Shinner

Hi Sarah I work for BAE in the hangar next door

Hi I'm an avionics engineer at the airport. Who's your husband working for? S

Both are really nice. You've made the right choice with Australia!

Hi mate are you a chinook engineer? Cars and everything else is expensive. You need to get yourself a Queensland driving licence as soon as. Are you gonna be at Lavarack or the Airport? This will dictate where you may want to live and also schools. Weather is fab at the moment so get here as soon as you can. Open a bank account as soon as you can we are with nab who were really helpful.

Been here two months now. Just booked tickets home for Crimbo. 5 weeks for the Missus and 3 weeks for me. Like it here but can't imagine missing that Crimbo feeling in the uk. Maybe next year we will stay. Each to their own I suppose.

Hi Zoe, Check out the previous posts on Townsville. There are lots of good/bad areas, but people have different views to these. Most schools are good but if you are here as a single parent I would suggest getting as close to the strand as you can. It's always full of young families around the rock pool. We don't have kids so can't comment on individual schools. Been here 6 weeks now and everything is still strange! It is very expensive here, so make sure you send out all your stuff. Oh and bring loads of DCFC stuff if you are a fan. Come on the Rams!

Watermark 2 for 1 Friday half 5 to half 7

You need a license for lots of things. Without one you will find it hard to get rented accommodation and you can't buy a car. I believe you can only drive for 3 months on your English one. To get one you need a few bits...Medicare cards, bank debit and credit card so make sure you set up your bank account before you come out. Would advise you getting your visas put into your passports.

Was 16 degrees when I got in the car this morning. Might sound warm but I had the heating on. Defo bring a few things with long sleeves and jeans.

Make sure you get your Medicare card ordered straight away and get a visa and debit card from your bank as you'll need these to get your driving licence this will help you get the 100 points required to apply for a rental. Good luck.

Yep nice area Belgian gardens we are staying at 50 primrose street. Not too far for a walk to the strand.

Hi fellow Townsvillers! Arrived last night bank, phones, car, apartment sorted. Wifi is a real pain to get hold of. Had a pizza in I think it was the sea view hotel with a nice XXXX last night. Driven up castle hill....that's gonna get us fit soon. Weather is fab. See you all soon for a beer, I'm the one in my profile pic if you see me looking lost! Love it love it x

Don't arrive till the 23rd. Will meet up at the next one.

M2M are there any other sites that give coverage maps of broadband? Moving to Townsville but need to make sure we have good coverage.

Hi guys, everyone ok after the storm? This vid says it all... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fboj4ogkhUY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGhEjTiPtps&feature=related Any flooded areas please let me know to avoid. Regards, S

Cheers SB Everything coming over in a 40tf container but we won't have stuff for the first month. Ta for the advice, let me know when it stops raining. S

Have opened an account with NAB. Moneycorp have been really good and explained everything so that's looking good. Five weeks today we fly, so many leaving parties to have don't know how we can fit them in. Hoping the weather will be a bit better then. See you all soon. S

Depends how much you have... You can get 5% interest rates in Oz so on 200k thats 10 grand a year In england maybe 2% if you are lucky = 4 grand a year. If it costs 3-4 grand to move your money after a year you will still be 2 grand up. not 100% sure of figures but thats for the initial year if you then save another year you would then be 8 grand better off looks like a no brainer!

Cheers Tandcmum will open up a NAB account looks quite easy. Couldn't find anything about the costs of transferring money. would it be cheaper using moneycorp?

Which bank is best in Townsville? just need ease of access on a current and a great interest on a savings account. Will open up an account and probably transfer some money in as soon as.

Defo mate sounds good

Hi Guys, been given my details for flights etc. Leave UK on 21st April arrive 23rd April. Have been given accommodation for a month in Belgian Gardens and a car for a month as well . All coming together and feeling great now. Shinner....soon to be Stevo

Hi Chelle, If the Army are recruiting then the time scales can be quite short. I left the RAF and will be working for their Army and they speed things up when skills are required. Interviews can vary, I was interviewed at Heathrow within two months (back in August) and I'm starting my new job end of April. Where and what is he working on? Does he get a promotion? Where are you guys now? Lots and lots to sort out but the main thing is lots of Aussies can earn mega bucks mining, so the Army/Air force are short on manpower. Your old man has skills they need If you want to do it...you will get there.

Hi Silversunpickup Need to be close to the airport but not too close for noise. Rowes Bay looks nice and will keep my eye on properties coming up for rent. Thanks.

Hi mate 457 visa allows me to work for BAE for 4 years. They provide accommodation and a car for a month, during that time gonna look for a place. Based at Townsville working on their Army Chinooks. Keep an eye on the Jobs for BAE not sure if they are after squippers at the moment but there has to be someone. Make sure you get all your Human factors certs etc. As they keep saying on this site if you want to get out there and you don't give up you'll be fine.