I hear exactly what Ozzie is saying: forums are like a crossword.

I also used to enjoy the view of various people on news...the likes of Zulu and GarryP are my gurus on the popular view..

I've barely posted this year after 10 years. I simply don't want to post anymore.
A good thing, time to move on, really.
Nothing I do in Aus is really of interest, or relevant to new migrants. I didn't build a house and I've never needed a permit for anything, and by and large, life ticks on, a life absolutely established and in place.

Cheers

It passes time. It amuses me. I ignore the crap I don't want to be involved in. Much like life, really.

Very true. That is evident from the meet-ups this last year or two. Very much shifting towards older people (mostly 40s to early 70s). A Canberra meet-up that I attended with a rival online expat group 5 years or so ago comprised a large much younger bunch (mostly 20s to late 40s). It's likely we are also influenced by the prevailing immigration rules. If for example Australia ups its maximum age for a skilled visa from 45 to 55 then that change has the potential to influence the age demographic of BE (at least for the Aussie sections).

Bit of fun really, the internet is a playground.

We're all in the same boat after all (It's a metaphorical boat so no need to book tickets to send us to a detention center in Nauru.)

Cycle racing and ironman take up most of allotted forum time ( which isn't much these days) but depending what's happening with racing/ training, I still have a look and a post here now and then.

I posted a fair bit when we first moved back to UK just to help folks and look and post in the Oz forum for two reason, to keep an eye on what is happening as I forget how long we've been away. Second reason is I don't mindmaking a comment or two but not interested in endless back and forths with folks who only want to fight.

BE has never been a big deal for me, I think mainly because I moved to Oz in the 80s and there wasn't this desperate need to know everything about everything before you moved. You did it and went with the outcome.

Currently recovering from another spine op, so post count is 'high'. ( like one of those bushfire signs!)

This is me too. I used to post to try and stop people with rose tinted glasses from possibly making the biggest mistake in their lives by emigrating to Australia. After 12 years here life has become boring and monotonous and nothing interesting ever happens anymore, so not worth posting about.

Living in Australia and posting on this forum would be like asking an old age pensioner living in a retirement home to post about his daily experiences. "they forgot to empty my bedpan" would soon become very boring.

I only visited today because I was so bored I was cleaning up my internet links, and when I got to this one decided to have a quick look.

How've you been?

I can't remember the last newbie that came through Sydney. We've even stopped posting our Thursday night drink events now.

BE has been a great source of information in the past, and I guess sometimes it's helpful to try and pass that forward - particularly some of the weird little things that one tends to come across.

I used to love the debates that went on - there were some great ones back in the day. Global Warming rings a bell. I may not agree with everybody, but always amusing to see the keyboard warriors in action.



We never did make it out for a beer. Are you still around Sydney?


S

Simple answer - because I can. Started off like everyone else, looking for advice, made friends, enjoyed the buzz, arguments, good news, bad news etc etc. Modded for 8 years so posted all sorts of bossy shit, packed that in, friends are still here so I am too. I have little to offer newbies as I have no idea of Immi rules or how to get the early stuff sorted but as long as there is buzz, arguments, good news or bad news I'll be around.

Evening

Because it's dead.

I'm third from the right, on the back row.

Aaahhhhg.......You're back. Now things will liven up!