IrishDigger

Australia living in the dark ages - a few years ago I picked up some visiting friends from America, Canada and the United Kingdom, it was their first time in Australia and after settling and doing the tourist bit they stated that in comparison to their own countries arriving in Australia seemed like stepping back in time to the 1950's, 60's and 70's. I reckon given what is happening in the world today, there would be a lot of people who would like to to back to the so called 'Dark Ages'.

I reckon there would be lots of Irish on the forum but they wouldn't necessarily live in Ireland. I left the Mother Country over 50 years ago. Cheers. IrishDigger Australia

Whatever area you are thinking of settling, go to the Council's Website and it will detail the local areas that dogs can be off lead.

Further, https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/32024616/turnbull-faces-perils-of-pauline/#page1 "Former prime minister John Howard says Turnbull would do well to deal with Hanson "issue by issue" and respect the fact that Queensland voters have seen fit to elect her." which in my view is good advice for Mr Turnbull.

Interesting to read the views on Pauline Hansen by those who have left the very country that is in the process of losing its culture, http://www.thecommentator.com/article/4164/immigration_and_the_future_of_britain

The Australian people have expressed their wishes at the ballot box and now the major parties need to listen to the people.

The South Australia and Western Australia Police Forces did recruit experienced police officers from Ireland and the UK a few years ago but I reckon it will be quite a while (if ever) before they ever do it again. :policeman:

Don't let it get you down, try and stay cool, maintain your water intake and don't do anything silly like mowing lawns or jogging. Cheers. http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/heatwave-conditions-as-south-australia-and-the-east-coast-swelter/news-story/1eea02357aeda02e5875da4d113f637a?from=public_rss

Well there you go, I thought all of the States gave the same pensioner concessions. I live in Victoria.

Fifty two years ago as a young bloke in my late teens I saw no future in Ireland or the UK and so decided to head for Australia. It was so easy then in comparison to what some of you folks has had to go through. I had no skills to offer other than I was young and fit, I went into the Australian Immigration Office in the main street and filled out a few forms, passed the medical and eight week later was on the plane to Australia under the Assisted Passage Scheme for £10. So there you go, life is good in The Land Down Under.

I also have been on a part pension for a number of years (not full because of the income and assets test) and through my Pensioner Concession Card I receive full rebates on all the listed services. The Pensioner Concession Card does not differentiate between full and part pension and like I said, even if you were only getting a $1 pension you would still be entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/pensioner-concession-card

I think you've got it wrong Johndoe, once you qualify for the Australian Aged Pension be it a full pension or a part pension based on the income and assets test you are issued with a Concession Card and that Concession Card entitles to all concessions irrespective of how much pension you are receiving, for example a person on a pension of $1 per fortnight is still a pensioner and is therefore entitled to the Concession Card. Have a listen to this lady, she explains it better that I, https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/video/age-pension-explained

One of the nicest little towns we visited in north east Tasmania was Gladstone, http://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/gladstone-tas and of course we had to visit Irishtown,

If you ever get to Hobart and looking for a nice meal, try the, http://drunkenadmiral.com.au/ and a visit to the Salamanca Market is a must, http://www.salamanca.com.au/ as is a walk around Battery Point which is a step back in history.

It's time we became a republic but I'm not so sure about changing the flag; what worries me in this day of political correctness and the satisfying of minorities is that we could end up with a flag that tries to satisfy every ones agenda. In regards to our current flag I am reminded of the following poem, Our Flag Author: Unknown Our Flag wears the stars that blaze at night, In our Southern skies of blue, And a little old flag in the corner, That’s part of our heritage too. It’s for the English, the Scots and the Irish, Who were sent to the ends of the earth, The rogues and schemers, the doers and dreamers, Who gave modern Australia its birth. And you, who are shouting to change it, You don’t seem to understand, It’s the flag of our laws and our language, Not the flag of a faraway land. Though there are plenty of people who'll tell you, How when Europe was plunged into night, That little old flag in the corner, Was their symbol of freedom and light. It doesn’t mean we owe allegiance, To a forgotten imperial dream, We’ve the stars to show where we’re going, And the old flag to show where we’ve been. It’s only an old piece of bunting, It’s only an old piece of rag, But there are thousands who’ve died for its honour, And shed of their blood for OUR FLAG.

Better still Bristolman, refer them to both and then they can make an informed decision taking in to account the wishes of the whole family. I always find it sad, disappointing and such a wa$te when people can't make it in Australia and I could tell some sad stories of people who returned to the UK and regretted that decision for the rest of their lives, especially those with teenage children who even when they turned adults could not return to Australia because they had never became Australian citizens.

I prefer the cooler climate of Victoria and Tasmania and if I didn't live where I live in Victoria my next preference would be Tasmania. You can keep the tropical north.:smile:

Lawn Bowls for me.

At the last referendum on Australia becoming a republic the people voted NO, even those who wanted a republic voted NO; this was because the people did not want the politicians to elect the president, instead they wanted an elected president by the people. The Australian people do not trust politicians and I share the view of many that this country has far too many politicians and I believe that we should rid the country of State Governments and State Governors, expand the role of local councils and run the country federally from Canberra. In any case, Australia is destined to become a republic in not under the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth but definitely when Charles and Camila arrive on the scene.

Sorry, no advice for you Geordie Girl but anyone found whinging about life in The Land Down Under and wanting to return from whence they came should be referred to this thread.

I agree with the above, if you appoint say the NSW Trustee or other State equivalent as executor they will take a % of the estate, best advice is to have your Will drawn up by a local lawyer and appoint a member of your family as executor or a lawyer who will accept a set fee and not a % of the estate. Based on my personal experience, stay well away from Will Kits they are fraught with danger, one false stroke of the pen and it would be rendered invalid. My father used a Will Kit and stroked out the wrong word, on his death the Will was declared invalid and I spent over $2000 on legal fees seeking a Grant of Letters of Administration from the Supreme Court.

http://fergussonwinery.com.au/ The Sunday Buffet is good value.

I know because it's a public holiday but other than to wish her the best, I do not care.

And to think that not long ago Ireland was considered as The Celtic Tiger in terms of financial growth. This video clip has done the rounds but I think it is appropriate for this Thread, Best wishes.

As GeorgeD says, they are all underwritten by Hollard Insurance. I priced them all as quoted by GeorgeD and went for PetSecure.