Hi We are living in Yarraville and wonder if there are any other brits here or in surrounding suburbs that might want to meet up and offer advice, answer questions and just help us get in the swing of things?? We have two children aged 13 and 6 (boy and girl) and are keen to try and make some new friends

There's a chap called "Mr Anderson" who lives in Williamstown, he used to arrange a lot of Melbourne meets, not sure if he still does, search for his username under members.

BB

Doesn't Look as if he is doing it anymore but thanks for the help

Maybe try PMing him, he's local to you and would probably be very happy to meet for a curry and a pint.

BB

Hi, there's three of us coming over in march. don't know where in Melbourne we will be staying but 2 of us are carpenters as well. what's it like for work over there ? good pay?

A fully qualified experienced carpenter in Melbourne can expect to earn $35 - $55 per hour.

BB

Good show. I am travelling on a WHV. what should be my first port of call regarding a "NI" number ?

Its a taxfile number you need here not an NI number.

If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor (including working holiday-makers) to Australia, you can apply for a TFN online at any time after entering Australia. Go to www.ato.gov.au – select ‘For individuals’ on the left-hand side of the screen, ‘Apply for a tax file number’, then ‘Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration’.

Hi there carpentry66 - there's a few groups on facebook (if you or your wife use it) that organise meet ups. Other than that check for new threads in the meet up section as there are usually people / meets being arranged every now and then. Not all of them cater for children however.

You've made a good choice with Yarraville - it is a lovely area, close to the city and one of the better western ones, used to live near there myself but now i live over the river in Port Melbourne. Been here 2 years now and still lacking friends .. it is a bit of a hard slog!