Researcher

Thanks

Thanks Cleowag I will do that. So I imagine you are happy to have left it all to us for the more laid back life of WA? It has caused so much tension here and is almost the 'elephant in the room' topic when meeting up with people as most have very strong Brexit views, it has definitely soured many relationships including within the family! One thing it has done for definite is got more people thinking about politics but I am afraid we are a very divided Britain. Of course there was nothing as heated as this when we came out to WA in 2006 acting on a delayed dream. My sister and brother-in-law have been there for 35 years and were living in Bunbury so lots of lovely visiting holidays.We retired and built a house in Dalyellup but then after four years of back and forth to the UK sold up. Probably the wrong time of life as too connected to family back here and didn't make enough of a commitment. You know the thing about the dream and the reality! Imagination is a great motivator but I was missing things that don't even register when I am living here in the UK - like being Welsh, not that I even live in Wales and haven't a nationalist bone in my body, apart from on rugby match days and St David's day! I always find it interesting on the forum when people are asking to meet up with other Welsh, Scottish or Irish nationals, again that familiarity I guess. Anyway off to look at these 'Brexit from afar' discussions on Poms in Oz. Thanks again

Hi everyone - I am here in the UK being bombarded by the Brexit debacle every time I turn on the tv or radio. Having returned here after a few temporary years in WA where I am afraid to say sneered at the seeming lack of professionalism of Australian politicians, I am beginning to look back at them with rose tinted spectacles. Would be interested to hear some of your thoughts on Brexit. Do you think Britain should take back sovereignty, cut the free movement between other EU countries or stay within the EU? What do you think will happen - there may well be a rush for the door and you see far more Brits looking for a New Life Down Under!

Hi, I am doing some research in Cambridge, UK about British migrants moving to WA. Some members have kindly helped me with their stories already and I am now looking to hear from people who have migrated recently - since 2010. I just need to hear your experiences of leaving the UK, how you are settling in Aus and your feelings about national identity . I have a questionnaire as a guide but am more than grateful for any contributions about your experiences. Please send me a message if you are willing to help. Thanks in advance

Many condolences, unfortunately 'cowboy builders' cause untold stress to too many and don't seem well enough regulated. My sister&brother-in-law down in Bunbury were almost driven to the edge and certainly to court when an initial quote of $50,000 for a wall ended up at $130,000 and the b.......... won the case! Just had to draw a line under it but unfortunately many can't.

A Masters in education sounds great! So does that mean a teaching career ahead? I am a retired teacher of 35 years in the UK, the whole system certainly needs some input of fresh new blood. Did your daughter come across Prof.Loretta Baldassar? Fantastic lady and so helpful. 18 deg here today!! I can almost manage without bed socks!! Have a good day.

The UWA is certainly in a superb setting, far better than my 'shoe horned in' university in Cambridge. A super choice for your daughter and hope all goes well for her. The staff there are also amazingly supportive - certainly in the Anthropology and Sociology Faculty where I was invited as a visiting student to take part in some seminars. I will certainly be back! Our nephew is getting married at Nedlands Yacht club in February - again a beautiful setting I have heard. Not sure about the heat though for us pansy Poms!!!

Just returned from a visit to the beautiful city for the first time in two years. Lots of work going on down in the Barrack Street area and looking forward on our next visit in February 2016 to see that finished. Managed to catch up with some amazing people both old and new friends, one of which I met through this forum, which brought an added richness and meaning to the visit. Spent some time at the UWA and Fraser's restaurant up in King's Park did not disappoint - fantastic meal. Back in cooler Blighty now but we are slowly warming up - a staggering 25 deg C yesterday!!! My family in Perth tell me it is cooling down there so maybe the right time to come back!

Take care with import taxes/VAT the other end. I received a parcel in the UK from my sister in Perth at Christmas and it cost me £52 in tax. What was in it??? A pair of slippers, a pair of Bondies for my husband and two bath towels! We don't have towels in the UK!!!! We shipped a load of stuff back in 2010 and had to pay import/purchase tax on all the bits we had bought in Aus including bikes we had bought in 2000!!! Just as well we are the sad sort of people that keep all our receipts! Ours may have been an isolated incident but ask yourself first 'how much do I really need/want these things?'

How Australian do you feel today? My sister has been in WA for 30 years and still calls Wales home despite taking up Australian citizenship over 25 years ago! As a temporary migrant (2006-2009) who returned to the UK I never really gave myself time to become anything other than a Brit. How long does it take to feel Australian?

Hello, I am a former temporary migrant (2006-2009) and have visited WA regularly since 1986. I have close family in Perth and Bunbury. When returning to the UK I went back to college and am now researching about national identity and particularly that of Brits who have migrated to WA in the past 2-20 years. My main focus is how Australian/British/neutral ex pats feel once they have lived in Aus for a while. I am visiting Perth in March so would be happy to meet up or just correspond by email. I do have a structured questionnaire and emphasise that as a researcher I am legally bound by the ethics of the university to keep all your information anonymous. I would really appreciate your help and if you could send me a private message will respond to you directly. Thank you

Thank you - PM function? Sorry, never been on a forum site before!