Graham Fletcher

I work for a rural car dealership group (4.5 hour drive from Brisbane) and we are keen to bring in some talent under the Skilled Regional Sponsor program. The visa is actually for Mechanics but we have already managed to source several from other parts of the world, hopefully arriving in March. What we really need are two guys to run our biggest workshop. UK training is very similar to Australian but both are much better than most, much better skillsets.

If you think you can handle living in the Australian countryside (small town of around 7,000 people, right on the QLD/NSW border) for up to 5 years, have experience as a Workshop Controller or Foreman in a new car environment and meet the sponsorship criteria (under 45 is one I believe!), please personal message me!

We are offering above average salary, discounted accommodation, all sponsorship fees covered, ongoing Toyota training and the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after 3 years!

I live in a town west of Toowoomba, similar size to Roma, and would rather be here than in Toowoomba itself. Fewer facilities but less social problems!

Roma is a buzzy little town, maybe you should visit it first before assuming you can't live there

My son lives very close to the shopping centre but heads towards the city for "entertainment" - taxis and Ubers are plentiful!

If you are looking for schools and shopping then Indooropilly is fine, if it's nightlife then nah

just do it, it will just start when the current one expires anyway

On 25/09/2021 at 11:55, Paul1Perth said:

When the kids were young we went to adventure world a few times. It's pretty good actually, spend the whole day there and not too expensive.

One of my sons worked there one summer, in his teens. I guess for small kids it's OK, I prefer my Queensland parks!

Australian TV is appalling and has been ever since I arrived in 2004. If you don't like "reality" shows or re-runs of cop/fireman/doctor drama shows from America then there is nothing for you. My TV goes on for a bit of sport or movies (way too many adverts but what can you do?).

If I didn't have Netflix my TV would probably be in someone else's house because it would be redundant in mine

Just in time for the good weather and your not too far from Perth's massive theme park,  ADVENTURE WORLD! 

2 minutes ago, Graham Fletcher said:

Honestly? Neither

On 03/06/2021 at 15:14, Paul1Perth said:

Where would you rather be? Aus or UK.

It's a bit like the old adage, we won the war but are losing the peace

On 03/06/2021 at 15:14, Paul1Perth said:

Where would you rather be? Aus or UK.

Honestly? Neither

1 hour ago, HappyHeart said:

I thought we werent allowed ro be grammar nazis anymore? 

well that's my life over then!

On 31/05/2021 at 10:40, Marisawright said:

But on the other hand, other studies show that our economy is doing better than many countries which didn't close their borders.    ALL countries are bleeding money due to the pandemic one way or the other. 

Most countries have caught up with us already - we got back to pre-Covid levels in April, so did the UK!

On 31/05/2021 at 10:24, Paul1Perth said:

We would cerainly be a richer country if they are right. 

I think all the people that would have gone away and spent heaps abroad, like we had plans to do, are just spending the money here. It's  making up for the lack of tourists.

Do Ernst &Young have any predictions on costs if we just opened up and let covid run rife and have to close everything up?

You are missing my point. The abject failure to provide mass vaccinations (see the UK already at 50%+) is forcing the government to keep the borders closed and costing us, our taxes, $7 billion a month. As other countries vaccinate at far higher rates it is they who will benefit from the opening of borders and reap the rewards of a massive economic improvement. Most countries have recovered the GDP loss experienced last year and will charge ahead of us. All we have is staff shortages and vastly inflated property prices

On 26/05/2021 at 14:18, Blue Flu said:

Probably best Thailand then. Saying that know a Welsh bloke that married a Thai, after a few years they moved to Laos (language similar) started a business and loving it better there. 

Yes, I'm a bit stuck! hahaha

I have a house and restaurant waiting for me so I think my choices are limited

On 27/05/2021 at 12:27, Paul1Perth said:

Our economy is in a much better state than any other country I can think of and that's because we locked down and continue to try and be covid free.

Trying to put a timetable on re-opening is folly as, as you say, outbreaks can't be predicted and decisions have to be made on the fly.

I'm in the age bracket that can get the vaccine and amongst the people I know either people have had it or they are booked to have it. They're doing it because they want to travel and feel safe. When I rang the guy told me I had to book. When I went last Sunday there was a big sign for walkins welcome. There was plenty of vaccine, lots of nurses, could have been a lot busier I guess. There was a guy who was a walk in who's wife had refused to have it, so there's the odd person. Not many though in my experience, most people can't wait.

According to Ernst Young, keeping the borders closed is costing the Australian economy over $7 billion a month!

On 18/05/2021 at 15:00, Paul1Perth said:

Scomo will take on board what the medical experts tell him and make decisions based on that. Each state will carry on doing the same thing. 

Nobody's trying to be awkward and they say things like "mid 2022" because their guess is as good as mine or yours. Imagine if Scomo caved and agreed to open borders mid this year and we had a massive outbreak, the press would rip him and his government to shreds. The oppostion would jump on board too of course, even though they try and criticise every move. 

SBS and ABC must be really pissed that Scomo still has about 80% support.

As shown today in Victoria, cases are inevitable. Being isolationist is just going to damage us economically and there will still be outbreaks on a regular basis. Putting a timetable on reopening may spur people to get vaccinated - far too many people are saying they aren't getting the jabs because there is no need in Australia, which in term continues to slow down the reopening. it's a vicious circle

On 17/05/2021 at 18:21, Blue Flu said:

I know many that have done just that or moved elsewhere in order to secure a better more affordable retirement. I mean who wouldn't. Great affordable medical care. Able to eat out every night if so desired. Warm weather. Thing with Thailand is though they have changed the visa conditions. Look very well into that as doing visa trips every few months would get very tiresome. 

I have looked three times at Malta over the past nine years but while like the island have concluded against that. Thailand probably wouldn't be in my top six , but understand the attraction (minus visa issues) Very interested in Sarawak after a long visit there three years ago and still thing Penang a goer. (Langkawi could be combined) I had a thing for Laos a few years back after meeting a few Brit's and Aussies and French that had settled there. Cambodia was a consideration as well....some say Vietnam. Don't know enough about it. Sri Lanka looks good. I wouldn't have any interest in Bali but know some who settled there very happily. Philippines is another but never been. 

I think UK for retirement the way things have gone, would be suggestive that without a lot of money  there are plenty of better, far better places elsewhere. Still NHS and free bus passes are attractive but doesn't quite win out over the other countries mentioned. 

 

I have looked extensively, my other half is Thai!

After 15 years I have come to a few conclusions in this regard - 1) never returning to the UK, been once for 6 months and hated it, 2)  I am mostly an Aussie now but it's ridiculously expensive to do anything, 3) I am retiring to Thailand !

There is a fair amount of pressure on ScoMo to be more definitive but, as usual, he leaves us all hanging. With evidence coming out of the US and UK that the vaccines are showing signs of restricting onward infections I suspect he may well have to cave in to the travel/education/cheap labour forces stacking up against him. I hope he does, I haven't seen my GF for 15 months!

when we first arrived we used those multi-socket boards from England with one adaptor - works for things like TV/DVD player set-ups. Otherwise, just switch them yourself, you have the skills

28 minutes ago, llessur said:

The Japanese stuff in particular definitely seems to be cheaper here. We bought a Mitsubishi Outlander for a great price - there are thousands of them here. Much cheaper than it would have been back in the UK with a premium pricetag attached and a smaller engine. 

Maybe the high-end stuff is worth considering for import but you can definitely pick up a bargain here if you're happy to drive whatever everyone else does.

As a car dealer I say buy local! hahahaha

On 04/02/2021 at 21:18, Jon the Hat said:

We are bit biased towards those we know, which is around South Perth and Applecross.  Plus Maylands, but never liked the mosquitos over there!  We will be looking around other really good schools, so Churchlands, Carine as well.  We are clear that this is probably a decision between nice big house further out and townhouse etc close in.

We might also decide not to spend that much.  Would be happy with a nice $700k house if we can find one!

Churchlands has a fantastic music program if that's a thing for you. Both my sons went there and it was a great school - the younger left 13 years ago so no idea what it's like now but it was a great all round school then.

My daughter went to Willeton High, also was very good (she left 10 years ago!).

In my view, decent areas have decent schools, just like anywhere else - find a suburb you like and roll with it!

Not sure how long stuff takes to arrive but we booked 6 weeks of furnished accommodation when we arrived, after 2 weeks of holidays on the Gold Coast - basically 2 months. We still moved in to our first proper home before the furniture arrived! Fortunately we rented a giant house to start so buying additional furniture was necessary anyway.

If i did it again I would give myself three months, you can always leave stuff in storage for a while, rather than be waiting on a ship to dock

On 05/03/2021 at 22:00, MacGyver said:

Spiders - I see them as often here as I did in Scotland. Bug spray the house every 6 months and the only ones you’ll see are dead ones. We also give a quick spray around the outdoor furniture every 6 months but probably don’t need to. Wear gloves when gardening and you’ll be fine. You might come to like spiders though, given they feast on other bugs like mosquitoes. Don’t stick your hand in any dark holes and they probably won’t bother you at all. I stupidly used to check the bed every night when I first arrived, now if I see what might be a spider I ignore it or squish it with my foot. 

Clothes - I can’t imagine you’ll ever wear your Uk winter clothes on the Sunshine Coast, but if you visit more southerly cities in winter (eg Melbourne) they’ll come in handy so take them. You’ll probably want some shopping trips to Melbourne and Sydney through the year for your clothing.

I live in rural Queensland, virtually in NSW. I have one jacket that I haven't worn since September maybe. On the Sunshine Coast it never really gets that cold so don't waste money on thermals!

Some of my workmates still have "small holdings"... by which they mean 50 acres! hahahaha