3 months in Brissy!
Apr 21st 2008, 3:39 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Hi!
The pay works out OK - better than I thought it would. They take your NHS years of service into account and you have to send them a statement of service from your employer highlighting exeperience and they then place you in a pay bracket from there. I am Level 4 ( 4 yrs post grad ) and my basic is $53,000. With shift allowance, I take home about $2000 a fortnight after tax. Love this getting paid fortnightly thing - fab! They also pay for uniform allowance and laundry costs. Where I work you have to pay into Superannuation and that is 5%l they then contribute about 9% I think. Bit crap with pensions so can't remember! Anyway good luck and let me know if I can be of anymore help.
Bye!
The pay works out OK - better than I thought it would. They take your NHS years of service into account and you have to send them a statement of service from your employer highlighting exeperience and they then place you in a pay bracket from there. I am Level 4 ( 4 yrs post grad ) and my basic is $53,000. With shift allowance, I take home about $2000 a fortnight after tax. Love this getting paid fortnightly thing - fab! They also pay for uniform allowance and laundry costs. Where I work you have to pay into Superannuation and that is 5%l they then contribute about 9% I think. Bit crap with pensions so can't remember! Anyway good luck and let me know if I can be of anymore help.
Bye!
Thanks again
Zoe
Apr 21st 2008, 10:32 pm
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 6
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Yep - been here for 3 months and our furniture has finally arrived - whoop whoop! Sleeping on the floor just not fun anymore and not good our not so young bones anymore. Reasons given for delayed shipping were a broken ship and some silly beggar packing an old artillery shell in their crate requiring the army being called in to dispose of subsequently shutting down Allied Pickfords for days! So we have our worldly goods now and feeling much more like home - funny though how much "stuff" you don't miss and how you make do with what you have.
Daughter settling in to school great and has already developed an Aussie twang. We love to see her enjoying the after school activities, sports and outdoors - have spent so much time at the beach/park. Vitamin D in excess ( with sunscreen of course ). Have met loads of people through her school and even a family in the launderette who it turned out went to the same school as my husband ( small world ). You come to the other side of the world and meet an old school mate whilst washing your smalls!
We are loving our suburb - Ashgrove. Great to get to city and forests/Mount Nebo etc. Also for accessing the Gympie Rd for Sunshine Coast. We are loving hanging out in Paddington for Sunday brunch and the West End markets.
I am working at the Mater Mothers as a midwife and am loving it - staff great and very friendly and the work is pretty similar to home - yes, babies born the same way and everything! Hubby found work as a Project Worker for a city charity and loves it. We all feel very lucky to be here and the bus journey to work every morning still takes my breath away when I go over the William Jolly and look at the city with the sun rising. Then a fab walk through the South Bank Parklands - much better than sitting on the M25.
We have had our low days of course when we miss our family and friends back home - especially getting letters and parcels - always brings a lump to my throat. Then there are days when you miss even the littlest things from home - silly little things and you end up with a romantic nostalgia of old blighty, but then you have to bring it back and remind yourself why you made the move in the first place.
So getting all wishy washy now but we are all doing OK and came here with no preconceptions and feel very priveledged to have this opportunity. Feel that having family here has been a lifesaver and their support and help has been invaluable to us. Good luck to all making the move soon and hi to everyone here - it's a roller coaster ride!
Daughter settling in to school great and has already developed an Aussie twang. We love to see her enjoying the after school activities, sports and outdoors - have spent so much time at the beach/park. Vitamin D in excess ( with sunscreen of course ). Have met loads of people through her school and even a family in the launderette who it turned out went to the same school as my husband ( small world ). You come to the other side of the world and meet an old school mate whilst washing your smalls!
We are loving our suburb - Ashgrove. Great to get to city and forests/Mount Nebo etc. Also for accessing the Gympie Rd for Sunshine Coast. We are loving hanging out in Paddington for Sunday brunch and the West End markets.
I am working at the Mater Mothers as a midwife and am loving it - staff great and very friendly and the work is pretty similar to home - yes, babies born the same way and everything! Hubby found work as a Project Worker for a city charity and loves it. We all feel very lucky to be here and the bus journey to work every morning still takes my breath away when I go over the William Jolly and look at the city with the sun rising. Then a fab walk through the South Bank Parklands - much better than sitting on the M25.
We have had our low days of course when we miss our family and friends back home - especially getting letters and parcels - always brings a lump to my throat. Then there are days when you miss even the littlest things from home - silly little things and you end up with a romantic nostalgia of old blighty, but then you have to bring it back and remind yourself why you made the move in the first place.
So getting all wishy washy now but we are all doing OK and came here with no preconceptions and feel very priveledged to have this opportunity. Feel that having family here has been a lifesaver and their support and help has been invaluable to us. Good luck to all making the move soon and hi to everyone here - it's a roller coaster ride!
Hello - trying to work out how to add a thread - so am sorry if i have done it wring - its late here and im trying to write a dissertation. Ive accepted a job with the Mater as a newly qualified Midwife - should be out early October.
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying, hope you dont mind but I have a few questions. Im coming out as a single parent (got a 7 year old son) any ideas on childcare when working shifts - the manager who interviewed me said I should be able to avoid nights for first month while I get sorted with childcare but starting to get panicky! Any ideas how other single parents there cope? Thanking you in anticipation, am really excited about all of it (except the childcare), Take care
Apr 21st 2008, 10:40 pm
#18
...giving optimism a go?!
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Brisbane (leafy, hilly western suburbs)
Posts: 2,202
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Hello - trying to work out how to add a thread - so am sorry if i have done it wring - its late here and im trying to write a dissertation. Ive accepted a job with the Mater as a newly qualified Midwife - should be out early October.
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying, hope you dont mind but I have a few questions. Im coming out as a single parent (got a 7 year old son) any ideas on childcare when working shifts - the manager who interviewed me said I should be able to avoid nights for first month while I get sorted with childcare but starting to get panicky! Any ideas how other single parents there cope? Thanking you in anticipation, am really excited about all of it (except the childcare), Take care
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying, hope you dont mind but I have a few questions. Im coming out as a single parent (got a 7 year old son) any ideas on childcare when working shifts - the manager who interviewed me said I should be able to avoid nights for first month while I get sorted with childcare but starting to get panicky! Any ideas how other single parents there cope? Thanking you in anticipation, am really excited about all of it (except the childcare), Take care
Do you know where in the Mater? Public or Private? Post-nate ward or Birth Suite?...
If you get a choice - you might have to stay away from Public birthsuite, the NUM "Judy" is particuarly inflexible when it comes to fitting in with childcare arrangements and you've got no chance of avoiding nightshifts (or if you *do* manage to avoid them there'll be a riot from all the other staff who'd been denied the chance to setup convenient rosters!).
Sorry I cant be more constructive... lots of schools have before and after school care - but even then it probably doesnt start early enough for you to drop off before starting an early shift (i.e. wont open before 7am) - and definately wont stay open until the end of a late shift (11pm!).. so I have no idea whatsoever how you can work it out! - Good luck!!!
Apr 22nd 2008, 8:58 am
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 6
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Welcome to the site!... You'll get the hang of it soon dont worry.
Do you know where in the Mater? Public or Private? Post-nate ward or Birth Suite?...
If you get a choice - you might have to stay away from Public birthsuite, the NUM "Judy" is particuarly inflexible when it comes to fitting in with childcare arrangements and you've got no chance of avoiding nightshifts (or if you *do* manage to avoid them there'll be a riot from all the other staff who'd been denied the chance to setup convenient rosters!).
Sorry I cant be more constructive... lots of schools have before and after school care - but even then it probably doesnt start early enough for you to drop off before starting an early shift (i.e. wont open before 7am) - and definately wont stay open until the end of a late shift (11pm!).. so I have no idea whatsoever how you can work it out! - Good luck!!!
Do you know where in the Mater? Public or Private? Post-nate ward or Birth Suite?...
If you get a choice - you might have to stay away from Public birthsuite, the NUM "Judy" is particuarly inflexible when it comes to fitting in with childcare arrangements and you've got no chance of avoiding nightshifts (or if you *do* manage to avoid them there'll be a riot from all the other staff who'd been denied the chance to setup convenient rosters!).
Sorry I cant be more constructive... lots of schools have before and after school care - but even then it probably doesnt start early enough for you to drop off before starting an early shift (i.e. wont open before 7am) - and definately wont stay open until the end of a late shift (11pm!).. so I have no idea whatsoever how you can work it out! - Good luck!!!
Apr 22nd 2008, 12:35 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 51
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Hello - trying to work out how to add a thread - so am sorry if i have done it wring - its late here and im trying to write a dissertation. Ive accepted a job with the Mater as a newly qualified Midwife - should be out early October.
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying, hope you dont mind but I have a few questions. Im coming out as a single parent (got a 7 year old son) any ideas on childcare when working shifts - the manager who interviewed me said I should be able to avoid nights for first month while I get sorted with childcare but starting to get panicky! Any ideas how other single parents there cope? Thanking you in anticipation, am really excited about all of it (except the childcare), Take care
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying, hope you dont mind but I have a few questions. Im coming out as a single parent (got a 7 year old son) any ideas on childcare when working shifts - the manager who interviewed me said I should be able to avoid nights for first month while I get sorted with childcare but starting to get panicky! Any ideas how other single parents there cope? Thanking you in anticipation, am really excited about all of it (except the childcare), Take care
Gosh what a nightmare for you. Im sure though if you get the first month in without shifts you will meet some other brits etc that could have your son for a sleep over until you get something more permanent. I'm sure it will work out. Dont let it put you off....!
We are heading out at the end of June so keep in touch
May 1st 2008, 4:42 am
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,594
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Glad to hear that you have settled so well. 
We're hoping to migrate to Brissy in Sept/Oct with 3 school age children in tow, so a great school is important - Actually #1 on the list.
How did you decide on where to live and what schools to look at? Did you look at many before making your decision? If so, can you share the other choices?
I share all those questions! 
Thanks for that - it helps a lot! 
Glad to hear things are going so well.
We're hoping to migrate to Brissy in Sept/Oct with 3 school age children in tow, so a great school is important - Actually #1 on the list.Well that made me smile!! We are off to Brissy at the end of June.
Can you tell me, how did you decide where to stay? We were thinking of Brighton / Sandgate but really dont have a clue, its difficult to choose if you haven't been in Brisbane before.. Will check out Ashgrove too - think I have emailed Ashgrove state school - it rings a bell..
Anyway, any advice on suburbs would be fantastic... :-)
Can you tell me, how did you decide where to stay? We were thinking of Brighton / Sandgate but really dont have a clue, its difficult to choose if you haven't been in Brisbane before.. Will check out Ashgrove too - think I have emailed Ashgrove state school - it rings a bell..
Anyway, any advice on suburbs would be fantastic... :-)
Hi,
I know it is difficult to decide where to stay - it depends what you like doing really. We like Ashgrove as it is still really close to the city ( about 15 mins drive depending on traffic ) but it is also close to the Forest Park, Mount Nebo and the nearest beach would be about half hour drive at Redliffe or a bit further to Calloundra. Ashgrove has all the neccesary shops, half a dozen nice cafes, library, dr, dentist etc, take aways in abundance and a nice Italian restaurant. It just feels close to everything we like doing. Also my brother used to live there so we knew it a bit so had an area to aim for. My daughter doesn't go to Ashgrove State School as that is really in West Ashgrove and we are down the other end. She goes to Oakleigh State School and we can walk there from our house. It is a great little school and has a real community feel to it. She is doing very well there and has got stuck in to choir, piano lessons, cross country running, tennis and swimming - they have a great after school club too which runs from 7am - 6pm if you need to use it. We have used it a couple of times and it costs about $12 for 3 hours after school. We could have picked up our daughter at 4pm but she asked to stay till 6!
Anyway - am waffling on now! Just wanted to say that I haven't been to Sandgate - it is on the list of things to do! But I have heard it is nice - someone else may be able to give you more of an idea. I know it is a bit further from the city and probably about as North as you can be before you go over the bridge to Redcliffe.
Good luck with everything and let me know if I can be of anymore help.
Bye!
I know it is difficult to decide where to stay - it depends what you like doing really. We like Ashgrove as it is still really close to the city ( about 15 mins drive depending on traffic ) but it is also close to the Forest Park, Mount Nebo and the nearest beach would be about half hour drive at Redliffe or a bit further to Calloundra. Ashgrove has all the neccesary shops, half a dozen nice cafes, library, dr, dentist etc, take aways in abundance and a nice Italian restaurant. It just feels close to everything we like doing. Also my brother used to live there so we knew it a bit so had an area to aim for. My daughter doesn't go to Ashgrove State School as that is really in West Ashgrove and we are down the other end. She goes to Oakleigh State School and we can walk there from our house. It is a great little school and has a real community feel to it. She is doing very well there and has got stuck in to choir, piano lessons, cross country running, tennis and swimming - they have a great after school club too which runs from 7am - 6pm if you need to use it. We have used it a couple of times and it costs about $12 for 3 hours after school. We could have picked up our daughter at 4pm but she asked to stay till 6!
Anyway - am waffling on now! Just wanted to say that I haven't been to Sandgate - it is on the list of things to do! But I have heard it is nice - someone else may be able to give you more of an idea. I know it is a bit further from the city and probably about as North as you can be before you go over the bridge to Redcliffe.
Good luck with everything and let me know if I can be of anymore help.
Bye!
Glad to hear things are going so well.
May 1st 2008, 10:58 pm
#23
...giving optimism a go?!
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Brisbane (leafy, hilly western suburbs)
Posts: 2,202
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Ok - hold on... this could get confusing. I apologise in advance for any excessive explanation but it took me ages to get my head around this so I'll try and explain:
Until the year that your child turns 4 there is no schooling in Qld. There are a number of childcare centres that vary enormously in quality and services offered but most will be open 240? days a year (every weekday that isnt a public holiday) from about 7am until 6pm. Their prime reason for existence is to look after your kids whilst you go to work, (or lounge around, or go to the casino, or go surfing or whatever...) . Most of these (possibly all?) are run for profit, they charge by the day and costs vary. Your child can attend anywhere from just 1 day a week up to the full 5. SOME of these centres offer a slightly eductional program for their oldest kids (4-5 yrs old) called "Kindergarten"). However, they are still childcare centres, still run for profit and the structured program has its limits. (It cant be that structured when some kids are there for 6 hours a week and others are there for 50 hours!). Typically costs are around $20-$40 a day.
C&K is a community run 'not-for profit' organisation who have a large number of "Kindergarten" schools. They are open to kids in the year before they start compulsory education (i.e. from the beginning of the year they turn 4 if they're born before July 1st, or beginning of the year they turn 5 if they're born after July 1st). These centres again vary in their programs - but are open during term time (i.e. NOT during school holidays) and run from 10am-2:30pm. There are fixed classes and a structured curriculum. My daughter attends on a 5 day fortnight (Thu/Fri + Wed/Thu/Fri) with the centre also running an alternate group (Mon/Tue/Wed + Mon/Tue) - but the logistics of the programs probably vary from centre to centre. The point is that this is all about education and development rather than just looking after them while you're unavailable. The costs are much less ($350 a term) and the quality has blown us away!
(http://www.candk.asn.au/)
Once your child hits school age (i.e. from the beginning of the year they turn 5 if they're born before July 1st, or beginning of the year they turn 6 if they're born after July 1st) - They will be required to attend "Prep" which is proper school 5 days a week. Prep yr is usualy in the same extablishment as the rest of primary school which runs until grade 7 (age 12/13). (Any school called "State School" rather than "State HIGH school" is probably a primary school!)
'High School' runs from grade 8-12 and so finishes age 17/18.
Hmmm... at the time we bought our house we just wanted a nice attractive area. I was attracted to the geography (hills and trees), the lack of through traffic and the affordability compared to other areas that seems equaly nice. As it turns out we moved into a good school zone - but we didnt know (or care) about that when we first moved in. Of course, before we moved here I lived in the CBD for a while and we lived in unti in Indooroopilly for a while (which was brilliantly handy for everything) - and my wifes had lived in Brisbane for years so we had a lot of insider knowledge that you guys relocating with families dont have the benefit of.
In terms of looking at schools - I've talked to a lot of my colleagues over the years and gathered a lot of annecdotal evidence about schools. I've also paid attention to groups of kids on buses and trains (nothing beats actually hearing how kids talk about their own school for getting an inside scoop) - and of course theres the annually published tables of high school performance: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/...utcomes_07.pdf
Now if someone ranked those schools and then did some really fancy geographical shading across a map of Brisbane based on catchment of public high schools you'd probably find a large area of 'high quality' schooling outcomes to the West of the City (I'pilly/Kenmore/The Gap/Ferny Grove).
Thats not to say there arent good school in other areas - just that is seems year after year this side of town seems to do well... That must tell you something.
Feel free to ask more question
Until the year that your child turns 4 there is no schooling in Qld. There are a number of childcare centres that vary enormously in quality and services offered but most will be open 240? days a year (every weekday that isnt a public holiday) from about 7am until 6pm. Their prime reason for existence is to look after your kids whilst you go to work, (or lounge around, or go to the casino, or go surfing or whatever...) . Most of these (possibly all?) are run for profit, they charge by the day and costs vary. Your child can attend anywhere from just 1 day a week up to the full 5. SOME of these centres offer a slightly eductional program for their oldest kids (4-5 yrs old) called "Kindergarten"). However, they are still childcare centres, still run for profit and the structured program has its limits. (It cant be that structured when some kids are there for 6 hours a week and others are there for 50 hours!). Typically costs are around $20-$40 a day.
C&K is a community run 'not-for profit' organisation who have a large number of "Kindergarten" schools. They are open to kids in the year before they start compulsory education (i.e. from the beginning of the year they turn 4 if they're born before July 1st, or beginning of the year they turn 5 if they're born after July 1st). These centres again vary in their programs - but are open during term time (i.e. NOT during school holidays) and run from 10am-2:30pm. There are fixed classes and a structured curriculum. My daughter attends on a 5 day fortnight (Thu/Fri + Wed/Thu/Fri) with the centre also running an alternate group (Mon/Tue/Wed + Mon/Tue) - but the logistics of the programs probably vary from centre to centre. The point is that this is all about education and development rather than just looking after them while you're unavailable. The costs are much less ($350 a term) and the quality has blown us away!
(http://www.candk.asn.au/)
Once your child hits school age (i.e. from the beginning of the year they turn 5 if they're born before July 1st, or beginning of the year they turn 6 if they're born after July 1st) - They will be required to attend "Prep" which is proper school 5 days a week. Prep yr is usualy in the same extablishment as the rest of primary school which runs until grade 7 (age 12/13). (Any school called "State School" rather than "State HIGH school" is probably a primary school!)
'High School' runs from grade 8-12 and so finishes age 17/18.
How did you decide on where to live and what schools to look at?
In terms of looking at schools - I've talked to a lot of my colleagues over the years and gathered a lot of annecdotal evidence about schools. I've also paid attention to groups of kids on buses and trains (nothing beats actually hearing how kids talk about their own school for getting an inside scoop) - and of course theres the annually published tables of high school performance: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/...utcomes_07.pdf
Now if someone ranked those schools and then did some really fancy geographical shading across a map of Brisbane based on catchment of public high schools you'd probably find a large area of 'high quality' schooling outcomes to the West of the City (I'pilly/Kenmore/The Gap/Ferny Grove).
Thats not to say there arent good school in other areas - just that is seems year after year this side of town seems to do well... That must tell you something.
Feel free to ask more question
May 4th 2008, 6:43 pm
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,594
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Once your child hits school age (i.e. from the beginning of the year they turn 5 if they're born before July 1st, or beginning of the year they turn 6 if they're born after July 1st) - They will be required to attend "Prep" which is proper school 5 days a week. Prep yr is usualy in the same extablishment as the rest of primary school which runs until grade 7 (age 12/13). (Any school called "State School" rather than "State HIGH school" is probably a primary school!)
'High School' runs from grade 8-12 and so finishes age 17/18.
In terms of looking at schools - I've talked to a lot of my colleagues over the years and gathered a lot of annecdotal evidence about schools. I've also paid attention to groups of kids on buses and trains (nothing beats actually hearing how kids talk about their own school for getting an inside scoop) - and of course theres the annually published tables of high school performance: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/...utcomes_07.pdf
Now if someone ranked those schools and then did some really fancy geographical shading across a map of Brisbane based on catchment of public high schools you'd probably find a large area of 'high quality' schooling outcomes to the West of the City (I'pilly/Kenmore/The Gap/Ferny Grove).
Thats not to say there arent good school in other areas - just that is seems year after year this side of town seems to do well... That must tell you something.
Feel free to ask more question
'High School' runs from grade 8-12 and so finishes age 17/18.
In terms of looking at schools - I've talked to a lot of my colleagues over the years and gathered a lot of annecdotal evidence about schools. I've also paid attention to groups of kids on buses and trains (nothing beats actually hearing how kids talk about their own school for getting an inside scoop) - and of course theres the annually published tables of high school performance: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/...utcomes_07.pdf
Now if someone ranked those schools and then did some really fancy geographical shading across a map of Brisbane based on catchment of public high schools you'd probably find a large area of 'high quality' schooling outcomes to the West of the City (I'pilly/Kenmore/The Gap/Ferny Grove).
Thats not to say there arent good school in other areas - just that is seems year after year this side of town seems to do well... That must tell you something.
Feel free to ask more question
The follow-up question - are any of these neighborhoods on train routes? Thanks again!
May 4th 2008, 10:22 pm
#25
...giving optimism a go?!
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Brisbane (leafy, hilly western suburbs)
Posts: 2,202
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
There are no trains out through Ashgrove/The Gap and no trains out to Kenmore (too hilly), and no trains up to Chermside. However, Indooroopilly has a great train service (and fantastic shopping centre, cinema and restaurants which is why it costs an absolute FORTUNE to get a house there).
There is a train line that goes out to Ferny Grove (10 minute drive over the hill from The Gap) - which has just been duplicted (used to be single line) and shoudl be getting more and more services. Ferny Grove is a nice area - but closer in on the same train line passes through some rough spots (Keperra & Mitchelton) - Strange how such a really nice area can exist just a few hundred metres down the line from a complete bogan pit!
Chermside does have pretty decent bus services into the city and with the "Brisbane Northern Busway" opening soon those services shoudl become more regular, quicker and more reliable. Chermside is definately one of the 'up and coming' areas of Brisbane, but you have to be careful, there are some run down skanky bits to Chermside that havent yet benefitted from the areas regeneration.
May 6th 2008, 3:49 am
#26
Just Joined
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Childcare is near impossible for shift-workers unless they have family who help them out. There are some Family Day Care (FDC*) that will look after children overnight but a) the waiting list for FDC can be very long (9 months or more) b) few will take children overnight and c) many of those that do, the places are given to children 'at risk' (as in they are in less than favourable home situations). So your chances again are low.
*Where someone cares for a small number of children in their own home. Usually organised by the Council. See here for Brisbane http://www.fdcqld.org/Sponsored_Services/brisbane.php
and get in touch as soon as you know what is happening.
Sorry to be negative, but the only people I know who have children and manage shift work either have a partner to share childcare duties with and/or have family that share the childcare.
*Where someone cares for a small number of children in their own home. Usually organised by the Council. See here for Brisbane http://www.fdcqld.org/Sponsored_Services/brisbane.php
and get in touch as soon as you know what is happening.
Sorry to be negative, but the only people I know who have children and manage shift work either have a partner to share childcare duties with and/or have family that share the childcare.
May 11th 2008, 11:09 am
#27
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: from Shepherds Bush to Aussie Bush. Well not quite - Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast
Posts: 187
Re: 3 months in Brissy!
Yep - been here for 3 months and our furniture has finally arrived - whoop whoop! Sleeping on the floor just not fun anymore and not good our not so young bones anymore. Reasons given for delayed shipping were a broken ship and some silly beggar packing an old artillery shell in their crate requiring the army being called in to dispose of subsequently shutting down Allied Pickfords for days! So we have our worldly goods now and feeling much more like home - funny though how much "stuff" you don't miss and how you make do with what you have.
Daughter settling in to school great and has already developed an Aussie twang. We love to see her enjoying the after school activities, sports and outdoors - have spent so much time at the beach/park. Vitamin D in excess ( with sunscreen of course ). Have met loads of people through her school and even a family in the launderette who it turned out went to the same school as my husband ( small world ). You come to the other side of the world and meet an old school mate whilst washing your smalls!
We are loving our suburb - Ashgrove. Great to get to city and forests/Mount Nebo etc. Also for accessing the Gympie Rd for Sunshine Coast. We are loving hanging out in Paddington for Sunday brunch and the West End markets.
I am working at the Mater Mothers as a midwife and am loving it - staff great and very friendly and the work is pretty similar to home - yes, babies born the same way and everything! Hubby found work as a Project Worker for a city charity and loves it. We all feel very lucky to be here and the bus journey to work every morning still takes my breath away when I go over the William Jolly and look at the city with the sun rising. Then a fab walk through the South Bank Parklands - much better than sitting on the M25.
We have had our low days of course when we miss our family and friends back home - especially getting letters and parcels - always brings a lump to my throat. Then there are days when you miss even the littlest things from home - silly little things and you end up with a romantic nostalgia of old blighty, but then you have to bring it back and remind yourself why you made the move in the first place.
So getting all wishy washy now but we are all doing OK and came here with no preconceptions and feel very priveledged to have this opportunity. Feel that having family here has been a lifesaver and their support and help has been invaluable to us. Good luck to all making the move soon and hi to everyone here - it's a roller coaster ride!
Daughter settling in to school great and has already developed an Aussie twang. We love to see her enjoying the after school activities, sports and outdoors - have spent so much time at the beach/park. Vitamin D in excess ( with sunscreen of course ). Have met loads of people through her school and even a family in the launderette who it turned out went to the same school as my husband ( small world ). You come to the other side of the world and meet an old school mate whilst washing your smalls!
We are loving our suburb - Ashgrove. Great to get to city and forests/Mount Nebo etc. Also for accessing the Gympie Rd for Sunshine Coast. We are loving hanging out in Paddington for Sunday brunch and the West End markets.
I am working at the Mater Mothers as a midwife and am loving it - staff great and very friendly and the work is pretty similar to home - yes, babies born the same way and everything! Hubby found work as a Project Worker for a city charity and loves it. We all feel very lucky to be here and the bus journey to work every morning still takes my breath away when I go over the William Jolly and look at the city with the sun rising. Then a fab walk through the South Bank Parklands - much better than sitting on the M25.
We have had our low days of course when we miss our family and friends back home - especially getting letters and parcels - always brings a lump to my throat. Then there are days when you miss even the littlest things from home - silly little things and you end up with a romantic nostalgia of old blighty, but then you have to bring it back and remind yourself why you made the move in the first place.
So getting all wishy washy now but we are all doing OK and came here with no preconceptions and feel very priveledged to have this opportunity. Feel that having family here has been a lifesaver and their support and help has been invaluable to us. Good luck to all making the move soon and hi to everyone here - it's a roller coaster ride!
