Dawn2002

Thanks Dan, and Team Edwards, I have pm'd you both, maybe we can arrange a group meet up ? Nic, thanks I will have a look about.

Captain R Sorry we just moved over so have been flat out!! Yes we are Premier account holders, they did coordinate it from the branch in the uk ( so much as here are the forms bring them back and we' ll send them off for you) would just want to add , we recently put down the deposit for our rental property, getting a cheque was a major issue. I admit we aren't that organised but, We tried to get a postal order at Australia post and pay via eftpos, but couldn't as the limit was 2k a day on the card, after numerous calls we had to go to a branch ( luckily theres one not to far away ) withdraw the cash and got to the post office and pay for the postal order in cash!! (Post office would not take a credit card for the money order) So we have decided to move banks when we get a chance to look into it. Shame as I have had an account with HSBC in the uk back since they were the Midland bank. Dawn

Hi there, We moved over from the Uk about 3 weeks ago. We have a place to live now, after living with the in laws for two weeks. Kids start nursery for a few days next week, my hubby works from home so we don't have much opportunity to meet like minded people. We have a girl 3 1/2 and a boy of 22 months. We are in the Bundall area, I'm not very familiar with places yet, but I'd love to have some friends to have a coffee with and for the kids to have others to play with. I think hubby would like this too. Anyone out there in the same boat please pm me for a get together. Dawn

Digital2013, I was in a similar position and age to you just over eleven years ago, (didn't own a flat though), good yet boring job, broken up with a long term partner the previous year, felt life was going nowhere. I decided that I had to do something to kick myself out of my rut, so packed in the job and went off to Oz on a WHV. Rather a shock to my family as had I had not done any travelling by myself before. I spent about 5 nights in Hong Kong as a stopover on the way and didn't have any issues as a women travelling alone. I saw a lot of Australia, and it is an amazing place. It is daunting going on your own, but I made friends, bought a car, had lots of fun and found work, and I am sure you will too. In fact I found being on my own pushed me to make more effort to find friends and get out and socialise. I wouldn't have thought things have changed to much on the social side, but the job market would obviously be different now but you can check out the agency website over here before you go to see what's about what I did. I worked in Investment admin and I got a job really quickly in Sydney, (I had about 6 yrs experience), I didn't try in any other cities, and again this will now be different I expect. For me it was the best thing I ever did, and on Sunday I am returning to Oz permanently with my two children and the Aussie Husband I met out there 11 years ago !! My personal advice is go for it. Good luck whatever you decide. Dawn

Hi, I have left it to late to change this now but just wanted to know if I am in for a lot of long waits for letters. We can't get our post redirected to anyone in the UK, so we have gone for the Royal Mail Intl redirection service. I've had all the usual problems with the post over here, just wanted to know if anyone has used this service and what their views were, how long did it take for the post to get over to Oz roughly ? Dawn

Thanks for that Happyheart and Debbio, I guess ruthlessness is the key here, I seem to have got a bit more sentimental since I have had children for some reason ! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I think the reality really set in when the car was taken away. I don't much fancy packing to much up on the day we go, I think it will be a difficult enough day as it is without loads of packing to do ! I hope your move goes well Debbio, we may well bump into each other, what bit of the GC are you going to ?

Hi there, Well we leave next Sunday, arriving on the Gold Coast Via Singapore on the 29th. The house looks like a bomb site, boxes and stuff to go to the charity shop/dump everywhere, all the little things I have hoarded over the years laying about because I cant work out if I should throw them out, everywhere there is a pile of things !! The car has just been taken to the port, and we've found some tenants for our house . So I shouldn't be stressing so much, but I cant help it. There seems so much to do and so little time to do it all. I know we'll get there eventually........ Anyone been here ? Any advice ?

Thanks all, this all sounds pretty straightforward, sounds like they come indoors less than over here, as the weather has just turned we have had a couple of pint glass sized ones in over the last week.

Blimey that sounds a bit harsh to me, I'll make sure I get it done !!! Thanks for the info

Hi There, Also interested in this thread, wanted to ask about the chickenpox vaccine, my two have both had it, I have got a print out from the doctors confirming this to take with us, will this suffice in avoiding them getting the vaccine ? They are 3 1/2 and 20 months. Dawn

Thanks for the info, I have looked at the page and also my licence and have realised/remembered that when I moved last I checked the Miss box and not the Mrs box, I put off changing it at the time, kicking myself now of course, we are going on just over 2 weeks and have hire cars booked here in the meantime, so I am not going to be able to get it changed, do you think this will cause a problem ?

Hi There, we are going to stay with the father in law in GC - Burgleigh Waters and will be looking for somewhere there or around Robina, Varsity Lakes area.

Thanks for the above, I'll try to get some Gel Sachets and vacuum bags on Amazon. Can I just ask, did the shippers do the steam cleaning for you or did you do that yourself too ? We are only taking the bikes and our double buggy from outside (I have bought some new tyres for the buggy)

Hi There, We are moving over next month and we have opened our AUD a/c with HSBC, it was easy enough I think it took about 3 weeks or so. We do have our bank a/c here with them so I don't know if this made it easier though. They let us know by e-mail when it was all opened and they sent the cards, pins and logon device through the post (all by express post) and we are now set up online. They didn't give the best rate for transferring GBP to AUD, so we used another company. The only thing was it seemed very time consuming activating the cards for the first time, as you have to call the Australian number, so we are waiting for our phone bill now !! I haven't been able to change the pin no for the cards as well, the branch said it may be as it is an Australian bank card and a UK machine, but who knows. I wouldnt know if it helps the credit rating. Forgot one thing, we had to put some money in it within 30 days of opening the a/c Hope that helps a bit Dawn

Sorry, it's been a while to reply, the thread has gone completely off track but. Counting Stars - I walk past Foxholes every day so your nan lives about 10 mins walk from me !! Surf and Sea, have only ever been to Freeport in Braintree, quite a lot recently stocking up on stuff for the move, so if you ever go there and see a stressed out woman trying to control two kids it's more than likely me ! Look me up when you get here. I do find it pretty amazing how small the world can seem sometimes, Dawn

Hello, I hope everyone can give a bit of advice. We are starting to pack our boxes for our move next month and need a bit of advice on how I should pack certain items from those who have done it before. 1 - should I be wrapping the books, photos etc, vinyl records in paper ? 2- the shipper has given us plastic bags for clothes, I have read a previous thread about condensation/mould in the box and wondered if I should be putting some breathing holes in the bags to let the air in - or would this just make things worse ? or should they just go in a box ? (we don't have many spare suitcases) 3 - Should I wrap the TV, computer etc (computer will be going in a box) in a plastic bag after covering them in bubble wrap ? I cant think of anything else right now, but I am sure I will do so if there is any other tips please let me know. Thanks in advance, Dawn

Hi There, Arriving to the Gold Coast end Sept 2013, OH + two children a Boy 1 1/2 and Girl 3 1/2, staying with the inlaws in Burgleigh Waters till we sort out a rental. Getting very nervous now. Looking forward to arriving though. Dawn

Hi There

If its done there and then I can leave it for a bit which is good, will also help with the identity documents as well. looked on the website and seems it will be just under $150 for a 5 year licence, that does seem pricey seen as ours just renew every 10 years and I don't think it costs that much, anyway, it's got to be done, so no point moaning about it. At least I don't need to take another test !

Wow. Yes, I have only lived here for 4 years we are in Great Baddow and I love it here, I'm from Romford originally. I will be sad to go but we came back 10 years ago with the intention of staying for 2 or 3 and going back, but life overtook us. When do you think you will be going ?

Hi there, I'm on a spouse subclass 100, you would think my husband would know or have some idea, but he's as much use as a chocolate teapot !

Hi There, Quick and simple one I hope. Anyone who has swapped their UK licence for a QLD one - how long did it take ? Do you need a utility bill etc as a form of ID ? Reason I ask is our car is arriving about a month after us and I need to present a QLD licence to the people doing all the customs and stuff in order to get the process moving, (I may have misunderstood it but that's how I read their letter anyway). So I need to know if I need to make it higher up on my list of things to do after we find somewhere to live. Cheers all. Dawn

Thanks so much for these replies, looks like they'll be better off than me, lol

Hello, We are flying out to our new life in Australia next month. I have read all the tips on keeping the children amused on the plane, but haven't seen anything about coping with the jet lag for the children. I think I can cope with the flights, even though we have made the mistake of not booking a seat for my son. But I am dreading the after effects. We fly with Singapore Airlines from Heathrow at 10.35 to Singapore arriving around 6pm Singapore time and staying for 4 nights. The idea is that they get over the jet lag in Singapore as there will be loads to keep them amused. The flight to Brissy leaves at midnight and gets in around 10 am. Am I going to have a difficult few nights in Singapore ? Any tips on getting the pair of them over it greatly received. Little girl is 3 1/2 and my son will be 20 months, he only started sleeping through the night in June this year, so I expect him to be the worst. The thought of running around the hotel at 2am with them fills me with dread. Thank you so much. dawn

Wow, that's a sign its really happening, you must be very excited. We've only just started packing but leave in 1 month, so have a bit of a wait for our stuff, couldn't face camping.:smile: