Freckleface

I agree the points from IELTS is a gift to native English speakers.

I've had a Hitachi top loader for years which doesn't have an agitator so it is kind on clothes. I've been really happy with the job it does and it is still going strong but I've been thinking of getting a front loader so I can stack the dryer on top of it. I've been dithering over buying a front loader because of the wash cycle times. Do people find the wash cycle times a pain?

I would hardly call call some of them wealthy. One of my relatives misses out by around $2.

Did you report the fraud?

Don't feel too badly done by Mike. There are many Aussie self funded retirees who have paid taxes in Aust their entire working lives who don't qualify for any assistance or concessions.

Australia doesn't hold citizens hostage so families are only separated by the choices they themselves make. Your final sentence is petulant.

I feel sorry for people who have had their dreams squashed. However I think people sometimes forget that the Department of Immigrations primary responsibility is to the people of Australia rather than those who wish to move here.

We saw Aurora Australis when we visited Tassie - it was just beautiful. I didn't even realise Aust had anything like that until our visit.

The trouble with a lot of restaurants is that not many chefs know how to use native ingredients properly and most over cook things or use them inappropriately. One of my brothers in law is Aboriginal and the dishes his mother makes using native ingredients (in western styled dishes) are simply delicious. Among other things she makes a Lemon Myrtle cheese cake that is to die for.

Boys and their toys :laugh:

I love: - the diversity of the country, weather, wildlife and people - the opportunity to enjoy any lifestyle I want to depending on where I choose to live - the opportunities available for those willing to have a go - the lack of 'class' distinction and the restrictions that imposes on people elsewhere in the world - that children appear to remain children for longer in comparison to what I have observed in other countries - that children learn to 'think' in school and are encouraged to develop their individual talents - that Australians, by and large, are comfortable in their own skins and have a positive self sufficient attitude - the space (houses, roads, cities, country) - the sky, big and bright blue in the day and a carpet of stars at night - that in Winter I can go to the beach one day (and easily find one all to myself) and the snow the next day if I want to - having the benefit of 4 seasons (where we live at the moment) but still have glorious sunshine most days - the big storms when they come (as long as nobody gets hurt) - the smell of the bush on a hot day or after a storm - that I can go on amazing and different holidays without leaving the country - that when I do go overseas it is all still here waiting for me I could go on for hours but I need to make a cup of coffee - that reminds me - I love the great coffee!

I think the NSW Govt only class places west of Mungindi as outback.

The impact of this could be disastrous for more than just the company and its employees. I'm stunned at the stupidity of everyone involved.

That sounds like something a mortgage broker might tell you rather than actual loan approvals. I can tell you categorically it breaches the lending practices of at least one of the Big 4 (and I assume that's who you are talking about when you say 'big banks') unless you are leaving out part of the story such as the 'net income' not including your partners income or other stable income streams.

Based on your post from 2013 where you said you were 21 I am guessing you are around 23 now. Perhaps your best course of action would be to talk to your parents and seek their guidance/assistance.

One of our sons friends was in a similar position to you. They got married in Aust but instead of spending money on a lavish ceremony and reception they paid for their parents and siblings to come to Aust for a simple, but lovely, wedding. The ceremony was in a park with the reception in a private room at a restaurant. They borrowed one of our cars for the bride and groom and my husband acted as the chauffeur. He said it was one of the nicest weddings he had seen in a long time.

Put powerpoints in bathrooms.

If you do bring your cat please do the right thing and either keep it inside or in a cat run if it goes outside.

Check out the network of lanes in the CBD. They have a great atmosphere, excellent coffee and yummy food. A couple of my favourites are Tattersalls Lane (great atmosphere at night and excellent Asian cuisine), Meyers Place (bars and entertainment), Centre Place (great for lunch and very photographic) and Hosier Lane (street art). I also like taking a water taxi along the Yarra at night. The lights are really pretty and you get to see a side of Melb that lots of visitors miss.

Great pics Kev

Personally I would never consider having dental work done outside Australia unless it was in the USA or Canada. One of my daughters friends had work done in Thailand last year and has been paying for it ever since. She has not only lost the teeth that were worked on she has an infection in her jaw bone from an implant that is causing all sorts of problems. It looks like she is going to end up needing reconstructive plastic surgery and bottom dentures as a result.

In addition to the info Keith has provided you might find this calculator useful. It will calculate stamp duty and other costs for you based on the info you put into it. It's also worth noting that NSW provides first home buyers with a grant up to approx $15,000 when they purchase a newly built property. The grant is only valid on properties up to a certain value though - I think it is $500,000. However outside Sydney there are lots of places where that amount of money would secure a lovely home. https://www.cua.com.au/personal-banking/home-loans/calculators/government-fees?gclid=CKzs-t2v18YCFYQHvAodN-AE_w&gclsrc=aw.ds Good luck with your plans. There are some truly beautiful places you will have to choose from to live.

As long as no one gets hurt I love storms. The bigger the better lol

Great pics Paul.

For what it's worth I agree with HH and QSS. Just keep breathing Rachel and remind yourself his current behaviour doesn't mean he doesn't love you. In fact I think his behaviour is a telling sign of how very much he does love you. He's young though and trying to process what will be very confusing and stressful emotions in the only way he can. You are his safe harbour so don't let his current behaviour provoke you into doing or saying anything that might cause him to doubt that when he snaps back to normal. :hug: