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Welcome to the newest member jp.smith42 and happy birthday to: weez (34)
Fancy Living in Adelaide? by Stewart
14/06/2009
Adelaide has launched a raid on British talent with a campaign luring families to its Mediterranean climate and `recession-free` economy.
As well as a host of job opportunities, the south Australian city is offering 300 days of sunshine a year, affordable house prices, and a `better quality of life`.
The offer is all the more attractive as the area is on the brink of becoming the world`s `next boom state`, according to a report.
The hand of welcome was extended yesterday by the Government of SouthAustralia, which said the opportunities for those wishing to work orinvest in Adelaide were `second to none`.
Life`s a beach: Time off in Adelaide may be more rewarding than in Britain`s unpredictable weather
However, the climate and attractions of the coastal city are bound to be an equal draw.
As well as long beachfronts, it boasts average summer temperatures of 28c (82f), world-renowned wine and highly-rated schools.
While its climate does mean it is prone to light rainfalls, they are not on the same scale as the depressing downpours suffered by Britain.
The report was commissioned by the South Australian Government to sum up the attractions of Adelaide in order to encourage businesses to invest in a growing economy `rather than a declining one`.
It follows data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which claims not only that Australia has avoided the recession, but that Adelaide is Australia`s best-performing city.
British trend analyst Ray Hammond, who was commissioned to compile the report, said he believed the city would boom economically over the next decade.
`If I could, I would buy shares in Adelaide tomorrow,` he said.
Wish you were here: An attractive proposition from the city of Adelaide
Bill Muirhead, South Australia`s London-based Agent-General, said: `This is not just another cynical assault on the Britain that continues to lose business investment to this healthy and growing state economy.
`South Australia`s economy outgrew Australia`s, and Adelaide was the only state recording growth in the March quarter.
`It is also the nation`s food and wine capital - we produce half of Australia`s wine and are home to brands such as Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Jacob`s Creek.`
Though the jobs market has shrunk because of the credit crunch, South Australia still has skills shortages for accountants, chefs, wages specialists, factory workers and even cheesemakers.
The health sector needs as many staff as ever and other areas with vacancies include hair and beauty, fitness, gardening, farming and fishing.
Jobs currently advertised on the South Australian government website range from accountancy to mining to naval design and engineering - and `careers in corrections` working in the penal system.
`Second to none`: A beachfront street in Glenelg
According to the report, Adelaide`s success is based on world-class education, affordable housing, rich natural commodities and a consistent ranking as one of the best cities in the world for business.
The city, which is 450 miles north-west of Melbourne, came in the top ten of The Economist`s World`s Most Livable Cities index last year.
Australia already attracts many Britons, with 23,236 moving there in 2007-08, including 2,451 who went to Adelaide.
Total migration from Britain in the 12 months to June this year was a record 406,000. A survey found that four in ten cited the high cost of living in the UK as the main reason for leaving.
Among those planning a move to Adelaide is footballer Lloyd Owusu, 32, who was born in Slough and ended the season on loan with Brighton from Cheltenham.
He signed a two-year contract with Australian side Adelaide United - even though Brighton were keen to secure him.
Anyone wishing to live and work in Adelaide would have to apply for a work visa via the Government of South Australia immigration department in London.
Source: Mail Online
Australian migration expos see massive interest from Brits by Stewart
15/03/2009
According to PR Newswire, ticket sales to the expos have climbed by 25 per cent this year, and the managing director Spencer Hawkes believes they have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, leading straight Down Under.
The Opportunities Expos make the job of emigrating to Australia a whole lot easier for Brits, providing them with face-to-face contact with employment recruiters, shipping companies, finance transfer representatives, and government officials.
The expos also have representatives from large-scale companies, so that they may be able to meet skilled workers and nominate them for an Australian visa. Employer sponsorship is the fastest route to skilled migration to Australia, and allows Australian employers to fill their vacant positions much faster and with a more targeted approach to recruiting much-needed skills.
Australia and New Zealand have always been a favourite destination for British migrants, who make up some of the largest groups of migrants in both countries. According to many sources, Brits choose Down Under because of the lifestyle change – both countries revel in better climates than the UK, competitive salaries, refreshing outdoor living, more stable economies, cheaper costs of living and affordable housing.
Two British migrants tell reporters of their recent move from England to a farm on the west coast of New Zealand, after attending the Opportunities Expos in the UK: "We have a wonderful lifestyle. We wake up every morning to the calls of tuis and wood pigeons. It`s a stunning place, and I just can`t get over how lucky we are."
Richard Powell, who travelled on an Australian working holiday visa and applied for a skilled visa once in the country, said he loved the outdoor lifestyle that epitomises Australia.
"I moved to Australia for the outdoor life. The climate was desirable as was beach lifestyle. I can play all the sports I like out here."
Bushfire by Stewart
08/02/2009
To donate to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund:
* Visit www.redcross.org.au
* Phone 1800 811 700
* Any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch
* Any Bunnings store
* By direct deposit to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797
Myer Bushfire Appeal
* All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store
POWER OUTAGES by Jet
28/01/2009
With the prolonged duration of the current heatwave our power supply is suffering with many outages across the state and metropolitan area. The link below is regularly updated with information on areas affected and an approximate restoration time.
http://etsautilities.com.au/current_interruptions.jsp?xcid=852
CFS paging website by Andy
28/01/2009
Here`s a useful site, particularly for those living in the hills.....
http://www.safirefighter.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=69
It gives all the pages sent out to (mainly) the CFS. So, if you hear the siren, and want to know what`s happening, this site will tell you virtually immediately. :)
A lot of it is just CFS operational "chatter", but the phrase *CFSRES at the beginning of a page means a response needed page, sent to all active members of a particular brigade, which usually detailed at the end of the page message.....
Public Holidays by Stewart
22/01/2009
| New Year`s Day | Thu 1 Jan |
| Australia Day | Mon 26 Jan |
| Adelaide Cup | Mon 9 Mar |
| Good Friday | Fri 10 Apr |
| The day after Good Friday | Sat 11 Apr |
| Easter Monday | Mon 13 Apr |
| Anzac Day | Sat 25 Apr |
| Queen`s Birthday | Mon 8 Jun |
| Labour Day | Mon 5 Oct |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec |
| Proclamation Day | Mon 28 Dec |
Australia warns on migrant cuts by Stewart
26/10/2008
Australia may cut the number of immigrants allowed into the country if the global financial crisis raises unemployment levels.
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans said a decision on reducing numbers would be taken after mid-year financial data is published next month.
Around 190,300 immigrants are forecast to arrive in Australia in 2008/09.
Earlier this month, a British minister said the country could reduce migrant flows due to the economic crisis.
Mr Evans said the country`s current migrant programme, which is aimed at skilled workers, was designed when Australia was forecasting good economic growth and a skills shortage.
"If those parameters are changing, the government will take a sober look at those issues and make a decision when we have got proper information," he told Nine Network television.
Complex decision
"Clearly if the demand for labour comes off, you`d adjust the migration programme accordingly," he said. "We can turn the taps off if we need to."
Mr Evans said that any decision on cutting migrant flows was complex, considering their contribution to the country`s economy.
"We know that they consume, they buy property, and they`re a net positive to the budget," he said.
"And a lot of the skills that are coming in at the moment are in the mining sector, which has allowed us to increase our exports."
He said there were still industries which had a "strong demand" for labour and the government would analyse the economic situation and consult industry before deciding on what to do.
Australia was already witnessing an increase in the number of migrants coming from Britain and New Zealand, Mr Evans added.
"I think the downturn in Great Britain over the last year or two has actually seen a renewed interest from Great Britain in people looking to migrate either temporarily or permanently," he said.
Earlier this month, Britain`s immigration minister Phil Woolas said the country might reduce the number of migrants coming into the country because of the economic crisis.
Quiz by Stewart
23/05/2008