Tell your OH, she needs to know - she may be putting on a brave face for you too, you never know. Try and put a time frame on it - commit yourself fully for, say 2 years and dont allow in any of the "I dont belong here" thoughts (you could check out CBT for dummies about dealing with unhelpful thoughts) and put a date in your diary on which you will sit down and consider whether this is the place you want to grow old in or not. If it is, then you win, if it isnt then you go through the machinations to work out whether you move elsewhere in Aus or you consider moving on (going back) to where you do feel you belong. Having a job is certainly a good start, also try volunteering or something else to get into the community

Dont be put off by MBTTUK - it has a place and is often nicely optimistic when people do move to UK - also quite a lot of black humour. It is also handy to know that you arent Robinson Crusoe in not thinking that Australia (or a whole load of other countries) is paradise on a stick. There is nothing in the rule book that says you have to feel like you belong here. I racked up 32 years yesterday (get less for murder these days!) and have never felt like I really "belong". Settled initially, yes, but belong, no - never.

Isn't there a big weather centre thingio in Birmingham? I know (lots of brummies to deal with ) but ya never know.

Have you looked at Rio Tinto? I was at their control centre out by the airport a few weeks ago - all I can say is wow, what a setup. They have emergency management people

And their new building is conveniently located opposite Gilhooleys

http://www.riotintocoalaustralia.com...leases_857.asp

Cool. I'm sure they have a similar control setup in Qld as they do in WA

Worth investigating, thanks

Oooh, thanks, I'll have a dig around, just looked at a couple of advertised FIFO jobs so far, but I've got no first aid and stuff so scrapped them. I'd not thought of the mines before though, they just came up on a search, I'll have to look into it a bit deeper.

Oh I know that site (funnily enough) spent hours staring at it from the pub

Remote management and control of mining operations is now the norm. The control centre in Perth controls and manages all mining operations in WA. On one mine they are now even controlling driverless haul trucks (the big as a house ones you see on TV) and will soon control driverless trains. They have emergency management too as it makes sense to have this done remotely.

Give them a call

Thanks

Hey Mick - I remember you contacting me when you were coming over - you're a draftee if I remember? I know it can be tough starting out - do you work in Perth CBD, if so fancy a pint?

[QUOTE=Pollyana;9271041]Oooh, thanks, I'll have a dig around, just looked at a couple of advertised FIFO jobs so far, but I've got no first aid and stuff so scrapped them. I'd not thought of the mines before though, they just came up on a search, I'll have to look into it a bit deeper.
QUOTE]

St Johns are offering a one day first aid course, may be worth looking into.

Mmm might be, question of whether I really can face doing that stuff - I hate anything even vaguely medical and am hopeless at that sort of thing. I'm not sure I could do any sort of medical care in an emergency, I'm far more the behind-a-desk type. Still its worth bearing in mind. I could probably even do the course for free at work here, they offered it to all of us two years ago and I refused it then.

You'd soon clear up the sickness rate at any mine

The mere thought of me giving them the kiss of life should have them on their feet in seconds!!

On their feet and on the plane

cheeky sod