motherof2

You forgot to mention the totally fantastic people who live there Nigel!!!!!

Loads of families with kids your ages - so they would be more than happy to give you a heads up on kinders, primary schools etc

Been here two years and love it

Peanig makes a mean caramel slice too :biggrin:

Sorry about the FB link calNgary - didn't realise I could not post - ooops!

Will PM you JudyUK

We stayed here for the first six week Aug/Sept time - it was still a bit chilly so appreciated the heating http://www.barwonvalleylodge.com.au/ Bill & Jan who run it where great as they have had a number of newly landed PiOs through their doors. Two years later & we still keep in touch

There are a couple of caravan parks next door too - happy to pass on details if you need them

We got ours gold valeted in the UK by BMW - could eat your dinner off the wheel arches only went from the dealer back home & into the container - AQUIS still failed it for cleanliness so we had to stump up to get it re cleaned here. I suspect if you'd wrapped it in bubble wrap it would have still been the wrong size of bubble wrap. As I said before beware they're thieving b*stards!!!

We used PSS - we had no problems with them or their 'sister' company when it all arrived here. You may want to check out if you'll need anything 'doing' to your cars before you leave though. We brought over a 5 series BMW - things like the seatbelt fixings did not comply to the ones used in Aus so we had to get the parts shipped over from Europe - extra money & delays which meant that bits of paper work expired - more money! I'm sure you could either bring the parts over and get put on here or maybe use a mechanic you know & try to make them Aussie compliant before you ship your babies. Just be aware the thieving b*stards will find some way of getting extra $'s out of you I'm sure Tap Ironchef for info- he knows everything

We shipped our car over in the container. The packers built a cage around it We then put the contents of a rather full 3 bed semi in the rest of our 40fter with room to spare. I would avoid RORO as heard some horror stories on here about the state some cars arrived in :shocked:

Hope the pic helps

Definately feel more healthy - like others I've cut the crap out of our families diet, the very occaisional fish n chip take out, more fresh fruit & vegs, but still have treats. I've manage to lose 20kg since we've been here with no stress and now have a doggie that needs walking every day - so she is my motivation too

I would think so. I'm a Practie Nurse in Vic and we have patients on it so I'd say yes. You'll have to get a script from your new GP when you get here. As to the implant vs depo as an ex family planning nurse before I moved here the imp would be a good consideration & get it done in the UK as you'd have to pay $'s here

Hi Sophie welcome to Geelong :biggrin:I'll pm you

Lived here for 18/ months and love it! Are you looking at primary or High school?

Totally agree with Kitty! I was a family planning nurse back in the UK (now have a new Practice Nurse hat) and Cerazette was very popular with my ladies. It'll get here eventually!!! Go for the implant whilst it's still free, otherwise you'll be paying for you pills

This may be of interest to you.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/family-tax-benefit-part-a-part-b/healthy-start-for-school-health-check

Some schools do prefer their kids to be up to date with their imms, obviously if you choose for your child to 'opt out' that is your choice too. You haven't said whether child/ren have had chickenpox or not. Its not so they don't catch the infection but also oso thatthey don't pass it on. Personally I'd get them up to date. My two are having their Hep B here as wasn't available when they were younger in the UK. Childhood imms are free here.

Happy to meet up for coffee if you want saram. Where is your holiday rental?

Weber - no brainer

Have alook here - loads of info re makes

http://www.aussiebbq.info/forum/

Re the bedding -it really depends on what you want. Kmart sells reasonably stuff priced bedding (or manchester as it tends to be called here - confused the hell out me when we first arrived!) Can't tell you what the quality is like though. Target bedding is OK to - just wait for the sales which seem to happen every other month :rolleyes:

There are quite a few of us around now! If you're on facebook there is a great group you may wan to join called Mummies in Highton, Belmont, Newtown, Geelong https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/HIGHTONMUMMIES/

also have a look at Brits in Geelong https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/356349787727905/

We get together quite a lot and try to arrange things to suit us all.

My daughter is in yr 6 at Highton Primary and loves it. More than happy to help if you want any info. Can't say I'm an expert as only been here for a year but can hopefully point you in the right direction

It was nice to read your post BB. You may or may not remember us from the PiO meets at the Wisley all those years ago (Sue & Mike). We finally made it here just over a year ago and I totally agree with all that you wrote. Those were the reasons we came over and to date have no regrets.

Hi, we live in Wandana Heights Highton & love it. Came over just over a year ago with our two son now 15 & 12 yr old daughter. You'll probably find more choice in Highton & surrounding areas like schools sports facilities etc.Tourquay is only 20 mins away so move here and enjoy the best of both! Will PM you some links re housing etc as don't want to bore others! When are you arriving? Happy to hook up with you if you feel lost and abandoned :biggrin:

We're OK with that Pez

My OH;s UK license was not transefered over when we appiled for our Aussie driving licenses last year. When he questioned it the guy at Vid Roads said they no longer do this and to get one he would have to do a new bike test here.

yeah 10th is no problem for me

?

Yes! I'm sure it will OK

10th good for us.

Will check calender but looks free at the moment. Will give Pez & Neil a nudge too.

I agree with Dom ( have to say that or he won't buy me a beer next time we meet up!)

We live in Highton & I work at one of thre GP practices there. Its a lovely place to live. ten mins into Geelong and as Dom said 30mins to Tourquay.

Have a look here for some info if you have little ones too;

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HIGHTONMUMMIES/

We stayed here when we first arrived. Quite a few people from PiO have stayed here too when they first landed. Bill & Jan who run it are more than used to startled looking Poms and put themselves out to help and point us in the right direction

http://www.barwonvalleylodge.com.au/

Two bedroom self contained appartments - one double and x2 single beds one bunk bed in the other. Nice size living meals area & a proper kitchen + laundry room with washer & dryer and they have a pool n spa+ kids [play area. Its five mins drive into the Geelong CBD. Belmont is around the corner with all the shops & shopping centre, Coles K Mart bakers, butchers etc. There's a lovely park across the road depending on the age of your kids and Highton Village is five mins away (which is where we are).

There's also a Big 4 caravan park and two others near by ( names illude me but I can find out if you want) Bare in mind it will be the summer hols here so book up sooner rather than later would be my advice.

PM if you want to.

Good luck