ssiri

Thanks PQ. That’s reassuring - we’d be devastated if he was vulnerable. Our breeder lives in Arcadia. Thanks also for the offer of possible contacts for a vet, if its looking dicey with finding a vet for boosters etc. I’ll PM you if needed/able.

Fingers firmly crossed. We are due to get our lab pup in four weeks. Hope he is healthy and safe when he comes to us, and remains that way. ie: we’ve been safe so far, and expect to remain that way, but trips to vets etc. may possibly mean he contracts it and would be too young to survive [emoji53]

Sydney hot and sticky is bad enough!

Good luck and best wishes for the move. In Aus it depends where about you go, maybe. I found that joining various groups, social/gym etc. helps with reference to being less isolated. However I understand, about feeling isolated and what that can do to a person. The important thing is that you are coming to this with a well rounded assessment of what to expect and that’s great. It helps.

Wait till the CO asks. It means you don’t waste money and the date of entry after visa grant is reasonable (I had 11 months to enter Aus after my visa grant).

It does do that, and as others have stated it’s an Aus hosted games, so expect them to do well. The ads here have been modified, but initially it was a ‘we are ready for the poms’ type campaign on c7 ( someone probably reminded c7 there are other countries involved it it, hence is disappeared from our screens).

Nope. I was disappointed with this, GB would have ‘killed it’.

That didn’t last long....[emoji52]

Come on GB! [emoji636] Looking forward to it all.

As others have said, there are nasty/racist people everywhere and some of us do have the misfortune of having to encounter them. Thankfully most people aren’t like that though. That being said, integration and assimilation into the new country is fine. Australia not to long ago celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year - and in Sydney this was done in the mainstream - so it could be said that aspects of Chinese culture have been assimilated into Aussie culture also ( not just the other way round). Having said that as an immigrant here myself from the UK (since last January), it takes time to get into the swing of things. You will find things are different from what you are used to (if for me coming from the UK, similarly for you coming from China). You will miss home comforts initially, but what I found is - put yourself out there. Meet Australians from all backgrounds (not just those of Chinese ancestry), don’t wait for people to approach you - approach them. Join clubs and societies etc, that aren’t only based on your heritage. When I first arrived I missed England terribly for about six-eight months. I joined a gym and it took me about three-four months to be accepted and join in the conversations with people etc and now we all get on and are friends. The people who go to my gym are mixed - Australian, English, Chinese and Indian backgrounds. Some of them are new immigrants here too. It’s daunting at first, and it may take time for the ice to melt beyond superficial greetings and general helpfulness- but stick at it and persevere and it will pay dividends. I don’t think I will ever be 100% Aussie - my home country is Britain, but I have embraced Australia, and what it has to offer and contribute to its society and economy and will continue to do so. I like the banter with Poms, and Aussies it’s a good conversation starter and breaks the ice - and I will always be me. If I’m not Aussie enough for some that’s to bad, but I will not take on a different persona either. I won’t compare what is different in the UK and Aus to the umpteenth detail because there is no point (they are different cultures), but I will note them. I won’t say one is superior over the other either, just different. I’ll embrace the difference and get on with it - it’s the best way to learn and integrate and get on with things, in general, I’ve found.

And presumably most of those who come here from else where, only get to benefit? They don’t pay taxes, contribute to the economy, provide a new generation of Australians via their children who work hard and continue to contribute to the social, cultural and economic fabric of this country? Please define what you mean by those who come here who only come ‘for what they can get’?

It’s a cultural difference.

Depends on what you are wielding it for - to benefit others, attack others or bury others (both utilitarian and sinister motives can apply in this context) [emoji55]

I got mine whilst in the UK, and haven’t had the need to replace them yet. Good to know I can do so at a chemists, if I wanted, when the need arises.

Thanks for the clarification- it’s good to know the nuances - in terms of needing care. Yes you are right no specialists for me yet. Insurance may then come in handy to make up any gap/minimise out of pocket expense, in the event that I do need one. If I were to use anything other than the options cover that my insurance provides. From a system perspective, is it possible to say you want to go public ( so even if not bulk billed, you only are out of pocket for the Government portion of the specialist appointment or procedure, till you claim back the rebate?).

My pairs are for reading only and I got both for under £250 (yes you saw that right) at spec savers, too! I haven’t had to change the prescription since, so so far, so good.

Our doc does bulk bill, he is Australian, but second (Indian ancestry). My partner and I can’t fault his care and attention to detail. We recommend him to others (including the in-laws). Once when he wasn’t around, I saw another GP and couldn’t fault her approach either - her bedside manner was more matter of fact/less empathic (Aus second gen Chinese), but by no means abrupt or rude. Just to the point - the outcome of the diagnosis and result were still the same - I was satisfied with the service and outcome.

Thanks, that’s good to know, that it can vary like that. I like the arrangement we have with our current GP (and can’t fault the service either). Wouldn’t want to go to GP who’d arguably charge over the odds. I’d imagine however, the shortfall cost appears more pronounced, if specialist treatment and consultation is involved, (albeit maybe not always)?

Sorry, not sure why the double post appeared. Slow internet where I am! Once was enough.

That or even closer to home in (shock horror), Europe. Hear continental care and access is quite good too.

Yes, I take a form, to the pathology lab from my GP but I don’t sign it. Nor do I sign anything after I’m done with my GP - nothing. My point is I don’t pay anything up front at the moment, as I wouldn’t in the UK. There may be an arrangement between the lab, my GPS surgery and the Government but Its not coming out of my take home pay. Taxes yes, (like in the UK), but not take home pay. Apart from for a prescription of antacids, I’ve not had to pay for anything so far. I can’t make it any clearer than that.,

Yes, I take a form, to the pathology lab from my GP but I don’t sign it. Nor do I sign anything after I’m done with my GP - nothing. My point is I don’t pay anything up front at the moment, as I wouldn’t in the UK. There may be an arrangement between the lab, my GPS surgery and the Government but Its not coming out of my take home pay. Taxes yes, (like in the UK), but not take home pay. Apart from for a prescription of antacids, I’ve not had to pay for anything so far. I can’t make it any clearer than that.,

So yes, paid from (funded by) taxes then, as my GP doesn’t charge me up front for anything, nor do I claim anything back. I haven’t signed any forms authorising my GP or pathology labs for consultations or tests either. I’d have queried it otherwise. Are you in Sydney or Aus ATM?

It also varies from region to region, not just urban/rural etc. It’s not called a postcode lottery for nothing.

The NHS is an outstanding system, but it is under pressure more and more, doing a lot with very little. If it is to survive and continue its work and be sustainable into the future for all the people it needs to treat, it needs to be allowed to evolve. It’s a matter of preserving the NHS, not for national pride, but because it is worth it. Not is it about convincing you of anything. I have lived in Cambridge and various parts of the Home Counties and I have found the GP role, wanting. As I’ve said, once past then, care is exemplary. I’m not the only one - friends in their 50s and 60s have had to fight to get past the GPs, hip surgery, heart surgery, the lot. So have I (had to fight to get past the GPs). I came to Aus not expecting great things from the Medicare service, but have been pleasantly surprised and impressed by the GP access and preventative care from them. There are things the UK could learn from this, to even better deliver what is already a great NHS service, albeit creaking and quite frankly vulnerable.