hotpotato70 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I'm in a bit of a dilemma about whether to return to the UK or stay here in Oz. It's the usual story, but I think my situation is a bit buggered up! I've been here just over 5 1/2 years now, so I've got my citizenship, but my partner decided that she wanted to split up just after Christmas. We're still sharing the house, which she is keeping on & I've got to move out & find somewhere else. I think I've found a place to share, but now it's coming to moving out & being on my own with no family support, I'm not sure that I want to do it & am thinking about just packing the whole thing in & going back to the motherland! My work has been pretty bad, I am employed casually by the Queensland Government, but back in November things hit rock bottom & my work virtually stopped, putting quite a financial burden on my partner. I had been applying for other work & couldn't get anything, so I think that was just the icing on the cake that tipped the relationship over the edge. So I was left getting no more than 5 hours work a week, sometimes 4 or 5 hours in a 2 week period, Centerlink wouldn't assist me, as several months after applying for assistance they told me that they didn't believe that we'd split up because we were still living under the same roof. Australia was never my dream, it was hers, but I went along with it & thought that I'd give it a go & that I shouldn't pass up on an opportunity to go & live in another country. I was a police officer in the UK & decided that I wouldn't do that in Oz as I found it quite a stressful job & there were no vacancies to transfer when we we moving. I'd also had time off with stress, which is pretty common in the police, but not good if you want future employment as a police officer! So when we arrived in Oz I started a small bond cleaning business & got a bit of work coming in, but not really enough, so I was applying for any job that I could. Eventually I got a job in a call centre for Westpac, which was casual work. I thought I was going to a full time job, I'd never heard of casual employment, but the job wasn't too bad & once I knew what I was doing I became quite good at it. I made a few police applications because I wanted more out of a job than I was getting, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction, plus I do like a bit of excitement! I didn't get anywhere with the police applications, but eventually got a job with probation & parole, again it was casual, but I loved it, that was until the work stopped! So my life has just about fallen apart as a result of all of the above & I am finding it hard at times to keep things together & have lost a lot of motivation for life in general, particularly as I have had no money for a long time. Most of the time I'm okay, but then I just hit rock bottom with the realisation of it all, particularly as I have no family/support. I had some good friends, but they moved away to other parts of Oz. Where I live now, I have only lived for about 18 months & have made some friends, but no one who I feel is close enough to want to burden with my problems! I'm not really working as such & am really struggling financially, Centrelink won't help, I've just about lost my job, lost my partner & my home & at 46 am going to be sharing a house for the first time since my 20's. I'm having to get rid of lots of things because I just can't be going into a shared house with tons of stuff, so I really am going to have to start all over again. I do have a good job offer, but I've been put into a talent pool, so whether I will ever get the job is anyone's guess. Otherwise, I really don't know what I'm going to do for work, I've applied to do just about every job out there, not just ones that I'm qualified for, but any job. I do have qualifications, but they seem to count for nothing in today's job market. If it wasn't for the weather I would go back to the UK without a doubt, my family live on the edge of the Lake District & I love the place & have lots of friends there & would have my family. I also love the mountains & adventurous outdoor activities that you get there without getting heat exhaustion! Here, I feel that I'm just filling in time until I go back, almost like an extended holiday & have no sense of belonging anywhere. I like the sun, but summer is just so hot & humid, I'm not keen on it. There are so many things that I like in Oz & in the UK & am totally torn. I am worried that if I go back that I will miss Oz & regret my decision, especially when it rains a lot & it will then have just been a big exercise in losing everything, except my memories. If I could sort out my work I would be happy to give it more of a go here as I know that there is so much that I'd want to do, but if I was going to go back to the UK, now would be the time. The exchange rate is in my favour, I'll be getting some money from my house, as well as all of my tax back & can sell my car (it's a cheap old thing, but reliable!) & sell my boys toys that I have, so I could just about afford to get back & start again if I stayed with my parents. My parents are putting me off coming back when I speak to them though, whether that's because they have downsized recently & don't have the room, I don't know. Also I haven't had the money to even return to the UK for a holiday since I came to Oz, when I did have the money, I bought my toys, but that was because I wanted to get established here & didn't think the money would dry up. One of my main concerns about staying in Oz is that if I live in a shared house & either my work doesn't pick up, or I get another job, then my money won't stretch far & once it's gone I face the prospect of being homeless with no hope of returning to the UK. I don't think Centrelink would pay enough to cover the rent, but I could be wrong & maybe I'm over thinking on this one, but it is a concern of mine that I may end up with no where to live, which scares me a lot. I've always thought that there is a fine line between having everything & losing everything & that fine line is a job! This is a bit of a long post, but I think I just wanted to put down how things are for me. If no one responds that's fine, but any advice from a new pair of eyes would be appreciated. What would you do if you were in my position? I've thought about all of the options & still can't decide what to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Well you have your citizenship so you have nothing to lose. Why not try going back to the UK, it will give you a break and maybe easier for you to pick up some work somewhere. If you decide its the wrong thing, give yourself a time say 6-12 months, at least if you get a job you can save up some cash and try Australia again, maybe a different place or State, its a big country! Edited July 20, 2016 by AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxlornaxx Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Can you get a job somewhere else? Are you applying for jobs all over Aus or just where u live now? I would apply for jobs everywhere uk and Aus and go where I could get work to get back on my feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. Why not take a break and go back to the UK for a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Start applying for the jobs you would kill to get in both places and see what pops up first - think broad Australia and broad UK, you have little to lose really in the scheme of things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach pig Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Hot spud,you sound just like me. You have written exactly what I am going through.if it helps you are not alone in your predicament.I and friends are going through the same. Weird I know,i am going back to the UK on my own,I came here with my wife of 17yrs and three great kids, but leaving on my own.I know it sounds selfish but I have to do it for my own sanity. I have to regroup so to speak and like you I don't have the support here needed for that. Thus I am going back to stay with my brother and parents.dont feel ashamed in doing what feels best for you.i always thought about everyone else but for now it's me time.always pm if you like,a problem shared is a problem halved. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach pig Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I might add follow your instinct.and don't wollow in the past.break ups happen in every country.some more here though with migrants.its no good dwelling in a mates place, though sometime good, it's not long term.go where ever your support is ie family and put your feet up and evaluate your situation without stress of money worries or commitments until you are ready to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 If Australia was never your dream, I would recommend going home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach pig Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 It was my dream.... But life got in the way!and ended up someone else's dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I can relate to a lot of what you are going through. I am am lucky as I still have my wife, but we lost a lot due to not getting work in Australia for the last 18 months we were there. I am am the same age as you and we moved to Oz in 2008 and all was good until mid 2014 when work dried up and I couldn't get anything. We became more and more broke as time went on. So, we made the move back in March and it looks like it was the right decision. I was was not worried about the weather, but was worried about it for my wife. But, we have actually been very nicely surprised. I think ink at the moment, it might be better to head back to the UK where you can get back on your feet. You can always go back if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I don't know if you are interested in Melbourne but the Victoria Police are recruiting for Protective Services Officers at the moment. These are the guys who patrol the trains and train stations. Your experience would see you be a good candidate I expect. People often move into the Police Force from PSO roles too. Prison Officer would be another option. I have seen advertisement for them recently too in Melbourne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 My concern for you (and suspect shared by your parents) about returning to the Lake District is that there are few jobs there and chances are that you may not qualify for benefits for the first few months. It does sound as though you are suffering from depression but it may be that all it takes to help you back on your feet is a worthwhile job. Whilst you need support this must be with a view to getting you back on your feet and not become a form of dependence. Whereabouts in Australia are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I agree in all likelihood the probable best option may well be to head back. I fully understand the difficulty in arriving at a decision though. The only thing I can think you could perhaps ponder in the work field is perhaps sales? There is not the age discrimination as in many other areas (afraid in my experience Australia is very ageist) Not that 46 is particularly old but the screws turn a little tighter after forty if not in position. I would think more than the weather would need to be a consideration if to remain in Australia. This is becoming an increasingly hard land, with far too many smug, self obsessed inhabiting it with little care outside their immediate family. I'd imagine it would be lonely for a middle aged guy, without family, sharing a house, with employment issues and all matters around that. Is that something you want to go through? With an OZ passport you can return at some future date if the will is there. You may well view England with a very positive gaze after your Down Under experience. Welfare is there to help out folk in need. I'm afraid all indicative of the way this country is heading. One only has to view the growing numbers of homeless in the city now (Perth) Not something we would have witnessed even a few years back. All too easy to land on and end up on the rags of your ar.e I'm afraid. I wish you luck. As mentioned by other posters you are not alone. In WA we already have areas where unemployment hotspots are as bad as in the depression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I'm not sure counselling will be of any great assistance. What you want and need is practical solutions to relieve the issues at hand. A doctor though could give you a referral for a psychologist as a step in the possible right direction but limited, but at least it would be someone to listen. Many are seeing psychologists in recent times, in order to assist their claims for a Disability Pension or to write letters to government housing authorities to be possibly rehoused. Just as disability pensions have tightened up and even people being forced off them onto Newstart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 You've done the hard yards mate. Move into a share or something, get on a couple of those dating sites and have a bit of fun. You've been married with kids for ages, make the most of the break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croft Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 With your background as a police officer, have you considered the ADF Reserves? Depending on vacancies and your aptitude, you can pick and chose your roles and your commitment (anything up to full time service). With your flexibility you could go anywhere in Australia and get service accommodation if you're on full time service. If you don't fancy the more dangerous aspects, they're plenty of volunteers in the regulars to fill the relatively few opportunities! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpotato70 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 I'm on the QLD/NSW border. The thing is with The Lake District is that I have qualifications in outdoor recreation, I lived there for 7 1/2 years before. It's not the easiest of places to find work, but I also had an HGV licence that was always my back up, but they wouldn't transfer it to my Oz licence. I'd say that I am suffering from a bit of depression, not everyday, but I'm finding it hard as almost every aspect of my life has fallen apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpotato70 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 I actually applied to the air force as an officer, passed the entry exam & then they found out that I was allergic to penicillin & told me that was the end of that, they wouldn't take me on with an allergy to penicillin. I served 9 years in the air force in the UK, wasn't a problem! I'm pretty sure that I'd have got in if it wasn't for that, I'm quite fit for my age, so the fitness wouldn't have been an issue. For some reason every opportunity that I've taken has just seen me come up against a brick wall. I've recently been accepted for another government job, full-time, did the entry tests, interview, police checks, got accepted & they tell me I'm going into a talent pool for future vacancies, so who knows if a job will ever come of it, but they were advertising vacancies again & saying that there were vacancies. So I may or may not have a job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I'm on the QLD/NSW border. The thing is with The Lake District is that I have qualifications in outdoor recreation, I lived there for 7 1/2 years before. It's not the easiest of places to find work, but I also had an HGV licence that was always my back up, but they wouldn't transfer it to my Oz licence. I'd say that I am suffering from a bit of depression, not everyday, but I'm finding it hard as almost every aspect of my life has fallen apart. Ok. Not necessarily wise to make recommendations on incomplete information but my view is that you should return to UK principally because the worse case scenario (no job, nowhere to live) seems much more likely in Oz than it does in the UK based on your experiences so far. Good luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpotato70 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croft Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 I actually applied to the air force as an officer, passed the entry exam & then they found out that I was allergic to penicillin & told me that was the end of that, they wouldn't take me on with an allergy to penicillin. I served 9 years in the air force in the UK, wasn't a problem! I'm pretty sure that I'd have got in if it wasn't for that, I'm quite fit for my age, so the fitness wouldn't have been an issue. For some reason every opportunity that I've taken has just seen me come up against a brick wall. I've recently been accepted for another government job, full-time, did the entry tests, interview, police checks, got accepted & they tell me I'm going into a talent pool for future vacancies, so who knows if a job will ever come of it, but they were advertising vacancies again & saying that there were vacancies. So I may or may not have a job! That is bad news. Funnily enough, ADF allows asthma which the UK doesn't. Also, after an incident on Herrick, anyone with ANY allergy in HM Forces is now medically downgraded and on the road to a medical discharge. My wife had a few months to serve and because of a banana allergy she was nearly medically discharged than serving her time out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croft Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 That is bad news. Funnily enough, ADF allows asthma which the UK doesn't. Also, after an incident on Herrick, anyone with ANY allergy in HM Forces is now medically downgraded and on the road to a medical discharge. My wife had a few months to serve and because of a banana allergy she was nearly medically discharged than serving her time out. Oh, and my wife is ADF, Army (lateral transfer scheme), and she's allergic to penicillin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotpotato70 Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 So they let her transfer with a penicillin allergy? I take it that was that a while ago? Banana allergy, never heard of anyone with that before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Banana allergy, never heard of anyone with that before! State of Origin: All the blues have banana allergy :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croft Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 So they let her transfer with a penicillin allergy? I take it that was that a while ago? Banana allergy, never heard of anyone with that before! October 2013. Try the other services - also policies may have changed. She did state at the interview in London that when she was given penicillin as a child it was banana flavoured so it may have been that! Funnily enough, her Aunt is banana intolerant (my wife is epi-pen time), and here in Australia I've actually come across a couple of people with the same allergy. It is an unusual one. My son had a 25% chance of inheriting it but we found out he was OK when he had to have some banana flavoured medicine just before he was 2. Luckily my wife has escaped the other related conditions to banana allergy - http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/knowledgebase/banana-allergy/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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