sparkly cat

Well its finally happened, my daughter and I are now permanent residents. Got a letter from Department of Immigration and Citizenschip today, my temporary spouse visa was made permanent today, need to send my passport to get my stamp put in. Have so far, shouted and cheered and cannot stop smiling. Yeeeaaaaah Sandra PS Does anyone know when I can apply for Citizenship???

Thank you Russell Sandra

Hi You cant be as scared as I was. I have had Leukaemia in the past, am overweight and High Blood Pressure. Someone told me that sniffing lavender lowers your blood pressure and was sniffing it whenever I got a chance while waiting for the Doctor. I dont care if its a myth, because it worked and my blood pressure was on the limit and I got through. Also I had to have extra Blood tests (exrta costs) because I had a blood Transfusion while having treatment for Leukaemia. My Defacto Visa took 10 days from date submitted to getting Visa and am now loving it in sunny Adelaide. So dont worry, If I can get through anyone can Sandra

My step daughter goes there too and from her reports she is doing well. She is happy at the school, made good friends and settled quickly. Sandra

Hi A friend in th UK has asked me to find out about Jade how good it is over here and for what price. As I am not a jewellery person, as I own 1 ring, 3 pairs of earrings and 1 necklace, can anyone help me. Regards Sandra

Would have love to come, but I am spending Xmas in chilly UK in hotel room:arghh: Maybe a BBQ on beach next year Sandra

Hi I applied for a defacto visa last october, frontloaded police checks and medicals and it took 10 days to come through. Regards Sandra

Hi We booked our flights (in Aug 06 for Jan 07) before i had applied for my defacto visa (Oct 06) which should have taken 4-6 weeks. (Partner already had his visa) But it was a close thing due to a medical condition and could have taken extra time (4-6 weeks extra) if visa application had to be sent to Sydney instead of London, but luckily it was processed very quick (nine days). Very stressful, but all good in the end Regards Sandra

Hi I did the MYOB (Basics/Payroll and Advanced) course through The Accounting College as a correspondence course it took me a couple of weeks. They were very good and reply very quickly if you do need help and I have got a certificate as well. I did go for an interview recently (job wasnt for me) but the recruitment agency was impressed that I had done the course. Website www.accountingcollege.com.au Regards Sandra

We have a DAB Alarm Clock and it works only on FM. Regards Sandra

Hi No test to take for us, we arrived in january and cant remember what we paid. Had our pictures taken there and then and licence arrived about a week later. The guy did want to destroy our licence, but as we wanted to use it again in Uk all he did was put a hole in one corner. just take your paper copy and then you wont have any problems. I would say the Licence is a must do as I cant remember how many times I have been asked for it as proof of identity. Sandra

I used Independent Taxis recently and they were prompt and friendly Sandra

Hi I came over on a de facto visa and used Ian Harrop, my visa was approved in 10 days. We had to collate lots of evidence Sandra

Just remember to give a months notice on the contract phone. We brought all our mobile phones over and they work just fine. We are on Vodafone. Remember to bring enough adapters for the phone chargers though. I have just had a new Nokia for my birthday over here. Regards Sandra

We used an agent too (Ian Harrop), but our Visas were a bit more complicated with both our children needing court orders and medical issues with me too. Also I am not good at forms, stat decs, etc and the agent helped lots and my visa was approved 9 days after it was submitted. Money well spent, we have been here 7 months and loving it. Good Luck and see you out here soon Sandra

We didnt bring any furniture for the same reason as jen&ian, just laptops on plane and 45 boxes of personal stuff. Wasnt worth spending the money on a container as no decent furniture to bring, we bought new over here and I dont think it is expensive, in fact some stuff we bought in the boxes we wished we had left as it would have been cheaper to buy here. Sandra

Hi We arranged our childrens schools before we came out, but that because we knew what area we wanted to be as we had done a couple of reccies, but only managed to look on school websites and recommendations. My daughter whose 5 goes to the Aberfoyle Hub school which I do believe is very popular and I think it is very good. (she was in private school in the UK, only cos it was cheaper than a childminder) My partner's daughter whose 13 goes to Aberfoyle Park High and she likes it a lot there and she can be quite fussy or where she goes (she was in a private school in the uk). We had also met up with another family who was emigrating and their daughter was starting at the school at the same time. We came in Jan, so kids had 6 weeks between finishing Uk school and starting here (both started new schools in the first year of the school) Amelia in Reception and Lucy in Year 8 which I think helped too. Sandra:rolleyes:

Thanks again for the birthday wishes and I love the cat Sandra:)

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes Sandra:)

Thank you very much to everyone for coming, it was good to put names to faces too. Sorry if I didnt get chance to talk to you, I was overwhelmed by how many people came, tried to talk to everyone and if I missed you Im sorry maybe we can catch up next time. We raised $55 which is good, thank you for all your donations. Thanks to Colin as well, he did an excellent job in the kitchen, where most men would have gone out. Sandra

Hi Deb Yeah really like it in Aberfoyle Park, will be on the move soon and will stay in this area. Kids are settled into schools and they are good schools (Hub Primary and APHS). Like Happy Valley too, stayed in Woodcroft and like that too. When you get here let me know and pop in for a coffee and we can catch up BTW we have a sunny day today not a cloud in the sky, been walking round in a light jacket and we are nearly in winter Sandra:cool:

Thanks to everyone who has PM me, look forward to seeing you on monday for coffee, cakes and biscuits. Anyone who wants to come, please PM me for my address, everyone welcome including little ones lol Sandra

Hi Just watched you on telly, cool Sandra

Hi We have a Navman F20 which we bought here with Australian Maps on It works okay Sandra

Hi Does anyone know about a rental on Ridgway Drive, I believe there are Brits in there at the moment. Regards Sandra