Peccavi

Being an Aussie born and bred I have seen lots of this fine country and genuinely have a love for it...the country that is! Because what I am about to vent about may annoy or offend some so I apologise in advance.

 

This morning I was watching lets say the breakfast show on Channel 7 (unnamed) and after for a long time seeing stories you ignore one this morning really annoyed me, they where talking about how the UK is going to I quote "downplay" the role of the Anzacs in the war. Now I know this is a spin on the story because the actual story is that the UK are not mentioning the Anzacs specifically anymore as there were many other nations involved who never got a mention to date so they are changing the speech to say "all commonwealth countries". Now I don't see what is wrong with that at all, it seems only fair. I had relatives who fought in the war and everyone united for a common goal it wasn't a we should be mentioned for this more than you attitude.

 

But for some reason the media sees the need to create an us vs. them mentally whenever they report on other countries. They go on about wanting to create a harmonious society yet they continue to segregate themselves by creating this hatred towards other countries and in turn making the public the same way..effectively turning everyone racist. Yes, I said the R word.

 

Vent over, sorry to anyone this offends not my intention but I had to share my views and thought this may be a good place.

 

I love my country but am increasingly disappointed by how it is changing to become so arrogant and pretentious.

Sunrise leads on this. It never misses an opportunity to have a dig at the UK. Both its male host and its programme bosses are fixated on this, but the level of maturity is clear when a person with a one syllable name is referred to by two syllables as 'Kochie'.

I suppose we should make allowances for immaturity....

......and I don't shirk the word: animosity toward the English (and it is the English)-is race-racism.

However, this is endemic; it's a general attitude which is a little amusing when you look at the main demographic of settlement.

And just as predictably: it's denied, or rationalised.

The last week I was in Australia the C9 equivalent male host referred to: 'let's get the weather for this great country of ours'.

The big naming comes in at every level, but it does not show maturity, it shows the opposite.

Hi Jen85 - I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, as you say, the media these days have lost the skill of reporting news and only seem to only want to grab attention by creating outrage and disgust. I suspect this is just another case of that.

 

Living in Canberra I'm a frequent visitor to the Australian War Memorial and I'm often amused that a casual viewer would probably take away from the Gallipoli Hall the impression that it only involved Aussie and Kiwi troops - but I'm sure every country needs to have their own heroes and as a relatively young country I guess Australia has more of a need to focus on their achievements. I for one am certainly not offended.

I think you will find that the poster was not being hard on herself...

...and I for another DO find this incessant petty putdown 'ethic' very offensive.

Don't think it's just Aus Jen, it's the whole World.

No. On this scale? It's Australia.

Aussies tend to tune out unless winning. Seen it countless times.

Yes.

Too right they do- winners are grinners:biggrin:

This is true. I recall those Sunrise presenters looking a little blank when the Olympics had been going for some days. Poor souls.

Did anyone see this on C4 earlier in the week?

I caught the repeat last night and it was nothing out of the ordinary for anyone who has lived in a working class area - some gems and some err, rough diamonds:twitcy:

I refuse to watch it.

I have no idea why we are so hellbent on getting our faces on TV that we participate in something that is intended to show us in a bad light.

I don't believe for a moment that this programme has gone to air to show struggling Britain. If that were the case they could come up with any amount of evidence to support that. Instead they have concentrated on one street.

This is like the Australian TV series "Houso's". A programme designed to show all public housing tenants in the worst possible light.

I only know what I saw on the news today and yesterday. I wasn't here and I can't comment on this case. But one thing I can say: I wonder if any one of us would post as we have, if this was our child?

Yep! I know the responses I'll get to that about his nature/behaviour/family etc. It is so predictable I won't respond.

I still say that it might be different if it was our child or that of friends. Would we then be so concerned about the inconvenience of riots, and making jokes about stealing televisions?

Maybe if this lad had been born on the right side of the tracks our reactions might have been different?

Okey dokey; take your shots!

Nice post Peccavi and sorry to hear the news about the clots.Hope you are ok?xxxPS Loved your line "Australia is nowhere near as wonderful as portrayed and the UK is nowhere as bad"How true that is hon?

Off topic for a sec. Yes I am lucky. I decided on a medi-MOT on Friday, and casually mentioned a slight and very occasionally occurring sharp pain in the right lung. Other matters were bothering me far more, but Doc' had me in an ambulance on a semi emergency basis a couple of hours later. It was the local non emergencies sick pit. Tests were 'inconclusive' so I was booked in to Lancaster Monday for a full service and tune.

The right lung was clear, but the scan showed what nobody was expecting; a clot in the left lung.

Be careful on long hauls folks. This time there were no symptoms (shortness of breath). If that had continued (no warning signs) the clot would have hit the heart or brain. Lights out is OK because I would not have known, but permanent disablement?

I was lucky. So many others have so much worse to cope with. I relate this because even though I exercised every hour or so/drank plenty of water/wore those damned stockings....

You don't have to have a propensity for clots-the previous crop came from a clot originating in the calf of my leg and wending its merry way to my lungs-not this time,-it can happen to anyone.

I don't want to frighten youse-but be aware.

Sorry OP.

Is it ethical to seek PP/citizenhip if you have no thoughts of living here? Seems a bit dodgy to me.

.........and it is commonly done,...and both Governments know it is commonly done and turn a blind eye. I suspect because the UKG is happy to depopulate, and the AusG is happy to have 'old country' migrants return.

_______________________________

I returned after 37 years. For me personally (always the tedious qualifier) Australia no longer exists. As many have said-even after a long period; 'it's as if I never lived there'.

I knew it was unlikely I would have regrets, because I did not return for people; I returned for places/history/and even dull---yes dull weather (without incessant blaring sun).

And of course it's been Utopia!!

NO. It hasn't. It was the correct choice, that much is glaring, but there have been huge problems that were totally unexpected and unnecessary, and are going to be stressful and draining to deal with.

(And for good measure?-My air flight has scored me a nice little blood clot in the lung, confirmed yesterday. Non hereditary blood clots both lungs 2012, 6 month medication. Every precaution necessary on that flight and triple the price for insurance. I still copped it. Rat poison for life).

Do I regret it? Not one jot.

Pro Australianites will issue warnings about return. Pro UK'er's will tell you 'it's lovely'---or 'it has its problems but..'.

The simple hard fact is that you will not get 'the truth'. You will get the opinion of the individuals bias.

And my bias: Australia is nowhere near as wonderful as portrayed, and the UK is nowhere near as bad.

All I can say is, go with your gut instinct.

I watched this episode for the first time ever, and felt damned angry!

The programme is almost fraudulent. I'm not saying that the things they saw were not true, but that only one side is being shown-and the best side at that.

It is sh.te like this that is at the core of the incessant competition Australia/UK. Both Governments and media have peddled this rubbish for years. Australia=Paradise/UK=Misery.

It then leads to enduring perceptions that such a broad generalisation is a statement of fact. It is a broad generalisation and nothing more, and it has cost so many in so many ways dearly. Being fed this unrealistic rubbish and then finding out the hard way.

I am not saying that people don't settle and love it; so very many do. What I'm saying is that whilst that 'coming to Paradise' message is peddled, unless you are lucky, you are inevitably riding for a fall.

..........and of course those who did not 'embrace the living dream' are not looked on well by those who have settled-because of that over marketing. Those who are happy and settled have no genuine perception how anyone cannot enjoy such a wonderful country-that being so 'because we love it/look at the programmes who show how lovely it is/even the Government/s loves it (the UKGov needing to offload as many as they can!).

And this was a single Mum with an adorable son. I hope it all works out. So very many of us watching this erroneous programme could poke gigantic holes in so many parts that were shown-you almost want to shout a warning!

I only wish that such programmes were required by law to show balance. This lass and her son may come good, or they may end up struggling, and she's across the other side of the world!

Bloody infuriating loadacrap.

All it needs is a phone call.

I'm sure when the next 'shift' come on, they will say hello.

Glad things have gone well for you!

This works the other way round too. My oh was owed money from govt depts for several months, but central govt wouldn't release the funds so he could be paid for work he'd carried out. He's still waiting for some of it a year on, he's still paying tax which funds the salaries and expenses of politicians.

 

I don't understand the vilification of single mothers. If we really have to generalise so crudely, what about the fathers of the children who default on their maintenance payments, or simply go missing? My sister became a single parent through no fault of her own (she was working five jobs to support her now ex through uni when he decided to start a relationship with another woman) and she was left with two children to bring up on her own. He paid £10 a month for them despite having a job paying £40k pa. She was lucky in that my parents were in a position to help her out, but most people aren't so fortunate and have to get by as best they can.

 

Most are stuck between a rock and a hard place - lack of affordable, accessible childcare is just one problem frequently cited (and acknowledged by govt) which makes working difficult. That, along with the increase in zero hour contracts which means there's no guarantee of work from week to week which then affects benefit payments, and the introduction of universal credit (there was a trial of uc which showed that rent arrears went up 7 fold which should have been enough to make the govt's think again, but no... http://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Rent-arrears-soar-sevenfold-in-Universal-Credit-trial) and the 'bedroom tax' (I wouldn't have a problem with people moving to smaller, more appropriate properties if they were available, but they're not) means that already tight budgets are squeezed even harder. If we want to make a change for the next generation we have to invest now, but governments (any govt) aren't interested. They think as far as the next election and what they think will win votes.

 

I hate what this bloke has done and would never condone it, but I'm not surprised he's taken advantage of the situation. It's not up to him to look after the poor - we have to build more social housing at a price we can afford and rent them out at a rate the tenants (HB) can afford. And remember, it isn't only the unemployed who receive housing benefit - http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_calculations.

 

It's sad that people can't see the victims in this - children shouldn't be penalised for being poor and I can't believe that some can't see the long term potential problems arising from it. They moan about the disaffected and feckless, but how will that change by alienating them and their children from society further?

You illustrated a fact there. That is not required. It does not fit the endgame here.

(I have huge compassion for these women and the hard job they do. I experienced it myself, having to sell my wedding ring to buy clothes for my child. The father bought a boat-yes a boat!)

If they are grouped together and demeaned, they become such a handy statistical tool. To put up with that and cope with what they have to is an outrage.

It matters not whether or not the single mothers talk about the fact that they have paid their rent. It is the experience of the landlord that counts and if a landlord has had a number of people on HB not paying their rent, s(he) is not going to risk taking on any others. There is also the issue of a deposit. If a tenant has a job, they have to put down a deposit. A person on HB does not, so it is very hard to get back the money for any damages caused.

 

If a single mother on benefits is not inclined to pay her rent because someone has said that single mothers are unreliable, she is not the sort of person you would want to rent to anyway.

Single mothers on benefits have got that reputation because of the way a large number of them have behaved, not because of the way one or two have behaved.

 

To compare: Nigerians have not been given a bad reputation because a couple of their number decided to kill Lee Rigby. However, if a large number of Nigerians started killing unarmed soldiers who are off-duty, then they would start to get a reputation for being murderous sociopaths and people would say that reputation was deserved.

 

Reputation comes about because of the actions of a large number of people, not because of the actions of a few.

Well thank you Stephen Hawking!!!

But I'll pass on the condescending lecture.

Though this topic is about this nice gentleman and those less desirous who have crossed his anointed path, my point has been about the generalisations used to justify his actions.

Poor landlord vs evil scrounging tenants. It's irresistible isn't it?

Incredibly irresistible it seems!!:

Nigerians? kill Mr Rigby (a vile way to score a point btw), there was only 2, ergo Nigerians don't have a bad reputation.

But...BUT, single mothers !#@*&!!! Now this is a whole different ball game! 'That reputation' no less!!

You are right of course; they do have 'that reputation', but why?

I'll grant there is more than just the two! but how are you-you personally (it's your post I'm responding to)- going to prove how many?

By putting up a link?

By quoting the Daily Mail/Sun or whatever tw.atpress prints 'facts'?

By quoting from one of the myriad 'thinktanks'?

By referring to that nice Mr Cameron's advisors?

By referring to 'research' in general?

What about the Two Parents R' Us association?

There are so many of which you could put up 'facts'. But of course they would only be expressed opinion based on philosophical/political belief.

What I am doing and will continue to do is to object to 'generalisation to justify'.

And single mothers are a prime target.

I object to those on the arse end of society ALL being grouped together as some kind of subhumans just so people like this man can look as if they have integrity, when all they have frankly, is a knack for making a profit.

Sorry, perhaps I should clarify. Single mothers on benefits have a reputation for not paying their rent. We actually rented our home out to a single mother with two kids, but she was working, so we did not have an issue with that. She was a perfect tenant and we were very sad when she left and bought her own house. Had she been on benefits it would have been a different story and we would not have rented it out to her.

Perhaps I should clarify. Single mothers on benefits should not have this 'reputation' for not paying their rent, because those that are doing, are simply not talking about it-they stay under the radar to avoid further criticism.

But in any event that would not fit the profile of single mother=on benefit scenario, so there is little interest in the single mother on benefits doing the right thing is there?

When we disparage and demean we have little interest in anything other than generalizing in order to prove our point.

And of course those demeaned are the ones least able to defend themselves without incurring further attack.

An irresistible mode of behaviour. I know it well.

I don't think he wants to displace anyone through greed, the bloke is offering a service and want to be payed for it. Having worked for myself and worked for customers who say that they " need a bit more time to pay", then to see them in the pub on a Friday night, now that's wrong. Why should non payment of my bill fund their social life. The bloke only wants paying and if his customers (tenants) aren't paying their bill then like any other good business man he is going to find customers (from Eastern Europe) who are going to pay their bills. Simple economics and business sense, good on him.

 

His previous tenants should have payed their bills, easy as that.

200 of them have not paid their bills? (Was it 200?) He has given notice to those on HB-were every single one of those in arrears?

If not those who were paying their rent have been given notice simply because of being on HB!

How that can be justified is beyond me.

I also wonder at the law of racial discrimination, (never mind social discrimination!). I'm surprised this landlord (he seems fixated with the second syllable of that), is able to get away with only renting to 'foreigners'. Because if the issue is only HB, as another poster has already pointed out, they can also apply for HB, (if they pass the HRT).

He is not a fat cat. He is someone who has bought houses and successfully rented them out. Until the government stopped paying the rent directly to the Landlords, there was no problem letting houses to the unemployed. Now the money is given directly to the unemployed person, they have the choice of whether or not to pay their landlord. Many mortgages for buy to let houses will not allow the houses to be let to those on housing benefit (or whatever it is currently called). Single mothers do have a reputation for not paying their rent so I can quite understand why he does not want to let his houses to them.

 

I would not either. I'd much rather rent my house to someone who would pay the rent on time, than have to deal with solicitor costs in evicting them. Do I have any sympathy? No. They are given the money to pay the rent by the government. They choose not to pay it. They get evicted. Tough. They should take some responsibility for their actions.

Do they now? Or could it be that 'single mothers' are increasingly vilified for being single mothers?

Just to qualify this: I have little sympathy for so-called 'breeding machines'. I have no time for the blatant scrounger. I doubt anyone does. What really irks me is the generalisation: single mothers are not ALL fleecing the system and not paying rent. These women (single fathers engender sympathy), face enough problems without this.

They are the whipping boys of the 21stC. A Mum staying home to look after the kids was respected; now ALL are a blight on society.

It must be so tough for these women to repeatedly read what a sorry lot they are. I have been one for 49 years and it bugs me.

The BLATANT scrounger: how many poor sods have to wear the mantle of being a leech on society when they are beaten down and depressed by the system today which actively praises the survival of the fittest (thank you Margaret-may you RoIP's).

Again: I have no time for those who are have never even tried. Again: I object to the generalisation that they are all the same; they are not.

In the fullness of time this will blow up in this man's face. Again the generalisation: 'all benefit tenants (British of course) = bad - all European tenants (no benefit applications there......) = good.

It doesn't work like that. Ultimately this bozo will have to not so much change his stance, but moderate it.

I doubt he'd make the papers then, which is a pity, because I would like to see a photo of him and his wife without that self satisfied smirk.

"One of Britain's best-known landlords has issued eviction notices to every tenant who is on welfare, and told letting agents that he will not accept any more applicants who need housing benefit.

Fergus Wilson, who with his wife Judith owns nearly 1,000 properties around the Ashford area of Kent, has sent the eviction notices to 200 tenants, saying he prefers eastern European migrants who default much less frequently than single mums on welfare. He says the move is purely an economic decision and points out that private landlords are running a business"

 

 

 

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/04/buy-to-let-landlord-evicts-housing-benefit-tenants

how do you feel about this paul?

It's obviously a good thing.

Housing benefit costs the UK taxpayer more than JSA, Incapacity Benefit, council tax benefit and employment support allowance combined. Buy to let is nothing more than a right wing backed scheme to rinse the UK taxpayer of benefits payments, and this family have obviously relied on the UK taxpayer to amass their fortune.

 

What are your thoughts on it, Simmo?

I just feel sorry for the poor people that will be made potentially homeless through no fault of their own.

But this saves us taxpayers millions in pounds per year. Isn't that a good thing?

money spent on the genuinely needy is never money wasted paul.

How do you know they are genuinely needy?

are you telling me they weren't?

I just asked a question

well unless you are suggesting otherwise i'll assume they are genuinely needy and hope they don't end up homeless.

I think I've just woken up in the twilight zone!

Have you two swapped places just for a lark? I'll be damned!

Now I'm awa' to read the story.

.......there's an example...!

.......lol........but keep on with the thread.......it was interesting........!

 

 

 

........just seen Peccavi's post......!

...........get over it....!

............I have to........

.............we all have things that others don't like.......so.....?

..............I've said people have mentioned it for a kindness to me......

.................that's life......look out for your friends.....

..................your choice to keep going ........accept the action and move on......

...................and I'm a she......

Yes. My apologies. You are a she.

I will get over it when I stop being criticised for something I actually did not do!! Something that is anathema to me.

It is 'my choice' to defend myself.

I will continue to do that if it is necessary.

And it should not have been necessary.

I think you are being disingenuous given the style of your post was what attracted attention but Pablo is right that Tink wouldn't appreciate further conversation on the topic so I'll leave it here.

Haven't you got it? 'The style of my post'?-WHO exactly is fixated with this 'style' thing??

How nice to show wisdom and concern for Tink that 'this is over'-when YOU sought to continue it, and still have to have another dig!

Are we finished YET?

Lets all play nice ladies,its been explained,its over,im sure Tink doesn't want this to carry on,knowing Tink,be nice just like me and simmo lol

That really grinds on my bits. (And don't include me in this ongoing crap. I have had to defend myself over such a sensitive issue because of something that has nothing to do with the topic or Tink. He HAS been used in that process).

Perhaps you could stretch not asking about posting styles to not commenting on them either.

I didn't. Perhaps if you read again you will find that I didn't bring this up, another poster suggested that I did.

This is the first and last time I will go into personal matters.

My youngest Grandson is 11. He was born with cataracts on both eyes. One has been removed; one cannot be. The end result will be the same.

That boy writes in the same way as Tink. I am very proud of him.

To score points on an issue like this (when we all know it is really about general disagreement in posting view) is just disgusting.

But by God you've got my attention now!

If you want to keep up with this petty point scoring (on something like this??! Unbelievable!), then I will be standing by to respond.

.........cripes.......just logged on after a s**** day.....

.........glass of wine ready for some friendly chat and.......wow....

.........first thank you dmjg...:hug:.....and those who know why he posted what he did.

 

........I guess over time PIO becomes like a family.........and we look out for each other....

........that's what keeps me on here.....

........and I'm blessed to call so many friends....

 

........the dots.....!

.......and lines of words..........help me.....

........my eyesight is failing.......I use an ipad ,thank god for its auto correct...

.........and I can stretch posts that are quite long.....

.........if there too long I retire from the thread......

..........tires my eyes too much........

 

..........I've been a square peg most of my life tbh.....

..........and only recently become more comfortable with who I an......

..........so sorry for going off topic OP..........but hope this helps..........tink x

This is why I will not ask about posting style. There is a reason for everything.

Thank-you for clarifying Tink.

I want to return to the UK this year but am worried about the age pension.I have lived here for over 35 years and of course entitled to the Aussie pension but as everyone is aware the UK is one of the countries that Australia will not send the pension to.I will have approx 50,000 pounds in cash.When this runs out does anyone know if the UK will add anything to my pension (UK approx 30 pound) or a site where I can find out.I did return there 3 years ago,because of a death in the family and was awarded pension credits,etc but on settlement of the estate I came off this benefit and renovated a property in France,which has to be sold for me to obtain the figure of 50,000.I am not trying to bludge off the UK but am worried I may end up homeless once my money has run out.If not I may have to live in Spain as the properties are cheap there and Australia will send my Oz pension there as I will not be entitled to any help from the UK.I find the cost of living and rental prices to high for me to exsist here in Oz as I have no super etc.Thanks

This is what is so misleading. I got caught by this too, and it was only the insistence of another PIO poster that made me look into it.

Even now it is difficult to explain, but I do know that if you reached pension age by a certain year etc,etc, you ARE paid your AusPens in the UK.

I should know. It's being paid! Contact Centrelink International (131-673) directly; give them your details, and get your answer.

I found out in February last year that my AusPen could be paid permanently in the UK. I hit the ground at warp speed!

Good luck, I hope you qualify; I had the same fears as you.

You really need to get over yourself

Ditto.

(................and that's such a daft sentence btw........................)

You claim not to analyse how others post, however your provocation with the ........... Is intended to do just that.

 

You also claimed that you were not doing it back as a windup.

 

You need to get over yourself.

I don't 'claim' anything!

'my 'provocation' with the..........(!!!!) is intended to do just that'. ??

Any chance you can add the 'in my opinion' thing? It's a teensy bit irksome when someone purports to tell me what I'm thinking!

'You also claimed you were not doing it as a windup'??? Er, yeeessss...?

What do you plan to add now?: "I rest my case" !!

Don't 'e fret my luvly, we'll all survive this terrible trauma.

Hi, I'm new to this but I think it will be a good way to get some help from people who actually understand as talking to friends just doesn't help anymore.

 

Basically, I moved to Australia (2hrs north of Sydney) with my family when I was 10 and have been here for 12 years now. I was reluctant to move but what can you do when you're 10? I'm still bitter about losing 12 years with my Grandparents and other family and friends and I can't seem to get to grips with all the anger and confusion from that time even though it's been ages. I went back to the UK when I finished school for 6 months which was fantastic. I missed my family and friends but not the country. Ever since I got back I've been really trying to give things a good go but I just end up feeling lonely and like I don't belong in Australia. People from home think I'm crazy for wanting to leave the beaches, weather and lifestyle here but it's just not for me. That stuff means nothing if you're unhappy, I don't even like going to the beach or being outdoors and cannot stand the heat!

 

I just feel a bit lost and I would happily move back to England right now! The issue with that is that I'd have nowhere to stay as there's no room at my Grandads and I wouldn't want to bother anyone else.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice? If I decide to move back (its highly likely) I wouldn't even know where to start with money, renting a place, which area, shipping my stuff, getting a job. I have a British passport as well as Australian though so that's a start I guess.

I don't want to make hasty decisions but I'm so desperately unhappy here that I need to do something and I just think that moving back to England would make me so happy that I'd be able to tackle all the other stuff as it comes.

 

Would love any advice or tips about whether I should move back or not.

 

Thanks.

This is something that emanates from the soul in my opinion. If you feel this and have felt it as you grew up in Australia, I have not a shadow of a doubt that this will not change.

Oil and water will mix if agitated-continuously. But they will always separate. No one can permanently vigorously stir to achieve a result that is not a natural occurrence, it becomes debilitating and depressing.

I threw away thirty years of my life desperately trying to amalgamate; don't you waste yours.

Sorry don't believe the post think it's another wind up on let's bring out the age old hate vs love Aus/UK arguments. If I'm wrong good luck in your decision

I'm damned if I know how you can arrive at this conclusion when someone posts and asks for advice!

I didn't intend this as a wind up at all. There are heaps of pros and cons about living in either country, the only thing I'm asking for help with here concerns my happiness and which country and lifestyle would be better for me. I have nothing against either country, I'm just considering how I want my lifestyle to be and what I want my future to look like that's all thank you for reading though, perhaps my wording isn't the best, hope this clears things up a bit

I know you didn't. You have no need to justify your reasons for asking for advice, they are very apparent.

You are not the first child this has happened to and you will not be the last. As someone who has been through it I know that I built up in my mind something in the UK that did not exist. So once you lay the ghost you just get on with your life wherever it is. Its always difficult for migrants of a first generation but its not difficult for our children.

............and perhaps not! WHY is there this incessant need to suggest this is just a fantasy? ........And it always comes from the same people....

Unless you have a skill that is in demand I wouldn't bother. The UK is recovering well, but it is not booming. I came here when it was booming, and it is still a struggle without a large was of cash.

I would bother. I would bother like hell. I would do it because I know the mental and emotional cost of enduring unhappiness.

I managed to do this on the smell of an oily rag, and I am damn proud of what I achieved. However:

-to the OP: what you have done is face reality, not fantasy, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Listen to your instincts, they are the primal part of our psyche.

You stay. Or you return to the UK?:

Then plan, and plan some more. Start researching. Housing/jobs/areas. Accept that it will take some time. As others have advised if you need further education do it-you are doing it for an end goal. If not then one thing is obvious-save save SAVE.

If in this process you find you have settled in Australia-then fine. That's OK! But if not then your game plan is progressing.

Trust me; at your age, time is your friend,-the internet is your friend. It may take 2,3,4 years, but by that time one thing will be clear; you either do not want to proceed with it, or you have some savings/ have established links/ and know the UK system far more.

Just knowing that you are coming home will help you. It will not be easy; nothing is easy, but most nothing is impossible either.

The first thing: take a decision.

The second: if it's return-start your game plan, and stick with it.

Good luck to you.

Of course kids are innocent,agreed,i honestly dont know why poorer white kids seem to perform worse than minority poor kids,i haven't gone into it in detail,seems strange to me tbh,do you think ethnic minority kids get more help from the education system,or their parents,or both?

I believe the focus of the parents of these children is to make a success of life. I think it is instilled in the youngsters from the getgo.

Agree.

 

I also find it strange that the previously oppressed feel it is now their responsibility to oppress those who in the largest majority have ruled out the oppression. It seems it is their intent to make this kinder, more caring and self aware generation pay for the sins of their ignorant white forefathers.

 

Ironic that innit.....

I understand that at the end of WW11 many Jews slaughtered as many Germans as they could. Ironic that innit....

However, the need to oppress has continued for decades with Israel, it's just that the Palestinians now cop it,-and they fight back-and...I wonder who was responsible for that little mess?

Indigenous Australians are such oppressive little buggers, aren't they? Ironic that innit....

Maggie is dead and buried... move on!

Has anyone checked?

The thing with Maggie is that she stood for what she believed.

At all cost.

And she was still a dropkick!

Unkind! (That is the ruination of a perfectly good boot).

Have you bothered asking why tink posts like this?

Have you bothered to realise how many on every discussion forum everywhere, simply post/ respond to the topic and the opinion expressed and do not concern themselves with the analysis of the posting style?

I have no intention of questioning any poster on how they post; that is their business. No one should be questioned and have to justify how they post!

..........Tink and I had an exchange, it ended. I credit every poster here 'friend' or 'foe', to be able to handle posting disagreements without needing counselling!

If you want to take a shot, take it directly, and don't use another poster to do it. Tink I doubt very much has gone into seclusion!

(And I am not comfortable discussing another poster like this, it's unnecessary).

Thats a fair point btw,Lewis's workers are all part of the share scheme,as opposed to just Managers at Debenhams,Sports Direct used to lose 1 employee in 3(per year i think)before they too brought their employee's into the share scheme,now its 1 in 5

Ahhh! I didn't know that. I remembered both stores from the dim and distant only.

It was tongue in cheek of course, but I did mean it. Value your workers and they will value you.