Lynnie Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Hi,I was just curious as to when this Forum was started, by whom and how did it all come together?Thanks :ilikeit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Popular Post Mara Posted September 8, 2012 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Mmmm...around Feb 2006, a number of the hosts were just members of Rainbownation, another website with a section for migration to Australia, where we got to know each other, over a period of time. Unfortunately, it was a website that was not moderated and the back stabbing, bad language, aggression, racism, etc, just became very bad, however, nothing was ever done, as, although we all complained, the moderator totally ignored our complaints. I think it was Dedrei's sister, who lives in Canada, told her about SACanada and suggested she perhaps speaks to Hendie and checks with him if we could not start an SAAustralia. This she did, he agreed and "Eureka" SAAustralia was born. Those of us who had been friends on Rainbownation were invited to be hosts on the new website as we wanted to ensure that it was a safe place with excellent information for those wanting to move to Australia. Over the years this has been our mainstay, there have been a number of fights, there have been times when we have had to ban people, there have been times when we have been told our fortunes, in no uncertain terms. We have always stood by the rules we made when we intially started, a safe place where we could pay it forward and assist others with their move to Australia.We are happy that we are still here, that we have new people finding us and being helped on a daily basis. We are appreciative of the new members that pay it forward and assist other new comers with information to assist them in finding their feet firmly planted when they arrive.I for one, would have given an arm and a leg, to have had a site such as this available to me when we left RSA at the end of 1993, alas, we had to do it blindfolded, holding our hands out front, and hoping we do not bump into anything.None of the hosts are as active anymore as what we were in the beginning, that is only because a lot of the information regarding the rules of migration have changed completely since we migrated, the only thing we can really help with is local information, which we all willingly do.The one person that serves the greatest role on SAAustralia, albeit in the background, is Jordy, who keeps us up and running, all day and everyday! Thanks Jordy, time for you to take a bow! Also to Hendie, who offered us the opportunity for starting this wonderful website and for the founding members who initiated it.To the many members on SAAustralia, keep up the great work being done by everyone, you often never know how your information and actions have touched someone elses life.If but one piece of information on this website assisted you, then please, pay it forward by assisting someone else on their journey. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bronwyn&Co Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 That is a great question Lynnie, I look forward to the answers. I've been around since 2006 at least ( different profile ) and Mara, Bob, Pippa, Queensland Girl, and the fantastic Riekie were all on here before me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Donovan83 Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 This site has been so valuable for me. I plan to stick around for a long time to "pay it forward" I think it'd maybe be an idea to have some kind of a donation thing with Paypal so that we can help with the running costs of the site. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Riekie Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Nice of you Donovan but we've been doing it as a labour of love and will continue to do so. Once money is involved, it simply gets too complicated. Thanks for the thought though - but you can "pay" by paying it forward. For most of the hosts, this is our "baby" and we just love how it's grown into the huge success it is today. Our members are all key in that, and we appreciate it immensely! Maybe wizard Jordy could give us some interesting stats on our annual member growth, current member count, average posts/hits/etc per day/year.... I know he loves this stuff.... Hint hint Jordy... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Jordy Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 lol Hint taken. I will put up some stats tomorrow arvo.BUT FOR NOW A TRULY REMARKABLE STAT....................................WE are just about to approve our 10000th member. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Donovan83 Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Wow. That's astounding!It would be nice to see how many members joined monthly, how many posts were made etc. If you have the data in excel I could put some graphs together? (yes I'm a nerd shhh) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 OnYellowBrickRd Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 To all the founding members and current hosts: You have succeeded. I have told everyone I know about the invaluable support that a person receives on this forum. I am especially grateful for the values that govern this forum (respect, selflessness,etc.) and believe that this is a taste of what life, and interaction with others should be like. Thank you for the information, reassurance, advice, laughter and sorrows that we are able to learn from. SAAustralia...I salute you! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 HadEnoughofJuju Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 (edited) I have to agree with my wife (OnYellowBrickRd). I cannot tell you all how helpful and supportive the hosts and members of this forum have been. Even though in the short time that I have been a member and had a few scuffles with members it feels like we are family and that we have be accepted unconditionally. I plan on being around for a long time and one of the things I truly believe in is paying it forward. We have no idea (and may never now either) what affect or influence we may have in changing other peoples lives. Keep up the good work saaustralia. Edited September 8, 2012 by HadEnoughofJuju 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Erik Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 However it started, thank you from the bottom of my heart! This forum is awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 AndreaL Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've been a member since May 2007 and have met some truly amazing people, some truly annoying people ( gosh there have been some spats of note) and through it all the hosts have done such an amazing job.This truly is a special forum and though some of us can no longer offer visa advice due to the changes, it still gives me a thrill to share peoples journey and to celebrate with them when they post their triumphs. Thank you to all the selfless people who make this forum what it is. :yourock: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Lisle Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Congratulations on your 10 000th member. And thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 yolred Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I have to agree.This site has really helped us a lot, and hope we can make a contribution.Unlucky for us we just got our visa, and then the laws changed so hopefully can assist other forum members in other ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Lynnie
Hi,
I was just curious as to when this Forum was started, by whom and how did it all come together?
Thanks
:ilikeit: 
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