PatW

Hello emj Really sorry to read you're struggling. I know I cried a lot in the first few years (we came Nov 1981, pre-computer, Google Earth, Skype, etc). If it's any help to know, just about everyone has struggled in this summer's heat and humidity (worse than last year, which was bad enough). And no wet season until autumn. Crazy. It must have been hard having a family Christmas and then coming back to this heat. You mention you've got dogs; are they a specific breed? If so, there should be a breed-organised 'get-together' where you could meet other owners and have a natter, i.e. son has 2 Ridgebacks and I know there's a Ridgeback 'get-together' at the GC each month. There are dog-allowable beaches on the GC, where they can be off-lead (check on the local Council website). What about dog-allowable cafes in the area, 'cos as you know, dog owners will chat to one another at the drop of a hat? Check FB pages for breed-specific groups. There are get-togethers (for the humans!) through this site, on both Brisbane northside (me) and Brisbane Bayside. Is there a GC one? Does anyone know, please? You can be restricted in going places with the dogs, but find stuff away from the coast that is more dog-friendly than the GC. You can take the dogs (haven't forgotten that there's also the cat at home) into State Forests for day trips but not overnight, but domestic animals aren't allowed in to National Parks at all. There are Tourist Information centres on the GC, so go and talk to them and get ideas about day trips that will get you all out at the w/e. I prefer the Sunshine Coast to the GC, but obviously it depends on where the work is for both of you. There are lovely areas (and lovely people) all around Australia and I do hope you find yours very soon.

Next get-together: Saturday 1 April (first weekend of the Queensland school holidays, so some people will be off camping, etc). From 2pm til you have to go. Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes. BYO food, drinks, etc. Be lovely to see you.

Hello Anna I believer there's a bayside, i.e. south of the Brisbane River, migrant group for getting together, chatting & having bbqs (I do one on the north side, at North Lakes). I'm sure the forum co-ordinator will be able to give you more details than I can. Hope all goes well for you. Pat

Hello Theresa Check caravan parks (which also have cabins for those without their own tent/caravan) on line for the Sunshine Coast, but most will be heavily booked already. If you find one (or a motel), it'll have cooking facilites, fridge, etc. so you can buy in necessary food and have a Christmas on the beach (which to begin with is quite weird but then becomes enjoyable. Pack the hats & sunscreen because you will need them. Stay in the shade as much as possible (we got burnt a few years ago just sitting in the shade on the beach, because of the reflected rays off the sand) and enjoy the water! If you want to, please PM me with other questions.

Hello all Dec 2016 and Jan 2017 dates now arranged. Saturday 17 Dec 2016 at Moora Park, Shorncliffe. From 6.30am (in time for a bbq breakfast!) for the rest of the day or come & go as you have time. BYO food, drinks, chairs, etc. Saturday 14 Jan 2017 at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes, from 2pm til you have to go. BYO food, drinks, etc.

Hello Anna Welcome! Do you know what part of Brisbane you'll be moving to? On your own or with family? Do ask on this forum if you want help, because they are a helpful lot with a lot of experience.

Hello Stu & family I've just posted the Dec & Jan dates: Saturday 17th Dec 2016 at Moora Park, Shorncliffe, from 6.30am til you have to go (we'll be there all day to meet/greet people and will definitely be having a bacon & egg breakfast to start!)and Saturday 14 January 2017 at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes, from 2pm til you have to go. BYO food, drinks, chairs, etc. for both occasions. Free electric bbqs available at both. I know 6.30am seems very early (and it is) but Qld people tend to be up with the sun and then down with the sun and as the sun will be up about 4.30am at that time of year, it's actually quite nice to get out and about before the heat hits and a bit of fresh air with a bbq breakfast is rather nice. PM me if you have questions/queries.

Hello all December 2016 and January 2017 meet-up dates now decided. Saturday 17th December at Moora Park, Shorncliffe (alongside the renovated pier). From 6.30am (yes, I know it's desperately early, but if any one wants to come for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner/tea, we'll be there!) BYO food, drinks, chairs, etc. Plenty of shade under the trees. Sand beach. Gentle water. Toilets. Huge play area for children of various ages. Stay as long as you want to/can. Saturday 14 January 2017, from 2pm til you have to go. Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes. BYO food, drinks, etc.

Hello Salsera You bet there'll be another one! We usually meet in a park in the suburb of North Lakes - as you've probably seen - but the December one will be at a local beach and as soon as I work out a date (during this week) I'll post it and let everyone know. However, if you want to have a chat & a cuppa before December, please PM me and we'll arrange something. Pat

You're very welcome, Lisa. Glad you could come. It was good to meet you and the family. It was a good natter time! Pat

Hello Olwyn Next get-together will be next Saturday - 17th Sept - at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes, from 2pm (although OH & I are likely to be there earlier to grab a spot) until you have to go. BYO food, drinks, etc. Free electric bbqs available if you want to use them. You'd be very welcome.

A JP (Justice of the Peace) can be found in many places in Australia. From the Qld objective, they are at the North Lakes' shopping centre a number of mornings/half days a week and you'll often find someone in a bank or solicitor's office will also be a JP or Commissioner of Oaths. No JP can charge for their services.

Hello Welcome to Brisbane! Goodness, that's hard being here with 2 teenage sons, starting work, settling the boys & OH still back in Scotland. Of course you can come along - it isn't just for those living in/near North Lakes, but for anyone who's recently arrived (or not so recently) and wants to meet people, start to make new networks & hopefully some new friends. It's just that there are a lot of ex-pats living in NL, so it's a convenient place to meet, but by no means the only place people are living. Last get-together 2 newcomer families had been here only about 6 weeks and all newcomers are made very welcome - I promise you won't be left on your own. BYO food, drinks, etc and there are free electric bbqs to use if you want to. We (OH Bob and I) plan to get a 'shelter shed' (tables/chairs set up with cover over) and then hang flags from it, so you should see us (and there are only 3 shelter sheds within the park). PM me if you need to. Look forward to seeing you. Pat (I'll PM you my mobile, in case you need it on the day.)

Hello CharlieV Welcome to you, too! Get-together/bbq is open to you and the family, too, if you'd like to come along. It's just an opportunity for people to meet potential new friends, start to make networks and ask questions about how it all works. What part of London were you?

No problems, Stu. Happy to do so. Hope all goes well with the move to Bribie.

Hello again Birch4 That may be something I can help connect you with - another of the recent arrivals has just gone through getting his provisional licence and he should be able to help with the 'whys and wherefores' in getting yours. Pat

Hello Birch4 Sure are! Saturday 17 September (at the start of the Queensland spring school holidays), from 2pm til you have to go, at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO food, drinks, etc. Any questions - about the meet up or learning to live in Australia - or if you want to meet up for a cuppa before September, pm me. (We've been here a few more years.) If you haven't already, remember to get tax file numbers from the ATO (Australian Taxation Office), sign on with Medicare (NHS equivalent) and Centrelink (for child benefits, if applicable), Main Roads for Qld driving licences ... and probably a few other bits if you want to chat. Pat

... and the next get-together will be Saturday 2 July 2016, again from 2pm til you have to go, at the same place; Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes. You'd be very welcome! Pat & Bob

Hello Yes, 'tis me! Sat 2 July, Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes, from 2pm (although we'll be there earlier to grab a table/bbq) til you have to go. BYO food, drinks, etc. PM me if you want other information or if you'd like to catch up for a cuppa somewhere in the meantime. And ... WELCOME!

Hello Laura No problem. Let me know once you're here and we'll have a cuppa and see how we can help with letting you know how things operate and where to find things. Pat

Hello Laura & family Friends of ours have been here about 2 years and they're from Suffolk. We're ex London & Banbury. We do migrant get-togethers ('cos we know how stressful it can be in the first year or 3) and the next will be Saturday 2 July at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (about 30 mins' drive north of the city). From 2pm til you have to go. BYO food, drinks, etc. About 15 families come, who have been here between 5 months & 3 years. Whoever's here by 2 July, you'd be very welcome. (It'll also be on the calendar on this site.) PM me if you have questions/queries. And WELCOME!

Hi all OH & I arrange get-togethers on the north side - at Aurora Boulevard Park, North Lakes - and the next will be this Saturday, 2 April, from 2pm til you have to go. Those that come have been here from 3 months to about 2 years, so it's a chance to have a natter, a chat, a bbq (if you want to - free electric bbqs available) and find out how others are surviving & thriving! BYO food, drinks, etc. PM me if you have queries. Pat & Bob

... and the next get-together will be Saturday 2 April 2016, again from 2pm 'til you have to go, again Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes. You'd be very welcome! Pat

Thanks for that, Tink.

Certainly are, Olwyn! And Welcome to North Lakes! (How many constitute the 'we'?) Next get-together will be Saturday 2 April, from 2pm 'til you have to go, at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes. BYO food, drinks, etc (free bbqs available). Usually about 12-16 families/couples come along (with/without children) that have been here from a couple of months to about 2 years, so they're all looking to learn how the 'system' works, make new friends and networks, have a laugh and feel that they're not the only people struggling in the first year or 3. If I can answer any questions before 2/4, please PM me and I'll do my best. If it's any help, this awful humidity should ease by mid-March or end-March at latest. Then we're into the brilliant 7-8 months of 'autumn', 'winter' and 'spring' (not that you'll notice much change in the weather - you need to be further south to register seasons). Hope to meet you soon. Pat