Chantal Dunbar

Hi there Mary Valley is a stunning area and that's why there were so many protests about drowning the land for the sake of a shallow and large dam. Also - there are fresh water turtles and endangered lung fish that would have been threatened, had the dam ggone ahead. There are a number of small towns in that area and a strong sense of community. I've traveled around the area a fair amount with hiking, camping, fishing and canoeing. I also know a fair amount about the various types of farms and the risks involved. Feel free to email me if you would like to ask specific questions. Happy to help with local contacts as well. Chantal

Hi there First: the heat will be a real shock to the family, so be prepared! Second, Port Douglas is amazing but VERY focused on tourism. Reef tourism specifically. HIGHLY unlikely there will be a job for your wife there as there are lots of Ausi marine biologists working the tourist vessels already. Also - it's posh, so real estate will be a bit pricey. HOWEVER - Cairns is 45 minutes away and this is a large regional hub with LOTS of opportunity for marine biologists. It's the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You will find James Cook University (specialising in all things reef) In Townsville. I suggest your wife contacts a professor at the uni to start networking. Mackay is amazing and close to the Whitsundays, It's a bigger commercial hub but very focused on mining. That said, Mackay City Council or Port of Mackay may have a need for a marine biologist. There is lots of mining activity west of Mackay, so finding a home can be costly and difficult esp if you intend to rent! Townsville is also where Reef HQ is located and I think there is also CSIRO activity there too (scientists). However - the gvt has just slashed science budgets and lots of CSIRO people are losing their jobs. Inland is NOT a wise option - esp with kids and a water loving wife. It's hot, dusty and dry. Also - there's no work! Forget it!!! Also suggest you consider Arlie Beach as this is the main town for the Whitsundays. I'm an environmental scientist and writer and I live on the Gold Coast. Science jobs are blooming hard to come by, and as her expertise will not be on our marine environment, it will be even harder for her. My ex husband is a marine scientist. His experience from Egypt and the USA, even though he's from Liverpool. he ended up working for SMEC (Snowy Mountains Engineering); a consulting company....but not in marine as there's no work in that field. My girlfriend is one of the world's leading turtle experts. She's Dutch and migrated here 3 years ago. Only last month she managed to get a job working for Griffith University in the Gold Coast doing education on marine environments for schools. Suggest you start looking at Seek.com.au and apply for anything you can; saying you're already here. If you want to ask any other questions, please feel free to email me. Kind regards Chantal

Hi there My 9 year old goes to a Christian College in the Gold Coast and my son went to a state school here. Hands-down I would choose the Christian College as the standard of education and facilities will be far superior. Also - there is likely to be less bullying. If you have any questions or need local contacts, please sing out. We have school holidays at the moment but when school resumes end Jan, I am happy to ask the Principle for more info about the Coolum school. They are all linked up. Kind regards Chantal (Author, Where to Live Guides, Australia)

Hi Nish I have written a few books about where to live in Queensland and I migrated to the Gold Coast about 15 years back. We have a big shortage of doctors in Australia and yes, if they can convince yo to, they would prefer you worked in a rural or regional centre first. This isn't a bad thing though as there are some incredible places across Queensland. Try to stay along the coast though as it gets very, very hot and dusty inland (the Outback). First step is to check out the job availability on seek.com.au Then, I would suggest you speak with Queensland Health. There are heaps of international doctors hired by the hospitals. The fact that you already speak English is a boon! I have two kids and there are almost always good schools in medium to large towns/ cities. In the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, there's an abundance. Mackay also has some excellent schools and is an awesome place to live as the Great Barrier Reef is right on your doorstep! If you need any more help or local connections (such as the number of a doctor you can speak with or a mid wife who works for the hospital and migrated from the UK), just email me and I will hook you up! Best of luck! Chantal