lynn2009

Hi Bryan

Thanks for your help, will look to see if we can transfer our medical cover.

Lynn

julesandco

Well, we've got our Citizenship Ceremony this week!!!

Must admit, it's made me feel a little melancholy - thinking of what we've been through and how much we've achieved in 5 years.

Practically (i.e business, home, everyday life etc) we're pretty settled...... emotionally..... well, I still don't know. But that's more down to us rather than Australia.

Emigration has left me with a little wunderlust, I think - always that feeling in the back of your mind that there might be something / somewhere better out there and if we've started our lives from scratch once before, what's to stop us doing it again? We could travel the world collecting Citizenships
Although when I look in the mirror I realise that the last five years have aged me drastically and perhaps I should just be satisfied!

Hope everyone's OK - wherever they may be on their journeys.

Jules x

BM615

Well Jules, Paul & sprogs,

many congratulations. And we understand exactly how you feel but we probably, at our age, won't have the opportunity again. However, we haven't ruled out a return to Europe at some stage - maybe retirement. We'd like to be closer to the snow although we aren't too sure if we will be able to ski on zimmer frames - ha.



Cheers

Bryan & Joyce

JLD

Hi, what is the business for sale? and where is it?
Thanks

JLD

JLD

Hi all,
Aus Immi Dept have said we should get CO by end AUG. We have gone ahead and got Police Checks (all clear) and had medicals done. These have all been forwarded via Immigration & Visa Lawyers to be lodged with our file, so this should avoid any future delays getting them done.

Just checking emails daily and waiting, waiting, waiting..

JLD

Suni&Jay

Car Audio Business, Southport, Gold Coast QLD.

foxychic

Congrats joolz and co. Most of the original 163'ers seem to be very quiet these days, guess we are all settled now?

We are not too far off applying for citizenship, I know what you mean, I keep feeling itchy feet too! sometimes I think we should try another state in Australia, I also think about USA and was considering Singapore for a year when I spotted a job that would suit OH! As you say, I feel, with the familiarity that we now have, that all around us is 'home' but somehow still have to convince myself of that fully! and OH is still pretty unsettled.

Sure has been an adventure, with hindsight, not sure it was a leap we should have taken, but at the same time, don't regret it, we have acheived so much.

JLD

Hi All

WE HAVE FINALLY GOT OUR VISA - YIPPEEEEEE

Timeline
State Sponsorship applied May 09
State Sponsorship granted July 09
DIAC application 1st Sept 09
CO finally appointed 5th Oct 2010
Questions raised...
Answered straight away with 6 page letter and 145 documents
More questions raised...
Answered straight away - brilliant letter sent to DIAC by our Visa Lawyers
Finally CO accepts the legal argument and Visa Grant letter given 14th Dec 2010

It took us 21 months and we had State Sponsorship and were using Visa Lawyers.
WHAT AN ORDEAL !!!

Good news is that container goes on Jan 11th and we fly to Perth on Jan 18th, just in time for our child to take up her Academic Scholarship starting 31st Jan 2010 - PHEW !!! cutting it fine there !

We cannot speak highly enough of the Visa Lawyers - Bill Gamack, www.australianmigrations.com
they were absolutely brilliant all through this application.

We sold our business and house back in February 2010 so its been a lot longer than we were led to believe if you read the published timeframe on Immi website.

We pre-loaded our medicals, done on Aug 2nd and also did our police checks at the sametime to save further delay.

So excited now.... just can't wait.

We hope the timeline above helps others with guessing their situation on timing.

Happy Christmas to all

See you all in OZ xx

Suni&Jay

Congrats to you and your family
All the best for your new life down under.

oh... and A Very Merry Xmas

Suni & Jay

BM615

Congratulations - what a great Xmas present for you. If you need any assistance on arrival in Perth, there are quite a few of us here - just send me a pm.

Oh, and happy new year in your new life.

Bryan & Joyce

JLD

Hi,
Our destination is Bunbury - is there any of you near that town?
Thanks,
Julie & Peter D

BM615

Yes indeed - well, 1 of the gang is there, I will pm their email address for you.

wildmark

I can't believe how long its been posting on this website, still here in the USof Aand based on the property slump I will be here for some time to come. Lets here from others ????

julesandco

How funny - I was only on this thread the other night, having a look and reminiscing!

We're still here in WA, complete with our Aussie Citizenship and matching passports as proof.

Things are going well with the business; we've bought a unit now and have a staff member.

Had a shock in December when my Mum died and had to shoot back to the UK for ten days (and nearly got snowed in and missed Christmas). Being an only child, it's hard to have to try and co-ordinate everything from the other side of the world, but I'm getting there

Are you still planning on Oz one day, Mark?

How are things going for you guys? I bet your children are really acclimitised to the American way of life now, eh? If you do relocate, would they even want to join you?

Nice to hear from you; take care,

Jules x

BM615

Hey WildMark,

we are in the same position as Jules - luckily. Business is ok - weather and home life has been great - and we are just thankful we moved here when we did, it was definitely a good move.

The only downside is the distance we have to travel for good skiing. We've been to japan 3 times now but would love to ski in California or Canada again, but the journey is just a nightmare.

cheers

Bryan