katyjc

Claret and blue all the way! (but now that we have moved to geelong( vic) we are sometimes blue and white for the Cats!)

Hi all, any ideas where to watch the FA cup final ( villa v arsenal) in Canberra?? It's on 2 am ish on a in morning. Have googled it, casino maybe?? Any local knowledge greatly appreciated! Katy :smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile:

Hi Cerberus, Just got off phone with just car insurance, as you suggested. Super helpful, super friendly, we are now insured! Sorry about the rant, feeling better now. Just don't often face such blatant sexism. Am doing the silly thing of re-running the situation over and over in my mind, thinking that I should have said this or that to him. But I didn't say anything clever or cutting, actually thanked him and hung up. Pathetic!! Lol! Friday night after my first week at new job, sun still shining, time for a glass of wine me thinks!

Hi all, sorry I have not visited or posted in a while, been busy with the big move. We are finally here in Victoria (4 weeks now) and have had a very busy time getting it all sorted out. From jobs to Medicare to child care rebate to home phone connection, wow, it's all taken way longer than expected. Happy to answer any questions about setting up home/ kids in the early days here in oz if anyone has any. just got news our imported car arrived, ready to pick up tomorrow. Phoned Shannon's car ins for a quote on recommendation from Iron Lady Imports who imported for us, only to be subjected to a quiz on how much I love cars. "What do I know about cars?" " what can I tell him about cars?" "Have I ever done a car modification?" "am I a REAL car enthusiast?" My answers were obviously not correct, as I was told that I don't fit their profile as a customer, cos they are "all about the person". Silly me, thought car insurance had at least something to do with the car. I must be somewhat enthusiastic about my Mercedes to pay upward of £4000 to import the thing!! I wonder if it would have been a different story if my husband had phoned ( who, btw, knows a lot less about cars than I do!) things in Aus are hard when you don't know the system. And it's hard setting up everything from scratch, like all the types of insurance. Shannon's we're no help to me at all, they didn't even recommend somewhere else to contact. Most other businesses we have dealt with in our early days have been really helpful. anyway, that's my rant. Moderators, please don't moderate my views too much. You can see from my post history I am usually a reasonable person! katy xx

Hi kel87, I have just read your post with great interest, as we are due to leave on 11th sept. I have enrolled my 6 year old in a Victoria primary school, and was asked for her full immunisation records to enable her to be accepted. They we're my red book pages of immunisations, which don't include hep B. she has been accepted, no probs. No mention go hep B needed!? but I will certainly get on the Internet now to investigate this, as I'm pretty sure benefits from the government for your kids in Aus are dependent on full immunisation status. I will post again if I can clarify the situation, just another thing on the To Do list!

Hello, just wanting to see if any uk Physios on the forum have applied for AHPRA recently? If so, how long was the wait to hear back, or be registered? Any other health professionals have an idea of time from application to registration? Thanks very much, Katy :biggrin:

Hi Terri, We are off to Victoria, Torquay, near Geelong. No jobs as yet for me or hubby, just keep looking on "Seek.com.au" and stressing about it! Still no completion date on the house. :-( I phoned Letton Percival today, and as you said, the quote was good. Reading the testimonials on their web site they seem good if you need to make a claim too, which is important, as you would be doing it from Aus. Am considering them now. guy on the phone sounded really professional. Having a bit of difficulty getting insurance for my car, which is going in 2 weeks, separate to our household goods. It is going "roll on roll off" , not containerised. Have got an insurance quote that covers its shipping and then 7days on the docks, but the process takes about 4weeks after arrival on the docks!! Arrggghhhh!!!! Letton Percival don't insure rollon roll off cars. Just another problem to overcome, seem to be doing this on a daily basis. Makes me thing I will have nothing to do with my time once we are finally in Aus!! Just enjoy the beach I suppose ( cos we don't do much of that here in the midlands!) Katy x

Hi We are looking at "Insure your Move" for our container insurance. Good quote and nil excess. Did Letton Percival have an excess out of interest? We are off to Aus mid September, fingers crossed house sale goes without a hitch. Nerve wracking times!!!! Good luck to you Katy

Oh ok, thanks tricky shel. Will definitely get it done here. I won't be changing the milage or anything like that, just the units! Not that talented I'm afraid. Your info is great to know, thank you. katy

Hi all, I have been investigating changing the instrument cluster readings on out car from miles to kms for export . The digital display was easy enough , just followed the manual. For the actual speedometer readings, I was concerned, as it did not have any km markings at all. Have found a really useful company that make replacement instrument cluster fascias, they are called Lockwood international. They were super helpful, just sent a photo of my dash. Even sent me a list of technicians who can fit it, so I don't need to go back to my dealership ( who probably wouldn't fit it anyway, as not authentic Mercedes part.) Thought I would post thistohelp others in same situation katy

Hi, currently getting quotes on 20ft. Could someone please also PM me the rogue company. Thanks in advance !

Really? What kind of time frames are you talking about for wait lists? more than 18 weeks?? Interested to know

Referring back to the original title, I think that the NHS is far too over stretched, with no real plan to address this. I work for the NHS, and had to laugh the other day in a restructure meeting, where a five year action plan was discussed. When someone asked why every year kept on being referred to as year one, we were told that the plan starts again each financial year!! How can any plans then be actualised!! Lol! on a personal note, we are STILL waiting for my sons spinal surgery at birminham children's hosp. Apparently an enormous spinal cyst that requires removing is classed as elective!! we have already waited our 18 week maximum, and have been cancelled once. It breaks my heart to see other three year olds learning to ride bikes and scooters, when my son just needs some surgery done so he can bloody well start to learn to walk properly. I have thought many times that I wish we were already in Australia, as the kids have dual citizenship and now have their Aussie passports, but that would mean reassessment and re investigation, and then another wait. I kick myself for not taking action sooner, but you always think that your appointment is just a few weeks away from coming, even though it has turned to months. Sorry for my rant, Nhs is not my favourite service at the mo!

Hi saffanzimbo and bubba911, Sorry for delay in reply, lots of stuff going on this week. The quote was with iMove international. I just found them on the internet. Seem good, dropped them a line with what I was wanting and a lady emailed me a detailed quote the next day. Birmingham uk to Melb port ( then to Torquay, which is just over an hour out of Melb) door to door was £2950 for 20 foot container self load. They recommended Phs tea crate packaging to buy double wall boxes, they seem quite cheap. Am still considering self pack, was absolutely sold on the idea last week ( thus the action of getting quotes) but a bit of a set back this week ( 3 yo son needing spinal surgery ) has swayed me towards the less stressful option of getting others to pack for us. Bit much on my plate at the mo, but will let you know if I do self pack , and how it goes. If all was normal, I think I would be up for the challenge, just need to call in a few favours with friends to help in the 3 hour time slot given to pack the container!!! Let me know if any of you guys do it, Katy x

Hi, Just got really good quote for self pack, about 2k cheaper than getting them to pack. I will be doing it myself, as I figure I would have to go through everything anyway as a preparation for others to pack for us ( but I am someone who cleans the house in preparation for the cleaner!!) Will be getting own packing stuff from tea crate people on the Internet . I think for the savings I will put in the effort ( more to spend on a car when we arrive!) Katy

Hi Jo, It was a solicitors called Garner Canning . The solicitor KevinGarner at the Tamworth office was a lovely guy, had done a lot of visa stuff for people before, so was no big deal, and quite good value. Comes up if you google them. £70per doc is a rip off! Hope this helps Katy x

Yes, looks like Melbourne is the place to be! Just looking on Cerebral Palsy Australia web site, and it lists the Royal Children's Hospital in Melb as an international leader in management of CP! Wow, can't wait to tell the mother in law that one! I'm sure she thinks Aussie hospitals are in tin sheds! Katy x

Thanks Janine, very helpful info. Wow, splints are expensive. I must admit I am surprised they are not covered. Any Medicare rebate for them?? . No extra money from centrelink is a bit rough, how can a neurological condition like CP or hemiplegia not be chronic!! I am assuming the specialist doctors you mentioned for your friend's son are all free as a public patient? Thanks again for the info, I really appreciate it Katy x

Wow, thanks for the speedy replies!! Thought I would have to wait a while. Hubby on spouse visa 100. I am an Aussie, so kids are Aussie by descent, so no probs there. I have been in UK for coming up 13 years, so not sure how health system works anymore, and of course have had no experience with cerebral palsy before, or cost of treatment. "Moving to Melbourne", thanks for the info. We are planning on getting some basic private health, but will it be considered pre -existing condition? Any idea of benefits for kids with conditions that create different needs? Sorry about all the questions! Katy x

Hi everyone, Just wanted to ask anyone in a similar situation about costs of splints or special boots for my 2year old son when we move to Aus. He has been diagnosed in July with spastic Diplegia, a type of Cerebral palsy that just affects his legs and walking. We are currently under the Birmingham children's hospital, Where he is being put in below knee casts very week to stop him toe walking. From this he will have plastic splints, then special shoes. My question is this- will we need to pay for splints in Aus? We are bound for Victoria, and I know that the Royal Children's Hosp in Melbourne is very good. Anyone have any experiences of it? Are there long waits? (couldn't be longer that in Birmingham, have waited three months for MRI, and no sign of appointment yet!!) Getting bad vides from my mother in law, who says that don't have good facilities in Aus, and his treatment will cost us a fortune. Any truth in this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Going on a fact finding holiday early next year, but not even sure how to get this info when there for 2week visit. Thanks guys, Katy

Hi all, After my moan the other day, I can now finally say.......WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!! Yay! Subclass 100 as promised. We feel very relieved, house going on the market in the new year. How exciting! I will add stats to the Dave S spreadsheet . Congrats to all fellow grantees! Katy xx

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say.....WHERE IS OUR VISA?????? Ahh, that's better. As I put on my signature bit on the bottom of this post, we were promised end of Oct. but maybe a change in ce officer has delayed us. Will keep you posted, hopefully have news any day now. I will keep watching this thread as always. Katy xx

Hi brucey, We applied early may, told early oct grant, but still waiting . Hoping to hear any day now. We have also not heard a peep from our CO (MC) except a few weeks ago to say she is finishing up and case being taken over by someone new. have not had any email from new person yet. Just waiting waiting waiting. No real rush as house not sold. So just incorporating the waiting into every day life! I will update the DaveS spreadsheet as soon as we are granted, as this seems to give a good indication of current wait times. Will defo contact new CO if no grant by end of month. Katy

Hi cobmum You need to wait now, as they ask you for your case number, which you won't have til you submit. i think people used to "front load" application by having it done before submission, but you can't anymore. Its usually pretty quick to get done within a coupe of weeks of submission, so shouldn't slow you up much. Hope this helps katy

Yes, good question. I am also very interested to know the answer, as having done some research on PIO I am going to take tumble dryer, coffee machine and big tv. Am also not keen on having adaptors for long periods, worried about safety of that. Any info greatly appreciated Katy