richjop

Hi - Happy for you to pm me as well as well. I am involved in oil and gas but have a few logistics contacts so happy to put you in touch with them. Richard \

My oldest son, Ben, was 7 when we came to Australia in July 2007. His birthday is in May and so he had completed Year 2 in England. The school we moved to have a cut off of end of April so he was offered a place in Year 1, half way through term 3. We were a little unsure about this because he was so far ahead of his UK classmates, how would the kids react and how would he be socially? Its been the best move we ever made. Its a massive emotional upheaval to move schools and he needed a bit of time to settle in. In the UK he didn't really have role in the class, youngest but cleverest didn't sit too well together and so didn't really have many friends. Now he is oldest, cleverest, tallest, an asset on sporting teams and the one that his classmates look to for advice etc. We were offered the option of skipping a year after completing year 1 and didn't even consider it. One thing that we have found is that he doesn't like being 'different' so extension in the class suits him well, he sometimes 'dumbs' down but the teachers are fully aware of this and will push him without him realising it. I agree with things like the driving, sports etc, it would have been very difficult for him to accept his friends doing things so much earlier than him. Schooling was the most important consideration for us when we moved over and hopefully all the advice people have given here is in some way putting your mind at rest. It is such a different system over here and as someone says it takes a bit of getting used to. All the best Joanne

When you say 'gifted' do you mean that they are very clever or that they have been assessed as 'gifted' and therefore have the associated behavioural traits that characterise these special children because I believe there are 2 different answers to this question. I have 2 boys, 10 and 5 and they both fall into the second category so if this is the case I can give you more of an insight into education for these kids, if its the 1st answer then I agree with the previous responses, look at SHIP and IGNITE. Apologies for the quick response, off to school so need to get going. Please PM me if you would like to and I can expand on our experience out here, my oldest son was 7 when he entered the education system here having completed year 2 in England. All the best Joanne

Jo We stayed here Sands Turtle Beach and Sands Mediterranean Resorts - The Official Resort Site - Book online and save - Gold Coast which was good for kids and not too far away from anywhere. There are lots of pools etc and not right on the strip. Flight Centre booked it all for us and managed to get a few nights for free. Joanne

They paid interest on the first payment they received but it was refunded as I believe it does not take them above the threshold.

...you have paid no tax this year? Mum and Dad are on 405 self-funded retirement visa, do they have to fill in a tax return? Thanks Joanne

on a Retirement Visa. My brother and I both live in Aus so they passed the balance of children test. They had to have 500k as a bond, 500k as savings, a pension of approx 60k a year and completely private medical insurance. Interest is paid on the bond 6 monthly at about 5%ish. The reason we chose this Visa is because we came on a 495 but are now permanent. In October dad will be 65 and qualifies as an aged (!!) parent and will be going down this Visa route, costs about the same as the Cont parent (ie 40k ish each). Email Alan Collett from gomatilda and explain your circumstances, he is a mine of info or have a look at the immi website. There are ways, its expensive, but if you asked them they would say its worth it. Joanne

Ben is a May baby so when we came to Adelaide in July 2007 he had finished Yr 2of school eventhough he was just 7. He was top of class in UK, often disruptive and generally really unhappy. We put him in Year 1, and he was head and shoulders above the rest of the class as far as academic assessments were concerned but as Diane says school here is not just about spellings, reading etc its about the whole child and developing them to be comfortable, confident and rounded. At the end of the school year we were offered the chance of skipping a year so that he missed yr 2 completely and went straight into Yr 3. We chose not to and he is absolutely thriving, still way ahead of the class but probably ahead of the next year aswell and the school cope really well, he is extended in every lesson and I'm so pleased we stuck with his current year. Don't estimate how big a change it is coming here, especially for the little ones and if you can make life comfy to start with then go for it. A few things we did take into account were when could he drive compared to peers, socialising etc so i would even go as far as to say stay where he is, its early days and assess it at the end of term. PM if you would like to know some of the strategies our school uses to keep the little man occupied!!!! All the best Joanne

Hopefully someone out there may be able to help. My parents have come over on the above Visa and have lodged a bond with the SA Government. Their agent in the UK advised that they would receive half of the bond back after 2 years and the other half after the 4 years are up and then reapply if they are not permanent by then. Having looked on the immigration website we can see very little reference to the money, has anyone come over on one of these or know anyone? Thanks Joanne

when we met up in Rye and both discussed whether we would make it or not and we have now been here for nearly 2 years....well done, keep enjoying yourself and if you ever up this way pop in and say hello, the house is finally finished (for the time being!) Joanne, Rich and the boys

I have double checked and it may be worth talking to an agent but its pretty clear on the DIAC website http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/special-activity/405/eligibility.htm#f that you need to make an investment of 500K and have assets of 500K plus an income of 50K and private medical insurance. The assets need to have been in your name for a least two years before payment (I know this because mum and dads house did not complete in time to pay the bond and we offered to lend them the money but it had to be theirs so they got an extension on the date). So all in all its 1million dollars plus income. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, as I say, see if there is another way, this one is very hard. Joanne

The extra 500K is correct I believe, so its a total of 1million which mum and dad achieved through the sale of their house in UK and other assets. They are on holiday in Melbourne at the moment but I'll speak to them tonight to clarify matters. By the way we are also from Kent, whereabouts are you?

My understanding is that you have to pay 500K that you get interest 6 monthly on, an income of 50k which for mum and dad is based on a work pension, completely private health insurance (mum and dad use medibank). I cannot think of any other criteria at the mo, PM if you have any other questions because I can ask them directly.

Is this the 4 year one that you have to pay the bond of 500k for, if so, mum and dad have done it.

We watched the first This Life yesterday as my Aussie friend has just discovered it, forgotten how good it was and yes it made me feel old. Just got the rest to watch now!

Richard was up and off to Burnside for the 6am start today because he rode the Tour Down Under route, had a wonderful day taking in all the beautiful sites that Adelaide has to offer and ended up in Angaston-he's now sitting down thinking of getting a well deserved beer but too tired to get up. I took the far more leisurely option of going to the start of the proper race, kids had a great time, its the secomd time Ben has been to a big event because the Tour de France came through Tonbridge in Kent near where we lived, but that didn't compare to today. Great atmosphere, really close to the riders, loads of freebies, what a great place we live in!!! We're off to watch at Snapper Point/Willunga Hill tomorrow, may even see some fellow Brits there!!!

Ok, so the ones I know are: Monday at St Johns Church, Marlborough Street, Highgate. Runs 9.15-11.15 mainly associated with the school (St Johns Luteran in Highgate), people very friendly run by Bronwyn. Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30-11.30 at Unley Uniting Church, corner of Northgate Street, great outdoor space, run by a couple of older ladies called Marlene and Glenda who would do anything for anyone and there are a couple of other English families there-good when you're feeling a bit homesick etc. Thursday 10-12, Malvern Church, Marlborough Street, run by 2 gorgeous ladies called Sheila and Suzanne and great morning tea so no good for the waistline! All are pretty inclusive, the Tues and Wed one is a playgroup SA one so can join if you wish or pay as you go, others are a gold coin donation and an offer of a cake etc. Aelaide Child has lots of ideas (free magazine) and try the playgroupSA website. Hope that's been helpful, don't be put off that they are held at churches, this is the usual meeting place but no expectations of anyone...these groups were an absolute lifeline for me when I arrived 18 months ago. Also have a look at KindyGym in Unley, storytime in both Unley and Burnside libraries and I'm sure other people will have ideas too... Joanne

I think people will be able to help more if you can be a little more precise about where you will be staying, we live 5k from the CBD in the Eastern suburbs and I could recommend 4 playgroups but if you are North, South or West these may be too far. Do you have an address yet?

I go to the Thursday one aswell, would definately recommend it, currently there are about 10/12 regular mums with children up to the age of 4, mainly mums and a couple of nannies, and I'll second the food being fab!

My mum has just come back from the doctors after getting bitten very badly last night. Suggested an antihistamine if you swell up, wear light coloured clothing, always keep your feet covered and liberally spray the bed, your clothes etc with any product that contains DELT. People from the UK do not taste any different, they just have no immunity and it takes about two years to build up....he did advise against taking an antihistamine on a daily basis for prevention as you do not build up this immunity. Joanne

We are very close to getting an investment property and I was wondering if anyone out there knows of a good accountant that specialises in Investment property advice as we have no idea what we can and cannot claim for. This could affect how much we potentially borrow (i.e. I can get a more expensive one but don't tell Richard!!!!). Thanks Joanne

My best friend became pregnant, lost the baby and sent the most heartbreaking emails etc. She then became pregnant again with twins, went into spontaneous labour and gave birth at 26 weeks, 2 boys, one survived for 18 days and the other is now 7 months old. She often sends me emails and states that she is suicidal and I try my hardest to support her but its not the same and I feel awful that I left her at this time but when would have been a good time. I know how hard it is at the moment but you also have to be pragmatic, if you went back you'd have to leave her again, this could be even worse. The reason for you coming here is still there, one of the hard bits was leaving her. Try to be there for her and listen when she needs you to, you are helping even if it doesn't feel like it. Thinking of you. Joanne x

Richard had his done in the UK a couple of years ago and said it was the best thing he's ever done, he had better than 20/20 vision about 10 seconds after opening his eyes and had no discomfort at all. My best friend had hers done and she was as blind as a bat, experienced a few 'floaters', the black bits you sometimes see when you get really tired and had to have a small second operation to remove these. My brother had it done an he reckons his eyes are deteriorating again so I know 3 people with 3 different stories. Its a personal thing, depends how bad your eyes are at the start, how much it affects your life etc and there are lots of different types out there. As they always say on PIA research, research. Joanne

Just received an email to say that our permanent employee sponsored Visa was granted on 28th November 2008!!! We have been here just over 16 months so its a great feeling to be now classed as permanent-they can't get rid of us now!!! Do we have to tell anyone, medicare etc or do we just carry on as normal? Thanks Joanne

We have a dark brown leather bed and Silent Night Miracoil mattress to give away-both Queen size-the reason is that my lovely kittens have taken a liking to one corner and started scratching the leather off. I'm sure someone far more handy than me could make it as good as new but we have decided to take the temptation away and bought an iron one!!! Anyway, if you want it you will need to be able to collect it from Glen Osmond-mattress very comfy and sorry to part with it as was v expensive at the time but its that or the kittens and my boys won't consider the second option !!!!PM if you want it. Regards Joanne