The SAPOL 60
 

Likewise thought we should have a seperate one for those going, to chat about flight prices, dates of arrival etc... share info on companies used?
Where we're "hope" to live etc....

I think I already posted this today but those who bank with HSBC already here can just open an HSBC account, pop into your branch, BUT you do have to put $2000 in it.

Shipping Companies - Using John Masons, nice chap called Stuart came round looked at every item and quoted for it. All the other companies just wanted to do phone quotes.
Pets - Animal Airlines £800 One small dog. Excellent so far.
Us - Singapore Airlines £420 (40KG weight allowance)
Sold my 4x4 this week :rolleyes: Oh well at least Ken Livingston can't stop us buying a bigger one in Oz!!!

Lets hope the dollar gets a bit better!
Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi All

Because of the time scales being tight and not having enough time to sell some of our worldly goods, we have decided to have an 'open day' at our house, invititing family, friends and all the neighbours.

This is because we simply do not have the time to see everyone individually and also anything we want to sell they can buy (at a good price ;) ), including the house!!


Dawn :)

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hello the 60!
it was getting confusing on the other thread and the pool must be getting sick of us spouting on about going! I am also having a mare selling all my stuff off,
Ben100

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

I have entered a wierd world of weighing and measuring dogs, while movers, painters and estate agents spend more time in my house than me. In addition our friends seem to be offering money forour worldly goods that we're not even selling. I also suspect I'm going to have a closer relationship a and dependancy on my vet than I ever thought possible....and all the time normal life seems to be carrying on ....strange!!

Geoff's on the Malaysian flight leaving Heathrow at 22.00 on 13th - anyone else? Maybe you can meet up beforehand - wives/partners may want to meet up and cry together (for all the work you've left behind for us lads....)

By the way - does anyone know who to fax/return the forms in the info pack to (the ones about being met in SA etc?)

Judes
x

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

They seriously have left us some work!!!
I am not aware of anyone going with their partner in March, there must be some. I just have too much to do.

Justin is going on March 10th out of Heathrow same flight times (the 10pm) he's staying in a hotel for the weekend in Adelaide, he wants to prepare himself and do a recce of the city and chill before the madness begins, although the 1st week sounds like a party!!!

I have people in and out of my place everyday doing things and measuring! I have cream carpets and they are at the moment spotless, my sign on the door "shoes off please" is not going down too well!

Don't know about you but I am exhausted I can't seem to rest my mind, and doing a full time job, and my own part time business I can't bloody wait to go!

Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Think the only time I'll have to sit and properly read the lovely glossy mags about SA that we got in the information packs will be on the blooming plane!! My full time job seems to be a breeze at the moment compared to personal stuff and I'm managing ISSP, Appropriate Adults for the county AND covering a YOT manager who's off sick....aaargh! :eek:

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Some help re your Pets folks - as I am right in the middle of it….

You need to call DEFRA on 0845 6030807 tell them you need
an application form for an "Export Health Certificate" they will send it to
you took them 1day - very efficient!

It is an easy to complete questionnaire. The part which says "name and address
of final destination" this can be just the quarantine station. You need
to nominate your VET so check your VET is DEFRA qualified otherwise they
will give you your nearest "Government Official VET".
10 days before departure they send the VET the certificate - they will write to you.
in the mean time to confirm they received the application.

Choose your quarantine station. www.aqis.gov.au download "Information
Sheet 2" and complete it. You'll need to pay about £100 ($260) on credit
card to apply for the Aussie Certificate which can be done by post or fax/phone.
The costs are on the web but for the 30 days for one dog work out to about
($600) so about £250 for the quarantine.

Call your chosen Pet Exporter we are using Animal Airlines- 01625 827414. We were quoted
£800 from here to Quarantine.

Regarding the VET a DEFRA VET should know exactly what to give your pets!
Lucy’s first Jab was a cocktail of everything required except one thing some long unpronounceable name…? She has a second one in 3 weeks, which came to £60 for the 1st and 2nd.
The next set of blood tests etc will be about £130 (CHIP not included) she has this already and your Dog MUST have the CHIP. The export companies only need 1 months notice so you can get it all done between now and then.
If you’re sending them with Animal Airlines they will fly either BA or Qantas (nice) the only day they CANT do is Thursdays as they arrive on the weekend.

I can confirm they DON’T get drugged and they do get exercised in Quarantine, I am going to stay in Melbourne 1st May for the 30 days. If anyone has a dog in there at that time let me know hopefully I can pop in and walk them too. Our Pets will all be fine guys, I know it is a worry but they will be.
http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/animal-dog2.gif http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/animal-cat3.gif

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

First time on this site - What a godsend it is. I'm one of the 'pool' lot and I'm not really green with envy! Had a quick flick through it all and you seem to be a dab hand on this site now. My brain is frazzled and I'm completely confused as to what I do and don't have to do with the animals. Can you help me?
:eek:

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hello people! I'm one of the '60' and will be flying out from manchester on the 17th. (pushing it i know)
Just wondering about hotels for the 1st week ,until we find somewhere to rent.
Anyone any ideas, i would prefer one near ish to the training school.
Has anyone submitted their visa form yet?? I spoke to Scott yesterday and he said be filling it out but don't send it off as you must be nominated first.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

I've just started and followed Nancy's advice - it falls into place once you start -honest. Contact Defra and request the forms, then get the Aussie forms printed off and complete, then visit your vet - mine was pretty clued up and knows what vaccinations NOT to give your dog(apparently one they give them here can affect blood test results and mean you have to wait six months). Get your dog/cat microchipped though - they ask for the chip number on the very first form you have to complete!

http://www.animalairlines.co.uk seem good and highly recommended. You'll have fun wieghing and measuring your pet too...hee hee! Good luck splashing in the pool!
Judes
x ;)

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

A room has been reserved at the training school for everyone of the 60 recruits, it is $15 per day B+B and there is on site pool, gym, tennis court footie ground etc, much cheaper than a hotel, obviously if you are going with family that's a different kettle of fish !

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

To anyone going on the Manchester or Heathrow flight with Malaysia air on the 13th, we arrive at KL at approximately the same time, no doubt we will be easy to spot, we will all be pale, wide eyed and confused! see you all in KL for a few tinnies.

Phil.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Have you had the emails with the 4 documents attached?
119 SAPOL appl request.doc
credit_card.pdf
SAPOL visa cover checklist doc
119 SAPOL Appl Attachment A doc

The first one is your nomination confirmation
the second one is the credit card mandate
the third one is the checklist nomination form that you send off with your 47ES and the last one tells you what documentation you need to send.

Read all of these CAREFULLY ! there are all sorts of bits you need to send off. I got my copy documentation signed by one of the CPS barristers at work (free :D )

I would hate for there to be a problem days before we go, I'm sending mine in on Thursday.

Phil.
PS sorry to do 3 in a row, but keep on forgetting things (head is a shed)

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi Phil

We sent our application at the end of January and our visa's were returned in just over a week.

In the application it doesn't ask for your original passports, but do send them because we contacted immigration a few days after we sent in our application and our case officer asked us to forward our passports, prove of employment for the past 3 years and include a self addressed special delivery envelope (watch out it gave me quite a surprise at the P.O £4.50). Little did we know that it was to put the visa's in them.

It was a really quick process.


Dawn :)

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Thanks Dawn, hopefully mine will be as quick as yours, got the medicals on Thursday (hope everything is OK!! and they don't discover the wooden leg!)

Phil.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi All

We are offically car less now, soon to be jobless, and hopefully homeless before we depart for Adelaide on the 11th March,(Manchester flight, stop over in Kuala Lumar) arrive adelaide 07.00am 13th.

We are both going out together, so if any other partners are going out at the same time let us know.

Ali & Damo: any news from Scott regarding the accommadation?

Or has anybody received an email from scott regarding the "serviced accommadation" please let us all know as our heads are definately battered by it all.

Bye for Now

Martyn & Michelle
:cool:

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Martyn and Michelle
We have not heard anything from Scott yet although he did say Saturday to give him a few days to sort his head out so hopefully will hear tomorrow. The Semaphore Beach thing is completely full as most others so looks like we will be staying in a hotel for a few days and then trying to rent near where we will be based after 12 weeks if we know by then. We sold our house on Sunday so just one car to go. Scarey..........

Ali & Damo

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

I am sending off my Visa app tomorrow and having the medical on Thursday. Does anyone know how long the medical results take and how long for the Visa, I have got this far and would hate for there to be any problems now!

I have also been told coz I have tattoos and my Missus has her belly button pierced, we have to have Hep B tests, has anyone else had to have this done as it doesn't mention it anywhere on the forms. I will have them done, it is only an extra £30 each, but think it is just a scam by the Doctors.

Phil. :o

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Welcome Ali and Damo, I was looking forward to the trailer park life (a bit like where I live now). I think I've made my mind up for the SAPOL accomadation untill Jo and the kids turn up. Well done on the house, we had more time wasters round today even though I've dropped the price. Both the motors have gone just the drum left. Does anyone know who the forms go back to regarding arrival?

Duncan & Jo

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

We were asked about tattoo's at our medicals but as neither of us have them he didn't mention what would happen if we did have them.
We had our meds on a Thursday and had to call on the Monday to check results for bloods and x-ray which were fine and they sent them off by courier that day to Oz house.

Ali & Damo..

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Will ask Scott tomorrow if we manage to catch him... At least I will have somewhere to crash for any nights out, if you stay at the academy.

Damo

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi Phil,
I had a family of 4 medicals on the 1st of Feb. They also hit me for the Hep B & C because of the job related risk. On the medical form there is a bit about working in medical and associated fields and that further tests should be done If you do.... Yea, I think it was just to get more coin out of us. Our doctor said 10-14 days for the results but it is the wilds of Yorkshire! They came back in ten, but the staff were going to wait for the examining doctor to come back off holiday :scared: Be blunt about how quickly you need the medicals sent to Oz house or they will stock pile them.
Ben 100

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Our Meds were very quick BUT they messed them up and had to be sent back which took weeks just because the doctor/receptionist?? didn't stamp the form! So without upsetting them make sure they completed them correctly.

I would suggest taking a copy of your SAPOL contract with the date you start your job as we tried the 'whole need them done fast' bit and well maybe the mistake was on purpose! They hear people all the time wanting them done fast, so a SAPOL contract will let them know your not having them on...just a thought.
Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Ali & Damo

My hubbie and I both have tattoos! What does it mean ..... well this won't surprise you - more money. Further tests are required for those of us with body art (no matter how small!) I suppose you could try to disguise a small one with a large plaster or nicotine patch. Depending on where it is. Do you have to strip off for the medical?


Ang & Mick

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

No you don't have to fully strip off but I was asked to cover my front with the gown and he looked at the alignment of spine (I think/HOPE!!!) else he just wanted a cheeky look at my bottom http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/silly-bootysahke.gif So he saw my bare back (pants on) and saw my small tatoo so I got charged the extra £30 for the test.

The medical is fine, you can have a woman present if your a woman seeing a male Doctor (I guess the same applies for men Seeing women?) Anyway they have to listen to your heart from your chest in about 3 different places, so don't be alarmed! - The Doctor is not a perv!

I think if you had one small tatoo on the front somewhere you'd get away with it.

Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi Ang and Mick,

We mentioned about Rich's tattoo and the dr wasn't worried at all if it was done in the last 10 yrs in uk. We were honest and said it was done about 20 years ago in a drunken stupor in Germany - and so he said that he would get it checked for hep b and c just to be on the safe side. It didn't cost us anything extra, he just took 2 vials of blood instead on one!

Our medicals took 1 week for the bloods to come back.

You do NOT have to strip off - Ours consisted of:

- Blood pressure
- Listened to heart
- Check upper groin for hernias
- Check knee reflexs
- Follow the pen with your eyes
- Asked if hearing is ok
- Sight test - corrected and non corrected for distance
- Talks through what you put on your form
- Blood test for hiv

I think that was it. Then we had our Chest xrays done at another hospital. We were given the sealed results and the xrays and then had to take them back to the original doctor who forwarded all the forms to SAPOL Oz House.

I hope that helps,

Ann

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

[SIZE=4]RE: FORMS[/SIZE]

Here's the reply from Ox house with regard to exactly the same question!!!

Please fax any SAPOL related documents to the recruiting office in Adelaide on +61 8 8204 2303

We've had to buy a fax machine and had to use it twice for pet forms etc in the first 24 hours of owning it!

Hope this helps folks

Judes
x

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Thanks for that, I'll stick it in the post. You can get stuff over there quicker than posting things to UK address's!

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Flipping heck - thats 70 quid for the fax machine up the swanney!!!! ;) Nice to know - can tell the folks, they might not feel so far away if the mail's that good.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi, Has anyone heard back from the AQIS people yet re the quarantine of pets? I faxed my application off but yet to hear.
I called Melbourne direct they said they can no longer receive the faxes direct and they have to go to Canberra so re faxed them to Canberra. Just waiting to hear as I want Lucy to go to Spotswood.

Incase anyone was contemplating taking the Overland train http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/t...ion-train3.gif from Melbourne to Adelaide they DO NOT allow pets on board. So it is either YET another flight for the poor animals, or hire a car or if you've already bought one then drive the pets back to Adelaide. I had banked on taking the Sleeper Train over night, Lucy would have just slept the journey, Oh well glad I checked.

http://www.virginblue.com.au/helpInf...p?section=Pets

Conditions of Carriage

Guests wishing to travel with pets, must make their booking via the Guest Contact Centre to ensure there is availability on their selected flight, and that all appropriate details are added to their booking.

Guests wishing to travel with pets must comply with the following conditions:

Virgin Blue can accept a maximum of 2 two animals per guest as part of the guests checked baggage. Most live animals* can be transported provided they meet all the criteria below:

*The animal appears in good health
*The animal is not unduly savage
*If the animal is a dog or cat, then the animal must be over 8 weeks old to be allowed to travel. This is enforced due to the possible dehydration effects associated with air travel. For animals under 12 weeks it is recommended that a veterinary certificate be obtained as some breeds are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.
*The animal must be housed in a container supplied by the guest or purchased from Freight.
*The container is in good repair and is one that the animal cannot escape from.
*The container is not too small for the animal.
*The container is lined with absorbent material so that no water or excreta can escape.
*Due to operational restrictions, Virgin Blue requires all guests travelling with or consigning pets / animals to ensure that the animal has had sufficient water prior to lodgement.
*There must only be one animal per container**.
*The container must be strong enough to withstand damage.
*The container must have escape proof hinges and latches & be adequately locked.
*The container weight complete with pet must not exceed 65kgs.
*The container dimensions must not exceed 120cm long x 70cm wide x 80cm high.
*The container can only be made of metal or a polypropylene material and must not have any wheels attached.
*For details on checking in and collecting your pets see Animal Check-in and Collection.

Pet Fees and Charges –
A service fee is payable to the Guest Contact Centre at the time of booking. The fee is payable per sector (a formal connection is classed as a single sector).
A service fee of $29.00 is payable for the first animal, and if $55 for a second animal Pet fees are payable per container.
Pet fees are non refundable.
Pet bookings can be cancelled up to 60 minutes prior to departure, and fees will be placed into credit. This credit is valid for 12 months from the date of the initial booking being made.

Pet Cages for sale -
Certain Virgin Blue ports have cages available for sale at very reasonable prices
Virgin Blue Freight can sell pet cages to the public at the following ports:

Adelaide
Brisbane
Cairns
Gold Coast
Darwin
Hobart
Launceston
Melbourne
Perth
Townsville
Sunshine Coast
Sydney
There are two cage sizes. The small cage dimensions are 44cm x 32cm x 34cm (cost $45 plus GST) & the large cage dimensions are 66cm x 40cm x 62cm (cost $65 plus GST). To enquire about purchasing a pet cage please call Virgin Blue Freight on 13 15 06

Hope this helps if anyone is flying.
Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi Nancy - I faxed to Canberra last night and they had e-mailed me to say they had received it by this morning so I'm surprised you haven't heard anything. They also stated that not only do you have to state the exporter you have also to state an 'importer' at the other end - with an address (I had left that bit out!) presuming it was irrelevant at the time! Duh... You can name a friend or relative and then alter it when you have an address - I'm going to name Geoff as the importer and give SAPOL as the address I think.

I, for one, am not flying them again - if all the fuss doesn't get them it'll get me! I'll hire a car if needs be!

Judes
x

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi, I called Animal Airlines on that part as I was unsure they said put Justin at Largs Fort as the Importer and me here as the Exporter, I just found out from Justin the fax didn't actually go until this morning, so hopefully I'll hear tomorrow. I think I may well drive, hire a car and have an adventure! Give the car back at the Adelaide branch with whom I hire. I am getting quite excited about all of this..... doing Melbourne for 30 days on my own, off exploring, and now planning my drive across states! Any Idea how long it takes to drive? Hours and Hours I bet. :zzz:

Thanks Nancy

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

and hours....and hours.....and hours. Wish I knew my dates, we could have done the drive together!

jx

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Oh that would be great, why do you not know your dates? ...I am sure you told me. My mind is mush at the minute. I'll ask the Adelaide Brits lot they will know the journey times. The train take 10 hours! I think it might be about 12.... we'll see.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Can't really book/hold flights until the house is sold - it's only just gone on the market as we were only informed Geoff was on March intake last Friday. I also have to give two months notice rather than one so it's hard to guage when I should do that at this early stage. Visa's ready to go though - just need the nomination from Scott and medicals on Tuesday. It's all movign so fast - I think that train is INSIDE my head - in fact it's not a train but a roller coaster!! :p

Judes
x

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Hi Ann

Thanks for the info. Our tattoos were done 5 years ago, so we might be okay. Depends on the doc I suppose. We were told we couldn't get medicals done until we had xrays. So we're booking xrays this week. We've been told we can have them straight away if we explain what they're for.

I hate all this doctor stuff - can understand why though!

Ang

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

It's between 8 and 10 hours depending on traffic etc.

451 miles, or 728km whicherver. (from Adelaidebrits)
Excellent Less than I thought! I'll be driving me thinks!! http://www.discodelic.netfirms.com/t...-sportscar.gif

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Doh! Sorry about the fax thing. I send stuff out to a mate in Sydney on a regular basis. Usually takes about four days (both parcels and letters) even over the Christmas period.

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Anyone flying out on the 11th from Heathrow, we are getting the 9pm flight with Cathay Pacific be good to meet up in the bar before we go.....
I spoke to Oz house today, Scott is off but was told that we should be getting an e-mail from SAPOL early next week explaining everything that is going to happen, they seem to think that this will answer alot of our questions. With a bit of luck it will have our postings.
Damo..... :beer:

Re: The SAPOL 60
 

Phil - Re Tattoos

I have a couple of pretty large tattoos on my shoulders, both of which can't be hidden by Nicorette patches!

The Doc asked where I had them done. When I told him I had them done in Central Africa by a tribal medicine man with a sharpened gazelle bone, he just stared. He had no sense of humour!

I eventually came clean and told him they were from a UK registered tattooist. He said as long as they were done in the UK it was fine. He didn't take any other blood and never mentioned Hep B. Sounds as though this is a money making scam.

Can I suggest you tell him, in a menacing voice, that you know where he lives and forget about the Hep B tests!!

Martyn
:cool: