Popular Post leeferg1 Posted September 16, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Hello everyoneI used to be a member but changed computers and couldn't re-register for some reason so have been an active lurker for many years now (I've finally made the time to create another account).I've been reading a lot of posts recently of people having doubts about coming over and of the negativity in and around Oz, so thought I'd share our story of experiencing both the negatives and positives that Oz has thrown our way.We come from a small town in the Natal Midlands where my husband owned a small engineering company and I worked in accounts. We have 2 boys aged 9 and 12. We arrived in Australia in January 2012 on a 457 visa. The job offer came in the form of a boilermaker position in a workshop in a very remote town in the northern tip of WA. The town has a population of about 6000 people, of which 50% are indigenous. Not quite what we had in mind that's for sure! The humidity was unbearable, the (petty) crime high and the schooling – well, let's just say my boys saw and heard things that adults would be shocked to see/hear in the most bogan of pubs! We experienced more crime there than we ever did in South Africa. We had a lot of egg on our faces after telling our boys how wonderful Oz was going to be and how different it would be to RSA!My first job there was washing and folding laundry for a backpackers – at $19/hr it wasn't exactly a career of choice! My hubby was earning $34/hr and with our rent being (for a dodgy house in the worst street) $710/week, times were tough.In a nutshell, we couldn't wait to leave but didn't have a lot of choice due to the 457 and financial constraints. Long story short, my husband's employer let us down regarding the promise of a PR visa so we ended up having to do it on our own. So after 18 months of literally being in hell and saving like demons, we had our tickets booked for Bunbury.So, once more, we were on the road to starting all over again (it cost almost the same for our container to come here as it did from RSA to Oz). Luckily my husband managed to find contract work pretty quickly as we arrived here with nothing lined up. He is now doing FIFO (4/1) which is certainly not ideal but seeing as we've had to (financially) start over twice in the last 2 years, we are having to do a lot of catch up.We love Bunbury and after the previous town, it is like Heaven on earth. I managed to find an awesome small private school for my boys – with a Saffer principal and about 5 Saffer staff (so discipline is at a premium ) which costs us about $80/week for both of them. I'm now a stay at home mom – or should I say maid (!!) and loving it.Since arriving in Bunbury last year November, we have managed to purchase 2 cars (one cash and the other belongs to the bank) and a (non flash) boat. We are currently saving for a deposit for a house, so we are slowly but surely building ourselves up again. We are by no means wealthy, nor will we ever be, but our riches come from the fact that our boys can experience the childhood we've always wanted for them., we can camp in safety and my husband can spear fish in isolated places without the fear of being held up at gun point.I guess the point I'm trying to make is that every journey is different and sometimes we don't always start off in the place we expect /want to, but that's okay, because with determination and the will to make it work, we CAN end up being where we're supposed to be.We may not be living everyone's idea of “the dream”, but we are living ours. 40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Hi leeferg1,In my mind you are a living testament to the triumph of the human spirit and sheer willpower. Bloody well done! I salute you! You inspire ordinary folk with your no frills guts for glory attitude! Forumites, join me in raising your glasses! Please like this! 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Well done for sticking it out and making it work, now you are reaping the rewards. Everyone has a different journey and yours definitely seems to have tried you to the utmost! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikej Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Respect 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Well Done and thanks for sharig. Even though we try and be realistic lets be honest most of us are moving for a better life and to arrive at the other end of the world and not have that must be extremely hard. Well done for sticking it out and enjoy your new life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zamunda Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) Well done!!With your positive attitude, you certainly are living the dream.As I always say - "put in as much as you want out." , "Don't expect things to turn out the best, rather make the best out of things". Edited September 16, 2014 by zamunda 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarinWise Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 I salute you-way to go!You are an inspiration, may only good things happen to you in your future. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Wow thank you for sharing your story. It must have been an eye-opener. I guess you'll be able to laugh about it in a few years time You've seen more of Aus than most true-blue Aussies have, too! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Hello and welcome (back)! I'm so glad things worked out for you in the end. I can only imagine how helpless it must have felt to have made it all the way here and then be stuck in a place you hate with circumstances you hate.I'm also one that struggled a bit (nowhere near as much as you!!) with location and job woes, but we are now pretty much where we want to be...If it's not working.... Change it!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanSchoorFamily Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Very well done 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Wow so happy for you! It is such a challenge, glad to hear when people make it work 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeferg1 Posted September 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Wow! Thanks guys for your lovely (and very unexpected) responses. I hope that those who are unsure at the moment will decide to give Oz a go and know that even if you hit some speed bumps along the way, you can, with the right attitude, make it through. It's not always a bed of roses, but sometimes when you accept that you have to perhaps be the manure for a while, those roses will grow. Good luck to all of you just starting out, almost here or newly arrived - go for it - Oz is worth every ounce of that effort. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushlovers Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thank You leeferg1 for this posting..So glad that things work out for you and your family... Will keep your post in mind for all the challenges still waiting for us in the months to come.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigvan07 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 THIS post is what I needed to read. Also heading out to Bunbury very early next year! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Bigvan07,Mate dont forget to look my ass up when you hit the ground...once you are settled we can hit the strand for some old school fishing. Be nice to meet you in the flesh while "soaking a bait" It's not long now bro, do your tours of the family and friends, and I will make sure my gear is ready for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elleneo Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Thank you for sharing your uplifting story! there are many that struggle to even take the plunge to get on that plane, then when they arrive and things are harder than they expected, they go back to SA and are too scared to return and give it another go.Your story shows them that there are those who had it harder than they did but because they persevered they came out on top! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigvan07 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 @Surferman, Don't you worry about that, I will definitely look you up once I get there. That plan sounds awesome, been awhile since I did some old-school fishing. Been going up to Kosi Bay lately with my dad in-law, so have done my fishing on a boat mostly the last 6 years.If I'm not mistaken, I will be in time for the Aussie Salmon run in March? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEO Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Respect! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Indeed it will be! See you soon with a rod in one hand, a beer in the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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