Que Sera Sera Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 What is more important than beer!? Wine! Obviously, silly billy:wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 [/b] I think that the parts of your post which I've highlighted reflect an old-fashioned approach to living in Australia. A sort of 'all or nothing,' 'assimilate or leave' approach, which I don't think is necessary nowadays. Not everyone regards it as a permanent move upon which they've staked everything. For some of us, Australia just represents a chapter in our lives, not the rest of the book. So like yourself, I don't feel the need to forget about the good things my old life in the UK offered me, particularly if Australia offers me less. Nor do I see the benefit of trying to flog a dead horse in the form of 'fitting in' with other people's expectations of what constitutes a 'good immigrant.' We can experience pretty much whatever we choose from what Australia offers, and if it no longer offers us anything, we can choose to go home. You don't have to forget about all the good things from your life in the UK. I certainly don't, but what I don't understand is how someone can maintain the same degree of 'pull' however long you live in Australia. In the first few weeks and months after I moved back to Sydney I was constantly comparing (unfavourably) Australian 'things' - newspapers, TV, supermarkets, pubs, life generally, with what I had left behind in the UK. But gradually, I started to forget what it was I liked so much in the UK, and also gradually, begin to like those Australian things which I had prevously disliked. If you want to go home, fine. But if you have been living in Australia for any length of time, don't be surprised if you find it hard to 'fit back in' to British life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Li have made no secret thet although we enjoy oz and didn't always, the one aspect we have struggled with is the quality of products. It is a shame, as I think they are out there, but made damned hard to find. We were discussing yesterday oysters and that, although we live coastal, we never see oysters that are not farmed and frozen. Roughly 500 metres x 5 metres of the coast where I live is covered with oysters, 'stormy. Just a small section of them... Cheers, Bobj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) It's quite telling to me anyway how many on here still call their Birth Country " Home". Thats not a knock to anyone who does, but it's definitely a sign that maybe for whatever reason your heart isn't in it. Very, very true. Even though I'm going back to the UK, I don't think of it as "home" and have not for a very long time. For most of the years I've lived in Australia, I've thought of Sydney as home. It's only because my circumstances have changed that it doesn't suit me - but I feel the way I did when I left the UK to come here, I'm sad that my home is not the right place for me any more and I'm looking forward to making a new home elsewhere. I do sometimes think that those who are quick to argue how perfect Australia is, but still seek out British TV and British pubs and British food, are perhaps trying to convince themselves they're happy here, as much as anyone else! Edited April 28, 2015 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 A few posts have been removed or edited due to breaching forum rules. Please avoid personal comments about other members ,infractions will be given if it continues. Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Li have made no secret thet although we enjoy oz and didn't always, the one aspect we have struggled with is the quality of products. It is a shame, as I think they are out there, but made damned hard to find. We were discussing yesterday oysters and that, although we live coastal, we never see oysters that are not farmed and frozen. There was a warning recently about not eating the local seafood, something to do with algae can't quite remember now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 The trouible is, that financially (Aged pension), the Uk doesn't come close to supporting me if I returned Can't you claim the Oz pension here and then go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 There was a warning recently about not eating the local seafood, something to do with algae can't quite remember now. There are certain parts of Sydney harbour where you are warned not to eat fish and shellfish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Very, very true. Even though I'm going back to the UK, I don't think of it as "home" and have not for a very long time. For most of the years I've lived in Australia, I've thought of Sydney as home. It's only because my circumstances have changed that it doesn't suit me - but I feel the way I did when I left the UK to come here, I'm sad that my home is not the right place for me any more and I'm looking forward to making a new home elsewhere. I do sometimes think that those who are quick to argue how perfect Australia is, but still seek out British TV and British pubs and British food, are perhaps trying to convince themselves they're happy here, as much as anyone else! But that is precisely why I am so happy in Australia. I have the best of both worlds, eg, unlimited access to all EPL games, as opposed to just seeing whichever Sky game is live in the UK, ditto all my favourite UK TV programmes, and 24x7 access to pubs as opposed to the Pommie ones that are little changed from WW1, so everything closes, eg at 1030pm on a Sunday, just when I want to go out. I don't actually seek out Pommie pubs, though I did in the first couple of years in OZ, when I wanted to be around other Pommies. Now, I don't care whether they are Pommies or Aussies, which again, is 'the best of both worlds,' unlike those 'sad' Poms who hate being around Aussies because they lack the Pommie humour. I was out last night with my brother, in the pub with our Aussie mates. Neither of us feel any need to 'swap' brains, according to which nationality we are talking to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I think a lot comes from an old perception of fitting in. Home Helping with the older folk, made me see. Some were Orphans that had been shipped here against their wishes, so quite rightly held their country of birth with disdain. Others had come when the likely hood of staying in touch with their old " Homeland " was pretty much impossible save for the odd letter. So to survive, it was easier to cut off all ties. It is easier if you have come of your own free will, and if you are prepared to just "be". It's quite telling to me anyway how many on here still call their Birth Country " Home". Thats not a knock to anyone who does, but it's definitely a sign that maybe for whatever reason your heart isn't in it. Depends how far back you want to go. I still recall the odd Aussie born calling England home when young, even if never was there. I am told going way back it was not so uncommon. Home is wherever you feel it to be. By home what is meant is of course the emotional connection. Rather common in other ethnic groups I might add. Two homes are very possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I don't actually seek out Pommie pubs, though I did in the first couple of years in OZ, when I wanted to be around other Pommies. Now, I don't care whether they are Pommies or Aussies, which again, is 'the best of both worlds,' unlike those 'sad' Poms who hate being around Aussies because they lack the Pommie humour. I was out last night with my brother, in the pub with our Aussie mates. Neither of us feel any need to 'swap' brains, according to which nationality we are talking to. Isn't it unusual for one person to refer to 'Pommies' and 'Aussies'? I don't refer to my UK-born friends as 'Pommies' and my Australian-born colleagues don't refer to their 'Aussie mates'. Sounds a bit stateless to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Can't you claim the Oz pension here and then go? Oz is subsidising my UK pension but if I leave, they stop it. My UK pension is only 109 quid a week but here it's subsidised to the tune of $860 a fortnight plus the rego/leccie/rates concessions etc so approx double here what I would get in the UK Edited April 29, 2015 by Johndoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Isn't it unusual for one person to refer to 'Pommies' and 'Aussies'? I don't refer to my UK-born friends as 'Pommies' and my Australian-born colleagues don't refer to their 'Aussie mates'. Sounds a bit stateless to me... You are taking it out of context in the sense that I was making a comparison between 'us' and 'them', which happens to be a popular subject on this forum. If you know me, you will also know that I don't care where my friends are from, unlike some others on PIO. Just like you, I refer to my Pommie and Aussie friends simply as 'friends', but I don't mind in the least if anybody calls me 'Pommie Dave' and in England I was known both as 'Aussie Dave' and 'Dingo Dave.' As long as it is in fun, and nobody is offended, who cares? Come 'The Ashes', later this year, I expect to be fully engaged in some 'Pommie v Aussie' banter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Depends how far back you want to go. I still recall the odd Aussie born calling England home when young, even if never was there. I am told going way back it was not so uncommon. Home is wherever you feel it to be. By home what is meant is of course the emotional connection. Rather common in other ethnic groups I might add. Two homes are very possible. That is why it is so ridiculous when people start going on about 'Australia needlessly being involved in British/Imperialist wars' (i.e. WW1 and 2.) Many Aussies of the time, particularly during WW1, saw themselves as essentially 'British' and of course many were born in Britain, or had British parents. Chances are, even if Australia had adopted neutrality, many Aussies would have volunteered to fight for Britain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 That is why it is so ridiculous when people start going on about 'Australia needlessly being involved in British/Imperialist wars' (i.e. WW1 and 2.) Many Aussies of the time, particularly during WW1, saw themselves as essentially 'British' and of course many were born in Britain, or had British parents. Chances are, even if Australia had adopted neutrality, many Aussies would have volunteered to fight for Britain. Although people were easily hoodwinked as well back in those days. Hardly only Australia. Men from all parts of the Commonwealth fought in aid of the Motherland. Same in WW2. Many West Indians felt as equally British. Hardly only an Aussie thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Like a marriage?! I can't see how you can compare living in a country to being married. When you marry you make a commitment to another person. If you leave,you will cause that person heartbreak and unhappiness, so it's not something to be done lightly. When you move to a new country, it's entirely one-sided - Australia is not going to be heartbroken if you decide to leave, so you can go with a clear conscience any time you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) Can't you claim the Oz pension here and then go? John obviously has some other arrangement, and I'm curious what it means. I do know that if you're resident in the UK, you can use your Australian work record pre-2001 to make up for missing NI contributions, so that you can get a full UK pension. However in general, if you wait until you're eligible to claim the Aussie pension, then you can claim it - but if you're overseas you'll need 30 years' residence to get the full Aussie pension. Less than that and you'll just get pro rata. And if you leave before you're eligible you can't get it at all (in the UK). You can also claim both pensions while in Oz. Edited April 30, 2015 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I can't see how you can compare living in a country to being married. When you marry you make a commitment to another person. If you leave,you will cause that person heartbreak and unhappiness, so it's not something to be done lightly. When you move to a new country, it's entirely one-sided - Australia is not going to be heartbroken if you decide to leave, so you can go with a clear conscience any time you like. It was a joke! Don't people ever make jokes about marriages being like prison sentences? Maybe Australia will "miss" you in a manner of speaking, thinking about all the positive things that you gave to Australia!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 John obviously has some other arrangement, and I'm curious what it means. I do know that if you're resident in the UK, you can use your Australian work record pre-2001 to make up for missing NI contributions, so that you can get a full UK pension. However in general, if you wait until you're eligible to claim the Aussie pension, then you can claim it - but if you're overseas you'll need 30 years' residence to get the full Aussie pension. Less than that and you'll just get pro rata. And if you leave before you're eligible you can't get it at all (in the UK). You can also claim both pensions while in Oz. I have a full British pension (20 yrs contributions) but as I say, it's half the Oz pension. I've never worked in Oz but have been here 20yrs, first as PR then as a citizen so they "top up" my UK pension to the Oz pension level. I'd lose that top up if I returned to the UK. I had endowments for age planning but sold them to set us up here..................hindsight eh? :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Am I right that Australia is a lot more generous than the UK with pensions ? In the UK you have to qualify by paying years and years of contributions, whereas in Australia all you have to do is live here. Sounds like a good deal here. Most people would have paid tax here but it is not actually required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Am I right that Australia is a lot more generous than the UK with pensions ? In the UK you have to qualify by paying years and years of contributions, whereas in Australia all you have to do is live here. Sounds like a good deal here. Most people would have paid tax here but it is not actually required. Yes, the basic pension here is almost double that of the UK. I've never contributed to it directly but I still get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencio Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Australia is a heaven on earth for pensioners!!! Looking forward to my own retirement but I bet with you all that all the benefits will diminish over time. We all miss already out on 2,600 AUD abolished in 2012 due in every new financial year as a tax help/cost of living help. For instance, the house will not be assessed into an income test for the pension even if people have to live in aged care facilities or receive government aged care funds to help them stay in their own homes. Liquid assets test still very generous. In Europe (where I came from) properties will be counted towards any government benefits pensioners apply for, especially when entering into aged care. In Australia pensioners can travel for free on public transport, concession cards for cheaper fees/entrances, most doctors and specialists bulk bill, cost of medicines capped to 5,90 AUD no matter how expensive, cheap Tuesdays at most supermarkets, caps on electricity/gas etc. and still council rebates (190 AUD but likely to be abolished at least in South Australia). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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