? I only ask as we live in a town where we have lots of immigrants and it is very hostile here, local people thinking they have come here to take jobs and houses etc. We will be in that situation soon and wondered would we be welcome? We could play it safe and move to somewhere like Perth but when we move to Australia, I want to live like an Australian and make Australian friends as well as English friends. Surrounding ourselves in a bubble of ex-pats is not for us, it may suit some and that’s fair enough, each to their own, but a friend is a friend regardless of where they were born in my eyes.
I have also been looking on the internet and think that Highton seems quite nice, the new houses are what we are looking for and it's not too far from a school we have seen for our daughter. Does anyone know about The Geelong College in Newtown? There seems to be lots of schools in Geelong which is great for my husband as he is a physics teacher but until I start college to do a hairdressing course, I will have to get a job, I have too many years to admit to, in an admin role and wondered if there is any call for it out there?
Also it would be good to make some friends, is there any get-togethers where we would be welcome?
Sorry if it sounds like I am asking loads of questions, but it really seems like the place we want to settle down in and would welcome any advice.
Thank you again for all your replies; you have all been very kind and helpful
Karen
>I guess what we are looking for is a friendly place to settle in Victoria. How do people take to "outsiders" or isn't it even thought of? I only ask as we live in a town where we have lots of immigrants and it is very hostile here, local people thinking they have come here to take jobs and houses etc. We will be in that situation soon and wondered would we be welcome?
Pretty much all Australians are immigrants, or sons of immigrants. Immigration is normal here... and people are very much used to a variety of accents... so.. no hassles.
>We could play it safe and move to somewhere like Perth but when we move to Australia, I want to live like an Australian and make Australian friends as well as English friends. Surrounding ourselves in a bubble of ex-pats is not for us, it may suit some and that’s fair enough, each to their own, but a friend is a friend regardless of where they were born in my eyes.
>I couldn't agree more.
I have also been looking on the internet and think that Highton seems quite nice, the new houses are what we are looking for and it's not too far from a school we have seen for our daughter. Does anyone know about The Geelong College in Newtown? There seems to be lots of schools in Geelong which is great for my husband as he is a physics teacher but until I start college to do a hairdressing course, I will have to get a job, I have too many years to admit to, in an admin role and wondered if there is any call for it out there?
Also it would be good to make some friends, is there any get-togethers where we would be welcome?
Highton /Wanadana Heights area is lovely. Quite a few of my staff live there. Don't know too much about the school, but there are certainly plenty to choose from.
As to Admin jobs...Yes...just like the UK.
>Sorry if it sounds like I am asking loads of questions, but it really seems like the place we want to settle down in and would welcome any advice.
My Pleasure.
>Thank you again for all your replies; you have all been very kind and helpful
Karen
Fraser (in sunny Geelong)
__________________
Geelong, Victoria's second largest City
What I omitted to say is that in my office we have:
2 Poms, 2 Scots, one Frenchman, one Singaporean, one Philippino, one second generation German, one second generation Macedonian, one second generation Yank, one Australian married to a Frenchwoman, one Australian married to an Irish woman... and a bunch of Aussie's only one of which cannot identify a "Nation of family Origin"...
A real mixed bunch...
In Melbourne office we have Greeks, Italians, Dutch, Poms, Irish, Welsh, Scots, French, Germans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Yanks, Canadians, Phillipinos...and all sorts... Austral;ia is a real melting pot...
__________________
Geelong, Victoria's second largest City
I know Geelong College very well ... if you want the name and contact details for the lady in charge of Admissions send me an email or a PM.
Best regards.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew&Karen
I guess what we are looking for is a friendly place to settle in Victoria. How do people take to "outsiders" or isn't it even thought of? I only ask as we live in a town where we have lots of immigrants and it is very hostile here, local people thinking they have come here to take jobs and houses etc. We will be in that situation soon and wondered would we be welcome? We could play it safe and move to somewhere like Perth but when we move to Australia, I want to live like an Australian and make Australian friends as well as English friends. Surrounding ourselves in a bubble of ex-pats is not for us, it may suit some and that’s fair enough, each to their own, but a friend is a friend regardless of where they were born in my eyes.
I have also been looking on the internet and think that Highton seems quite nice, the new houses are what we are looking for and it's not too far from a school we have seen for our daughter. Does anyone know about The Geelong College in Newtown? There seems to be lots of schools in Geelong which is great for my husband as he is a physics teacher but until I start college to do a hairdressing course, I will have to get a job, I have too many years to admit to, in an admin role and wondered if there is any call for it out there?
Also it would be good to make some friends, is there any get-togethers where we would be welcome?
Sorry if it sounds like I am asking loads of questions, but it really seems like the place we want to settle down in and would welcome any advice.
Thank you again for all your replies; you have all been very kind and helpful
Karen
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
