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If the Sunshine Coast is where you know you will definitely be moving to and your wife has worked in a particular speciality, my advice would be to search and see if you can find the Nurse Unit Manager contact details and send a chatty e-mail with her CV to them - you have nothing to lose. I did that before we came out, albeit over 10 years ago and had some great responses from managers. They may not have a job then, but they may communicate if there is a temporary position or something coming up or can even provide some suggestions. Good luck, Elena

I don't normally comment on these things but this thread has really struck a chord with me. Fisher1 you are so correct that no-one has any idea why people don't/can't move back and we have no right to question. I am in a very similar situation with my elderly mother in the UK and I can tell you it is hell on earth! I can't move back due to circumstances and I can reassure you that none of those circumstances are that I just don't want to move back. My husband and I have discussed this until we are blue in the face looking for a solution - it is a lose-lose situation. I am not sitting in Australia living it up without a care in the world it has greatly affected me mentally - it is really upsetting when people think that you are selfish if you don't go back but have no idea or interest in understanding why you haven't gone back - I have to live with my decision everyday. Elena

Great post Ali. We have been here 9 years this month, so were applying for our visas and found Poms in Oz when you and Cal were moving. I found both of your posts so helpful and full of a positive attitude. Once we moved here the positive, yet truthful attitude that you both had certainly continued to help me. We are now truly settled and love it here - not so much a better life just a life that suits us and the kids. Elena

Hi Trevor You may be right about registration being suffice - but certainly in Queensland Health it would seem that degree - and now Masters for Grade 7 is what is expected. Good luck anyway. Yes profile picture is McDiarmid Park - hubbie is from Perth! Elena

Have you actually looked at job vacancies though? I may be wrong but I am sure that Registered Nurse vacancies in Australia require you to have a Bachelor's Degree to apply. Elena

Hi Suzanne In answer to your question "What is life really like to live in Queensland?" - I would say pretty damn good!!! We have been here for nearly 9 years now, living on the Redcliffe Peninsula and we love it (although it was hard at first). We like the weather and the variety of things to do. Not so keen on the Gold Coast but love going up to the Sunshine Coast or into the city and of course always happy just to hang out in Redcliffe. We both work full-time and I have started studying again and we have two teenage kids, so life does sometimes take over, but it is up to us to make the most of our surroundings. Even when things are really busy, we make an effort to do something every few weeks. If it is just you and your husband then you don't need to worry about making sure that you are getting children settled, so just take your time and you will find a suburb that suits you best for lifestyle and travelling. Most areas have markets and activities on at the weekend to enjoy and lots of stuff is free. Good luck with the move and wherever you decide to move. Elena

Hi. Dayboro is very rural, I know a few people who have built there then moved due to the isolation. We are late 40's and hubby got bike last year, we live in Redcliffe if you fancy catching up with him and enjoying a bike ride. Elena

Hi this is done as part of the babies immunisation schedule in Australia. They used to have a catch up programme but not sure if that is finished (used to be done in year 8 but that has definitely stopped now), and if it is stopped then you may have to pay for the vaccinations which will cost about $150 a shot and there are 3. If you are planning to put your child into childcare you might not get any rebates back if their not vaccinated. There are no worries health wise waiting until you get here. My friend who went to NZ had her daughters vaccinated before going out, we waited until we came to Australia but both girls were done via the catch up programme. It's 3 injections over 6 months. Hope this helps. Elena

Have you thought about a magna pool? They use different chemicals and the pool is concrete. It's what we have and we love it. Elena

Hi yes it is easy to enrol in schools. When we arrived it was the beginning of January and enrolled our girls the week before school started. The school was open with office staff, I walked in filled in a few forms had a meeting with the principal and that was that! We were in the catchment area and for some schools it may be slightly harder. To the OP re North Lakes State school - I have just finished working there for 8 months in a non teaching role and although it has lots of students it doesn't feel overly big and the staff I thought were lovely and caring. It may have a large enrolment but the class sizes don't appear to be large. It is on 2 campuses so the years 10,11 and 12 are based at a different campus. Elena

This is something I also wanted to know. I am flying back to the UK in April for the first time since becoming a citizen. When I booked my flights they took my Oz passport number. Going Oz straight to Dubai, Dubai to Glasgow and same coming back. Not too worried about entering UK with British passport but when what about at Dubai and when I check in to come back do I show my UK or Oz passport, or do I only show UK passport at passport control? I am sure it is all very simple but at the moment I just can't get my head around it! Thanks Elena

If you are thinking Redcliffe but unsure (we live there and love it though), how about looking at Shorncliffe, Sandgate or Brighton. Sandgate has a train station and I personally think that area is also lovely. Elena

Hi we live in Redcliffe and have been here for 6 years in January. Daughters are nearly 16 and 13 now. I personally have found the schools on the Peninsula good and hear good things about all of the high schools on the Peninsula (some have the good and bad as many schools do). I can't comment on any schools in Petrie area though. Probably suggest checking out their websites and then visiting them when you get here. We were lucky than someone at the bank recommended a primary school and we weren't disappointed. Good luck, if you need any further info, hopefully I can help. Elena

Hi Scarborough is lovely and safe. Will be a perfect place to relax and unwind after the end of your busy days in the first few weeks. We live on the Redcliffe Peninsula and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Elena

That's disappointing about the school, when we came over the school was great. I think Redcliffe golf club does stuff for kids and maybe North Lakes does it also. What about life guard training? Good luck anyway. Elena

It is hard when your kids don't seem to be settling in so well. We live in Redcliffe and have been here for nearly 6 years. We have 2 girls but they are just turned 12 and nearly 16. What school does he go to? Have you tried speaking to them? Does he have any interests or sports that he likes? There are so many clubs etc in North Lakes and here in Redcliffe. My younger daughter has made lots of friends by going to little athletics and continues to go each year now to be with these friends more than the athletics I think. Good luck, Elena

You only have to pay for yourself and hubby, children under 16 years cost nothing to become citizens, they are automatically granted citizenship when you are. If you need a RRV then you do have to pay for the children, so much cheaper all round. Elena

We have just done our test etc and waiting to be invited for citizenship ceremony. Reason, basically we live here so why not and also kids can get HECS loan when they go to uni. Elena

Does any one know where to get a real christmas tree in Brisbane.:xmas3:

Probably can't rationale it myself. I did have terrible homesickness the first year which is why I kept it. It's really not that much money ever year and jsut seems something that I feel comfortable doing. Know its probably crazy, but keeps me happy! Elena

Been in Brisbane for nearly 5 years now and still registered in UK. Did this first year as was unsettled and worried, then have just continued to do and it is easy to do. Every year I think about stopping but it seems a bit like a security blanket, so I register again. We are settled now and no plans to move back but just feel happier being registered in both countries. Elena

Can't help you with that size, sorry. Good luck - we certainlyl didn't pay crazy money for our daughter's first violin, cos you just don't know how long they will take lesson for! Elena

What size of violin are you looking for? We have just bought my daughter a 3/4 one so her 1/2 size is up for sale. We are in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane. Elena

Hi Deb, my daughter sees Bruce Trusler at Shine orthodontist in North Lakes (though they all go to each branch). He was recommended to us by a friend at work who went to him to get braces over 15 years ago and he is really nice, hasn't rushed anything and great with my daughter. We made our own appt, no referal from the dentist and had one within a month. What have they said when you telephoned? Can't comment if they are worth the wait as don't know about any other orthodontists, but our regular dentist also knows him and can only say good things about him. Elena

Hi Happyas, glad you are enjoying staying on the Peninsula, it is beautiful isn't it. We have been here over 4 years and love it here, seen so many changes over the past few years. We are also in our early 40s, with kids though but also enjoy beer, bubbles etc. Re- green tree frogs, my 14 yr old daughter is fascinated by them and often saves them from the dog and tries to bring them into the house!! Elena