Originally Posted by kiwi_child

synonymous with one of the greatest social problems australia faces: a general lack of community spirit/belonging that stems from a lack of inclusivity of others. On the surface oz claims to welcome and include all new comers to their country, but in reality this does not pan out that way at all.

Originally Posted by phoenixinoz

Don't do that Polly. Don't be beaten. You've gone through too much and deserve better

It's not unusual to go through hell to find a job you deserve here in Aus. Like you said before, previous UK skills and experience stands for nothing. Your time has got to come ......so maybe 2007 will be it

Originally Posted by sassenach

Living in perth is like living on an island within an island ,and unless one is totally moronic there is no doubt one will go crazy ,just like monkies in a cage .

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack

Have to agree. I've heard its like that.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack

I'll think of you and the lack of community spirit you're experiencing when we (the village) all meet on Sunday night to sing in Christmas and hope 2007 will get you what you're looking for. .....

Have a good one.

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Fingers crossed, but I'm not putting any bets on. However I'm still here, Christmas number 4.......

Originally Posted by kiwi_child

And even though I'm a Kiwi (and proud of it), I can demonstrate how grown up we can be, and declare that not only do I have a sense of humour, but also think Arkon is a pretty ok guy

Now would an Aussie/Aussie lover be as well balanced and mature as I am if that was posted about Australia ?

Originally Posted by phoenixinoz

Well, it took me 29 months but I finally got a Directors position with a global company .....so it can be done Polly.

Have you thought about leaving government work and working for the private sector? Government jobs are well known for being *jobs for the boys* and low pay. You would probably do much better in the private sector

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Community spirit isn't dead on Brisbane......Rossi has just said he'll try and meet up with me for a pint over Christmas

Originally Posted by rossifumi

I like to do my bit for the aged community.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack

I think this happens a lot now just about everywhere. I moved from the UK to Australia because I couldn't afford to live in one of those nice communities people long for on this site and found it here.

I'll think of you and the lack of community spirit you're experiencing when we (the village) all meet on Sunday night to sing in Christmas and hope 2007 will get you what you're looking for. .....

Have a good one.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack

I think I can disprove this one instantly. Although I rarely personally 'attack' Arkon -and anyway - remember people - this is all light-hearted humour - I have to agree. I am an Australia lover, and I happen to agree that the areas you people live in are as crap as you say they are.

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Maybe, all I want though is a basic admin position in the area I love - emergency management. You've done really well, and I'm pleased for you. I have no aspirations to high positions, I just want a permanent job that I love. Have decided that the new year is make or break though, so I will have to sacrifice job satisfaction for job security and am therefore going to turn to private enterprise and just accept it. After all I'm sure there are many people out there doing jobs they don't like.

Originally Posted by kiwi_child

It hasn't felt like xmas for me for along time. I think a lot of that is to do with what we associate xmas to be with: family and friends, climate, familiar surroundings etc But aside from all of that, I see some traditional signs of xmas here but don't feel the 'xmas spirit' if you know what I mean.

I think this is just synonymous with one of the greatest social problems australia faces: a general lack of community spirit/belonging that stems from a lack of inclusivity of others. On the surface oz claims to welcome and include all new comers to their country, but in reality this does not pan out that way at all.

I spoke to a UK guy of Indian descent recently who has lived in oz for a decade and works in a govt department. He put his finger on it when he said to me " Back in London (where he was from) if we came across each other we'd prob say hi to each other and end up having a chat over a cuppa or a pint but here we'd at most likely just give a polite smile or hello as we passed on by "

People badmouth the UK, but by and large those who live there have learned how to get on with others and understand the value in friendship building on a real level. It's part of the British spirit/psyche, a part I hope never gets lost.

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Cheeky mare, bet I out-drink you