sammyjo Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hi everyone,So good to see lots of sharing and supporing happening on this forum!I'm an Australian who married a South African and moved to SA about 6 years ago . My husband and I have decided to make the move to Australia this year.From what I gather on this forum, hubby and I had it super easy getting him a visa - we did a partner visa application on our own and within 3 months hubby had his PR for Aus. Lucky bugger! ;-)I'm still on temp permits here in SA and have been unable to work or practice my profession which has been a real bummer for me. I have however learned so much and grown a great deal from my experience here in South Africa. I'm truly blessed to be able to call your beautiful country my second home! Us Aussies can sometimes be a little (or a LOT) arrogant about how we do things in Aus, and I've learned that my way is not the only way! I've also learned to be PATIENT. Will never forget having a meltdown in the local Checkers supermarket because it was too crowded and people having a different sense of personal space to what I was used to!! Dealing with Home Affairs has also helped me develop my tollerance and patience levels!! We have just returned from an awesome trip to the Kruger National Park where we experienced a wildnerness trail which was a real test for me! MUD, BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS!! I'm more of a princess than I thought I was!! I work in the settlement sector in Australia with newly arrived migrants and I'm really happy to answer questions people may have about life in Australia. I'm a Brisbane girl so most of my anwers will probably be more Queensland - orientated Have a lekker weekend!! 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kapoen Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) Hi sammyjo Welcome to the forum, whereabouts in Limpopo do you guys live? Edited February 15, 2013 by Kapoen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sianvz Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) It seems it's really easy to get a partner visa for Oz. My brother has been in Oz for 3 years, after his first year his girlfriend from San Francisco decided to move there to join him. She went on a working holiday visa, and then applied for PR as a partner. They had to provide some proof, like a lease, photos, affidavit from family etc, once she applied she got a bridging visa, and a few months later she got her PR. I know that they have to report to their case officer after 2 years have passed to prove they are still together.On the contrary, somewhere like USA or Canada is a mission! I know someone who is married to a Canadian and they have two kids, but have been living in SA. It look them almost 2 years to get the visa to allow them to move there as a family. Completely silly. Edited February 15, 2013 by sianvz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miley Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hi Sammyjo,What a great mail, thanks for your words. We have family in Brisbane, but need to spend two years in perth (state sponsor) before we head off to the Goldie. Look forward to reading more of your posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Kapoen, we live in Polokwane. Yup it's odd how laws on migration differ so significantly from country to country. Miley, I've never been to WA before! Hope you enjoy your time there. Will you be moving to Brisbane or the Gold Coast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kapoen Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) Hi sammyjo, small world! I also live in Polokwane, for now, on my way to Geraldton WA Edited February 15, 2013 by Kapoen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Wow... Small world hey! When are you off to WA? What will you be doing that side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynnie Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Welcome Sammyjo and thanks for sharing and being so honest about "Afrika tyd".... Hope you enjoy your stay there - be safe :ilikeit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OubaasDik Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 That personal space thing is a pain.I remember seeing a speeded up movie of a diplomatic reception, where there were diplomats from all over the world, and the amazing thing was to notice the "dance" as the European and American diplomats stepped back, while the Asian and African ones stepped forward - it was like a waltz. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miley Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Hi Sammyjo, my hubby has fallen in love with Currumbin, surfing, kiting, stand up paddle board heaven. At the moment i'm just thinking about getting to Perth and getting my two daughters settled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kapoen Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Wow... Small world hey!When are you off to WA? What will you be doing that side?If all goes according to plan I will be flying on the 16th March. I will be working for the John Deere dealer in Gero as projects administrator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Welcome, and good luck with the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks guys )Today I'm sitting and making a TO DO list.I start studying my Masters through the Uni of NSW (externally) on 4th of March so need to be organised because we may move in April or May which is before semester ends. I have a feeling the next 6 months are going to get super chaotic (in a good way!).Really admire how others make the move without support structures already in place in Australia. I imagine it would be an incredibly daunting task at times!s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hi SammyjoWelcome to the forum and thanks you for sharing. We are off to Brisbane hopefully (if plans don't change again) and can't wait to get there. I hope the rest of your planning goes well and you have a smooth journey. Also look forward to reading your posts on QLD as they come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 HadEnoughofJuju... having a little giggle to myself about your name ;-)Ohhh... Brisbane is my home since 1989 (I was 4 years old when we moved to Aus) so if you need to know anything let me know! s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm glad it made you giggle, it was never intended to be permanent but it's grown on me and reflects my sentiment about said individual and what him and the rest of his cronies stand for. Everything is so overwhelming at the moment and we realised tonight that we really don't have much time here in South Africa left and are all a bit freaked out at all the unknowns. I appreciate the offer and may just take you up on it in time to come. When are you planning to leave and are you going back to Brisbane? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 so....then I can't call you Juju for short? Not confirmed but we are thinking maybe end of April or so... we need to start looking at booking tickets / packing up / shipping things etc.I see you are booked for 8/4/13? The weather will hopefully have cooled down by then... the only negative about Bris are the horribly humid Summers. When I'm home in Summer, I prefer to be at work than at home so I can be in the air con all day!You will love Brisbane! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcl Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Hi Sammyjo,Welcome to the forum. I really appreciate you posting here, it is so nice to hear an Australian's take on living in SA. This is a very supportive group with lots of good advice! Good luck.Regards,John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandC Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I have lived here all my life and I still cannot get used to the "personal space" thing, I'll be honest.The home affairs issue is also quite tender, and that is why I think we would find working service delivery in Australia to be a bit of a shock and absolute paradise.Anyway, welcome and all the best with your process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I've found it really hard to cope with poor service delivery. In saying so I know I am very blessed compared to many South Africans who suffer on a day to day basis... Eg. Children having to cross rivers to get to school, lack of running water, no electricity. It's sad This is a wealthy country, no need for people to go without those basics. *end rant* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizM Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Hey Sammy,I've been off-line for a while, so just catching up on posts. I'm also an Aussie marreid to a Saffer. My opinion of SA has changed a fair bit in the 7years I've been here.Last year I was almost beggin hubby to go back home. Finally accepted (and feeling quite settled) that we would be here for quite some time and he's just recently decided it's time to go lol.So, we've applied for our boy's Oz passports. When we have them we'll apply for his spousal visa (hope it goes smoothly).Hoping to be back in Oz by the time school starts in jan 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyjo Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Hi Liz, Wow I was in kinda the same situation as you... Dying to go back for a long time! Are you happy about going back now? Great to know I'm not the only one in this boat! -Sammyjo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieO Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Hi and welcome.We've been in Brissy for nearly 3 years now. And although I miss some things about SA, we haven't looked back even once.We've been extremely fortunate that we settled so quickly and dont get homesick. It helps that we found a phenomenal kindy for our kids and live in close proximity to some lovely local parks and playgrounds.I dont think there is anything about Brisbane I dont like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bams Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Welcome and thanks for the post. Looking forward to "trailing" your progress... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizM Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I am happy as long as I don't think too much about saying goodbye to the people I love and also about our nanny saying goodbye to our boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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