JCL

I'm afraid we're a bit of a wimp there Bobj, I like a campervan, it's a lot warmer.

We love camping so that was a great tip Bobj. I know we'd love to see the sea from wherever we are staying, so another good place to investigate. Thanks

Thanks Eera. No we're not big nightlife people - well not clubbing, a bbq or meal out or a wee snifter at the local is quite enough excitement for us. More interested in nature. I'm looking forward to some gardening and a small veggie patch which hopefully the landlords will agree too, that and a pool for lounging around and I'll be very happy. We've been looking at the flood map so will try to avoid those areas, even renting, I'd prefer not to be flooded. We'll need to book something short term from this end and then we can search on the ground which will be much easier, that said lots interesting on the internet and a few nice places in mount pleasant and I notice some new builds in Ooralea. We love queenslander houses, such great character so we'll definitely be on the look out when we get there. Also good to see there is a local farmers market. Interesting re boss!!!

Thanks Lorna, you're right if we don't know then it doesn't affect us or very minimal impact. It's the same everywhere. It doesn't put me off Mackay, it still sounds a great place.

Thanks xxLornaxx, Eera & Pom Queen. Interview is next tue so lots of nail biting to go I'm afraid. Good point re staying in MacKay as I'll (fingers crossed) be working in the hospital. I've been looking at rental online and the rentals are way cheaper than here in Perth, even with the big drops in rental here. I've had a wee look at rentals in Mount Pleasant and they look good and I definitely don't want to be near any ice and we're not exxy! The other bonus of being local is we can walk to more things or cycle and there will be buses for my Mum. Fantastic to know there are lots of clubs - sporting and social. Did a look online and found a masters swim club - MacKay sinkers and it looks like they train at one of the schools in town so another reason to stay local. It's reassuring that not too many snakes have been spotted and there is such an abundance of wildlife, parks and diving spots. We had a roach infestation last year and even in the apartment near the top of the building we were still getting roaches invading. Everywhere warm seems to be plagued by them but wouldn't trade in the hot weather for anything although like Lorna I may struggle with the humidity, 40C is ok in a dry heat, could be melting and going loco with humidity:wacko: I hear the ports are expecting a growth in activity and there'll be cruise ships docking in Gladstone in the future as well so good to know there is some growth planned ahead as hubby will be looking for work in MacKay if I get this job.

Thanks for that Bobj. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesdays interview as can't wait to explore a new area - love wildlife, especially birds, although I understand there are way more snakes in your neck of the woods, so even more interesting wildlife to spot. I've only seen a dugite at the beach here in WA. Spotted a couple of white back and red back spiders here, actually had a white back in the bed one morning. I call my husband the spider whisperer because everywhere we go they the seem to gravitate towards him. We'll need to rent initially but always good to know where the nice areas are whether buying or renting. We wondered about the dolphin heads/black beach area.

Thanks

Hi There's a possibility we may be moving from Perth WA to live and work in MacKay. As we have never been to MacKay we wondered if anyone could tell us anything about the area. No kids but would still like to know the best areas to live, what's good about the place, any clubs (thinking of getting back to masters swimming and we scuba dive), what are nice areas for wildlife etc. Any information at all would be most appreciated. Many thanks in advance for feedback. Jules:smile:

Hi All Just a quick update from me (meds referred 30/7, meds finalised and visa granted 24/9), we fly out to Perth tomorrow, decided we had done enough waiting, just wanted to get there and start our new life. Good luck to all those still waiting and congratulations to those who have made it through the application jungle on the emotional roller coaster! It will all be worth it and after sorting all our stuff and getting packed up, I'm not doing it again, this is a one way ticket to a new life and adventure. May the adventure begin for you all in the very near future and see you on the other side. :biggrin:

Thanks Ozymandias and Whynot929, I'm sure you'll get yours tomorrow.

Thanks indyanexpress Yes got both on the same day. Funnily enough the documents list still shows all as required but we have our visa notification grant letter and that's the bit that counts. I'm hoping that fellow 30 July and surrounding dates will be waking to find they have theirs as well today.

:laugh: Whoohoo......we got ours today. Can't believe it after all the waiting - total panic now organising flights etc, we plan to be out by mid Oct 2012, no point wasting any time. :biglaugh: Good luck to everyone else still waiting, see you on the other side!!

Hi keptray I submitted online.

Thanks Ozymandius, its why I joined. I'm not prepared to accept that I'll fail, but it does niggle in the back of the mind. I feel I have jumped through hoops. The original visa was going to be in my name as a nurse, but due to non hands on posts they couldn't work out how to categorize me at vetassess and finally offered a refund, so we went with my husband but as we have both taken redundancy, getting ever so slightly panicky that we don't get there. As for sleep, what's that?

Thanks for adding me to the spreadsheet.