Hi all

A friend recommended this site, she said it was a wealth of information

I was wondering if there were any child protection social workers on here who could tell me what the job was like in Australia & what the differences are between UK and OZ

I have a job interview next week and if I get the job it'll mean a whole new life for myself and my son thousands of miles away from home, if I said I was terrified of the thought that would be an understatement lol!

My main concern is being isolated, I know lots of people who move to OZ have friends/family there, whereas I wont know a soul

HI dawn,

Sorry I can't help you with the job industry part of your question, but I will tell you that you are worrying about nothing just because you don't know anyone here.

I have found the people here to be LOTS more open and friendly than my home country (USA). I've been here almost 2.5 years now, and I have made LOTS of friends. They are very eager to get to know foreigners and learn all about your life before Australia. This opens up all sorts of opportunities to talk and get to know each other.

Keep up with the research, but rest easy that you will have TONS of friends in no time at all.

Cheers,
Marilyn

thanks for that. Did you go to Oz alone? how did you make friends? I'm not one for going into bars etc on my own

Yes, I made the move as a solo traveler. I don't go to bars/clubs either. Those aren't the sort of people I would have much in common with. When I arrived and started working, people from work would invite me to all sorts of events... girls night in, girls night at the movies, camping, fishing, hiking, there was SUCH a variety because the office has over 30 employees and such a diverse group.

Of course, I didn't limit my options there. I joined a local pool/gym, contacted the local CWA about local quilters (I'm a quilt-a-holic) and started asking around for who knows who that's interested in the things I'm into.

Basically, I put myself out there and started being a "sticky beak". It was a VERY uncomfortable position for me as I am naturally introverted, but it was necessary to build a solid support network of friends.

This is NOT an easy move, you have to make sure that you have at least one person to talk to confidentially about all the things that drive you nuts about being here. Someone who knows what you're going through and won't see your conversations as a never ending whinge. This will be vital to your sanity.

Make a list of everything you enjoy doing and when you get here, start looking for those activities. Don't be shy, say hello and introduce yourself.

Sometimes you have to re-invent yourself in order to re-invent your life.

Cheers,
Marilyn

Hi Dawn, I agree with Lady M. You have to reinvent yourself to reinvent your life. My wife and I arrived in Perth, bought a caravan and drove as far as Cooktown looking for a place to live, like Lady M, we had no friends or relations in Australia before we came here. Regrets none.

We now live in northern NSW and have a very busy life. I play golf 3/4 times a week, go to the Men's Shed once a week, visit a gym 4/5 a week. My wife is an ardent quilting lady who runs a group on Fridays and teaches twice a week. She also attends many quilting exhibitions, Sydney, Brisbane plus local ones. We go cycling, treasure hunts, theatre, cinema, the beaches and so on.

It would have been very easy to become introverted but if you want a better life I cannot think of a better place to be and I consider myself well travelled. We both have a good circle of friends who we can rely on.

I live in a town where there are no traffic lights, parking is free, no traffic holdups and almost everybody is friendly.

It is a big move for you but if you are willing to embrace the Aussie culture from all aspects then, I am sure, you will have no regrets. Regards Mick Brown

thanks for that Mick

what is the men's shed? and is there a women's alternative?

what is the cost of a gym membership in oz?

Gym membership prices vary greatly here. I have a Curves (women only fitness) in my town, they're running a special right now, join for free (about a $75 savings) and monthly rates about $60 depending on the level of membership. There is also a council run facility that has 3 pools, fitness cycle, treadmills, eliptical trainers, all the weight equipment you could ask for and tons of other stuff and their gold membership for full access to all facilities and fitness classes is only $40 per month. Like anything else in life, it depends on what you want, where you are, where your willing to travel to, etc etc etc You can get a personal trainer for about $75/hr or check the local paper for FREE classes at the local parks & rec areas. Options are many and varied.

Hi, the men's shed is a place for men, who are usually retired, to go to make things out of wood usually for the community, schools etc using skills needed when working full time or skills used as a hobby. We also repair furniture if we can. It is just a sort of club which is part of the U3A organisation (University of the third age) Not sure about a woman's shed.
I belong to a JETTS Gym at a cost of about $44 a month. Jetts Gyms are all over Oz. Have a look at the WWW site. Mick