frogian

Try a plain and simple pack of gingernut biscuits. Can't say if they work or not from a personal perspective, but I do eat them frequently and I've never been sea sick (so could just be a coincidence), but a mate of mine who gets seasick gave them a go and it worked for him!

Never been there so can't comment, although I have heard it can be a bit chilly down that way! Hope it's warm enough here for you ;-) Looks like just three of us up for a meet then (plus partners & kids, as appropriate / applicable). Will drop a PM over to you and M2M so we can get something sorted.

Small Engine Mechanic required for casual work in Cairns during the wet season. Must be experienced with mowers, chainsaws etc. Flexible hours, good rates and working environment. Call Peter on 07 4051 0022.

Anyone else in?

So far just me, you and maybe Joan01(??). There must be some more PIO members here in Cairns who are happy to come out from behind their avatars and say 'hello'? Anyone else in???

Are you not in Melbourne, Joan01? Even if you are, you're welcome to come if we get something sorted!

If there are any members in Cairns that are up for meeting the people behind the PIO avatars, let me know and (if there are a few of us in for it) I’ll arrange something.

Reckon you're spot on there mate - have had myself (and have friends who have had) first hand experience of European built cars having major reliability probs in non-European conditions.

We wasn't talking feelings guv.....honest......we was just voicing our opinions! I agree with SLP on this - it's a great analogy! Definitely like arseholes. And hearts. And livers. Everybody has them ‘cos they are needed. Never owned one of them, but have driven a couple (I didn't nick them - my friends gave them to me to have a go in!). They were nice to drive, look good, but really just aren’t my thing, hence my previous comments / opinions on them, which I posted for the OP’s benefit, ’cos they are asking for opinions on what car to purchase.

A RAV's a good one mate. We have one and it's sweet for getting about around town, doing the shopping, putting the dog in the back etc. I agree with others about NOT buying European cars...... On Porsche, I personally wouldn't have one. Not cool in my opinion, just a "look at me and what I got" car (except the Boxter, which makes me think "someone trying to be something they aren't"). Plus they are European (see my comment above).

I like my Toyotas, so would suggest an 86: http://www.toyota.com.au/86/specifications/gt-manual

As it is now I’d take my $’s to the UK to spend and leave my UK savings as they are. However, if for any reason I would be needing to transfer some of those UK pounds to Oz in the next few months, I’d be leaving my $’s here and spending from my UK savings whilst there. Hope that makes sense!

"It follows the sighting of several other sharks in the south west region on Friday including three one-metre sharks that were feeding near Margaret River". From this part of the story it infers to me that the shark they rescued 30 people from could possibly be smaller than 1m? Maybe I'm just reading it all wrong though?! Am DEFINITELY not knocking the surf rescue teams etc when I say that - those guys and girls put themselves in danger to save others who, in a lot of instances, are where they shouldn't be for a multitude of reasons (stupidity a lot of the time). They rescue teams do a fantastic job!

Check this out mate to see what you are left with at the end of each week and then have a look at what it costs to rent etc in Sydney to see if you can get by on that wage: http://www.paycalculator.com.au/ All the best and merry Xmas!

Check out these links mate: http://www.australiatrade.com.au/Shipping/Import/vehicles.htm http://www.nmsc.gov.au/recreational_boating/index.php?MID=24&CID=24 http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/process_overview.aspx I’d cost it all and then weigh up if it’s worth it or if you’d be better selling it and then buying a boat when you get here that already meets the regs (http://www.boatsales.com.au/)

As someone else suggested, remove your DOB from your CV etc and, if you have a pic of yourself currently in your CV, remove that as well. Are you applying for jobs via e-mail? Are you sending from a '.co.uk' address? If you are, maybe set up a '.com' address. Keep trying mate, something will come along for you, I'm sure. All the best!

Start your own thread about it then mate. Here's not the place. If you wanna reply to what I have just said, don't do it on this thread - send me a PM or, better still, start your own post to express yourself. To the OP, chin up - all will work itself out and I'm sure it will all be good!

We just did the important stuff (passports / birth certs). All the best with the app!

One the whole I agree with Bibbs - the agencies I have approached have been less use than a chocolate fireguard. However, I was recently approached by a recruitment consultant via linked in asking if I'd be intereted in a job she had on her books. I was a bit sceptical at first, but figured whats the worst that can happen other than me having wasted a bit of time? She was VERY helpful and did a lot of work on my behalf - we had many tel discussions and skype chats and she even coached me on interview techniques via skype (I'm up North & she's down South). Unfortunately I didn't get that job (came a close second) and she is now marketing me in the region I live for other suitable roles. So as it has turnd out it seems there are some good ones around!

Nah, Cairns aint a big city (I was thinking more along the lines of Brisbane). From the other replies you've written, think all should be great for you with $2k per week!

We’re a family of 2.8ish (baby due soon!) and live in a 3 bed house in Cairns. Like calNgary, we’re also lucky to be in a good position in terms of debts (just the mortgage) so, all up, we currently spend around $1200 per week (sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more). We could live very happily here on $150 to $200 less per week (and were doing so up until a few months back), but what with us having to get stuff ready for when the baby comes and a couple of lifestyle choices, our spending has slowly increased as the months have passed. Would say that $2000 a week should be sufficient if you were to relocate up this way, but maybe not if you were to head to one of the big cities. Will depend on a number of factors though, such as if you would need finance for car(s), furniture etc. Best of luck with everything!

My app went in 27/02/11 Peemacgee.

Providing he likes / doesn't have an allergy to them, IMO crustaceans are the way to go to put a bit of Oz into Xmas day (no need for them to be BBQ'd!), with a few oysters and scallops on the side. I reckon if you can get hold of some bugs (as in Moreton Bay bugs (or similar) as opposed to the beetle/fly type of bug), he'd be well impressed. And loads of beer...............but NOT Fosters! Oh, and some Bundy rum. Whatever you decide and do, hope you have a great one!

Applied for my 309 / 100 visa 21 months ago (off shore) and my 309 was granted within 3 months (have lived in Oz nearly 15 months). Received a request from the immi department on Tue to send necessary docs so they could process the 100 visa stage of my app. One of the docs I need to provide is an AFP police check cert, so I applied for one online yesterday morning at about 11am (e-mailed them PDF’s of the docs they needed etc). I got a confirmation at 1pm today that the check had been completed and the cert is on it’s way to me. Fast or what?! The 100 stage app requirements look a piece of cake compared with the hoops jumped through and documentation that had to be provided in support of the first stage (309) of the visa app. Nothing has changed circumstance wise for us so all that needs to be done (as far as I can see) is for us to complete the individual stat dec docs that Oz immi sent to us (we just fill in the blanks!) and drop them back to them along with my police check cert. Seems the requirements of the second stage of the visa app will be a LOT less hassle than the initial one!

I see some SCARY info in some of the replies you got nicolac34 (mainly house oriented replies). You are looking at possibly renovating an apartment though, so this is (maybe) a completely different story to that of renovating a house (suppose it depends on the size of the apartment you are after and whether it's ground floor or not). Personally can't give you an idea of renovation costs I'm afraid (be it DIY or professional) without knowing the layout of the apartment, but what I can say is that (from experience), if you and / or your OH, mates, mates of mates etc are handy (and, for some things, tradies), whatever a pro company quote you for work on something, pretty much half it and it will give you an idea of what you can get the work done for. The saying "it's who you know, not what you know" definitely has feet here in Oz.