Freckleface

You are onto something there. It doesn't make sense does it. I have a theory that Australia secretly prefers the Anglo Saxon English speaking migrants and so has gifted them with points for English. I know a lot complain about IELTS, but it is honestly not that hard and certainly not up ther with a Phd.

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?

The curse of being wealthy.

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

From my experience, there is no shortage of people with made up experience - very simple to do. I have even seen some businesses (one of Australias biggest) make up roles by making them sound much more skilled than they are in order to hire a 457. I had a neighbour who is a blast hole driller - this is a role you can train someone to do in a couple of days. The job is one that is not on either of the lists. But drillers are - a much more technical job that takes a number of years to learn. They made the nomination sound like he was a driller and even doctored his CV in order to get the sponsorship - this was a VERY well known mining company

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.

What about the Australian family members who sponsored many of these applicants and who are now (in many cases) permanently separated from them? The department of racialism has outdone itself this time.

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.

I thought the night skies were wonderful on the mainland but Tasmania is even better! Aurora Australis often seen here and tonight it's a full moon and can also see the Milky Way clearly.

 

http://mag.gobehindthescenery.com.au/post/81744872174/milky-way

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.

I can tell you why Australian native ingredients aren't widely used. They don't taste particularly good!

 

I've tried a couple of restaurants which use native ingredients. I can't remember the name but one of them was in Adelaide when I was there for a posh function, it was a very swanky restaurant. I didn't like any of the flavours, and I'm usually willing to try anything.

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.

i do love it 69% of the time lol.... for me it's getting to drive the big machinery, being a company that's owned by a bank the budget is just crazy, apparently our spray rig is the only one of it's kind in the country, they paid $750000 for it! everytime a bit of kit clocks up 3000 hours they buy a brand spanker latest model, we've got four s690 headers here! crazy stuff from what i'm used to.... in the farming game i'm basically getting to drive supercars everyday and get paid for it!! i'd actually pay to drive some of this stuff lol

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 Googled Moree. I don't think I've been there, though I've been to places not too far away (by English standards!) Cunnumulla and Goondiwindi. I saw them on a sign post on one of the photographs. I've not been out to the country/Outback for a few years. I guess Moree is classed as 'Outback' rather than 'country?' I had a look at the train services too, every Saturday, eight hours plus. It's a different world compared to Sydney? I did a trip staying at Boggabri, Lighting Ridge, St George. amongst other towns and it's about time I did another.

 

I don't actually know what I specifically like about living in Australia. I guess I just 'live' here and I don't compare Sydney to anywhere else because I don't need to. I've no desire or intention of moving anywhere else, but who knows?

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.

Only much much worse! When I applied for my mortgage last year, all of the big banks were willing to lend me an amount that was equal to my total net income! Obviously, I refused, but I know many that have taken it. I know a fair few people who if their houses don't sell quickly, they will be handed to the bank. Problem is, property prices have fallen and the bank wont get anything close to what they lent.

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.

Hi everyone, I have been told that if I have any questions, that this is the best place to ask. Has anyone taken there cats to oz, and how much does it cost roughly.

Thankyou

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.

Thank you Keith, very much appreciated advice wise and also for being the only person for establishing that there is a hell of a lot more to NSW than Sydney! I did say NSW, never mentioned Sydney and I have never purchased a house in Australia hence the need for advice. We will be going on holiday once the visa is through and touring NSW before we make a final decision. It's more likely quality of life will influence our decision and we don't want to live in a big city. So, thanks Keith for the advice and I also wish you well. I'll just be an occasional browser to PIO from now on.

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: