Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Diane, myself and our three kids (16,14,11) hope to be over by October and moving to or around Palmerston. Anyone in the area who can give us advice would be appreciated.

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hi mate,
I'm off to Palmerston in September - are you a lateral transferee too?

Nige

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hi Nige yep going into the RAAOC. Know a few guys who have done it and are out there but dont know anyone in that area, all the rest have the sunshine tours. Looks like I may not be over quite as quick as we thought looking at your timescale. Clive

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Sorry Nige, can we get ahead of the curve by having the Med's done now or applying for the Visa - or do we have to wait for SCMA. We have signed the Formal Offer and they have received it and are just awaiting the next stage (if you can shine any light on the process it would be appreciated).

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Yes, we're here!!! plus afew others. We to have come across as lateral transferee's. Have been here since May living in Palmerston and so far think the place is fab. Both Darwin and Palmerston are expanding and unlike what we thought before we came out...dust roads and shacks Darwin is thriving. It's the best time of year now with good temps and hardly any humidity but have been told Sept/Oct are pretty horrid with the heat before the wet sets in. Have come over with 2 kids (husband ex APTC now med corp or something like that?). Son is 19yr and just started work at Bunnings in Palmerston (UK equal to B&Q) and daughter 10 at local primary here in Durack, settled well and has lots of friends plus afew UK ones. I think on the whole NT is what you make of it, we're just pleased to be here and the pace and quality of life is what so far has sold it to us. If you need any info re the process or about here please ask. Tried to post thread on here last night but wouldn't work so apologise if two of the same show up??

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hi Clive, as for getting meds done now...yes!! Can take up to 2 months to get an appointment with Drs and Xrays...have to use their nominated ones... just get receipts. You need to wait til DIMIA tell you to apply for your Visa - Form 26 I think(By email) then download and fill out the forms. Also go to your local Police Station and get their form so that you can get your PNC checks done..takes 6 weeks to the day!! Also if your the same Clive Fawcett from Gutersloh I know (Kiddies entertainer) you'll need to get the German Police one too...how to is on the German Embassy web site and if your not but been to Germany then you still need to get indivdual Police checks (and offically translated) from everywhere you've lived for more than 12 months. If you dont but put it down on your Visa application that you've been to 'x' country they'll just ask you to get one and hold your visas up til they receive them. regards Chris :beer:

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hi Chris yep the same person but it sounds suspicious as a kiddies entertainer so to get an idea what I do visit www.spectacularevents.co.uk where and what did you do and what was your last name. PM me. Clive

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hiya thanks for the response. Diane wants to ask loads of questions, but really we cant wait. So firstly are you enjoying it as much as you thought..and is the honeymoon period over yet. Thanks Clive and Di.

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Im easily pleased???? No, we haven't experienced any "coming down" as I hope we came here with the right attitude that being the grass isn't greener here just abit nicer. No home sickness but as a family we love travelling and also are lucky to have family and friends who have supported us (ie elderly in laws) and most are planning a visit at some stage so that does make you feel your not completely on the other side of the world and as we see it if anything goes wrong we're only a day away from UK. At the end of the day if things dont work out here we can always go back but that will by far be the last resort. We also phone regularly especially the in laws (Buzz phone vouchers makes it really cheap to phone back, we're talking cents!). Yes, we are enjoying it as much as we thought. Seven weeks into it Bruce was sent away on a 6 week course down in Vic (no different to the UK Army?) so we were home alone both abit miffed that he was sent away so soon after arriving but that hasn't dampened our liking for here. You do go through abit of an emotional roller coaster as human nature will always put those niggly doubts into your head especially during the wee hours? But you have to give it time, normal postings in UK I've always put around 3-6 months for us all to settle and find our feet etc here could be a year (or more). But we saw it as too good an opportunity not to miss which hopefully will lead to bigger things. I'm not saying its going to be easy and Darwin isn't everyones taste because of the remoteness plus personally I'm not looking forward to the Wet as alot of the tourist stuff closes and after having this lovely weather where you can do what you like your abit dictated to because of the heavy rain plus I'm no good with thunder so should be interesting??? Hope this helps Julie and Bruce

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

You're in for a treat :)

I lived in Palmerston for a couple of years and was told that because of its position and the way storms roll in from channel island, its one of the most lightning struck places of earth.

We lived at the top of Raffles Road on the hill and I can personally recommend not doing laundry doing a storm. I can still almost smell my toe burning from a strike at the bottom of my garden . If only I'd had thongs on, it wouldn't earthed I suppose. :rolleyes:

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Cheers, I'll remember that. Have seen some fantastic photos of the lightening here so will make sure I have me rubber thongs on?!?

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Thats the ticket !

Me, if I go back, I won't worry...I mean it never strikes twice in the same place does it ? :cool:

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

We are relocating to Darwin too. We hope to be there in November.

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Are you the Julie and Bruce from Gutersloh?

Re: Anyone in or around Darwin
 

Hi who are you - were you - with and who are you joining. Do you have your dates yet, looks like I may be a bit keen on my visa dates but talking to a few of the guys out who have made it over they reckon on 5 weeks for the visa? can you shine a light and do you have your back.