Tibby

Hi - it's at the Hampton community centre on Willis street. There is a big car park just behind it. The centre offers other facilities too like messy play on a Thursday. It's just past Safeway

Hi Matilda! Let me know when you are around for a coffee and we'll arrange a playdate for our girls! Send me a message if you want my number. Michelle x

Hey - I'll send you a message with my mobile number - or I'm on facebook, Michelle Edmondson pic of me hubby and Olivia at Portsea is my profile pic if you want to add me!

Hi - we live in Sandringham, that's me, hubby and 3 year old daughter. Always up for a cuppa and a chat! PM me and I'll send my number if you fancy meeting up. Michelle x

After all that - I'VE GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!! It's a 6 month contract but may be extended, but I'm in and that's the main thing! Hurray! Thanks for all the sympathy and advice everyone:xmas16:

Quoll - you are right. At my last interview they said that I would be at the top end of the pay scale with my uk experience. So, some schools will go for the cheaper option, even though I have a proven track record of 15 years etc etc. Thinking of touting myself out to the highest bidder. Will teach for food etc etc...

There seems to be adverts a plenty for science teachers, but look at the comment above- not sure how genuine they are!!!! Every other ad is for maths or science though.

Thank you for your responses! I have applied for both state and private schools, and I am with 3 agencies - the trouble is that I'm an English teacher and, as in the UK, we are ten a penny, and as you have mentioned, I'm expensive! My husband works in the CBD so remoter areas are not on the cards I'm afraid, I just can't get. I shall carry on regardless - just a bit demoralizing after the career I had in UK - just need to keep an eye on the bigger picture of why we moved out here!! Thanks again all!

Hi all. After a few months of settling in etc, I am now looking for my first teaching post in and around the suburbs of Melbs. I have 15 years experience including 2 as Head of Faculty in the UK and have full VIT registration, but I can't get work! CRT is my last chance and I'm with Tradewind for that, but I really want a full time position, even if it is only a year's contract. Has anyone else struggled to get a job? I've applied for about 15 and had 3 interviews, two of which went well but I was pipped to the post. The others have never got back to me. It's getting a bit stressful now! :arghh: Thanks, Michelle

Hey Gemma! God time flies! Let us know when you get in and we'll come say hi. Good luck and don't worry about spiders - you rarely see them in the city!

Hi Marshalls! Feel free to give is a shout when you get here. We live in Sandringham with our 3 year old Olivia, and at the mo I'm not working so happy to show you all arounnd a bit. PM me if you like and we'll meet up when you are settled! Good luck with the final move - Michelle, Richard and Olivia.

I can sympathise totally! My husband went without me in September last year and I followed him out in the December as I was teaching. 3 months without him, working and looking after our 2 year old whilst getting everything sent over was tough, I'll not lie, but oooooohhhhh soooooooo worth it!!!!! Good luck with it all and chin up, you'll be here in no time! x

Hi - I live in Sandringham with my soon to be 3 year old, so please send me a PM and I'll send you my number if you'd like to meet up with the kids! Michelle and Olivia x

Hi! I'm Michelle and I am a stay at home mum with my nearly three year old. We live in Sandringham and love it (we've been here for 7 months). i love Bayside - it is very family orientated. If you want to meet up, just PM me and I'll send you my phone no.!

Hi Tracy We live in Sandringham - no sure how far that is from you. I have a 31 month old and am at home at the mo while OH works. We'd love to meet up some time. Also - try meetup.com as they have lots of different groups for all over Vic. Lifeinvictoria.com is good too. I'm on facebook too, so if you fancy meeting just PM me and i'll send you my details x

Hi louise Yes, Jackie and I met up a couple of weeks ago in the CBD for lunch and will meet up again I'm sure when we haven't got visitors etc. I'm not working at the mo, so if you fancy meeting up? Michelle aka tibby

Hi Diane and Steve - sounds like you were meant to be in Melbourne, and you won't regret it! We came over on a 457 and rented our UK house just in case, but I can't see us going 'home'... Point Cook is family friendly and you get a lot more for your money there. We opted for nearer the CBD so that Oh didn't have much of a commute, so we live in Sandringham, really lovely suburb, excellent train line but expensive. Bayside itself is all family friendly as far as I can see - plenty of stuff to do, good schools etc. If you want to keep in touch, just PM me. Good luck with it all

Hi everyone - just a quick question. Since landing in Melbourne (which i love incidently) I have been less than impressed with the childcare here. My daughter went to a wonderful nursery back in the UK, and here there just doesn't seem to be the same nurturing, caring or indeed academic/curriculum focus. Olivia is 30 months so I know I have to sign her up soon - but I cannot find a kindy that i like - I would rather educate her at home (I'm a bit pushy I suppose when it comes to education, being a teacher :wink:). Does anyone have any views/info on good Bayside Kindergartens/advice? Thank you Pushy Mother

Hi! It's going to be really weird for you starting a new job here - but don't worry about the childcare here, there are some great nurseries. They can be expensive, but you can claim money back. As for meeting people, really don't worry. I have been here with my 2 year old for 5 weeks and have met some really lovely people. Let me know when you get here and we can meet up. You are going to love it - it is the best thing we have ever done, and I do not see us ever going home! I felt dreadful the first day i dropped Liv at nursery (back in UK), but she loved it - now I feel guilty that she is not at nursery! You feel guilty whatever! Good luck and see you when you get here! Michelle x

Hi Danielle- I have a two year old and we are always out and about. We are free for coffee/playdates most days. I'm in Sandringham and relying on public transport at the mo, but if you want to meet somewhere let me know and I'll pm my mobile to you. Michelle x

Hello - sorry,just seen these posts. 11am when?

Hello ladies Been here for 4 weeks now with OH and 2 year old Olivia and have met some lovely people through PIO and other forums. I've consumed a lot of coffee and now I think I'd like to see what Melbourne has to offer at night... So, friends I have already met and friends I have yet to meet, I propose a little drinkies one evening soon. I'm sure the men folk won't mind babysitting/housesitting one Friday night? Let me know, and I shall arrange... Michelle

Hi Jackie - I'm at home at the mo with my 2 year old while OH works. We've been here for 4 weeks now - feels like 5 minutes. We'd love to meet - we're in Sandringham though although we have a really good train line that takes us through Elwood Windsor etc to Flinders. Let me know - I've met some lovely people here so far. Michelle.

Hi G! We are in Melbourne and around in the second week of April - my husband sorted everything out before our move in December (he came on his own first in September) so he could answer all your questions if you like? Just let us know and I'll pm you with numbers! It's all worth it though! Michelle and Richard