Coming up to 10 years in Aussie

[Amber Snowball]

20 minutes ago, Lanky Lad said:

It is an  idea I can check on, thanks for that.

Although If that were the case, then surely who ever dealt with my letter - should have  passed it on to a relevant department or advised me to do so.  i am no expert but I get the impression that those on Medicare and or whatever age/health related "cover systems get what going  and those  with  private health  cover are left to sort it out with their insurers.
This is more often seen with the number of "poor" none working older aussies with two teeth!  The free dental care is basically to rip everything out rather them preventative treatment and  worse case scenario if getting an ill fitting  denture!     EDIT, after thought - although   things  just now are managable one of t he  thoughts that cause me to contact the council  is that - he is obviously  getting older and if he had help - it would perhaps delay any adverse affects, that aside the situation is   - it seems now - not going top change at any time.

No the council bloke probably has no idea about such help. In NSW the system is different to Victoria for such assistance. In Vic we had a very extensive and well funded system where councils would assist people, not grass cutting as a rule though, but other things. Now under My Aged Care the other states have not for profits and the state government in some cases assessing and providing low cost, low level care known as Home Support Assessments. Unfortunately it has meant a bit of a backwards move for Victoria but there we go.

For a Home Care Package he will need an ACAT Assessment not a HSA. But My Aged Care is the first stop. If he is a full pensioner then he would be able to negotiate on any fees with his chosen provider, some don’t charge anything. They are not supposed to do that but there is nothing stopping them. 

[Gbye grey sky]

On the subject of mowing a nature strip I am sure that if I had a sick or elderly neighbour who was physically unable to mow the grass and I was concerned about that neighbour, I would offer to do it myself.  When my neighbour was away on holiday in January I mowed his fron lawn and nature strip for him (as it was growing so fast) and it only took me an extra 15 minutes.  I have never told him I did it though he must have wondered why his back lawn had grown more than his front lawn while he was away lol.

Speaking for myself, once I become too old to manage my house and garden, which will happen in the next 10-20 years I intend to move to a property with fewer maintenance issues.

I feel it is a sad indictment on society generally when we all turn to or blame ‘the council’ or ‘the government’ for every little issue rather than act to sort it out ourselves.  The same people then complain about how much tax or rates they have to pay!

Luckily we have great neighbours here (no renters, which probably helps) and everyone looks out for each other but not ‘in your face’.  We had lovely neighbours back in England too, so must be lucky though I take care to check out neighbours before buying a house to reduce the risk.

Every tradie we have used to do work for us has come recommended and has done excellent work.  No complaints at all.  Same as when we lived in England.  But then my policy is not to choose a tradie solely on price....you get what you pay for by and large.

We haven’t had any serious problems with dogs.  A few bark from time to time but we live in a quiet housing estate.  We get far more noise from birds.

Just saying all this for balance really.

[Toots]

3 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

I don’t know as it is tongue in cheek as it bears all manner of resemblance to where I live. Throw in some regular burn outs up and down the road and me and lanky lad could be in the same suburb.

 

No boy racers around us thank goodness. I think most of them go out into the bush for their burn outs.  A few of them did try it near the beach but speed hump things have been put in and the police patrol along there regularly now.  

[Guest The Pom Queen]

3 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

Is it just the grass that is an issue for this man or would he benefit from other assistance as well? If he has chronic health problems that impede his ability to care for himself and is over 65 he might be eligible for a Home Care Package. It can’t be approved just for grass cutting though, but if he has some other care needs, help with shopping, self care, meal prep etc he could ring My Aged Care and ask for an assessment. Just an idea.

I was going to say that, he would get help. Is NDIS available in his area?

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Hi @Lanky Lad I’m so sorry that you are miserable in Australia, or should I say the street/Council you live. Maybe it’s time for a change as no one should be so unhappy. 

‘We have lived in 3 suburbs in Melbourne, 1 in Cairns, 2 in Townsville and 1 in the Lockyer Valley and even though I didn’t like Townsville we never had any of the problems you have described. In regards to tradies we have been very lucky. Our painter became our best friend (a lovely Murri) and he would come around if we were away to check on the house. Our mechanic would take phone calls if we had an issue with the car and would call us back to see how it was doing. Builder - He built an extra 3 bedrooms on to our old house and bathroom and again was someone I could trust with my life, we are still friends to this day and keep in touch. Plumber - again we have one who drops everything and turns up when he says he will. The only tradie we have had problems with has been electricians and that’s because they never turn up when promised.

I do read a lot of groups where people are annoyed with neighbours dogs barking, thankfully we are on acreage now with no neighbours so it doesn’t bother us. 

[Amber Snowball]

My biggest issue with tradies has been getting them to come out. They behave like I live on the moon, not 20 minutes away. I sometimes wonder if they get altitude sickness when they tell me, “ no, I don’t come ALL the way up there”. 

I have a small selection now that seem to turn up, but it is a pain.

I’ve had them never return calls, make an appointment to come out and quote and then not turn up, come out and do the quote but never send it to me, send the quote but never turn up to do the work. It’s been an experience.

[Bulya]

1 hour ago, The Pom Queen said:

Hi @Lanky Lad I’m so sorry that you are miserable in Australia, or should I say the street/Council you live. Maybe it’s time for a change as no one should be so unhappy. 

‘We have lived in 3 suburbs in Melbourne, 1 in Cairns, 2 in Townsville and 1 in the Lockyer Valley and even though I didn’t like Townsville we never had any of the problems you have described. In regards to tradies we have been very lucky. Our painter became our best friend (a lovely Murri) and he would come around if we were away to check on the house. Our mechanic would take phone calls if we had an issue with the car and would call us back to see how it was doing. Builder - He built an extra 3 bedrooms on to our old house and bathroom and again was someone I could trust with my life, we are still friends to this day and keep in touch. Plumber - again we have one who drops everything and turns up when he says he will. The only tradie we have had problems with has been electricians and that’s because they never turn up when promised.

I do read a lot of groups where people are annoyed with neighbours dogs barking, thankfully we are on acreage now with no neighbours so it doesn’t bother us. 

I moved to my fourth state/territory (and spent time in all the others) before finding the right place.  For reasons I’ve never understood, most expect the first place they select to be right or they’re back on the plane to Blighty.  Very, very odd behaviour 

Edited April 15, 2018 by Bulya
Grammar and meaning

[Lanky Lad]

3 hours ago, ramot said:

I'm really sorry that You sound so unhappy with life here. We moved into our house 15 years ago last week, and apart from barking/yapping dogs can't identify with your any of your experiences. We had 2 dogs bothering us, we wrote a note to both including our name and on behalf of several neighbours. We live by a lake and the noise echoed from across the lake. One owner came over almost at once, apologised and sorted it. We never heard from the other, the yapping did improve for a while, only yaps for about 30 mins now!!! instead of 2 hours. We have good neighbosrs luckily, we don't socialise much apart from a Christmas get together, but do look out for each other when needed.

Wish you all the best.

Not totally unhappy our - as we had assumed our- confirmed none child bearing wishes - and our SIL have presented us with what is without doubt the smartest 4 years and 6 month old kid on the planet! 

Go read my post again in its edited version

[Lanky Lad]

5 minutes ago, Amber Snowball said:

My biggest issue with tradies has been getting them to come out. They behave like I live on the moon, not 20 minutes away. I sometimes wonder if they get altitude sickness when they tell me, “ no, I don’t come ALL the way up there”. 

I have a small selection now that seem to turn up, but it is a pain.

I’ve had them never return calls, make an appointment to come out and quote and then not turn up, come out and do the quote but never send it to me, send the quote but never turn up to do the work. It’s been an experience.

 

6 minutes ago, Amber Snowball said:

My biggest issue with tradies has been getting them to come out. They behave like I live on the moon, not 20 minutes away. I sometimes wonder if they get altitude sickness when they tell me, “ no, I don’t come ALL the way up there”. 

I have a small selection now that seem to turn up, but it is a pain.

I’ve had them never return calls, make an appointment to come out and quote and then not turn up, come out and do the quote but never send it to me, send the quote but never turn up to do the work. It’s been an experience.

The first I noticed when we  moved in  our then new property was that any tradie we asked to quote for anything - seemed to assume we were mega rich and stupid and the smallest job was a minimum of $400 + plus materials.....

[Amber Snowball]

4 minutes ago, Lanky Lad said:

 

The first I noticed when we  moved in  our then new property was that any tradie we asked to quote for anything - seemed to assume we were mega rich and stupid and the smallest job was a minimum of $400 + plus materials.....

I just assume everything is $1000 and am grateful if it costs less!

[Guest]

We must be very lucky we have just recently moved to a new area. Currently renting after selling a property. Moved due to new employment. We've been in the new place about three weeks. We had a large gum branch fall from the tree in the front garden two nights ago. The very next morning our new neighbour who we hadn't even met yet came knocking and asked if we'd like him to remove and take the branch away( he was heading to the tip and would be happy to add the extra to his load). He came back a few minutes later with chainsaw and cut it and took it away. Money and drinks were offered which were both declined. He was happy to help he said. We are looking to buy in the same area atm. If the house we are renting comes up for sale would love buy it. 

[Guest The Pom Queen]

We live 45 minutes from the nearest large town and the council come around mowing the grass verge every month, maybe because we are rural it is seen as a fire risk, who knows, but just shows it is different all over

[Bulya]

53 minutes ago, The Pom Queen said:

We live 45 minutes from the nearest large town and the council come around mowing the grass verge every month, maybe because we are rural it is seen as a fire risk, who knows, but just shows it is different all over

45 mins from any town/shops or just a ‘large town’?

[Guest The Pom Queen]

12 minutes ago, Bulya said:

45 mins from any town/shops or just a ‘large town’?

We have a tiny village 20 minutes away, unless you don’t speed then it’s 30 as I was told by a lovely gent today

[Bulya]

36 minutes ago, The Pom Queen said:

We have a tiny village 20 minutes away, unless you don’t speed then it’s 30 as I was told by a lovely gent today

I’m confused

[Guest The Pom Queen]

On 15/04/2018 at 21:08, Bulya said:

I’m confused

Sorry, in other words, it is an hour round trip for a bottle of milk/loaf of bread. If we want clothes/shoes/electronics etc then it’s 45min each way. 

[Bulya]

7 hours ago, The Pom Queen said:

Sorry, in other words, it is an hour round trip for a bottle of milk/loaf of bread. If we want clothes/shoes/electronics etc then it’s 45min each way. 

Apologies, I should have said I’m confused as to why you live so far from medical facilities.  Must be an impressive block of land  

[Guest The Pom Queen]

2 hours ago, Bulya said:

Apologies, I should have said I’m confused as to why you live so far from medical facilities.  Must be an impressive block of land  

When we moved down here I only needed an operation every 3 months in Brissy. Then 2 months in the new house  they said I needed the wheelchair and couldn’t drive anymore and that I’d need treatment every 2 weeks for life. We don’t want to move schools again for my son. Plus yes we like the countryside, we have never been city people

[Bulya]

1 hour ago, The Pom Queen said:

When we moved down here I only needed an operation every 3 months in Brissy. Then 2 months in the new house  they said I needed the wheelchair and couldn’t drive anymore and that I’d need treatment every 2 weeks for life. We don’t want to move schools again for my son. Plus yes we like the countryside, we have never been city people

As always timing is everything.  Not being able to drive would be a problem