PommyPaul Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 One thing i've found in aus is that where we want to live and where the work we want to do is in completely different parts of the country, i think this might be less of a factor for more professional careers like it, nursing, retail etc but would be intrested to know how many on here find themselves renting one place but then working away to actually make any money? must admit i do quite enjoy working away and seeing the country this way but being away from my better half is not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yep. I am currently at work. My wife is at home in Perth (mandurah anyway) and i am sat here in Tanzania for another 24 days. But it sort of goes with my occupation as an exploration geologist. Not much exploring to be done in the city Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PommyPaul Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 bit further a field than me then! hows life out that way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malkitek Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Hi I'm in Adelaide and oh can be anywhere in world working. He did it in uk too but seems harder here. But he gets to come home to a gorgeous place it always makes me feel better knowing loads of people have to do it too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritChickx Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 better half...you got that right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docboat Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am in the Wheatbelt, wife and children in Perth. I commute on weekends when I am free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest40285 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Did it for years before children came along, never again, rather be poor, could earn way more than I do but wont leave my kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Our home is based in Canberra but I routinely work in Sydney and Melb. Have to say though that its just as quick for me to fly to work as it is for some people to drive so its not a big deal for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 No, we're both at home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 My OH sets off tomorrow for his first swing on Barrow Island I'm down in Mandurah WA. He's been working only 10 minutes away for the last 3.5 years though but he was offered this job out of the blue by a grateful client who liked his work. Since doing the inductions and tickets he has been offered two more jobs working away so I feel this could be the future. Now he doesn't have to do it but he's earning 3 times what he was earning locally and nearly 6 times what he was earning in the UK so its all very seductive, but defo not compulsory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi69 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Your in a situation at the moment Paul...a young couple not only trying to set the foundations for a life together but doing it a new country too boot. i so admire you both for the effort you've put in to making it work. As for working away, for some its just a way of life and there never known anything different, ie armed forces, fishermen or whatever they have qualified in like VS. Others decide to do it for bigger money, again if both parties are happy with this, then why not. i could do it, as in I think I could cope, but not sure if I would like it or not. Time passes way to quick, I've been with my OH nearly 30 years, but I can look back at photos of us as teenagers and still wonder where time has gone, but at least we've had most nights going to sleep together and waking up together and even when the day to day work life has been tough, we've always had weekends, which we always have made the most off. Basically what I'm saying is my immediate family is the the most important thing to me. I want to enjoy as much time with them as possible. Thankfully we are as happy with a few sarnies on the beach and the simple things of life to worry about what money we could be making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Me and Dave did it for quite a while. He worked away before we moved in together and then a quite a few times during. It can be hard especially if your going through a lonely time but you just have to get through it especially if it's long term. The people I feel really sorry for are the armed forces families, I don't think I could ever do that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Been married for nearly 44 years, husband was in the RAF, then airlines. When our oldest was 18, my friend said you and I deserve a pat on our backs? I said why, she replied that we had got our oldest to age 18 without any major hiccups, and our husbands had probably only been around for 9 of those years. To be honest we have had to work very hard to stay together, it's not easy, as you have to be very strong and independent to survive. Then the next stage is retirement and suddenly you are together 24/7 after having spent a lot of time apart. luckily the hard work has paid off and my husband is still my best friend as well as my husband, it wasn't perhaps the ideal way to live, but that was the nature of his job, and we found a way to cope. So it can work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I think each family/couple are different and for some it works really well for others it can cause a divorce. A friend of ours his wife had a baby and he was sent to Cyprus (with the forces) it sounded a great place but she hated it and went back home to live with her mum. I'm not sure what this will do to their relationship now to be honest. She has already told him she wants him to leave the forces, but as we know its not always possible, plus I think she wants the money he is earning. There are lots and lots of farms around here Paul and you don't have to be over near Perth. Look at the Cape or Innisfail even on the tablelands around a Mareeba and Atherton there would be work, most of these you could drive to Cairns or come back on your days off. Also a lot of the major outback towns like Mt Isa have airports so you could fly back to Cairns. There are a couple of big stations just past Mt Molloy why not take a trip down and chat to them when you are next home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah harmer Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 My OH sets off tomorrow for his first swing on Barrow Island I'm down in Mandurah WA. He's been working only 10 minutes away for the last 3.5 years though but he was offered this job out of the blue by a grateful client who liked his work. Since doing the inductions and tickets he has been offered two more jobs working away so I feel this could be the future. Now he doesn't have to do it but he's earning 3 times what he was earning locally and nearly 6 times what he was earning in the UK so its all very seductive, but defo not compulsory! Hiya, what does your OH do for a living? Thanks Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Did it for 7 years and still married...:yes: And hap hap happy. Cheers, Bobj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Counting Stars Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Hubby has been in the Army 12 years we've been apart more than we've been together but we are still happy x he is leaving and got a civilian job and it will be working away again lol x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Hiya, what does your OH do for a living? Thanks Sarah Well he was a CNC Machinist/Toolmaker but then he went on to be a technician and its now something to do with flanges and clamps :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 bit further a field than me then! hows life out that way? It is ok here - hot and humid and no escape as we are in tents. To be honest i am pretty over it. Particularly long swings away from home. In Oz it was ok as swings were nice. But, there is no work over there now. So, looking at other options career wise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest16631 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 .......been part of my life for as long as I can remember......., .......something that just becomes normal...... .......though I maintain the partner at home......does need to be independent and able to cope as a single parent ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I've never fancied working away. Could have got a lot more money but it wasn't what we came here as a family for. Been offered jobs FIFO and the money is tempting but the people we've known who do it still spend whatever they get. We had a couple of friends who were working FIFO, thought they were doing really well and then they ended up divorcing. I think they just got used to having their own space and grew apart. As soon as the guys got into a new relationship they packed in working away and got jobs in Perth. Our eldest works FIFO, week on week off. Lives at home though, no serious girlfriend, saves lots and likes to have a good time when he's not at work. He's going to Miami to some music festival in a couple of weeks and then a couple of weeks travelling in the States with friends. Booked tickets for tomorrowland at the weekend so works well for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest16631 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 .......for so many though there is little option........! .......safety often being a huge consideration...... .......not always ideal ....I agree.......but to be able to adapt and make the best.... ......is a key ingredient in its success.....ime.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 .......for so many though there is little option........!.......safety often being a huge consideration...... .......not always ideal ....I agree.......but to be able to adapt and make the best.... ......is a key ingredient in its success.....ime.... When I read someone as sensible and balanced as you has always done it, it feels me with positivity thank you :notworthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I've never fancied working away. Could have got a lot more money but it wasn't what we came here as a family for. Been offered jobs FIFO and the money is tempting but the people we've known who do it still spend whatever they get. We had a couple of friends who were working FIFO, thought they were doing really well and then they ended up divorcing. I think they just got used to having their own space and grew apart. As soon as the guys got into a new relationship they packed in working away and got jobs in Perth. Our eldest works FIFO, week on week off. Lives at home though, no serious girlfriend, saves lots and likes to have a good time when he's not at work. He's going to Miami to some music festival in a couple of weeks and then a couple of weeks travelling in the States with friends. Booked tickets for tomorrowland at the weekend so works well for him. That's how I felt sometimes. I got used to being alone and then when he was there after a few days I wanted my own space back lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainC Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 13 years away at sea preceded by 6 years in the British Army. I missed countless Christmases, birthdays, anniversaries, and even my sisters wedding. I was lucky I was home for the birth of my son. It's become a way of life for me as I have spend more time away from home in my adult years than at home. My wife still finds it difficult when I leave but my son takes it in his stride as it's all he's ever known. It's quite a sad situation but it pays the bills and then some. The advantage is that I get to spend good quality time at home and I appreciate every minute I get with family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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