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I used it with my third as I couldn't have a home birth like I had with my second. It helped to keep me calm & relaxed when I was being induced as I hate the over-medicalisation of birthing in hospital. When I was 2 mins away from an emergency c-section, OH said I looked completely oblivious to what was going on. I could hear & understand, I just concentrated in remaining in my deep state of relaxation. You will need a good birth plan, a team that will actually read it, and an excellent 'gate-keeper' or birthing partner who will speak for you if need be. All sounds a bit hippy, OH wasn't convinced but it definitely worked for me. I didn't pay for a course either, got the cd & book off eBay! Can't remember the name! Hope you get the birthing experience you want.

Try lying in the breeze path of a fan with a damp hand towel on your naked torso. Used to work for me in the 40 deg days in Adelaide!

Lol Surrey to bogenville! I always fall about laughing when they show a 'lovely' suburb by the sea & I know that it's full of bogens & hoons! I must admit I rarely use WDU to convince OH to make the move! Phil's relocation down under has its flaws too, showing mega properties that we could never afford!

Hmm....extra training for UK tradies? Had a mate who worked in SA govt licencing dept for gas fitters, plumbers, and electricians. She used to tell me it was ridiculous to send the UK & Irish tradies on extra training as they were usually better trained than the aussies.... Money for everything in OZ. Even need a bit of paper to work behind a bar!

When I was unemployed in Adelaide 10 years ago, it was always cheaper to get the train to Central Market and do the shopping there than the local Foodland. Plus there was China town, so could get the super cheap SE Asian foods. Right now, I manage to feed a family of 5 for under £100 per week, and that includes cleaning products & wipes. Since switching to real nappies have saved £7 per week! Sometimes you have to search for stuff in aussie supermarkets. My dad had been buying the expensive baked in-store bread in Coles in Darwin. Moaned about how he couldn't believe how cheap it was in Tesco last time he was over. 2 aisles over, and there was the cheaper sliced bread! 5 years and he hadn't noticed LOL.

If you (or other family member) wake up with a large fluid filled blister in an odd place (mine was behind the knee) DO NOT POP IT!!! I did and had an open sore for 6 months. Apparently it was a white-tip spider bite & I was lucky for it to heal quickly lol. There is phone number you can call if you are concerned about a bite, so have that handy! if you have kids, especially boys (cause they'll think this is funny), discourage them from stamping on ant hills. Loads of massive ants will come pouring out and they DO bite. Having said that, I've only been bitten twice in 10 years & once was my own fault. Oh, and in NT, green ants taste of lemon lol.

Fantastic, thank yo both for your replies. I will be able to reassure OH & get him to look at the website mentioned. Thanks!

Hi! I'll be bringing OH & kids to Oz in 12 months & I need some advice regarding Medicare and type 1 diabetes. Hubby is currently seen free on the nhs; 6 monthly check ups inc feet, blood tests and a telling off lol. He has also been having regular consultant eye appts as there is concern over his future sight. TBH his care is quite patchy & we have to be assertive! I know we will have to fork out for meds etc. Does anyone have any experience in receiving care with type 1 diabetes? Thanks!

I believe it's the preserved fund you can't have until you are 55. Check your statement and it should break it down for you. My super fund has been sitting around since 2001. I incur admin fees of $52 pa. Each year, interest minus admin, my fund grows by $20! But at least it is an increase. I got the flat answer of "no you can't have it" a few years ago. Plus there's a death benefit attached to the fund. I'm glad I left it as I'm going back soon.

Hi! I'm taking my hubby & kids on a partner visa. I have the similar(ish) problem that I am sponsoring him, but I haven't worked since 2005 as I've been at home with the kids! I've been through the visa application and notes several times, and it refers to 'support' being more than financial; for example, pointing you in the right direction of being employable with correct certificates etc. The notes also state that an Assurance of Support might be requested. Being a spouse visa, the person who provides the AOS doesn't have to stump up any cash, but they are who you are supposed to turn to first for financial help (I think its for the first two years). Good Luck!