PatW

Absolutely open to anyone - you don't have to be living in North Lakes. We arranged it for NL purely because it's convenient for a lot of people who are new to Brisbane. Warner isn't far from NL - about 15-20 minutes' drive (Warner is just west of Strathpine). If you get a satnav/gps you'll find Aurora Boulevard ok. If you don't Google Maps will help you, or contact me once you're here and I'll give you directions. There's also the paper book, published annually (in November), called the UBD (costs around $30) and it gives all road, parks, schools, shopping centres, etc. information for south-east Queensland, including the Gold Coast (south) and the Sunshine Coast (north). When we first arrived, we were told distances, not miles/kilometres, so we now say 'it's so-and-so time'. Sunshine Coast is about an hour. Gold Coast is about 1.5 hours' drive, Brisbane City/cbd (out of rush hour) is 30-40 minutes' drive. Hope this helps.

Hello Vikc Welcome to Brisbane and North Lakes! As you're probably already found out, there are quite a number of Poms in NL and OH & I arrange 3 monthly get-togethers for those recently (or not so recently) arrived, so people can meet others that have been through the same, swop information and hints and get to make new friends. If you want to join us, the next will be Saturday 12 July, 2pm til you have to go (it'll be dark around 5pm but there will be lights) at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School). BYO chairs, food, drinks, etc. & pm me if you have specific questions.

Saw a thread in PIO in Jobs & Careers today, called "Official Nurses Thread", which started in Feb 2008 & has had 4,119 replies. Perhaps this might help? Also, OH & I do 3 monthly migrant get-togethers/bbqs in a park in North Lakes. Last Saturday we had 9 families (so not too big to get round & chat to everyone) and the next will be Saturday 12 July from 2pm til you have to go. It'll be at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (behind Bounty Boulevard School). BYO everything. Just turn up - you'd be most welcome - and you can chat to others that have done the same in recent times & start to make new friends & networks.

I live in Murrumba Downs and it's 20-30 minutes' drive from the city (out of rush hour - and yes we do have rush hours!). Lots of good residential estates: Goodwood, Badger Hall, Castle Hill with shopping centres at Murrumba Downs, Kallangur and North Lakes. State Junior schools is Undurba and private is Living Faith Lutheran. State High School (now grades 7 to 12, where 7 used to be top of the juniors) opened in 2013, so small numbers & good facilities. OH & I arrange 3 monthly get-togethers at Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (behind Bounty Boulevard School) and the next is next Saturday 12 April, from 2/2.30 til you have to go (usually by dark because most have littlies). Just turn up - you'd be made most welcome! And you get to chat with others that have recently done the move (from UK) and get to make new friends who know what you've gone through. OH & I did the move a few years back, but we remember the anguish, etc. for the first year or 3! PM me if you have private questions.

I am sorry to read that your lad is struggling with settling. Lots of other comments have been made, so I won't go over them. I wonder whether talking to the school chaplain (you or your son) would help? They're there to help the kids and are 'independent' to parents or teachers. Alternatively, could seeing a counsellor be of help? Again, someone to talk to who is independent of the parents and teachers. I do wish you well in this struggle.

We emigrated because we didn't want to go through life with a 'what if ...' and although there are still times when I miss people, or places, or being able to pop in to various UK genealogy places (!) Brisbane is home and we wanted to give our son a better life and we believe he has got it here. Thank goodness for Skype and emails! Good luck with your dreams.

No wonder you're a 'shivering pom' with the temperatures Newcastle's had! (Sister-in-law lives in South Shields.) Next get-together/bbq will be Saturday 18 April at the same place: Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes 4509 (behind Bounty Boulevard School). One of the families that comes to the get-together lives in Bridgeman Downs. PM me if you want me to ask if she'd like to get in touch (they have 2 children: boy & girl, in junior school). Well done for getting the initial rental booked. You may like to check http://www.realestate.com.au/rentals and select your preferred area/s to see what's available at what price. What kind of health care? Today's temperature was 30C with showers (and warm rain) going down to 23C tonight (that'll be a touch steamy). Good luck for the final few weeks and your travelling.

Welcome to Queensland! OH & I arrange migrant get-togethers/bbq every 3 months and the next is Saturday 18 Jan at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (behind Bounty Boulevard School). 2.30pm til you have to go. BYO everything you need: food, drinks, chairs, etc. There's play equipment, skateboard area, large playing field. We have about 8 families turn up and some come from Scarborough/Redcliffe areas. You'd be most welcome to come along, have a chat & see how you go.

Congratulations on getting the 457! Murrumba Downs has a new high school which started in 2012, so will have classes for just the third year starting later this month (28 Jan return to school, I believe), so it has small numbers with lots of new equipment. Murrumba Downs community swimming pool is beside, along with the primary school. Shopping includes Coles (supermarket) and smaller shops in Murrumba Downs and Woolworths (supermarket) and other shops in Kallangur (2 minutes' drive from the school), as well as the major shopping centre of Westfield at North Lakes (5 minutes' drive). The highway is a few minutes' drive to go north or south. There are a number of residential estates in Murrumba Downs, including Goodwood, Castle Hill, Riverwood; all of which would offer rentals to get you started. Search of 'real estate agents' via Google for rental agents in the area and try www.realestate.com.au/rentals for areas you want to consider. After the floods of 3 years ago, be aware of how high or low a house sits in the street, for keeping dry and getting breezes on hot, steamy days (& nights). Hope this helps. If you arrive by Sat 18 Jan, we have a bbq/get-together for migrants at North Lakes - 2.30 til you have to go - at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School). BYO everything: food, drinks, chairs. About 8 families turn up, so not too big to have a chat to everyone and hopefully make friends. We hold them every 3 months. PM me if you want more info. Pat

... relocated. Council will trap the bird and literally relocate it somewhere else.

19 Oct has been & gone, so the next will be Saturday 18 January at the same place: Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (behind Bounty Boulevard School). 2.30 til you have to go (and most go around dark 'cos a number have littlies). BYO what you need (food, drinks, chairs). There's usually a free electric bbq available, plus kids' play area and toilets. About 8-9 families came last week and we had a good natter.

If they're still swooping (and they should have stopped at the end of September) you can contact the local Council and notify them, because if the magpie continues to be a nuisance, Council can arrange to have it relocated.

No, the get-togethers are 3 monthly, so the next will be Sat 18 Jan at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes (behind Bounty Boulevard School). 2.30 til dark (usually because people have young children & they're ready to go come dark). BYO what you need (food, drinks, sunscreen and possibly chairs, although we usually get a shelter shed that has cover & a bbq table/benches). There's a free electric bbq at each shelter shed. Are you a motorbike fan??

For the next 6 weeks, until the end of September (school holidays last 2 weeks of September) it's magpie season and in protecting their nests the blighters aren't polite about it. They'll swoop (usually from behind) if you're near a nest and can give you a mighty thump on the back of the head. That's why you see so many cyclists with 'aerials' (black zip ties glued onto) their helmets, so the magpies veer off before connecting. The one and only time I've been caught by a nesting magpie it felt like someone had thrown half a house brick at the back of my head. So, beware!

Next get-together will be Sat 19 Oct at Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. 2.30pm until dark (about 6pm). BYO (bring your own) everything: food, drinks, chairs. July meet had 11 families, so not too big to get to chat to people.

Hello Lesley & Dave By no means is it just younger families: we have 30s people up to 60s people, so yes, you'd be very welcome. If you want more personal information, send me a PM (private message). Perhaps we can all contribute ideas for getting a social life going for you -they're a small but very welcoming bunch! It can be very daunting in the first couple of years (I remember that!) but time and determination will hopefully sort it out. See you there.

Hope things are getting a bit easier, now you've been here a few months. Friend Sue (she arrived Sept 12 from Yorkshire) and I do 3 monthly get togethers for recent migrants. Next one Saturday 27 July, 2pm til you have to go (although people may go by 5pm 'cos it'll be dark & cold), Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO everything: food, drinks, chairs. Free bbq. You'd be very welcome!

Friend Sue (she arrived Sept 12) & I do 3 monthly get togethers for recent migrants in North Lakes (15 mins' drive from Narangba). Saturday 27 July, 2pm til you have to go, Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO everything: food, drink, chairs. Free bbq on site. Just turn up and have a natter!

Friend Sue (she arrived Sept 12) and I do 3 monthly migrant get-togethers. Next one will be Saturday 27 July, 2pm til you have to go, Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO everything: food, drinks, chairs. Free bbq on site. Also kids' play area, fenced off-lease dog area, huge playing field - but you might already have found it?! Just turn up - you'd be very welcome.

Son Rory does motorbike track days at Lakeside, Kurwongbah, every couple of months with a pal from work. Becoming very popular. Let me know if you're interested in knowing more.

Friend Sue (she arrived Sept 12 from Yorkshire) & I do 3 monthly get togethers of recent migrants. The next is Saturday 27 July, 2pm til you have to go, Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO everything - food, drinks, chairs. Free bbq. Would love to see you there.

We're in Murrumba Downs, too. Welcome! Is your daughter going to Undurba or Living Faith? Friend Sue & I (she arrived Sept 12 and lives in North Lakes) do a 3 monthly get-together of recent/not so recent migrants -whoever wants to get together to meet new people. Next one is Saturday 27 July, 2pm til you have to go, Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO everything: food, drinks, chairs. Free bbq. Just turn up & have a chat. PM me if you want to meet for a cuppa before the 27th.

Hello The next date is Saturday 27 July from 2pm. BYO (bring your own) everything - chairs, drink, food. There is a bbq available (no fee). We'll be at the Parkside Park/bbq area, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes Qld 4509. If you have any queries/questions, do pm me For the people just arriving in the country, if you have questions generally, do email & ask! ​Pat

Hello the Lloyds Shopping costs about $200-$300/week. Petrol is currently $1.30/$1.40 litre. Electricity about $70/month. If the one working is over 30 years old you have to have private hospital insurance or you'll be charged a penalty tax at end of financial year (30 June). BUPA (was MBF/Medical Benefits of Australia) and Medicare are the biggest, but plenty of others - try the internet. Also, Sue and I arrange a 3 monthly 'migrant get together/bbq' at Parkside park/bbq, Aurora Boulevard, North Lakes, each 3 months. Next is Sat 27 July from 2/2.30pm (it'll be dark by 5pm but there are lights; it's just that people tend to go once it's dark). Just come along & have a chat with others that have done the move. BYO (Bring Your Own) food, drinks, chairs, etc. Email if you want more info. Pat

We had our 2nd get-together yesterday & it was great. Next one in 3 months' time - July - but date to be decided. Let me know if you want details nearer the time.