Nats

Hi Lukepom, can't offer you first hand advice about life in Townsville, because I don't live there YET! But I can assure you that you won't be the only Pom in town. We relocate to Townsville (from Brisbane) in 8 weeks time. It does look nice in pictures.. but pictures can be deceiving lol. I visited last month and was immediately struck by how BROWN and dry the land was. After my initial gasp of horror and a few days of driving around I relaxed a bit and found it rather appealing. I guess it really comes down to what your after in life. My friends (I have a few in Townsville already) have told me it will take at least 6 months to adapt to life in Townsville (I don't mean acclimatise - that I fear will take longer). We have lived in Perth and we have lived in Brisbane, we have travelled Australia extensively in the 6+ years we have been here. If the job opportunity is a good one, and as you say, it's time for a change.. why not give it a go? It doesn't have to be forever. We're giving it 18 months. In that time we plan to enjoy weekends camping in the areas surrounding Townsville, getting out into the barrier reef and living a more simple existence, because life in the city isn't for us. If you favour city life then I don't think Townsville will appeal at all. Good of luck with your decision

Stace, if your really desperate for some wildlife encounters Catch a bus to Pinnaroo Memorial. I know, sounds really morbid.. but it's a lovely cemetery. We used to go often because I'm a sucker for Roo's. And take the train South down to Penguin Island. It's not far from Mandurah / secret Harbour (I'm shocking with suburbs South of Perth) but it's a lovely cheap day out. Obviously you've got to do Rotto, and that will set you back some $$. North beach just south of Sorrento/ Hillarys was always good for dolphin spotting and if you have access to a snorkel you don't have to go in too deep to see lots of colourful fish. That used to be my Sunday morning treat. There's lots of large colourful crabs on the rocks too :-)

Sounds like you've had a bit of a rough time of it health wise Pom Queen. I admire the way you push on and stay positive. I'm not sure how I'd cope if either of us were to become seriously unwell or suffer chronic health problems, it does cross my mind on occasion as I see lots of scary stuff at work. Never entered my mind when I was planning this adventure from Scotland funny enough! Something potential migrants should really weigh up. Since having my little one I can't help but worry 'what if?'. Thankful for my private Health cover, touch wood I never need to use it! You mention high rates of crime, I'm hearing a lot about youth crime in Townsville, some try to brush it under the carpet but it does concern me slightly. I've added lots of Townsville pages to my Facebook account, trying to find playgroups, mums groups etc.. and without sounding like a complete snob, the majority of the members are not people I would like to become acquainted with lol. From what my husband has seen first hand and acknowledging that the defence force make up a high percentage of the population, Townsville is a working class town, and that's fine, we're working class too.. but every other person who comments on the Facebook groups is enquiring about DVO's etc .. I'm hoping I'll meet like minded individuals there, there has to be pockets of above average intelligents out there lol. If even just my colleagues. As as I said, I give it a couple of years, I'm embarking on an 18 month work/study program anyway, if we hate it we'll return to Sunshine Coast or head to Perth. as it happens I'm currently 9km from Brisbane CBD, I work in the busiest ED in Brisbane, nearest the CBD and the Valley.. I'm so over drunks and meth heads. Every city has them, we're just too close for comfort here. I hear Perth has a major ICE problem now too, but at least in Perth you can live up or down the coast and rarely see it. I guess he thing I really ought to be concerned with is the humidity!! The heat is really taking its toll on me just now, in Brisbane. I love the climate here, it was part of the pill to migrate, but since having my boy I can't tolerate it. My hormones must be out of whack, even if it's been 17 months!! thanks again for all your words of wisdom x

Thanks for that post, given me lots to think about. We're headed for Townsville in April/ May 2016 having spent nearly 4.5 years in Brisbane and 1.5 years in Perth. I'm very open minded about this move, excited and optimistic for the change, but if it doesn't work out will probably return to Perth. It really is a case of different strokes for different folks isn't it? I never disliked Perth, but I was keen to see what else Australia had to offer. We drove from Perth to Darwin over a 5 week period, stopping off at various places in between, then onto Cairns and Brisbane. Haven't spent as much time as yourself travelling but it really is the most beautiful country and I have a real soft spot for the NT. The red dirt & wild cattle.. just how I envisioned Australia to be. I loved Kunanurra and Katherine Gorge and a little place called Berry springs outside Darwin, just sublime. I've been to Cairns a couple of times since then and the surroundings are just stunning. I'm hoping Townsville suits us, but if not we have another couple of years before the little one starts school to make a decision on where we put down roots. I know what I don't want.. Brisbane or the like. Nothing bad to say about Brisbane, as many love it here.. it just doesn't offer anything special in terms of lifestyle for us, unlike WA. We rarely venture into the city, and begrudge having to travel up or down the coast in traffic to get to a decent beach. Our lifestyle really is more suited to a smaller town. I reckon I'd enjoy living in rural/remote community, but frightened to take the plunge. How do you find the hospital?? I've heard lots of good things about Townsville Hospital, although the references are in relation to it being a good place to work, not really from a patients perspective. I currently work in Emergency and I'm told the Emergency set up in Townsville is really good, I believe it's bigger than the Royal Brisbane ED and of course newer. Different demographic too, therefore more challenging traumas. Although I won't be working in ED full time when I move.. time for a change. Cheaper parking!!! A major plus. How old are your boys Pom queen? It's a way off for us yet but I am having to think about Schooling as we may want to send our little boy to prep/ kindy at same school we wish to enrol him in. I think if we can manage it and our circumstances don't change we'd like to put him into private school. Been looking at Townsville Grammar and Cathedral. Any advice on these? I have a friend in Bushy, her little boy (same age as ours) has been enrolled in daycare attached to the school in which she is sending him to.. can't remember what school but it's nearer Bushland Beach. I can't rule suburbs out until I get there but I think Bushy might be too far from the 'action' perhaps? And I worry about travelling to and from work during floods. Sorry, I tend to waffle. There's never really any chat surrounding Townsville, I google Townsville most days just to get a low down on Suburbs and opinions.. just keen to get organised but there's nothing out there. Will you/ can you return home to Cairns in the future? Nats x

Hi Jac, sorry to keep pestering you, just wondering how you went about organising a rental from the UK?? Did you deal direct with a real estate agent? I'm in TV January for a week of Uni, might try to go round a couple of agencies then to introduce myself. I should be used to this after nearly 6 years in Oz but this relocation is becoming the biggest headache ever. Didn't have a toddler moving from UK to Perth and Perth to Brisbane mind you. :embarrassed:

hi Stacey, i don't come on here much but I've noticed your posts over the years (being a fellow Scot and all) I have been looking forward to hearing about your Aussie adventure. Perth is a lovely City, it's small and I guess not as fast paced as what we'd be used to in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but for me , that all adds to the appeal. I'm sure you will get on just fine in Perth, your very level headed, trust your instincts and you will be just fine. We're headed to Townsville April next year and I will be interviewing au pairs!!! If your headed our way and in need of some digs and extra $$ drop me a PM. Would be lovely to have someone around who understands us!! Anyway, safe flight and have a ball in WA. X

Our little boy is only 17 months old so we don't have to worry about school/prep for another couple of years yet, just daycare. We're most likely going to get an aupair when we move, as daycare isn't going to work whilst I'm working as a student midwife. I LOVE the older style homes, the Queenslanders are spectacular when modernised and renovated, but there is an awful lot of maintenance & upkeep with them, so we most likely will go for a newer home. Although I'm veering towards established over new build. How far is Douglas/Idalia/Annandale etc from the strand?

Very well balanced post. Agree with everything you have to say about Perth, good luck in your new venture.

So lovely to hear your update and know that thing everything has went very smoothly since your arrival. I have eagerly awaited your update as we are moving to Townsville ourselves in the next 6 months. I work for QHealth in Brisbane and will be transferring onto the relief pool at Townsville hospital as I'm starting a grad diploma in Midwifery next year. Secured a student midwife post at the hospital and I am over the moon!! My friend lives in Bushland Beach and I have been advised Annandale, Douglas, Idalia are good suburbs within close proximity of the hospital? I'd like the option of cycling and using the car less. How are you finding the humidity?

Thankyou. I needed to hear this. Like you we pushed ahead with our move to Australia despite the reservations of our family because we wanted to live our own life and even if we were at home we would still have our son in daycare. My relationship with my own mother is strained and I would never leave my son in her care, and I wouldn't want my mother-in-law raising my child either. My husband seems to think she'll come out for 3-6m when we have #2 but she has her own life in Scotland and 2 grandchildren there so I don't see that happening. I'm open to it.. but not depending on it. I took my son to Scotland , alone, when he was 7 months old to introduce him to family and received very little help then. My decision to Breastfeed and reluctance to feed my son processed and sugary food when introducing solids was met with lots of eye rolling. It was absolutely wonderful to be reunited with a few close friends I have to admit. They really looked out for me & I felt like myself when I was among them. Can't really replicate that here, perhaps in time, I'm already feeling things getting a little easier as my son becomes more independent and more able to understand things. So I really hope it's just a phase, then of course I'll have another before long , hopefully not as clingy as the first but at least I'll have a better idea what I'm doing lol. We do have our citizenship thankfully. Thanks again, time to take this little bundle of energy to playgroup!

Thank you Voyager. I'm so glad everything has worked out well for you. Having my little one has opened my eyes to the possibility of moving home and an appreciation for what I've left behind so if we do decide to return in future, I won't be so begrudging of the decision. And it's made me really think about where and how I can make it work for us if we do return. i don't plan on returning to work as many hours if I have a second child and indeed I don't plan on continuing with the work that I do.

Thanks Kimbodia. I always presumed having children in Australia as opposed to removing them from the UK would be easier, but it's not really the case. There's still guilt. I occasionally flirt with the idea of moving back to another part of Scotland, far enough away from family to live independently but close enough to visit every other weekend if we wanted. I would never have entertained this idea prior to having my son. Yesterday I was having a bad day and kind of regret posting now. On difficult days it's easy to assume everything would be so much easier if family were around to lend a helping hand. We desperately want to have a second child and this is part of the problem. We have wanted to move, within Australia, since before my son was born. In hindsight we should have done this whilst I was on maternity leave, instead we're aiming to do this if/when second child comes along. Every month I'm not pregnant is another month in limbo! Husband and I discussed this yesterday and have decided that I'm going to put in for a transfer at work and make the move now. I have an unrequited loyalty towards my employer or rather my boss that isn't healthy, and I'm sick week in, week out from trying to juggle everything, there is no flexibility. I was going to leave eventually so might as well just cut my losses now. Marisawright, my husband doesn't want to and never has wanted to return to the UK until recently when I've been sick and he has to go to work and I still have a toddler to care for. He thinks it may be easier with family around. On the whole, he wants to stay here. We have discussed bringing his mum out for 3-6months if/when we have another baby and then enlisting the help of an au pair.

Yes I am aware, lots of discussion surrounding this at work, with many convinced the bill will never get passed. Regardless, 28weeks of half pay is fabulous and I feel very grateful to have an employer that offers such a scheme, so even if the govt does pull the ppl for people in receipt of employer ppl I still feel it's worth remaining with my employer and taking their ppl. Thanks for highlighting that, I'd hate to mislead anyone into thinking they might be entitled to 1year mat pay and basing their financial decisions on that.

Me either Jock. But at least you've got to experience lots of different places, no harm in that either. I get caught out every time I come back on this forum by people who enjoy dissecting every turn of phrase and twisting words. Jesus, I came on for a bit of advice, heaven forbid some support.. and it becomes all about my misguided quest for utopia. Right now and possibly never, Perth is not an option for us. Not solely based on what we feel Perth lacks, but on carefully measured decisions that will affect our future.

Your absolutely right, and I don't think anywhere is perfect. My husband didn't enjoy living in Perth, it's a compromise.. I pushed for the move to Australia, so it was only fair that we gave Brisbane a go. We agreed on 6 months in Brisbane.. but here we are still.

thanks Cal, I've started taking him to playgroup on my days off and have started chatting with some lovely mums. He's at a wonderful age now, very interactive and well, just easier. I found the 'baby' period very tricky. Just getting out the house in the mornings was difficult and therefore I was never a frequent attendee at mums group. Still keep in touch with some of the friends I made through mums group, but very sporadic due to Shiftwork. I am working on making more effort in this regard. I've been in Brisbane >3.5yrs, so long enough. I did have some really close friends here when we moved, one couple I went to school with and another through mutual friends. For various reasons they had to return home, and well I guess with having them around I never really felt much need to meet anyone else. They're amazed I'm still in Brisbane.

And just to add.. my employer pays 14wks at full pay/28 wks half pay, that together with 18 wks govt PPL and holidays is 1yr. I feel very lucky to have had that time off with my little one. When work gets too much my husband asks me to reduce my hours but I feel it is worth it in the short term, to take the pressure off when #2 arrives, working on that atm, so hopefully won't be juggling shift work & childcare for too long.

I don't think our expectations are unrealistic at all. We've been here almost 6 years and wouldn't have remained here this long if we didn't feel the benefits outweighed negatives. The lifestyle we experienced in Perth was worlds apart from the lifestyle we left behind in Glasgow. That said however, Perth was not entirely for us and I don't regret moving, we've travelled a fair bit within Australia and enjoyed lots of weekend breaks in other cities since being in Brisbane, we most likely wouldn't have done so had we remained in Perth. I think everyone's experience is going to be different, just as everyone is seeking different things from life. Hands down, for me.. Australia offers a better quality of life.. if you can get by without needing family/ longing for home. For the most part, right up until the birth of my son.. I never looked back. Having a child is a monumental, life changing event, be something wrong if it didn't 'change' things or cause some reassessment I would think.

Yeah, but paid parental leave means enjoying up to 12 months off work whilst baby is young without added financial stress. I'm not sure I'll definitely be around for the long service leave.. but it's not that far off and the organisation itself ain't so bad. Interesting perspectives on growing up without extended family around. I know why I came to Australia and what I was leaving behind, but we came as a couple, it is only after the arrival of our son that I started to realise these issues. He loves daycare and playgroup, I've made sure he gets plenty of socialisation, and of course we hope he will have siblings. Would be lovely if he had an older, more mature person in his life. I've heard about 'adopt a grandparent' schemes, but none in Qld. I loved having my gran around & i think it's wonderful for children to have exposure to different generations. I and to a certain extent we (husband and I) feel 'stuck in a rut' in Brisbane. Our lifestyle is much as it was in the UK, living the rate race out in suburbia, whereas at least in the UK we weren't isolated from friends and family, and when we look at it from that angle, we'd be better off in the UK. That said, the potential is there, outwith Brisbane, hopefully a move to a smaller community will be the change we need. Feeling a lot more positive than I did earlier, back to back illness from all the daycare bugs is taking it's toll.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm just hoping someone will come by and say it gets easier after the baby/toddler stage. We have discussed returning to Perth Bungo, but aside from the friends and lovely beaches, it didn't tick all our boxes. We want to add to our family (as if I'm not struggling already ha) so that means remaining with my employer and their PPL scheme, and I prob will hang around for long service leave too. I wouldn't rule it out down the track, but for now hoping a sea change & an au pair might do the trick. There are definite benefits to being on the other side of the world when it comes to raising kids, we don't have the grandparents & aunties challenging our parenting decisions, undoing our discipline and feeding our child rubbish.. but I do wonder how much children of migrants suffer as a result of having no extended family nearby.

Not sure if this is the right forum to place this post, but just wondering if others have found themselves in similar situation, and what the outcome was. Husband and I came to Australia in 2010, lived in Perth for 18months before relocating to Brisbane. Brisbane was only ever meant to be temporary, we enjoyed living near the coast in Perth but decided to move East to explore more of Australia. Got a job with Qld health and i guess I'm a bit hesitant to leave. We now have a 14month old son, I returned to work when he was 11months old and he is in daycare 3 days per week. Since the arrival of our son, and no doubt influenced by my fluctuating hormones, I/we have thought about returning home constantly. We came to Australia to start a family, but in reality we are finding it to be an uphill struggle. We have no support in Brisbane, whatsoever. We don't have many friends or indeed anyone whom we can rely upon should something (anything) unforeseen crop up. Since returning to work I have been sick practically every week through sheer exhaustion of trying to balance Shiftwork with little or no sleep when caring for a toddler. Husband is currently subcontracting and looking for work, so we're feeling the strain financially and clashing quite a bit also. Things that I'm working on to improve the situation include; finding a less stressful job/better hours within Qhealth, thus remaining with same employer and not losing any of my benefits. We are also considering a 'fresh start' Sunshine Coast or beyond, nearer the coast, more in keeping with the laid back lifestyle we enjoyed in Perth whilst remaining East Coast and enjoying all that it has to offer. Now is not a good time for us to return to the UK, but if things don't improve this may be our only option. Ive read a few posts on here recently, and one today that really resonated with me. The isolation being a major drawback and reason for people considering returning to the UK. We had a wonderful group of friends in Perth, and we still keep in touch. In Brisbane we had a group of close friends (expats) all of whom have returned to the UK. Admittedly I haven't really made much effort or 'put myself out there' since arriving in Brisbane, except for joining mums groups when my son was born (this didn't work out so well for me). I feel really sad that my son has no regular contact with anyone other than myself and husband. This is not the life I envisioned for my children, or at least I hadn't even contemplated this or how it may negatively affect him. I guess I underestimated the true value of my family in the UK and what I really want to know is, has/is anyone else experiencing the same? Does it/will it get easier? Is this black hole a result of present circumstances or do I need to prepare for returning to the UK?

Please don't bother to target me, I am capable of making decisions in my own best interests as I believe others are entitled too. The laws are in place to prevent wide access to raw milk, although if people really want it, they'll find it. I'm not a lover of milk at any cost, unless laced with chocolate! I admit to using raw milk in one instance whereby my milk supply was compromised, my decision and I don't regret it. People make poor health choices all the time, from convenience food to smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. These are what drain the healthcare system and tax payers money. Whilst it is important we have guidelines in place to protect children etc, as adults we should be able to make our own choices without being chastised by strangers, such as no sushi in pregnancy, no cheese.. tell that to the French and Japanese, seriously.

I wasn't going to come back and check this but here I am. I have a healthcare background, I am pro vaccines, I am all too aware of the risks of unpasteurised milk and would therefore never recommend it to others and most certainly not children. That said, however, people including myself can & should be able to eat/ drink whatever they like, knowing the risks - making informed choices. My point is, in the highly unlikely event that I may have consumed contaminated milk, I'm confident that as a healthy adult my body could deal with it and the human body (female in particular) has an amazing ability to protect it's offspring from potential harm whilst Breastfeeding, not that you will ever fully comprehend that. My stance on this thread is that there are far more worthy causes worth petitioning for.

Pregnant and breastfeeding woman shouldn't do this, shouldn't do that.. let's just leave that decision to the pregnant & breastfeeding woman shall we. Generations have gotten by on worse diets and still managed to grow & nourish their offspring. Breastfeeding woman does not equate to immunocompromised! At 36 years of age I've been exposed to many pathogens and have a healthy immune system as a result! My now 13month old never had so much as a cold until starting daycare, is extremely healthy and active.. and obviously still building a strong immune system, therefore unpasteurised milk is off the table for him.

Isn't it already banned or at least illegal to sell as drinking milk? It's available as cleopatras milk/ bath milk.. but it is well known that consumers buy it for the purpose of drinking and not cosmetic. I used it myself when nursing my 4 month old, I'd read online that raw milk can increase supply of breast milk.. and for me it did. That said, I would never allow my child to drink it. There is very good reason for pasteurising milk, and as someone said before.. it sounds like you've been doing this yourself for many years, if not 'over treating' the milk & thus diminishing the available nutrients. I can't see this being a big deal. Raw milk will always be available direct from the farm if you so want it.