SAAustralia Discussions General http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:18:58 +0000 5 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35353-taking-music-on-cds/
We want to take some music with us on MP3 backups as well as on our laptop. Will customs have a problem if we don't bring the originals? Checking weight for our trip.

Regards]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:18:58 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35353-taking-music-on-cds/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35252-my-dad/ To all of you who have been following my story with regards to me arriving in Australia and then having to fly back home in September to bury my brother, well it hasn't ended there. My dad was relocated to a nursing home/retirement village - he lived with my brother that passed away. He has been extremely unhappy and has battled to settle. He lost a huge amount of weight in the last 5 months, which we put down to the stress of losing my brother and having to move at his age. In the new year he was really struggling to breathe, so 100 tests later to include scans, sonar's, xrays and blood tests it turns out he has lymphoma cancer. He goes into surgery on friday as his lymph glands are pumping fluid into his lungs - hence the difficulty with breathing - they are draining in excess of 2 litres of fluid from the one lung over a period of 5 days and also hope to do a biopsy - he is resisting this. I personally have had the worse new year in history. I have one foot in South Africa and one foot in Australia at the moment. I decided against going over but have done all I can from this side with regards to gauging the correct information about his condition and the procedure he is to undergo. I sincerely hope that I have made the right decision and that we don't lose him on friday! His heart is also only functioning at 35% due to the fluid on the lung and his age. I know that death is a part of life but I am genuinely not ready to be without him. Fortunately I have an amazing support system over here and in south africa and I have been able to offload on them daily. I am sure they themselves can't wait for friday to come and go, so we can all take a deep breath. I remain positive and just know that I will cope with whatever the outcome.

On a lighter note, we have settled very well in Oz, the kids are happy which makes me happy. I have made so many new friends, have so many committments with regards to getting out and about and so it is all good. Thank you all for your support with the initial few months - I thought I was going to lose my mind!]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:01:44 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35252-my-dad/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35256-miserable-tonight/
We have always been open with family about going but because our application took so long we decided not to talk about it constantly. It became too exhausting for us and other people.

But with this new development and movement we alerted family that things are moving. When hubby told his mom last week she was very negative on the phone but we just let it go. I sent an email to her and my sister in law this week on monday just letting them know how we are moving, the house sale and when we are expecting my husband to go.

No reply. Ah, the wall of dead silence.

So i call my sister in law today. She is very nice on the phone. Apologies for not getting back to me. Her mother on the other hand - is very pissed off. She wont respond to the email, doesnt want to talk about it, ventilating to the family that we are inconsiderate, we did not consult her, we just do as we please etc.

Now i know that in some families, people are very close and grandparents play an active role but its not like that in our family. Granny is 1000 km away, sees my kids once or twice a year, not involved, never has provided child care. So i am equally mad. I cant believe that people just dont respect your life decisions. Does she really think we should have called her and consulted on this? We are thirty something year old, completely financially independent, parents of three kids. I think its a damn cheek. And i have just decided tonight that i am not even going to acknowledge this little outburst. Sometimes it pays to play the inlaw card and let your partner deal with their family.

How can they not even acknowledge on any level that what we are doing is good for our children and essentially brave as first immigrants. People are selfish. They would rather have mutual suffering even if it is their grandchildren.

Rant over.

Thanks for listening. I think i need a glass of wine or chocolate tonight.]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:28:12 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35256-miserable-tonight/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35349-a-forum-for-south-africans-moving-to-uk/ Does anyone know of an active forum for South Africans moving to the UK? Activity online seems to go in order of Australia, Canada, USA ... no UK. Thanks! Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:38:42 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35349-a-forum-for-south-africans-moving-to-uk/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35351-cheap-flights-to-south-africa/
Someone posted about cheap flights to South Africa from Aus yesterday on the forum...but I can't find it now. Can someone help me??
Thanks]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:43:45 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35351-cheap-flights-to-south-africa/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35285-any-25-35-year-old-ladies-living-in-perth/ I moved to Perth in September 2011 and have met a few people, whom are great and enjoy spending time with. However I would love to meet people my own age. If there any ladies between the ages of 25-35 who would like to meet up for a coffee and a chat in North Perth (Joondalup area) please let me know.]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:12:54 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35285-any-25-35-year-old-ladies-living-in-perth/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35156-relocating-advice-melbourne-to-perth/
- I asked for a quote to move the equivalent of a 1ton truck contents from MEL to PERTH as I haven't setup a contents list as yet. I was quoted "The full price of this relocation service is $1,550.00 (including GST). *Based on 1x 20ft container" Surely I'm missing something, as this seems very low??

- Any recommendations on moving companies?

- Any other tips e.g. Is shipping an option? Cheaper?

Thanks all]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:45:44 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35156-relocating-advice-melbourne-to-perth/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35266-looking-for-5-teens-aged-13-17-from-hunter-valley/
Why Hunter Valley? Outward Bound received funding for this course with the requirement that the kids need to be from Hunter Valley.

The course is a self-development experience in the Aussie Bush, runs for 12 days and normally the cost would be $1875 per person.

Here is more information about the course and about Outward Bound:http://www.outwardbound.com.au/courses/youth-15-18-yrs.html (If the link does not work, go to www.outwardbound.com.au and click on COURSES then YOUTH).

If you are interested for your kids or know someone who might be, please PM me your details and I'll bring you in contact with Outward Bound.

How do I know about this? My son is part of the management team at Outward Bound. (So, it's not a catch or something sinister - it's all ligit and above board )

This will be a 1st confirmed, 1st in basis, so please let me know ASAP.]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:04:54 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35266-looking-for-5-teens-aged-13-17-from-hunter-valley/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35194-brumbies-university-of-canberra/
UC deal may lure South Africans
BY CHRIS DUTTON
01 Feb, 2012 01:00 AM

ACT Brumbies coach Jake White wants to use a new alliance with the University of Canberra as the extra bait to lure South Africa's most talented juniors to the capital.
The Brumbies have boosted their immediate finances on the eve of the Super Rugby competition by announcing a one-year naming rights sponsorship with the University of Canberra, worth an estimated $1million.

But White, who guided South Africa to the 2007 World Cup, is determined to convert the relationship into a long-term gain for his playing roster.

White plans to capitalise on the strong connection between rugby and education in South Africa. As a former Springboks coach, he still holds a lot of influence on where South Africa's rising stars choose to play.

''I would love to attract some boys to come and play rugby in Australia,'' White said.

''Every day I get calls from dads [in South Africa] asking where I suggest their kid can play.

''It shouldn't be underestimated a lot of South Africans will see this link and see it as an opportunity [to come and try to play for the Brumbies].

''Our challenge is to make sure we at the Brumbies do our homework ... it can't just be a sponsorship arrangement, it has to be a genuine boost and partnership.''

When White signed a four-year deal to coach the Brumbies last May, he expressed his desire to recruit South African schoolboy stars and get them to train in the club's development programs.

Now he wants university delegates to travel with the Brumbies to South Africa in April and organise meetings with top young players.

White knows first hand how passionate South Africans are about rugby.

He has been coaching in schools since 1982 and high schools and universities have extremely strong allegiances to their rugby teams.

The Brumbies are allowed three foreign players on their roster - one marquee signing and two developing internationals. Dan Vickerman and Clyde Rathbone are two examples of South Africans who have played with the Brumbies and gone on to represent the Wallabies.

White said he would not try to influence young players to choose between committing to the Wallabies or Springboks, but he was confident South African junior stars could be enticed to join the Brumbies and the university.

''Nothing would hurt me more than to tell a South African dad to bring his kid here and he doesn't leave Canberra a better player,'' White said.

''I don't want these boys to come here and to be a Brumbies fan, I want him to come here with an opportunity to play for the Brumbies.

''There's no reason why it can't happen, I get excited because we're sitting on something great, but we can't just offer an opportunity to study.

''It's going to promote rugby in Canberra and increase the standard of rugby we have here.

''It won't happen in year one, but it will be sustainable for South African and New Zealand boys to come here and study.''

White warned the agreement needed to be more than ''lip service'' to ensure he could attract the best recruits and turn them into better players in Canberra.

The university will get maximum exposure in South Africa and New Zealand when the Super Rugby season begins on February 24.

Rugby is the No.1 sport in both countries and more than 4million viewers watched the Brumbies' games last season

Twenty-three per cent of the university's student population is from overseas, but only a small minority is from South Africa or New Zealand with most travelling from China and South East Asia.

The Brumbies could also move their base to the university campus in the coming years.

The club had its plans to redevelop Griffith Oval blocked on heritage grounds in 2010 and is currently awaiting a decision on its contentious application to rezone the site of its headquarters for redevelopment as apartments.

Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-union/uc-deal-may-lure-south-africans/2439627.aspx?storypage=0

Edited to include a second source: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/university-deal-may-lure-south-africans-to-brumbies-20120201-1qs8t.html]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:18:42 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35194-brumbies-university-of-canberra/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35103-venter-trailers-now-in-australia/
I know how much Saffers lament the loss of their beloved Venter trailers....

I just did something I never do - I clicked on an ad on Facebook and look what I found... http://www.caddietrailers.com.au/

Happy days!!!!]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:19:33 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35103-venter-trailers-now-in-australia/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35181-search-for-the-next-smart-home-family/ Search for the next Smart Home family

The successful family will live in the state of the art home rent-free for 18 months. In exchange for this unique opportunity, the family will be expected to share their experiences in the home with the media and through the Smart Home Family Blog, Facebook and Twitter.]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:01:51 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35181-search-for-the-next-smart-home-family/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35057-457-visa-to-pr/ We got married in December 2011 and my 457 visa was approved a couple of weeks ago so I am due to arrive in Mackay, Queensland at the end of the month.
We would like to start proceedings for our PR asap and I would just like a little advice on how long we can expect this to take?]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:55:42 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35057-457-visa-to-pr/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35126-relocating-costs-within-sydney/
Could anyone give me an estimate of how much it costs to move a household from within
Sydney? We brought a full 20 ft container, and will be moving into our rental next week
(our container has arrived ),
but we would like to know how much it will cost to move out the rental into another place
when we hopefully buy a house later this year. It would probably be within the same suburb,
not more than 4 km apart. Thanks.

Chocolate]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:21:53 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35126-relocating-costs-within-sydney/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35138-type-of-visas/
I see a lot of people posting and saying they have (or are applying for) a subclass 457.

I am curious if most people are getting into Australia because of a job offer... I have a subclass 175... work anywhere, live anywhere.

Cheers]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:30:19 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35138-type-of-visas/ http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35136-any-tips-for-cruise-to-south-pacific-islands/

I can't believe that it is almost time for us to set sail! Thank you again to everyone that offered advice on the Visa issue a couple of months ago

I have a few questions and was wondering if anyone can help?

- do we need to take our own towels?
- do we need to take any other currency or will AUD be ok?
- is it better to book shore excursions on-line or is it better to wait until we get to the Island?
- is it ok to wear jeans to dinner (except for the Captain's dinner)?


Thanks
Charmaine]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:10:19 +0000 http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php/topic/35136-any-tips-for-cruise-to-south-pacific-islands/