gconnolly87

Hi again, I am happy to help with any advice can get me on gpc_87@hotmail.co.uk I will see those messages quicker. I would perhaps recommend moving anywhere from East Maitland to Rutherford. These are about 10 mins apart and have plenty of areas more than suitable for a family. Areas such Ashtonfield, East Maitland, Gillieston Heights and Rutherford and Telarah as well. Although the latter is across the river and will add to the commute but the other areas will give an approx 45-60 minute commute depending on where in Singleton. There is large shopping centre in East Maitland/Ashtonfield with a Coles/Big W/Dan Murphys and plenty of banks, butchers etc. Rutherford has a smaller version of this. There are plenty of schools and sports clubs near with a massive swimming pool in Maitland Park. Any other queries please let me know if you even have a list of questions I will try and answer.

Hi Emily, I worked near Singleton for over a year. The town itself doesn't have much to it, it is mostly a base for people working in the nearby mines, workshops etc. There are a few towns closer by like Branxton (20 mins drive) again small town but very close to the famous Hunter Valley vineyards. You have Maitland (40 mins) this is where my wife and I were based for 2 years has bit more to it than the other two and a mix of older style shops/houses with the new builds in nearby areas. Charlestown has the main shopping area which is about 1 hour drive from Singleton. The beach is about 1hour 10 min from Singleton, I think most people live closer to the coast but it depends on what you are after in terms of lifestyle (commute from work, other work, schools, nightlife etc). Happy to answer all questions lived here for over 2 years and has some beautiful parts of the world with the Vineyards, Honeysuckle drive for the bars and restaurants, Nelson Bay and Lake Macqaurie also nearby for the weekends. Gary

Thanks Eera, yeah local councils seem to have reduce their intake like most places of late. Still quiet atm, looking into FIFO options but most require being based in QLD, Perth or others. Hard to get NSW point of hire, trying to get anything now to keep me busy over the Christmas period. Thanks for the replies guys.

Thanks mate, yeah a mate of mine recommended this place too. Having few problems accessing their site, going to another persons house to try their laptop as unable to open the jobs page on mine.

Came to Australia with Komatsu in May 2012, currently unemployed but have permanent residency. So been a bit up and down, I am now looking for work and exploring all avenues to be honest. Would like full time work but at the moment would take casual or contract to get work as its been 2 months now. Living in Hunter Valley right now, I have looked into FIFO but can't see any companies willing to take people from the East as a hiring point Would do any kind of manual hands on type job, so if anyone on here knows of any FIFO jobs, local jobs i.e Newcastle and Central Coast, I would appreciate the help. Have exhausted SEEK website and just looking to see if anyone knows or can help. Gary

We have had our ups and downs, our main worry was finding my partner a job, which we have now done. Beginning to settle a lot more, finding more social things to do. I think the facebook page would be ideal for you find out information for the likes of schools as I wouldnt be able to help with that info. Do you have a facebook page? John Hunter Hospital is close to a community called Warners Bay which I have only heard good things about, meant to be really nice. The beach takes 30-40 mins drive from maitland there are about 4-5 diff beaches to choose from.

We have been here 12 weeks or so now, enjoying it. There is a decent sized shopping centre called Stockland Greenhills in East Maitland about 5 mins drive from Maitland. Maitland has a small centre itself and high street but I have only used the Woolworths in that place so far (woolies is like a tesco here). There is a gym, pubs ( I have found a website that called publocation.co.au which helps with that), cinema, raceground depends on what you are looking for and you enjoy doing? There are some nice places on the doorstep of maitland such as Ashtonfield and East Maitland itself has some beautiful homes. If you know what you are looking for socially then I can maybe answer more questions.

Hi there, I have moved to maitland about 30 mins drive from Newcastle, sounded a lot to me when I have yet to see it all. Do you have a facebook page as there is a really good facebook page called 'expats in the hunter' you will get good info from ppl on there and quicker too. If not i can ask for you, depends on what you are looking for in terms of social, commutable distance, transport options, things for the kids, schools etc.

The Celtic CSC is near Haymarket in Cheers bar I think. I've found one in Newcastle, a happy bhoy!!!!

Me and my gf moved from Glasgow 8 weeks ago and are living in Gillieston Heights right now, about 5 mins from maitland loving it at the moment.

I have moved about 5 mins drive from maitland- gillieston heights. We are enjoying it so far close enough with enough shops and things to do. We have picked here as I am driving to near singleton and still wanted to be near beaches and Newcastle CBD. Maitland is about 30 mins from coast. Any questions you can pm me and i will try help. there is a good expats page on facebook for the hunter area

Yes cycling would be great for that, and ideal once the summer kicks in. Although it was 20 degrees today not bad for winter. My email is gpc_87@hotmail.co.uk if you have any more questions? With regards to your oh job hunt i would look into setting up an oz email address and update the cv before coming over...... sites like Seek, Careerone, jobs.com.au are some my oh used she has had some luck using those sites. Having transport is a major bonus.

Raymond terrace is about half hour drive from rutherford, so not sure about the cycling, does your oh half drive or would it be public transport? I have just moved here 7 weeks ago from scotland so i can help with my very limited knowledge so far, can't help with nursery i'm afraid.

I started with komatsu nsw (mt thorley) 6 weeks ago, they are starting to slow down work-wise. There is so much movement in this inducstry i have notice since comiong here many oz people happy to be contractors and long term employment in one place is rare in these parts. Still loads of companies in NSW, newcastle looking for tradesman especially mechanics, boilermakers and fitters.

Thanks to all the responses, we have finally knuckled down created a de facto proof folder and filled it with as much as we possibly can just now without including photographs for now. Received a very helpful pm from Girl65 so thanks to her too. Thanks peach we actually took that advice earlier today and managed to trace last years holiday. So that is another piece of evidence to throw at them. Starting to feel more confident now, I have got a friend who is an officer of the law haha he has knows our relationship so he will send away a signed statement, Thanks again for your advice and support. This thread was posted at a time when panic was beginning to set in.