6 month update and MP latest

[Guest cazzie]

Hello guys,

I have been here for six months now! Sometimes I can't believe how quickly it has passed and other times - when I am homesick - it seems so much longer. Overall, I am really much more settled and those of you who have followed my posts a while back will know that I was thoroughly miserable for the first few months and cried most days. However, I wear my heart on my sleeve and what you see is what you get with me; if I want to cry then I will! I still cry occasionally, but only when really homesick.

Anyway, the main changes since the early days have been that I started a university course this week which I have really enjoyed - I love being a student again albeit an old one! The Graduate Diploma in Education will allow me to register as a teacher in six months time and then I can finally earn a living as a teacher - providing I get a job of course. It is great having a focus again - I really was a bored housewife with far too much time on my hands.

I love being here will Bill, the lifestyle is lovely and we have enjoyed the summer. Highlights for me were having fish and chips and wine on the beach on hot nights, barbecues and socialising - we have met up with Martin and Val, Mall and Kev, Deb and Pete, Fiona and Stuart, who have all been great company. We have attended a couple of 'pomsinadelaide' meet ups and it has been great putting faces to names, particularly Django, Passionate Pom and Sue2oz - all lovely people. We are also enjoying some of the Fringe events in the city this month. Last week we went to the Myponga reservoir and then onto Normanville beach which was gorgeous. I love those Southern beaches.

Also, one day while chilling on Seacliff beach one lonely afternoon, a dolphin came right to the edge of the shore! It scared me to death at first as I thought it was a shark, but once I knew there was no danger, it was just magical.

So, apart from still missing my family and occasionally having a blub about that when I meet up with Deb, life is pretty damn good.

Anyway, I have good news, last night Bill booked our flights for a holiday back home - yay! We are going to England on July 17th for three weeks and I can hardly contain myself - I am SO excited!! I'm desperate to see my grandson who is six months old and gorgeous, my great kids, my lovely mum, my auntie who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and my best friend. Goodness knows how I will be able to leave again, it will be such a wrench.

More news - I have received a letter today from Don Farrell, the Labor Senator for SA, who has passed on all the information, disc of evidence etc onto Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. He has enclosed a copy of the letter that he has sent to Chris Evans and part of it reads 'many of the comments concern the difficulties in finding employment without a permanent visa status and the lack of recognition for skilled migrants who having their skills assessed and passed in the UK, arrive in Australia to find they are unable to work in their skilled profession and must retrain at great cost, during which time the only option is low paid unskilled employment. There are many requests for these issues to be addressed during the immigration application and skills assessment process.' So, hopefully now that the correct MP has the information, things will happen. I will keep you posted as to any information I receive, meanwhile, I am still building up the evidence.

About the ITV program, I have agreed for Dave to call me but have not decided on appearing on tv as my family and Bill do feel a bit iffy about it and I wouldn't want to upset anyone. So we will see.

So, doing ok I think!

Cheers.

[Guest cunnah10]

Hello guys,

I have been here for six months now! Sometimes I can't believe how quickly it has passed and other times - when I am homesick - it seems so much longer. Overall, I am really much more settled and those of you who have followed my posts a while back will know that I was thoroughly miserable for the first few months and cried most days. However, I wear my heart on my sleeve and what you see is what you get with me; if I want to cry then I will! I still cry occasionally, but only when really homesick.

Anyway, the main changes since the early days have been that I started a university course this week which I have really enjoyed - I love being a student again albeit an old one! The Graduate Diploma in Education will allow me to register as a teacher in six months time and then I can finally earn a living as a teacher - providing I get a job of course. It is great having a focus again - I really was a bored housewife with far too much time on my hands.

I love being here will Bill, the lifestyle is lovely and we have enjoyed the summer. Highlights for me were having fish and chips and wine on the beach on hot nights, barbecues and socialising - we have met up with Martin and Val, Mall and Kev, Deb and Pete, Fiona and Stuart, who have all been great company. We have attended a couple of 'pomsinadelaide' meet ups and it has been great putting faces to names, particularly Django, Passionate Pom and Sue2oz - all lovely people. We are also enjoying some of the Fringe events in the city this month. Last week we went to the Myponga reservoir and then onto Normanville beach which was gorgeous. I love those Southern beaches.

Also, one day while chilling on Seacliff beach one lonely afternoon, a dolphin came right to the edge of the shore! It scared me to death at first as I thought it was a shark, but once I knew there was no danger, it was just magical.

So, apart from still missing my family and occasionally having a blub about that when I meet up with Deb, life is pretty damn good.

Anyway, I have good news, last night Bill booked our flights for a holiday back home - yay! We are going to England on July 17th for three weeks and I can hardly contain myself - I am SO excited!! I'm desperate to see my grandson who is six months old and gorgeous, my great kids, my lovely mum, my auntie who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and my best friend. Goodness knows how I will be able to leave again, it will be such a wrench.

More news - I have received a letter today from Don Farrell, the Labor Senator for SA, who has passed on all the information, disc of evidence etc onto Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. He has enclosed a copy of the letter that he has sent to Chris Evans and part of it reads 'many of the comments concern the difficulties in finding employment without a permanent visa status and the lack of recognition for skilled migrants who having their skills assessed and passed in the UK, arrive in Australia to find they are unable to work in their skilled profession and must retrain at great cost, during which time the only option is low paid unskilled employment. There are many requests for these issues to be addressed during the immigration application and skills assessment process.' So, hopefully now that the correct MP has the information, things will happen. I will keep you posted as to any information I receive, meanwhile, I am still building up the evidence.

About the ITV program, I have agreed for Dave to call me but have not decided on appearing on tv as my family and Bill do feel a bit iffy about it and I wouldn't want to upset anyone. So we will see.

So, doing ok I think!

Cheers.

enjoyed reading your post Cazzie....and how fantastic that you have a trip booked to visit family in the UK.

I bet they can't wait to see you again...and you must be dying to see your new grandchild...i know i am so looking forward to seeing my granddaughter again(i have a 21 year old son back in the UK and a gorgeous granddaughter called Lexie who had her 2nd birthday last week).

 

Good luck with everything

 

Gill

[sue2oz]

what a lovely read cazzie, love reading your posts anyway

so chuffed you mentioned me!!! thank you queen.

am so jelous of your trip back home wish i could go back for a visit

you have a lovely time caz when you go back, goodluck with everything ok

 

sue xxx

[Guest caoimhe]

I'm glad you feel a bit more settled Cazzie, I miss my sister so much so I'm sure it's really hard for you having children and grandchildren back in the UK.

Again on behalf of all of us on temp visas :notworthy:thank you for taking the time to try and make life a little easier here, you are an inspiration:wubclub:

[Guest Roo1]

Great post Cazzie! I'm so happy for you now you are feeling more settled but its going to be wonderful seeing your family again, as I know how much you miss them.

 

Keep us posted with news from the MP!

 

Big hugs,

Judi x

[Guest Django]

We are also quickly approaching our 6 month miles stone and as you say on one hand it seems like WOW 6 months already whereas at other times it seems as though we have been here a lot longer.

I'm so glad you are feeling more settled. I hope also that returning from your holiday doesn't put you back emoyionally back to square one.

Great read and I although we are here on a PR visa I would again (like Jacqui) like to thank you for your efforts.:notworthy:I know a few people out here on provisional visa that are struggling and to my mind unnecessarily so.

 

Pete

[Guest Dave & Carole]

What a great read. It makes me feel better to know if we ever get there I'll be in good company having a good blub.....my usual stress relief!!! I've really enjoyed all your posts so far, they often full of good advice. The shocking thing for me is that you've only been there 6 months - you always sound as if you've been there for ages (and Django for that matter!).

 

Carole x

[Denise]

I can only re iterate what has already been said, there are so many of us on here that really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into raising the many issues facing temporary visa holders. Thanks again and really look forward to following the results.

[Guest Deb17]

Well, fancy meeting you here!

 

Here's to Cazzie; whose brilliance outshines the brightest star in the Southern Cross.

Congratulations on making it this far, and many heartfelt thank yous heading your way, for always helping others, and in particular, for ensuring some of us stay just on the right side of sane. XX