Nikkis2000 Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 As a PR resident what can you claim immediately from Medicare? Do you have to be in country for so long before you can get any free medical treatment (if that exists) When you register with Medicare you get a ticket with your medicare number. Once you have that you can claim medicare. It takes about 4- 6 weeks for you're actaul card to come through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 Morning Sully - hopefully things are looking a bit cheerier this morning. The other piece of advice I could give is to maybe identify just one or two jobs to do each day. So maybe go and get Medicare sorted and get some phones as then that allows you to start doing the others bits. Then do something else tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Get over to Kings Park. The view always brings a smile to anyone's heart. A trip to freo is also a good idea. It's easiest to just wander into Medicare to do it than do it online. Don't worry about the tfn as you can get that once in more permanent accommodation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Oh Sully Please don't be too hard on yourself, I remember those first few weeks and I was in tears most of the time, whilst another friend who came out at the same time was handling it brilliantly. I remember posting on here a couple of weeks after I had arrived to express how sad I had been feeling and that I was crying myself to sleep, but when you read everyone's posts for the first few weeks they where here, they were saying how great it was, but I could not find one that said how sad and ratty they felt when they first got here. I was the only one in my family feeling that way as well, so it made me feel a bit of a freak. I had lots of pm messages after that post, with lots of people saying they felt the same. What you and your family have done is a huge thing and never ever underestimate that, for months this has been your world. researching stuff, asking questions, looking at areas, giving up jobs, selling houses and now your here, and you feel tired and grotty but you feel like you should be on top of the world as you have made your dreams come true. It does get better, its exactly ten months today that we boarded the plane and I still have those "what have I done" moments and I still feel sad and want to go back, go back to what I don't know but sometimes it just feels like something is missing, then other days when I walking along the street and the sun is shining and the parrots are playing I thank my lucky stars that I'm here. It does get better so try to relax, have a glass or two of wine and let the kids play in the pool as much as they like. Meet up for a coffee soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Hi Sully, hope you are feeling brighter this morning. Dont underestimate jet lag, its a killer! Agree with what others have said, take a step back, do just one or two 'jobs' in a day and then do other things. Priorities for us when we landed, get bank cards - we had an appointment to go into the bank to get them the day after we landed, whilst in town we sorted out 1 phone (sim only) this meant we had a number and could call people and get on the internet. Medicare - we didnt rush to get it sorted actually, we had travel insurance that would cover us for an emergency, and I was dreading doing it (dont really know why, just one of those things!) but actually it wasnt so bad. TFN - as VS said may be easier to sort when you have a more permanent address, its not essential unless one of you is starting work very quickly. Driving liscence - dont forget you have 3 months to change this over - so there really is no rush, and again probably better to wait until you have your address sorted. As for things to do I agree Kings park is a great place to visit, the wildlife park is supposed to be great (although we havent actually been yet!), but I would take a drive out to the coast - do the 'tourist drive' stop off at some of the beaches and enjoy the view, a trip to freo is also good. I would also take a trip to Ocean Reef (I think that is where you said your short term accommodation was?!) sus out the area, start to look at the suburbs on your way through.... but most of all, relax and accept that it is a strange anti-climax for a couple of days, you have been on a roller-coaster of emotions for the past few weeks, it is going to take time to start to feel normal again. Hugs and hope you feel better, remember there are lots of people here that will help out, you only need to ask. I'm feeling decidedly irritable today. We need to get the basic things sorted before we can really start to explore the area and have a bit of fun. All I seem to be doing is searching on the web for info on how to register for a tax number, how to get Medicare and how to activate the bank account. Each time I am thwarted by not having something or the internet not working or my messages not being sent through. I get weird messages saying something about the server is not being registered and that it doesn't send them, but some it does!! I don't understand. So here I was wondering why I hadn't heard from some people and it turns out I never sent them! Also, the internet is patchy and I keep losing connection. Grrrrr....... We went into Perth centre today whilst out and about. No map with us. Didn't know really where the centre was just headed for the busy bit. Ended up parking in a multi-storey car park on Pier Street which was definitely the 'wrong end of town'. We walked past down and outs, scruffy shops and squabbling aboriginal people. Not a great first impression. Eventually we found the swanky shops and imposing, imperial style public buildings, much better. Earlier in the day whilst I had time to spare I wandered into a large art gallery that specialised in Aboriginal art. Huge brightly coloured paintings filled the walls. We walked around and chatted to the owner about them and the artists. Nothing stuffy about her, just very welcoming even to the children. The sun shone on this Autumn day but it was really hot at times. I never seem to know what I should wear. I seem to have packed summer stuff and winter stuff but I need something in between. I have cases still unpacked all over the place as not much point as we are only here for 1 week. Subsequently, I have 3 people asking me ...'where are my shoes? Where are my clean clothes....? I should unpack the basics but I seem to be always occupied or zooming out the door. At least today the boys got to go in the pool even though it was freezing. One had a wet suit on, that helped. I just sat on a lounger in a sun trap and read my book whilst listening to the parrots overhead. Lovely. I think I am at the stage where I need to see something that will make me want to pinch myself because I feel so lucky to be here. As of the moment that has not happened. We are out and about again tomorrow getting jobs done but I hope we can squeeze something else in. The jet lag is still with us and I know that can cloud your judgement so I am keeping my grumblings to myself (well apart from here) for now. I know I need to be patient, it is early days and things just have to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 (edited) Firstly, I must say I am feeling much better. Secondly, I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and gestures. I have received offers of help, words of advice, contact info for the services I need, personal phone numbers of PP members and invitations to meet up. This has made me feel supported and understood. Thank you. So many of you have hit the nail on the head one way or another...tiredness, jet lag, anti-climax after the 2 year build-up, living in the city when I had dreamed of sea/space, doing jobs but not seeing anything that I had researched and being bombarded with jobs to do that all require ID that we didn't have in place, oh yeah, and the internet not working from time to time. Mix that with PMT and you have a Cocktail for frustration and tears. I took on board all of the advice and acted on some of the links we were sent. Subsequently, over the last two days we have achieved the following - registered with Medicare (easy once you know where to go, ours was in a shopping centre!), researched about bought pay as you go SIM cards (researched online which was the the best deal for us. Decided on Virgin 'Simple 19' which gives us what we need. For $19 / £10 we get $19 credit that lasts for 3 months and anything we don't use gets carried over, plus calls to each other on the virgin network are free. Calls are only 15c per minute and can be used to call the UK for only 5c per minute! We researched where the local shops were and collected a $2 SIM card and took it back to activate. Still have some UK credit left so will do this once it runs out). We have also activated our NAB bank accounts in the CBD. One point for others in the same boat is to make sure you take along proof of the visa grant letter and your address. The bank letter only said to take the passports and on this day Sod's law I decided to leave the extra stuff at home as my hand bag was always over stuffed. Not a prob though as we can email them over to them later. On the fun front, we went to the beach (Trigg Beach) whilst we were near the phone shop. The sun was nearly setting and we ummed and ar'd whether to do it or to just head back home. I am so pleased we did. I was stunning! It reminded me of Florida as you had the big car park with facilities off the main road (free parking) which led you through the sand dunes that had fenced off bits as it was a nature reserve and had snakes it, to the soft white sand beach that spread out as far as the eye could see. The waves were crashing in to the beach and the surfers were enjoying the last of the day's light. All I kept thinking was, OMG, isn't that when the sharks feed? Masses of people jogged up and down the beach or did sit ups of the grass as the sun went down, however it wasn't crowded at all. It felt safe. No way would it be like this the Blighty. As we drove back to the swan river (Rivervale) we saw the roads that I had only ever seen on a map. Like many of you, I had a map imprinted on my brain of where all the main areas were and of the main roads. What I didn't really appreciate though was the size of the roads and how busy they were. I knew that there was a main road running up the coast but wasn't sure what type of road it was. The marmion (correct? spelling?) is a freeway which means it is a three lane motorway with the overland train running between each is of the road. I guess they park under the motorway, fantastic town planning if you can think a head and not build on top of what is already there/established. Today after the bank, we went to kings park. I had heard so much about this place but didn't really know much about it apart from the fact everyone says it is stunning, but I can't remember anyone ever saying why, other than it had a BBQ area and that kids could run around freely all day. We drove up there and was surprised by it. Firstly, it is step. It sits on an escarpment that the aboriginal people used to chase the kangaroos over and then collect their body at the bottom for meat. It is really step but that part is fenced off. From there you have the most amazing views of Perth, everyone stops for a photo there. You approach it via immaculate lawns and huge exotic tree lined avenues. It has the feel of Kew Gardens, all perfect and botanical. The next thing that I noticed was that it has a real focus on remembering those that had fallen in the wars. Beautiful, reflective spaces with monuments that list those that died. I didn't see one piece of litter or graffiti. It was immaculate but used by masses of people from school parties to pensioners. We saw out first Cookaburra (spelling??) in a tree, lay on the grass a felt the sun of our faces and listened to the strange sounding birds over head. The park further in turned more natural and bush like but again was completely accessible with paths running through it. What an amazing place to explore. It was only once we were out and traveling over a motorway bridge could you look up and realise that it was a sort of high lush, green peninsula sitting high above Perth, which zoomed along in its busyness below. We are now researching cars. I am leaving this to the OH as he knows what he is doing and I just comment on the choices presented. Tomorrow we are off to the wild life park to get a cuddle with a koala! If I had to sum this place up in a few words I would say it was a cross between the UK and the USA. It feels very much like home in some ways. The people are friendly and the cost of living is not as fierce as I remember from being here 18 months ago as the exchange rate is better. Eating out is costly but the supermarket was reasonable, bargains were to be found. We bought enjoyable, brand recognisable Oz red wine on special for two bottles for $20 (approx £6 each). We need to go and visit areas and get a feel for the wider areas but so far so good. I feel privilege for being allowed here but I have to accept that it is only our 4th day here and I shouldn't expect it to all fall in place immediately. We have been through so much and there is still much to do. Living out of suitcases is never easy but it will get easier in time. The red wine and the duty free vodka has helped to put that into perspective. Bye for now. X Edited May 16, 2014 by Akasully2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Lovely to hear things are looking Rosier Sully I hope you enjoy the weekend! What are your plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Glad to hear your slowly getting there and also having fun x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Lovely to hear things are looking Rosier Sully I hope you enjoy the weekend! What are your plans? Koala cuddling, kangaroo feeding, car hunting and area viewing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 I could write a book on my first impressions etc etc. Sully, so pleased you enjoyed kings Park and been to Trigg beach, much better than walking around the city. Hope you enjoy your day with the wildlife and look forward to your updates on areas you like xx Have a great weekend, I will off to see Barry , this time manchester, then glasgow , then cardiff so on the road. Look forward to your updates xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Oh Sully Please don't be too hard on yourself, I remember those first few weeks and I was in tears most of the time, whilst another friend who came out at the same time was handling it brilliantly. I remember posting on here a couple of weeks after I had arrived to express how sad I had been feeling and that I was crying myself to sleep, but when you read everyone's posts for the first few weeks they where here, they were saying how great it was, but I could not find one that said how sad and ratty they felt when they first got here. I was the only one in my family feeling that way as well, so it made me feel a bit of a freak. I had lots of pm messages after that post, with lots of people saying they felt the same. What you and your family have done is a huge thing and never ever underestimate that, for months this has been your world. researching stuff, asking questions, looking at areas, giving up jobs, selling houses and now your here, and you feel tired and grotty but you feel like you should be on top of the world as you have made your dreams come true. It does get better, its exactly ten months today that we boarded the plane and I still have those "what have I done" moments and I still feel sad and want to go back, go back to what I don't know but sometimes it just feels like something is missing, then other days when I walking along the street and the sun is shining and the parrots are playing I thank my lucky stars that I'm here. It does get better so try to relax, have a glass or two of wine and let the kids play in the pool as much as they like. Meet up for a coffee soon. What at a lovely post xx I'm liking this wine and chill idea,it's been a lovely day here in the UK. Done half a day cos I'm the boss:cool: And just sat thinking which bottle to knock the top off first ? The semillion or the wolfblass........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest6235 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Just think when all the crappy stuff is done you have a lifetime of beach/parks and general fun to look forward to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Just think when all the crappy stuff is done you have a lifetime of beach/parks and general fun to look forward to. Amen to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 This is the view from our balcony in Rivervale. ok, don't understand this. My iPad pics were always upside down in the UK but I expected them to be the right way up in the land down under. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 One more try.... this is pants, regardless if I rotate the pics before posting them, they still end up the wrong way round. I don't have this problem on Facebook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Are you taking these on an iPad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 To avoid any potential lawsuits from members suing the forum after injuring themselves while performing handstands to view the images, I've rotated them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 To avoid any potential lawsuits from members suing the forum after injuring themselves while performing handstands to view the images, I've rotated them. Well done iPhones are annoying you turn it around and it still flips over x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 To avoid any potential lawsuits from members suing the forum after injuring themselves while performing handstands to view the images, I've rotated them. Thank you! Yes, taken on an iPad. Very frustrating. Is there a way I can flip them at my end in future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Thank you! Yes, taken on an iPad. Very frustrating. Is there a way I can flip them at my end in future? Are you left handed? If you're using the iPad and pressing the shutter button when it's on your left side it is effectively 'upside down' and the iPad automatically re-orientates the image. The EXIF data recorded with the image should indicate its original orientation but because of something boring and techy, under certain circumstances, when you upload that EXIF data is ignored (or something). Bottom line is that you'll either have to transfer the images from iPad to computer, change the orientation and then upload them from there, or take the photo's with the button on your right side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Just a little update now we are coming up to two weeks in. After all the upset and guilt of leaving family, I now find I currently don't feel any. Skype is an amazing tool that has allowed me to sit and chat for free to my mum back in the UK. The only draw back is I have to wait until the evening to do it but that's fine, eat dinner and then call. My 78 year old mum initially pined a bit, I was told that she was feeling down and tended to sit in front of the computer waiting for a message or a Skype call. I was calling but couldn't get through. This has been rectified now as if I can't video her as it is turned off at her end, I just do a Skype phone call directly to her home telephone for a few pennies, then she turns it on. The Skype credit upload has been fantastic for us. Every time we have needed to call the UK for banking, etc we google the number and then dial it through Skype. You just talk through the computer but it costs hardly anything. The sound quality is great. Since we moved into the current 4 week holiday let in Ocean Reef we have been focussing on job hunting and buying a car. We test drove one yesterday and bought it! The next big push is going to be looking at areas and viewing schools. When I was in the UK I had a folder with loads of info I had collected on good website resources and areas to view. Unfortunately the packers wrapped it up and it is being shipped over, not much use to me now. Can anyone recommend a general school web site that shows the catchment areas for each? We had one but I can't remember it. hopefully driving out to the hills today to get a feel for that area. OH is keen to go fishing. He has a serous bit of kit he brought over with him but was been looking round the huge fishing stores they have out here, with relish. Kid in a sweet shop! my general observations so far it that it is an easy place to make home. The language and culture is so similar. The people are friendly and keen to offer advice. We went to view one car and the salesman who was English, offered to invite us round his house so we could meet his family. He gave us his home number and told my OH to phone his wife as she was in the same industry and could offer some advice. This seemed like an OTT sales approach but he was genuine. You would never get that in the UK. the weather is much milder than I was led to believe by some. I alternate between wearing shorts and flip flops to at the most a pair of jeans and a fleece. It did chuck down yesterday but the sun comes out in between. As for driving, I asked what the speed limit was for unmarked roads and was told that they had no idea. Admittedly they are marked on most roads. Also told that they drink driving limits were vague. Someone knew someone who worked at the Dept of transport and apparently they often had a big drink with their work colleagues then drove home! However, we were also told that cops hide the jump out and get you for speeding. No advanced warnings of speed cameras like in the UK. We need to get out and do some more fun things because so far it has been all about jobs to do. So far, so good. Perth has made a good impress on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Great to hear from you sully, and brilliant that you are settling into life here. I think the school website that you are after is this one http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/home.do Glad that you have got skype set up and working it really does help. Enjoy the next bit, good luck with the job and school hunting and keep us posted with how you get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB T Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Or try this one.... www.myschool.edu.au Rob Ps, I'm banned from mentioning certain cafes linked to semicircular spherical objects.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Great to hear how you're progressing Sully! I've been using the following websites for schools: better education and; myschool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Great to hear you are settling in so well. The drink driving laws are 0.05 which is about the same as the UK. However, here what they do is bring out the "booze bus". This is basically a bus, but fully kitted out to do booze tests and even has cells. Then they close a road and stop all traffic. Speed cameras are moved constantly - if you google them there is a police web site that gives approximates for where they are on a particular day. Be aware, there is no leniency - I was fined for doing 103 on the Kwinana in the middle of the night on an empty road - limit was 100. Speed limit on unmarked roads - the ones that would be 30 mph in the UK are 50kph here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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