207 replies to this topic

[Garrick]

Thanks Cristel,

Eynesbury is a "Telstra Smart Community", so our builder will be putting in all the wiring necessary to hook us up to the fibre optics that Telstra will put in. In fact, Eynesbury has a policy of no aerials and not dishes on the roof of your house. All your TV, Foxtel, etc. gets deliverred over fibre optic. It does mean we're tied into Telstra, but you get package deals which make it cheaper.

-G

[betty boop]

Hi Garrick

It has been so interesting reading your blog. My husband will soon be leaving us to move to Melbourne and we will follow in a month. I have loved reading your blog and have shared your photos and interesting facts with my children. I am interested to find out how and where you lived prior to getting your first rented home. Was this accomodation on a week/ month to month basis. Was it furnished and how did you find out about it. I have read somewhere though that if you are moving over on a temp visa ie 457 that we have 3 months to convert our drivers licence. Do you have any info on this. On purchasing your first home, had you managed to save your deposit and is it easier buying off plan. I know that we will only be able to purchase our home once we have our PR but would like to find out how easy it was. Your house is beautiful, my son would love to have a theatre room....mmm looks beautiful. Sorry about all the questions.

[Garrick]

Wow, can't believe it's been so long since I last posted.

The contract for our house has been signed and we now wait till the middle of next year for the land to title and the building to commence. It's going to be a beautiful house and I really hope we enjoy the lifestyle out there.

Work wise, 2 months into my 4 month contract (who in their right mind takes a 4 month contract? ) I had it extended for another 6, and that's well better than at MLC (NAB), who just left it till the last moment every time. Also, I heard that MLC have cut a number of their senior Java people, which is just bizarre, but who knows what's going on there. All I know is that I definitely made the right choice moving when I did, otherwise I may be sitting without work now.

Amy is growing so well, it really amazes me how much she takes in. Makes me want to protect her from all the bad in the world because it will taint her, and that saddens me. That people will inadvertantly plant bad seeds in her life. I can only hope to be a good gardener and pluck the weeds before they take hold.

I've read the forums on and off for the last few weeks, following some discussions and seeing all the new people arriving or planning to. I look back at almost 2 years of never leaving Australian soil (well, except for the cruise), and I am so incredibly grateful to be here. My cousins husband posted a picture of Umhlanga on his facebook, joking what a "terrible" day it was in South Africa. Never once will you hear me say South Africa is not a beautiful country. I will sing its natural beauty's praise every time someone asks me. I will tell them of the amazing cultures I have experienced across the land. But I will always warn them of the crime. The fact that my cousin would have had to lock up their house, turn on alarm, and park their car where they hope it won't get stolen or broken into, and that they won't get mugged. Africa is a trully beautiful place, it's just messed up, so I'll sit here in Australia, where in Victoria the weather is a bit weird ALL the time, but I know were are unfathomly safer than in South Africa.

As for money, well, we got by just fine from the day we got here on just my salary, and God has blessed us and given us a good life here and provides well for all our needs.

Sleep safe if you're in South Africa, and I pray you keep safe, or find a way to join us here in this truly amazing country.

-G

[Garrick]

Hi all,

For those that don't yet know. We're having a baby! We've just passed the 12 week mark and things are looking good. Scans show all is well. We don't know what gender yet, but we will find out before birth.

This child will be the first of our 'lineage' to be fully raised (God willing) in Australia. Amy is excited to finally have a baby brother/sister.

This weekend is 2 years since I set permanent foot on Australian soil. I have never left it (well, except for a brief ship cruise). Not even in my 2 years in the UK did I stay away from SA for such a long period. And at this rate, 2 years will become many more.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, wherever in the world you may be.

-G

[Queensland Girl]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[AndreaL]

Congratulations Garrick
You both must be very happy to be expecting a new little Australian

[hestie tt]

Great news!!! Your first little Aussie

[Basil & Liezl]

Congratulations!

[blondiejhb]

Congratulations, that is awesome

[Orion25]

EXCELLENT NEWS

[Lynnie]

Garrick, on 04 February 2012 - 09:17 AM, said:

Hi all,

For those that don't yet know. We're having a baby! We've just passed the 12 week mark and things are looking good. Scans show all is well. We don't know what gender yet, but we will find out before birth.

This child will be the first of our 'lineage' to be fully raised (God willing) in Australia. Amy is excited to finally have a baby brother/sister.

This weekend is 2 years since I set permanent foot on Australian soil. I have never left it (well, except for a brief ship cruise). Not even in my 2 years in the UK did I stay away from SA for such a long period. And at this rate, 2 years will become many more.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, wherever in the world you may be.

-G

CONGRATS!!!!!!

[Malans]

Brilliant news Well done and all the best.

[herby]

Awesome, awesome news - congratulations