Chanonica Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 I'm just curious to know as there seems to be a lot of threads arranging meet up's with fellow Poms. Is this to aid homesickness and meet people in the same boat with more immediate common ground, or is it because the Aussies are that bit trickier to strike up a friendship with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 I haven't found Aussies more difficult to make friends with, but I think when you first arrive one of the things you miss is a friendship group. The meet ups generally are people just wanting to get together, hoping to make friends and to share their migration journey and having a little bit of familiarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 I agree with Ali, your first friends here are people you meet through sites like these, to start of with they are like minded people that have gone through the same process so understand how you feel, and you must not underestimate how you will need to discuss these things with people who have gone through the same thing, I found I needed their help more after the move, than before (well women do anyway). Then as you become more settled you start to widen your circle. I volunteered at my daughter's school just so that I had people to generally chit chat with, then I started to form friends with the mums at school and they are Oz people, born and bred here in Australia and they have become really really good friends and people that I have a laugh with and can rely on. I recently had a stay in hospital and I'm at home recuperating, and it was my Oz friends that came to see me in hospital, made dinners for Pete and the kids and now between two of them are doing the school run as I am not allowed to drive until half way through the Easter holidays. We have also joined our local Sportsmen club, we have played a couple of games of bowls there and quite a few of the Oz men took to my little family and helped them out by showing them how to play properly, giving them tips, having a laugh with us and then saying we should join the club and they would nominate us and every time we go they come up say hello, ask how we are doing and generally having a laugh, which is something I never really experienced in the UK. On the whole I have found Australian people to be very very friendly, most will go out of their way to help and I have always found someone to chat to if I want to make the effort. I also live in an area where there are hardly any English people, it has a mixed culture but with a lot of Australian people, I do not know if this makes a difference or because where I live is a lively place, but from my experience they are very friendly and welcome new friends. I'm still very close friends with one of the people I met on here before we came out and I see them as my new extended family and there are a few others that I really enjoy their company (you know who you are), but unfortunately due to distance and family commitments we have not seen each other for a while, but I plan on rectifying that once I am up and out, Thursday mornings at Mullaloo for a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenPen Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Great post SJT - where are you based? Really hope you feel better asap xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Hi Jenpen, we are in Scarborough. We had a short term let in Wembley when we first arrived, which we loved and were in the catchment for Churchlands Senior High School, so we wanted to stay in the area, but unfortunately we could not afford the million plus price tag for a house big enough for the five of us, so we jumped across Scarborough Beach Road, we live 5 mins walk from the beach, which is great as we tend to walk down there most nights for a stroll and people watch, but it also means if we want a drink we can and then walk home. I use to be found often at the Squires Fortune drinking a crushed apple cider before my op . I am recovering well and even feel back to my old self today, I'm struggling with not being able to do anything, I am not use to this sitting on the sofa doing nothing, but I have finally watched all the Breaking Bad seasons. Two more weeks then I should get the all clear to drive and do gentle exercise, thank you for asking. XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Yeah, we know who we are! Ozzies are great and very welcoming. Agree with SJT, you start with those that have something in common. However, recently after pet sitting for our ozzy neighbour's dog, we have got friend with them. Last week we were invited to a 40th birthday party at their house and we were the only Brits! How refreshing. They were fantastic, very entertaining and gave us their view of areas and types of visas people come over on. Had me in stitches. I asked about different areas to settle in. They said Mandurah should have the morning after pill inserted into the kebabs. I've never heard that said on this site!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I think also we have been on this site for 2 years or so and got to know the names and a little about the posters and look forward to meeting them when we arrive, but I think we all seem good at socialising so will make friends when we eventually get to Perth wherever they are from , looking forward to joining the cricket clubs , the thursday walking group, etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Dicks are everywhere. Doesn't matter where in the word you are, there's never a dick far away. Thing is, most of us are dicks in our own little way and like dicks tend to gravitate towards like dicks and that's fine, it's when incompatible dicks clash that it becomes a problem. When you move to a new country your usually smooth running dick radar can become scrambled by the unfamiliar territory and even if this doesn't happen your own circumstance may make you inclined to ignore your dick radar. This is bad. Over time you'll realise your dick radar has acclimatised and you'll reflect and realise a local adjustment has been made. After living here for four years I find my own radar hovers mostly in the green with an occasional, lethargic crawl into amber while my red zone hasn't been triggered for a great many months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edna Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I failed my interview yesterday. So did another young lad who is Aus born, we were both in the same process. When we had to take the walk of shame we had a chat, he gave me a hug and we then spoke for a while and had a few beers. What a nice chap. Even tho I failed, his compassion made me feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliomarie Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Dicks are everywhere. Doesn't matter where in the word you are, there's never a dick far away. Thing is, most of us are dicks in our own little way and like dicks tend to gravitate towards like dicks and that's fine, it's when incompatible dicks clash that it becomes a problem.When you move to a new country your usually smooth running dick radar can become scrambled by the unfamiliar territory and even if this doesn't happen your own circumstance may make you inclined to ignore your dick radar. This is bad. Over time you'll realise your dick radar has acclimatised and you'll reflect and realise a local adjustment has been made. After living here for four years I find my own radar hovers mostly in the green with an occasional, lethargic crawl into amber while my red zone hasn't been triggered for a great many months. Brilliant, love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonM Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Dicks are everywhere. Doesn't matter where in the word you are, there's never a dick far away. Thing is, most of us are dicks in our own little way and like dicks tend to gravitate towards like dicks and that's fine, it's when incompatible dicks clash that it becomes a problem.When you move to a new country your usually smooth running dick radar can become scrambled by the unfamiliar territory and even if this doesn't happen your own circumstance may make you inclined to ignore your dick radar. This is bad. Over time you'll realise your dick radar has acclimatised and you'll reflect and realise a local adjustment has been made. After living here for four years I find my own radar hovers mostly in the green with an occasional, lethargic crawl into amber while my red zone hasn't been triggered for a great many months. There are so many ways you could go with this but I couldn't stop chuckeling as I have watched the new Zealand banned decking advert. Have a look on you tube. I am even guessing it's pro ably party In the advert. I know nz is not au but watch it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chanonica Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thank you all so very much for taking the time to reply. Its wonderful to hear how much support the people on this site has provided for so many. You're all right in what you say, now it makes perfect sense when I think about it. It is nice when you get somewhere for people to know what you're going through and have that bit of familiarity as you say Ali. I usually take a while to make friends, similar to Portlaunay I say my "gold panning" works a treat, I sift the filth and I'm left with friends of gold...though dick radar has a nicer ring to it. SJT I hope you feel much better soon, its so difficult sitting doing nothing, doesn't it seem more tiring too?! I was thinking of volunteering in my son's new school (I''m 10 steps ahead of myself here, we've not even decided on a suburb!) as a way to settle into the community also or a sports club is a good idea too Odies but that's when I started to question why there are people advertising on here to meet up, not just in groups of families but as singletons and couples...I started to imagine this mad segregation over there. So its heart warming to hear you, Edna and Akasully have been really fortunate enough to have found lovely genuine friends in the "real world" and at times when its really mattered. Thank you again for putting my worries to rest x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwen Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I met all my friends through school and the local fishing club. I still have a few english friends who I met at meets when I arrived 10 years ago. But as mentioned you sometimes have to sift through some rubbish first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I've made some howlers here. Made "friends" with people, who just aren't my cup of tea. As @portlaunay said, your judgement can get a little blurred when you first arrive. Maybe it's a bit of desperation as you've left your friends behind. Go to meets, meet people but try not to force things, it's OK to turn people down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) I have made some fab Aussie friends since we arrived in Oz but to start with you have to put yourself out there and the easiest way is with other people in a similar situation to yourself. We had a house warming a few months ago and I invited someone off this forum who i'd never met (although I'd seen their progress and we'd chatted on here). They came with their family and met all our friends; 50% of which were Brits (half of whom I met on this forum!) and the rest Aussies. There are so many Brits here you're bound to have a few as friends and you've got to open to making new friends. I feel lucky that I was able to make a new friend at my housewarming [emoji6] Edited March 25, 2015 by Lou8670 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam77 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 I agree with Ali, your first friends here are people you meet through sites like these, to start of with they are like minded people that have gone through the same process so understand how you feel, and you must not underestimate how you will need to discuss these things with people who have gone through the same thing, I found I needed their help more after the move, than before (well women do anyway). Then as you become more settled you start to widen your circle. I volunteered at my daughter's school just so that I had people to generally chit chat with, then I started to form friends with the mums at school and they are Oz people, born and bred here in Australia and they have become really really good friends and people that I have a laugh with and can rely on. I recently had a stay in hospital and I'm at home recuperating, and it was my Oz friends that came to see me in hospital, made dinners for Pete and the kids and now between two of them are doing the school run as I am not allowed to drive until half way through the Easter holidays. We have also joined our local Sportsmen club, we have played a couple of games of bowls there and quite a few of the Oz men took to my little family and helped them out by showing them how to play properly, giving them tips, having a laugh with us and then saying we should join the club and they would nominate us and every time we go they come up say hello, ask how we are doing and generally having a laugh, which is something I never really experienced in the UK. On the whole I have found Australian people to be very very friendly, most will go out of their way to help and I have always found someone to chat to if I want to make the effort. I also live in an area where there are hardly any English people, it has a mixed culture but with a lot of Australian people, I do not know if this makes a difference or because where I live is a lively place, but from my experience they are very friendly and welcome new friends. I'm still very close friends with one of the people I met on here before we came out and I see them as my new extended family and there are a few others that I really enjoy their company (you know who you are), but unfortunately due to distance and family commitments we have not seen each other for a while, but I plan on rectifying that once I am up and out, Thursday mornings at Mullaloo for a start. Hi SJT, which Sportsman Club have you joined? We live in Scarborough and I was thinking of bringing the family along to one to meet some locals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Good morning @Sam77, we have joined Scarborough Sportsmen Club, its on Abbot Park,(well we are waiting for the official OK that we can join from the Board, they take things very serious here), we live on Andrew Street, so its a little stroll to the end of our road. Whereabouts in Scarborough have you moved to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam77 Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 We live on Drabble Road @SJT, do you need to get signed in as a guest by a member? Any particular day you'd recommend checking it out with the kids (mine are five and seven) I see they have various events on. If you happen to be popping down to Scarborough at all tomorrow let me know and we'll come and say hi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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