bridie

You obviously havent been to the South West of WA then? Heaps of greenery around here and plenty of rainfal over the winter period too.

There is only one thing I can think of that I dont like about oz (apart from the whinging poms and krudd that is) and that's drink driving is looked on as the norm.

framac67

nop e....cant think of anything...............hold it.................................they let english people in who whinge that bbq sauce isn't as good as the brown sauce you get in engurland. I KID YOU NOT

moneypenny20

No they, feel the need to move to Australia, believing they will be able to afford the pool, car and McMansion in order to tell everyone back in the UK that they can. After a while they may realise it's not important. Quite a lot of us have never strived for that stuff here or there in the first place

Everyone? You have 20 million close neighbours? I'm not anywhere near you (as far as I know) and don't hear any size dog barking at night.


And here. It was only recently that the green went brown, as soon as it did the rains came and everywhere was green and lush again, much to my husbands disgust, means he's having to mow the block again.

markbhx

Only bottleshops sell alcohol, why can't supermarkets, petrol stations, newsagents etc sell it?? It's handy when you run out of booze during a party, supermarkets and petrol stations are always open late at night to pick up some extra.

moneypenny20

Depends on what state/territory you're in. I believe some states allow supermarkets to sell alcohol. I can't remember the last time I was at a party where the alcohol ran out, there is generally always some left. Maybe I go to the wrong parties

willamos

This is just one of the funny little things you have to get used to in Australia.

Product availability/accessibility/diversity is one of the things you miss out on down under. There's a smaller range of stuff, available at less places. Plain and simple.

WillBlack

Bah-bloody-humbug. The UK has a far more limited rage of stuff. Just tell me where you can dig up witchetty grubs in the UK, eh?

MartinLuther

You don't really live in Vic do you?

willamos

If you don't think that there is more stuff available in Europe than in Australia then you truly have allowed your expat status and all that goes with that cognitively to cloud your judgement.

BadgeIsBack

He didn't actually say that. He probably meant the story is not as diabolical as you paint. If we talking about 'stuff available' then - well - there's enough here for me - or it can be sourced - yes - from overseas - but this does not detract from my life here in Melbourne. I don't go around collecting 'stuff' like some people do. I like collecting books but I can get them from Amazon or Book Depository - they could be anywhere as far as I am concerned so the recent Australian book furore has not touched me personally.

(You know - not you personally - I sometimes get the impression that there is a bit too much of the geek in some posters and that they really do spend all their lives looking down price-lists. There's a time and a place for a bit of tech I guess!)

I'd be quite interested in knowing where you hang out, who this partner of yours is and a myriad of other things that have a cognitive influence on you and the views you have - as you may have of others - why not? But of course we don't get to see the detail, or should we(!)

markbhx

I just got stung with a big bill at the docs again!! Anyone know how to get it ALL back?
$250 for an echocardiography
$150 cardiologist consultation

I even have corporate HBA cover which doesn't cover this!! Private health care and Medicare and you still lose out, this can't be right? Do I need a third healthcare plan?? Medicare will only cover a percentage of the costs.

moneypenny20

It must depend on each consultant. All the consultants my daughter's seen, we've got more than 50% back on medicare. Her MRI and EEG were both fully medicare covered. We didn't have any private health at the time and only have extras cover now.

ABCDiamond

Use a public hospital, not private doctors etc. That's the only way that I am aware of.

BAY

There's a bigger choice of beaches , parks and BBQs .... and a bigger choice of days when to enjoy the great weather .... actually I don't choose, I enjoy every day here in Australia

willamos

Mmm, shame that beaches and parks and BBQ's are some people's idea of stimulation.

Smaller choice of specialist hobby stuff, theatres, good bookshops, art galleries, museums etc.

People, generally, just don't care about that stuff though. They just want sun, sun and more sun.

Hence Australia.