Nandini Millar

I was told by one of the shippers not to use the vacuum bags because small amounts of water are trapped in your clothing and it can cause mold during the long sea voyage.
However I ignored that and used them for a couple of large quilts. Won't know if that was a good idea or not for a couple of months.
Shipping companies like to have everything boxed so either you will have to do so or they will. Best to talk to them.

Hello very nice people [emoji16] I have vacuum packed most of my clothes and I am mighty please with the result but my concern is do I need to fit them into boxes or am I ok to shopped them off like that. Help please [emoji120]

You're bound to cry .. but it's ok.

The goodbyes are the worst part Nandini.  A very emotional time.  Arriving in Australia back then is a bit of a blur to be honest.  We didn't have children at that time  and I started work a few day after arriving - so did my husband.  We were in Sydney for a year then moved over to Perth.  Then after building a house there and having two babies we moved back to Sydney as Perth was going through a bit of a recession.  Things have worked out for us here in Austrslia.  Our sons are now grown men and living overseas and OH and I have retired to Tasmania.  Never a dull moment.  [emoji2]  
Let us know how you are getting on when you arrive.  
Best wishes!  [emoji846]

We were incredibly lucky that we both got jobs before we came (12 years ago), we're both still with those original employers lol.  The goodbyes were very difficult, not as much with family as it turned out, reflecting, this was probably because we knew we'd see everyone again - so there were tears, but we left already knowing when my dad would be visiting.  I'd worked with my colleagues for 17 years and I came home from my leaving lunch absolutely heartbroken and couldn't actually read my card for about 3 days (We'd also lost my hubby's grandma around this time who had been so excited at the move and even at 93 she'd been adamant that she'd be visiting lol).
Looking back, I think we just went with the flow, took time to explore places.  We'd been here a year when my youngest asked at dinner one night if we were still on holiday.

We were incredibly lucky that we both got jobs before we came (12 years ago), we're both still with those original employers lol.  The goodbyes were very difficult, not as much with family as it turned out, reflecting, this was probably because we knew we'd see everyone again - so there were tears, but we left already knowing when my dad would be visiting.  I'd worked with my colleagues for 17 years and I came home from my leaving lunch absolutely heartbroken and couldn't actually read my card for about 3 days (We'd also lost my hubby's grandma around this time who had been so excited at the move and even at 93 she'd been adamant that she'd be visiting lol).
Looking back, I think we just went with the flow, took time to explore places.  We'd been here a year when my youngest asked at dinner one night if we were still on holiday.

I remember feeling much the same - very bittersweet.  I think it really hit me on the plane that 'this is it we're not coming back'.  We really hit the ground running,  sorting out licences, medicare, banks etc.  my husband was starting work 2 weeks after we landed and I started 4 weeks after which was a few days after the children started school - so we got into an everyday routine.
We had a short break in the October (10 months later) and I remember sitting on the beach thinking that it was the first time that I felt I'd really stood still.  

Last few weeks here in England and I have been going over and checking over packed things, would be nice things and so many other. Emotional over leaving families but excited to start a new life over there as well. I hope the first few months would be quite an adventure and adjusting to the new place. How was your first few weeks or months or even years. Can't wait though [emoji3]

Bring the ones you like but bear in mind that EU and AS/NZ standards for testing sunscreens are different - so an EU SPF 30 may not be equivalent to an AS/NZ SPF 30.  The Australian standard requires the sunscreen to survive a certain time in swirling water  which the EU does not.  So use yours by all means but apply them more frequently when swimming.

If you use spf 50 without issue carry on. My information might be out of date! I don’t want you getting burnt! [emoji15]

If you have particular onesyou like bring them. I only use Piz Buin as others seem to give me a sort of prickly heat rash! You can’t buy that in Australia so I got people to send some. Just be aware you need a decent spf. SPF30 should do it. Any higher just tends to increase the chemicals rather than the protection, or that certainly was the case.

Hello all, I have been confused about what to do about sunscreen lotions !!!! What do you all suggest should I try and shipped them from here or should I just leave them? I am a bit particular about what sunscreens I used as I have few favourites here. Or am I being silly and picky? Thank you all x

Put them in a plastic storage crate (in case of any leakage) and ship them.

Hello everyone this platform is such a good one to ask and discuss about anything regarding moving to Australia. I have been crazy packing all kinds except foods which we can't take. Cleaning scrubbing all sorts. I have got few toiletries which I don't mind giving to friends and families but at the same time thinking whether I can just pack it and shipped it along with my other things. Creams lotions serums etc etc. What is the policy regarding it. Any idea and thank you already x

Hello all,

Could you please tell me what do I actually need from our local GP surgery regarding kids vaccination. Do I need a letter or just a print out of the vaccination updates is enough for school admission purpose in Queensland? Do we need to give notice to our local surgery about our move? Thank you so much. Too many things to sort out I am overwhelmed !!

Not here in God’s Country it isn’t!  

Soccer is an English origin term for Football as well, it's just that over time we realised all other forms of ball sports are secondary so Football is football. [emoji846]

Realestate.com will give you a good idea as to whats about. You may need to look at a holiday let or short term rental for when you first arrive as its not easy, or wise, to committ to a longer term until you are here to inspect in person.
As Brisbane covers such a large area is there any places that have caught your eye whilst researching?  its hard for members to come up with suburb choices unless you can narrow the search a bit.
Cal x

We are looking to rent a place in Brisbane when we get there for the first 6 mobths and our budget is $1400 per month (roughly). Could you all please suggest good areas with good school catchment. Only trying to have a knowledge of what areas we could think of? I have 2 kids aged 6 and 4. Thank you all [emoji4]

Next burning dilemma. Cup of Tea, is it milk in first or tea in first?

I didn’t i initially want to say but  I have never had dinner during the day. I know my place!!!!

Ah,but you're talking about now.  I'm talking about how it got started many years ago.   These days, younger people all over the country are more likely to have dinner in the evening.
Australians have breakfast lunch and dinner.

I thought it was more a north/south thing?
Or is it the upper classes lived in the south? [emoji6]

17 hours ago, Skani said:

In my neck of the woods, lunch is what you eat at lunchtime.....and dinner and tea are both used for the evening meal (depending on how posh or casual you are feeling.  )

Lunch at lunch time is such a good explanation thank you  

18 minutes ago, Toots said:

When I was growing up, dinner was in the middle of the day and supper was in the evening.  When our posh cousins came to stay they called it lunch in the middle of the day and dinner in the evening.  

To me I say breakfast then lunch and evening meal as dinner it's always a debate in my family. My husband says tea time and I say it's dinner tea is normally understood as cup of tea hehe 

20 hours ago, WayneM said:

It's easy, dinner is what you eat at lunchtime.

Tea, is context dependant, and means either your evening meal, or a big mug of cha

It's breakfast lunch and dinner