kellyjamie Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hi Old and New poms We are old school members on here so theres probs more of you who dont know us now than who do lol but i thought i would drop in say hi to one and all and let you know how our first year has gone :-) Well we arrived in Brisbane Feb 2013 after an emotional farewell with friends at the airport. My parents refused to do the airport which im glad of now. We were very lucky for two reasons, we had friends here who put us up for 3 weeks and hubby was offered a job to start ASAP. We had received Tassie sponsorship but we tried and tried for jobs from the UK and it wasnt happening. We spoke to several people in TAS who told us that the job scene was very very tight and jobs were few and far between. So as we had friends in Brisbane we decided to head there while hubby would head to Tas for a few days at a time to find work. He luckily got a job offer with Mazda doing a job he done a few years ago on the north side of Brisbane so our plan was take a holiday let make some cash and head to Tassie. That didnt work out because hubby was going to Hobart every 2nd weekend job hunting but there was literally nothing in his chosen field of youth and homeless work, nor could he get anything else that would pay enough to live while i also looked for work. So we contacted Tas and told them and we stayed in Brisbane. So hows it been??...... A rollercoaster is how i can describe it. The first 5 weeks were horrific i was very homesick felt like i was in an alien land. No familiarity was the killer, and we had been to Brisbane twice before to visit friends. Not knowing a single person when you go food shopping is a crap feeling. Hubby was working and staying with friends was great but we despo needed our own place so took a short term lease on a small townhouse while we figured getting work in Tas. I didnt really unpack which didnt help and we bought cheap furniture while we waited on our shipping, word of advice bring as much as you can afford in your container. Started our daughter at school and she took to it like a duck to water and has never looked back. She was 6 and its been the best move for her. So i struggled with hubby at work and little one at school. It was at that point that we decided to stay where we were. I needed to make friends and i needed a job to do it. So i got full time work for Budget Direct insurance, i hated the job but it was my saving grace. I made some great friend there and without that job may well have gone insane or gone home! So we began to settle in work and school, hubby made good friends with his boss and we socialise regularly with him and his wife. I left Budget after 6 months because i wanted part time work which they wouldnt give me. Hubbys boss left and he was promoted and is loving his job with Mazda, long hours way longer than he worked in the UK, hes usually sleeping on the couch by 830pm! BUt in less than a year he has tripled his wage he was on back in the UK. Which has afforded me the chance to do what i always wanted and started my own cake business! Its doing really well, and im about to start selling at markets around the North side most weekends, ideally in the next 3-5 years we would like a shop! Im also one of the lucky few to have been offered a job with the new costco which is a huge bonus as its part time. We are in North Lakes and really enjoy life here, we recently moved to a gorgeous townhouse over looking a lake and the view from our balcony is just fanatastic, we sit out at breakfast and still just pinch oursleves. Not sure we would buy in North Lakes if im honest, but it suits us renting for now. Our daughter is at North Lakes State College nd i cant speak highly enough of it. My parents are here just now as is my 17 yr old son, which is just wonderful but i am dreading him going home, my parents can now see why we are here, and they have both said they know we will never go back. I say never say never. Hubby loves it here, hes like his old self again which i love to see, our daughter has just soared since being here, her hair is sunny dyed blonde, shes never out the pool, she never wants to wear shoes and shes just generally living the aussie life lol. I too love it, but i have my moments where i find it extremely difficult. I struggled with homesickness coming up to xmas and hubby had a xmas pressie for me which i wasnt allowed until the Saturday after, i thought he had got me a puppy, anyhow i wont bore you with the whole story but basically he totally decieved me and made out like he was at work, when really he was picking my best friend up from the airport and bringing her home to stay for 3 weeks!!!! She couldnt have timed it better, it was the first time ive been speechless, it was just wonderful. Now the test will be once the folks go home, how i will cope. My cousin is out in October so its a busy year for visits which is good and the business is taking off so that will keep me busy. I have just briefly given you our story without going into all the things like prices, and places, and medicare etc because i know lots of peeps will have told you all about that, i just wanted to let you all know that getting to Australia and making this monumentally huge change was a real long winding road for us. It was seriously not easy but we kept at it, and believe me it has paid off ten fold for us. Now i know not evreyone will feel like us, but if you never try you will never know. If its what you want, just keep at it you will get there eventually, it took us 5 years. If anyone needs advice or has a question please feeel free to pm us, we came here with $10k total and we made it work, Goodluck everyone Kelly x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Go Kelly!!!! I remember all the hurdles you had to get through to get your visa, but you never gave up. So glad its worked out for you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest40285 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Good on ya's, well done, happy days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I remember you Kelly. Well done sounds like your hard work has paid off. Nice update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Kash Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hi Kelly, Good on ya as the locals would say! Whereabouts in 'the burgh' are you from? Myself and Mrs Kash stayed in Leith (Im a big Hibee) :cool: With your business have you looked at a scheme called NEIS? Im on it right now as Im starting my business, you get some financial and business help so well worth looking into. We also have had our ups and downs after 2 years, still miss Edinburgh and the UK I have to say, going back for a holiday felt very strange, enjoying the summer here in Adelaide though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyjamie Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hi Kelly, Good on ya as the locals would say! Whereabouts in 'the burgh' are you from? Myself and Mrs Kash stayed in Leith (Im a big Hibee) :cool: With your business have you looked at a scheme called NEIS? Im on it right now as Im starting my business, you get some financial and business help so well worth looking into. We also have had our ups and downs after 2 years, still miss Edinburgh and the UK I have to say, going back for a holiday felt very strange, enjoying the summer here in Adelaide though. Thanks pal, hubby from tranent but we lived out by bonnyrigg, hubbys as green and white as you'"ll ever meet aswell lol. yep were loving it still miss home but i reckon il visit with in the next couple of years, Thanks for the tip about the business il look into it Kelly GGTTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Kash Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 yep, its all about the mighty Cabbage! I knew a few characters from East Lothian, anyone I met from 'the Pans' seemed to be nuts lol. Had some great nights in wallyford miners club before heading into town in my younger days :biggrin: Enjoy Bris-vegas, sounds like things going well for you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyjamie Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 jeezo, the miners! its still going strong i believe lol. I say tranent but he was from pencaitland and drank in Big T! You still following butchers barmy army? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Kash Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 jeezo, the miners! its still going strong i believe lol. I say tranent but he was from pencaitland and drank in Big T! You still following butchers barmy army? Yes still follow the cabbage from afar, and watch a bit of A League here but its not the same. I heard the legend that is Albert Kidd lives here in SA, Im gonna track him down buy him a pint! If you don't know him your hubby certainly will :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Which markets do you do? I'm always up for cake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyjamie Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 yep same as us, hubby was a season ticket holder east stand for years, last year easter road done a release of granite stones to put in the new east stand that you could have engraved so he got one in memory of his dad and himself, says that means where ever he is he'll always be at easter road! sado lol. you'll need to track the old fella down for sure! you on any of the fb hibs pages? so you and your wife settled down in SA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Kash Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 yep same as us, hubby was a season ticket holder east stand for years, last year easter road done a release of granite stones to put in the new east stand that you could have engraved so he got one in memory of his dad and himself, says that means where ever he is he'll always be at easter road! sado lol. you'll need to track the old fella down for sure! you on any of the fb hibs pages? so you and your wife settled down in SA? Im on HibeesBounce a fair bit, occasionally hibs.net. I also stood in the East so our paths would have crossed!. Yeah the wife likes it here a lot, I actually prefer UK to live overall but dont mind it here and also I know who the boss is so here we stay for now:biggrin: We were up in Brisbane last year when Julie was doing some work there, seemed like a cracking city. Although footie being rugby and not AFL up there confused the hell out of me ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noworriesmate Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 yep same as us, hubby was a season ticket holder east stand for years, last year easter road done a release of granite stones to put in the new east stand that you could have engraved so he got one in memory of his dad and himself, says that means where ever he is he'll always be at easter road! sado lol. you'll need to track the old fella down for sure! you on any of the fb hibs pages? so you and your wife settled down in SA? I was hoping that the Sunshine in Aus might have knocked some sense into you and you would have seen the light and have become a Buddie!! Anyhow - good to read how your doing, don't be a stranger Kelly, you've been missed!! NWM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tappers2oz Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I remember you, so glad it's all worked out! Wonderful to read. It's posts like this, that when I have a wobble and think we can't to it, remind me that we can and we have to push forward and give it a go. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I remember you Kelly. Good to hear you are finding your feet :smile: Enjoy sunny QLD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Good to hear from you Kelly! I can remember you too sounds like your doing well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Great read Kelly - so good to see you back xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballac Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Really lovely post to read. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 47403 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Great post Kelly, congrats to you and your hubby, another success story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImageConfident Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Well done on making the move. I am interested in how Tasmania were when you told them you couldn't make it work - were they understanding or did you have to jump through many hoops? Cath xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikci Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Hi Kelly, I remember your "journey" here, glad things have worked out. I understand the homesickness it really is hard - we have been here 5 years and I still struggle with it from time to time - we have been lucky though as we have been back for Xmas twice since we have been here and are due to head back this Xmas as well - must say its the hardest time of year for me!! Hope tings continue to go well and good luck with the cake business - ! All the best Nikci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tastastic Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 It sounds like it's all worked out really well for you. Great update. Do you plan to stay in Brisbane permanently? How do you feel about not living in Tasmania? We plan to go to Tas (we love the place!) but the job situation is a big worry. I keep thinking maybe we should move to the mainland instead but it's just not the same is it? It has lots of positives obviously but (aside from the work situation) I think we'd prefer living in Tas. Just wondering whether you went off Tasmania for any other reasons, or whether Brisbane has surprised you with how nice it is to actually live there? I've never been, it would be too hot for us, although it sounds amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyjamie Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 pretty gutted we cant get work in tas as we done so much research into living there an were all set for it, but we just couldnt get work there never mind work that would provide a liveable wage. we wont move again as our daughter is now extremely settled here. we now love brisbane but i do at times find myslef quite frustrated at how slow things can be up here, also the heat at times is hard to deal with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToowoombaBlue Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 We now love brisbane but i do at times find myself quite frustrated at how slow things can be up here, also the heat at times is hard to deal with Hi Kelly, my wife and I will be in Brisbane starting our new life in July, when you say slow, slow compared to what? I live such a fast pace life now, I'm really looking forward to slowing down ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tastastic Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Hi KellyJamie Well it sounds like you did everything you could you get work there. I don't think you had much choice but to look elsewhere. The job situation in Tas is a big worry of ours and we would have to live elsewhere if we couldn't find work. Must be hard to have to adjust your plans like that. It's good that your daughter is happy and settled though. Hopefully you'll get used to the heat! I'm interested in the "slow" comment too. I think of Tas as being quite slow (but slow sounds absolutely brilliant to me to be honest!). I'm sure the reality of it is a bit different though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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