Ozinoz

I think a donation is more help to those with leukaemia than sacrificing your long hair. I get the raising awareness thing but how many people would know she wasn't already bald or even question the fact that she is. Everyone deals with things in different ways though so each to their own and no choice is right or wrong. Personally I would donate.

Wow, I really feel for you I do hope they can help. In Australia we have many Charities that can help with food and bills etc if you are struggling that are independent of the Government Agencies. Things are really expensive here these days but you can get the basics like bread and milk cheap and if you go to some of the big supermarkets like Woolies after about 6pm they mark down all the fresh bread and meat etc. Hope your new life works out for you and your family xxx

Has your Partner ever been or lived here? I am only asking because she may or may not like it and since you dated in the 80s I am assuming she is too old for a WHV to try it out. It is a very expensive process, it will set you back a few thousand dollars, even if you do it yourselves. I agree with your partner, you do have a right to be together wherever in the world that may be

I was looking into this yesterday because I have a really nice Uniden Cordless Set made for Aus/NZ. Basically the answer is most likely not... even if they do work (as some don't even ring), the calling number display etc probably won't. If you have the space, you may as well pack them and see but I am going to sell mine before I go.

How can a phone be locked in a Country that has no affiliation with the Telecommunications provider in the UK?

Well the contract won't stop it from working in Oz. You can chuck an Australian Sim in it & swap them back and forth until you have used all your credit with O2 I believe a phone can only be locked to a network within a specific Country or Region (i.e. Eurpope) only if the IMEI number has been reported and logged. I don't think there is any International phone locking as such yet... perhaps in the future but we have completely different Telecommunication providers and there is no International database as yet.

Is it locked by contract? Hubby's O2 phone and sim work fine here in Oz but he is on prepaid.

You are also supposed to have paid up Health Insurance on a WHV... IMO it is more important that you know that you will be OK with the funds you have as they don't really check. If you are coming from the UK or another reciprocating Country you can rock up to a Medicare Office with your Passport and get a number issued straight away for any Non Private Doctor/Hospital stuff that is bulk billed. This does not cover Ambulance though which is about $600 for a call out in NSW so be well aware of the cost. Sydney is also VERY expensive to live in... so is the rest of Australia these days.

{{{Hugs}}} for your Wife and best of luck with your application

Money isn't everything, I would factor in reputation and Insurance rates as well. If you are on a tight budget, tell them. It is like getting your car fixed after a bingle, if you are paying yourself they may halve the rate they charge for an insurance job. Similar thing with removalists, if a Company is paying they have to invoice them and wait for payment and will most likely add a few charges on for the inconvenience. Just be aware too that as with all industries, people know each other and may have a mate working with the competition, so just be factual with your quotations and don't tell porkies or you may just get caught out.

We are getting packed up next week. I have chosen to go for the mould insurance which is only 0.3% on top of the 3% All Risk insurance rate we are getting. Seemed like a good deal to me! Not allowed to pack ourselves or the movers couldn't give us the cheap insurance rate however I shall be supervising and it will be interesting to see how we go as I fancy myself as the Queen of Packing LOL

It really does vary from State to State. Always be aware of your Rights as a Tenant as Real Estates are not to be trusted nor are Private Landlords. Everything is on the Victorian website http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/renting with regards to all the ins and outs. Best of luck finding a Happy Home

It is the Landlord's responsibility. Note it on the inspection report and it will have to be remedied within 7-14 days. If they refuse then you have a real problem but if they comply you know you are in safe hands for the rest of your Tenancy

Not all Doctors bulk bill in Australia but there are always ones that do and they can also refer you to a Specialist who bulk bills. Perhaps if you can tell us your general location, someone will know of a Bulk Billing Doctor in your area.

Glad the cramps have gone... hope the cancer has too x

I disagree... this forum is for everyone who feels the need to join and post. You are the only person who has said otherwise. Sorry that you have not had any luck diagnosing your medical condition but I am not sure why you are paying. We have a reciprocal agreement with the NHS for Medicare and you can get Bulk Billed by the Doctor and Specialists and for Blood Tests, Ultrasounds, X-rays etc etc.

We were never settled on living here, Hubby is from the UK and came here to be with me. Kitty was just a complete bonus, she showed up on our back doorstep one day and we live at the back of a block of villas so a couple of fences to climb to get here and she was pretty little back then. She kept coming back and loving us until we took her in. We did eventually find her original owner but she did not want her back so we kept her but always knew we could only give her a temporary home, just kept putting it off. Anyways 2 years later and some amazing people crossed our path who were willing to take her in and give her a loving home. We are staying with a rellie who rents and everyone else in the family already has pets there so taking her to the UK just wasn't an option. We are completely heartbroken but know we have done the right thing. We will be living in Suffolk to start but who knows where we may end up. We both fancy doing a bit of travelling but as I am Australian I don't have the luxury of being able to work in Europe so it is most likely we will stay in the UK for 5 years until I get Citizenship and a British Passport. You will always be glad you gave it red hot go here and I am sure your kitty will be fine x

Just kidding, I am sure it was well above board We have to get settled and find jobs first anyways but just knowing that we can hop over somewhere is cheering us up! I would love to go to Italy, it is definitely on my list. We used to have a lot of Italian influence food wise in Australia growing up, not so much anymore as Asians have taken over most things. I love Asian food but they don't make great bakers, fish & chips or pasta To be honest it is even hard to find a good Chinese these days. 100 pounds each is awesome, it costs waaaaaay more than that to go to New Zealand from here.

Will do! Hubby is still subscribed to those emails and we were just looking at them yesterday. We were looking at the cheapo Amsterdam one but we decided that a 3*** B&B would most like stand for Bed & Brothel LMAO

I don't mind busy, I live in Sydney so it can be a bit chaotic on the roads and drivers can be aggressive but being honked at doesn't really bother me, it drives my Hubby crazy but I can give as good as I get The weather will most likely get me down but I keep out of the sun these days anyway since being burnt a gazzillion times growing up in Perth. I am really looking forward to seeing Europe, I lurve road trips and can't wait to get on the Ferry to France

I love Krispy Kremes but beware... they are totally addictive! You can freeze them and microwave them and they are just as good If you go to a store that makes them, not just an outlet, they will give you a free one straight off the press whilst you wait in line.

Indeed they can be misleading but it was more the persona they personified To be honest I was surprised that a woman could be such a whinger so it is a relief to learn that he is not one

I thought you were a girl... why do they refer to you as Mr in their letter... or I am missing something?

I think there is no such thing as too many but there is definitely such a thing as too few. Heck be creative and give them copies of your joint Library Card LOL

Thank you so much for your kind offer <3 We found her an amazing home within a few hours of being told that the RSPCA put down adult cats if they were a little pudgy and even if the the cat rescue place wasn't full it takes them up to a year to rehome them and until then she would have been kept in a cage. She is an outdoors cat and loves the sun and her freedom so would not have been happy even if she survived the journey to the UK. Just not willing to take that risk. So glad you are happy here and have found your Paradise I loved Perth growing up and there is no better place in Australia to bring up your kids. Not really a venture, more of a transition, Hubby came here to be with me but we have decided to go to the UK for personal reasons. Being a hop, step and boat ride from Europe is a complete bonus!