Lazy Cow

Funnily enough, my husband just had to hire somebody. He told me that when he was going through the applications, he ignored any from people who were not yet in the country (he wanted someone to start within a couple of weeks), and any from people without permanent residency. I was surprised, but he explained that the cost of training is quite high and has to be recouped by keeping their employees as long as possible - even though there is no guarantee that even perms / citizens will stay beyond a couple of years. I wouldn't let this example particularly worry you, as getting a job can be down to so many variables anyway, I simply thought it was interesting. Welcome, btw! ? LC

Hi Debs, I'm intrigued, does your role combine the job of a school counsellor with the responsibility for making mandatory notifications? If so, perhaps you could look at working in training, specifically administering the Child Safe Environments course which is mandatory for anyone working with kids. In my, albeit limited, knowledge we are legally obligated to make our own mandatory notification. For example, if I hear / see something of concern in my role as SSO (Student Services Officer - usually not teachers), even though I will refer them to the counsellor / pastoral care worker and tell the relevant teachers I still have to make a report to Families SA because I am a mandated notifier. Given that, I don't believe schools in SA would have a go-to person responsible for mandatory notifications. Anyway, welcome to the forum ?????

Hi Sarah, and welcome , We moved here because we could, so I get your desire for 'experience and adventure'! We had a good life in Kent, in a small town (c38k people), with a nice home, good friends, ok jobs etc, but my OH had always wanted to stretch his wings, so we did. I think you soon learn that experience and adventure only lasts for so long, then it becomes the same as before. We've exchanged some pluses from being in the UK for others here. Our kids were older than yours would be, when / if you get here, but have both gone through everything from primary school to uni. Neither has regretted being here, although one misses his rellies quite a bit. I enjoy my life here, much as I did there. I do miss the friends we had there, not because we don't have them here lol, but just that sense of history, shared experiences from when our kids were littlies, or from when my husband and I were kids ourselves. Saying that, we don't want to move back, and have never really contemplated that. I guess what I'm saying is, adventure is yours wherever you are, if you're happy together there, I'm sure you'll be happy together here. Finding work can be difficult, or you might both find work in an instant, probably the same as anywhere. I do agree that, particularly in there more challenging times, work can come down to who you know, but I think that's understandable (in a way). Maybe simply a desire to ensure the person you select will be a keeper lol . The suburbs, particularly those surrounding the city, roll into one another pretty much seamlessly. I wouldn't worry so much about names of particular suburbs at first, more areas in the way NicF has described them. Then have a look when you get here, there's something for everyone . Would you come for a visit prior to migrating? We didn't, and it worked for us,although SA wasn't quite as I'd imagined it. I'm not sure whether I'd recommend a visit first. I know you have a good idea of what to expect, though we're not like Qld; NSW (depending where you were) would perhaps be more like SA, but migration can be an expensive decision. If you search (I can't right now as the dogs are waiting to get to the beach!) there was a looong thread on here about why people like SA. Maybe that would be fun for you to read? We like SA. We like being near the beach, the countryside, the way you can see the hills around the city, the noisy birds, the older houses, the history..it's our home. Hope some of my waffle proves helpful! LC

That's fantastic, thanks @snifter! It seems so long ago now, but that little koala grew up and was eventually relocated to the Yankalilla area <3 For anyone interested in learning how to care got our native wildlife, or even helping (and there are many ways you can), why not take a look at : http://www.faunarescue.org.au/home.htm LC

My son has been jetty jumping for years now, and every year we have the same convo, and every year he does it anyway. There was a guy who suffered horrendous injuries not so many years back, and although we were here for that, it did not change my son's attitude one iota. Drives me crazy.

Thats really useful info. Thanks @Blossom! Like Sallyh, we have friends that have offered to take us, but I don't want to waste a visit with them trolling around some shop! Mega-super-boring. But I might travel over there for a quick look. Disappointingly, it doesn't sound like Costco membership would have much to offer us, us being parsimonious (aka broke!) vegans, but at least we could mooch over and check it out sometime. Thanks all. LC

I will be following this with interest, as for me Costco sounds like it would be more fun than savings-related! And I don't want to spend $60+ bucks buying stuff I simply don't need. The only thing I can offer is that I've heard Costco have their own servo, so savings can also be made on petrol. Handy if it's a) true and b) you live close enough to profit from it!

Thank you for a very enjoyable evening...we might not have chosen a book, but we certainly covered a fair few topics! Come join us, you people out there, I think this is going to be fun! LC

It's tonight! Looking forward to meeting you . LC

How wonderful! Many, many heartfelt congratulations to you and your family . (Did you see the show in the pavilion, 'Gentlemen of Deceit'? What did you think? We watched a bit, but then left quietly...I'm not sure if it got any better.... ) LC

@Blossom Wait a sec....'kiddies'? Were you referring to a combo of your baby, her father, big sister...or have you had a new baby?! Congratulations if you've given your littliest a sibling, lols if you were referring to your partner, and well done if you managed what sounds like a very focussed visit with a teen in tow! LC

We went yesterday, just my OH and I, and had a wonderful time! (Although I do think that being at the Crows' game will be awesome! Good choice, @snifter!) I like the Show because it's such a community event, and there really is something for most people. We've been through taking our primary school kids, through allowing older ones to meet up with their mates whilst we were still lurking on site lol, through dropping them off and doing their own thing, to now...a couple watching the dog judging, mooching round the food tents etc.. It can be expensive, particularly the rides and sideshows, and the contents of the show bags can often all-too quickly self-destruct, but I love the way people save up for the year, preparing, or it's agreed that it'll be a biannual visit. If I were to offer any advice, it would be to be prepared. As NicF remarked, it is very noisy, and busy, and that can put some kids off. You can go online to see what free shows you'd like to catch, what bags are available - the Yellow Brick Road is a good one, because it takes you all round the Show with something to pick up at various points. There are cheap lockers, if you want to take your own food and drink or even just stow some rugs for later, if you plan on staying for the fireworks. Parking can be expensive, one on Goodwood was charging $35!!!! but to the left, on Greenhill, there was a $20, and a bit further up (so we only saw it when we drove past on leaving our $20 park later!) there's a $12 one. There's even an Adelaide Showground train station now! It'll all be on the website that Snifter's linked to this thread . Have fun! LC

Beautifully put, @NicF!

I know what you mean about - well, more than one thing, really! We also loved the UK, but my OH had always had itchy feet so we just went for it! We had the option of a few different states, and had family in Victoria, but decided on SA because it's smaller (in population, not size!) and we wanted to start out on our own, knowing no one. That's not to say we didn't use a site similar to this, though one that's long gone now, but we didn't want to live through other people's experiences, friends, and judgements, if that makes any sense. My kids are both happy they were brought up here (although they only started in primary school), fiercely proud of being Australian, and I don't think I could ask for a better recommendation . It is an expensive process for sure, but there are so few guarantees with life and it is only money after all (). Money offers choice, IMHO, but it doesn't necessarily bring happiness. They say you don't tend to regret the things you do as much as the things you don't do. If it goes wrong, and you have a strong relationship, you'll still have each other. LC

I love the people I've met here. I love the way it's such a small community - totally three degrees of separation and all that! Mind you, that did not work well the time my son decided to wag ! I love the wildlife, although that makes bushfire season a nightmare. I love the sounds, the beaches, the sights, and the moonlight cinema, the Fringe, the footy...there's so much I love, and more than a few things that concern me - but that's for another thread! I'm off to the Show now - and I love that too! LC

We've been here for a fair while, and I can't imagine going back to the UK. Our experiences have been mostly happy, but we are pretty resilient - and have been lucky, I think - so that would colour my posts. In defence of those people who do come back and post negative / honest (you choose the word!), I actually think it's good of them. One poster isn't even in the country anymore, but his comments are, I believe, relevant for the mindset we have here. People who share information about problems finding work, or our 'small-town' mentality, or whatever are surely opening potential migrants to a more realistic expectation of life in SA. Or they might simply need our support...to find out they are not the only ones unemployed despite their best efforts. Life here is, for many, all they dreamed, but for others it seems to have been a demoralising, expensive nightmare. As you said, a forum is a mix of comments and experiences, and I personally think that's important for those deciding to make the move. As they say, "sunshine doesn't pay the bills" ( although it can certainly help offset the cost of electricity!). Whether a post is construed as positive, or negative, they are both "based on....unique and individual...experiences" aren't they? Moving on, congratulations on deciding to come back to Australia. Where did your family live when you were here? Are they excited for you? So nice that your child is young, I always think that making friends etc when you have littlies is easier, and I'm sure you'll assimilate in no time. Welcome, LC

Love, love Robe! Have you thought about staying in a cabin in a caravan park? https://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/sa/limestone-coast/discovery-parks-robe/pets-terms-and-conditions We've stayed in one of their cabins, and it was great. The best bit, for me, is that the Big 4 park is absolutely next to the beautiful long beach. Just a thought, LC

That sounds great, Snifter! I like the planning ahead, meeting in a public place, and potentially borrowing a book from the library rather than necessarily buying a copy! Anyone else still fancy it? LC

Our son did, at Glenelg. Despite being a strong, competition-quality (so we were told lol) swimmer, he gave up after an exercise that put him further out at sea than he was comfortable with. He learned about rips etc, although I think they also covered that when his class had the week of swimming lessons in Year 4/5 (can't remember)? I think the biggest thing we all took away from his experience was....take your thongs down the beach, otherwise you could be running back across scaldingly-hot sand! We absolutely understood why he gave up, but I've got to say, we did miss relaxing with a drink watching him. Particularly once Glenelg SLS moved into their present building!

Yes, that's exactly what happened! We'd had someone come out, and give a quote for everything to go into one container. Turned out the quotation would be the only straightforward part of the whole UK side of the transaction. The container wouldn't take all our belongings. They phoned their boss, tried to charge extra for the additional space needed, but in the end agreed to waive all but any charges incurred when it reached Australia (though I can't remember what they were). That still meant we had to get rid of a fair amount of stuff before we left for Australia the following morning, so it was pretty stressful. I can't remember what price they attempted to exhort from us, because it was a long time ago now. Like Snifter, if I were doing it all again, I would be more selective - not such a hoarder, perhaps. Perhaps.....! LC

:notworthy: We had a container and a share - with a last minute chuck/donate - but we didn't bring as much furniture. Ours was mainly boxes of 'stuff' and books. I wish we'd packed more wisely, your list is awesome NicF!

Hi, I agree with the other responses, her attitude (as you describe it) sounds very unsettling and rude, and I feel for you. The website states that: "(a) The VORT practical test cannot be started earlier than 5 minutes before or later than 15 minutes after the appointed time." (http://www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/the-driving-companion/conditions-vort) but whether that just means while you can't be late, they can rock up when they like, I don't know. If I wanted to complain, I think I'd concentrate on her lack of courtesy and add that "no later than..." thing. In the old days, examiners weren't allowed to chat during the test, so you couldn't claim they'd put you off. I don't know if that's still the case, but even if it is, it does sound like she could've been a bit more pleasant! The VORT sounds scary and there are some tiny things that apparently mean an immediate fail - such as failing to wait a full 5 seconds between indicating and moving off from a park - which is why my kids both took the CBT! I'm guessing your driving instructor felt you were ready to take the test so maybe you could have a chat with them to see whether they think your examiner was harsh, or even whether they can offer you the CBT and take that instead if re-taking the VORT? I hope posting on here has helped de-stress you a little. I don't know whether you're hoping that her decision might be overturned if you complain, but at the very least, they might decide to pop an auditor in the next VORT she conducts, to check her attitude. LC

I'm not sure if you are directing your comment at Sallyh, because I think she said her family's health - insurance, braces - took priority and they simply live within their means with what's left. If my kids had needed braces, I would have totally done the same. I do agree that it appears that braces are the 'must-have' accessory, but it seems they use braces to correct a fair amount of potential and actual problems, not just cosmetic. I'm basing that on what kids tell me when we talk about it (I work in a high school). I don't know. I'm just grateful my kids didn't need them! LC

Yes, we are also trying to buy ethically, and with consideration. I'm trying to cut down on our use of plastics, so am trying to refill laundry liquid bottles etc rather than simply buy a replacement. However, I use a realllllllly cheap one at @$2 a litre. Refilling, however, is coming in at @$10 a litre. It's not, for me anyway, realistic to pay so much which means I end up recycling the plastic. Good, but not ideal. I don't buy online, except for where I work, and I had no idea! That's a real eye-opener / shock! Guess I shouldn't be surprised though. They might get your custom, but I guess they're greedily trying to rake back the cost of paying the person picking the order. LC

I also think it seems rude to come to a country and immediately expect to be given benefits you've not yet contributed towards, but I guess realistically, that's what happens. The benefits are there to help any Australian, new or old, reach a minimum standard of living (I don't think they necessarily do though), so if you come here as part of our society, then you are as eligible as anyone else. Factoring in those benefits is simply being realistic. We didn't claim them when we arrived, but when we completed our first financial year Centrelink credited our account with family benefit. Did we refuse it? Nope! We were very grateful to receive it. Whether you know in advance or not, I doubt many - if any! - would take the higher ground as migrants and not take the money, so let's not be so quick to criticise the question. LC