Best things about Aus

[Jerry_Atrick]

I have been thinking that I have become a bit of a pom after leaving Aus in 1996, returning briefly in Aug 2003 to May 2006 and then back to Blighty or Pommieland - depending on one's perspective.

 

I think from a career perspective, I have done better here than I would have in Aus as I don't have a degree (I have 2/3rds of three degrees and in one of them had to help a lecturer on operating systems a couple of times) and the UK seems more laid back on that front than Aus.

 

But, I am still an Aussie and am proud to be one - even when our national cricket team is in a bit of an elongated dip. My kids are 11 and 14 (well, 15 in October) and although it would be a difficult move for our son, I am thinking of making the move back to Aus. As we had kids later in life and there is no nuke industry in Aus, my guess is I would be susceptible to ageist tendencies (although I am sure my last employer in Aus would have me back). So, I find myself looking at the great things about Aus:

 

• Flying - it aint cheap - but it isn't here (UK), either. However, I see shareoplaning is becoming more popular and while the Campaign against S©ivil Aviation (CASA) can be problematic as can the ASIC, etc, there are great flying opportunities to be had - Shelly Ross' adventures look fantastic - lots of open airspace once out of the cities, an airfield in almost every town, a couple of motels, truck stops and of course, stations.. what's not to like? Also, the plethora of real clubs - I was a member of RVAC, but there are so many real clubs throughout Aus, I have yet tofind such a vibrant and relatively well organised club scene - anywhere.
   
   
  
• Aussie Rules/Rugby - OK - I am from Melbourne and one of the things I miss, despite it becoming more commercialised is Aussie Rules - though I get my fix through an AFL subscription. I remember when it was the VFL, and I recall as a young-un going to Princes Park to watch Carlton v Collingwood and there being very little if any argy-bargy/aggro in the crowds.. lots of passion on and off the field. What I really like about Aussie sport i that the clubs are community owned - pay your membership and you have access to the games and a vote.. And in teh big scheme of things, it's not expensive. Yes, it's a shame it had to go pro, but compared to say the NFL in the US or soccer in the UK, its very accessible and apart from the odd bogan behaviour, is still a great family destination (no way would I take my kids to the soccer here).
   
  
• Wineries... Well done, accessible to all and darned good food. Stuff in Europe and US pales in comparison
   
  
• Grass roots music - can't beat it whether at a pub, club, winery, farm or wherever.. we do ti pretty well. Kids were baulking at some of the music I was playing tonight and then started dancing to it...
   
   
  
• Roads - I know we used to gripe about them, but they are pretty good. Shame police cameras stiff you for a couple of k's over the limit, though.
   
  
• Ecology - it's one of the countries where almost every critter is trying to kill you.. but for sheer beauty and diversity in one country - it's hard to beat. Most countries have one or two facets which are earth moving - Aus (and a couple of other countries) has a helluvalot.
   
  
• Fishing (and seafood).. I don't even bother with fishing here.. Pay to fish in a pond - pah! And suffering an onshore wind that takes the two day growth from my face for a couple of slimy mackerel - can't be bothered. Sea Bass is a lovely fish, but compared to sea trout (I once had in Oxley's on the Wharf near Auchenflower in Brisbane) - well it doesn't compare.
   
   
  
• Beaches - I am not a beach person, but as far as the go, they tend to be pretty good. Well, I like the fact I can cast a line out for whiting in Apollo Bay (Vic) or Dart at Peregian on the Sunshine coast. I understand one has to have a salt-water licence now - understandable I suppose. But great expanses of coast line with golden beaches that are largely (except for some city ones) unspoilt - what is not to like?
   
  

 

 

I am sure there is much more - but what are your favourite things about Aus?

 

 

[Geoff13]

Oxleys on the Wharf got washed away in 2011.

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Shame - great restaurant - I was there in the mid 90s..

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Come on home, Jerry. One the best things to happen to the world is people moving between countries. Immigrants (most of them) have made Oz a much more liveable place. I'm sure, like other expats, that when you come home you'll make a positive contribution to the place.

 

If they let you in the gate.

 

 

[spacesailor]

Great place for !

 

Flying Ballooning Sailing, even Walking,

 

The worlds longest walking trail, BNT the trail is over 5,300 km from end to end. Sections have been planned to travel around 25 – 30 km per day. Most people should allow at least six to seven months for their "walk". (link) FAQs

 

spacesailor

 

 

[spacesailor]

And

 

The biggest thing you notice in Australia, People "smile", In England they would think your crazy in you smiled in public.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[facthunter]

Our Actors Artists and Musicians there's nothing comparable in the world as unique and just sometimes lump in the throat stuff. If you have a motorbike you can find people in every town to talk to. It's not a snob place(with a few exceptions) but they are easy to avoid. Australian should travel overseas, to appreciate this place when they come back.( Better not say too much or we will be overwhelmed with hopefuls more than we are already.) Nev

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Come on home, Jerry. One the best things to happen to the world is people moving between countries. Immigrants (most of them) have made Oz a much more liveable place. I'm sure, like other expats, that when you come home you'll make a positive contribution to the place.If they let you in the gate.

Well, there is that unpaid tax bill from 1977... Hmmmm.. have to think about that one.... ;-)

 

(just kidding - taxes all paid)

 

Great place for !Flying Ballooning Sailing, even Walking,

 

The worlds longest walking trail, BNT the trail is over 5,300 km from end to end. Sections have been planned to travel around 25 – 30 km per day. Most people should allow at least six to seven months for their "walk". (link) FAQs

 

spacesailor

I forgot about the BNT - or more accurately, I couldn't recall what it was called. AIUI, the BNT can be largely cycled, too. Which reminds me - do they still do the Great Victorian Bike Rides?

 

AndThe biggest thing you notice in Australia, People "smile", In England they would think your crazy in you smiled in public.

 

spacesailor

I have to say, especially during the peak hour in London, they are a miserable lot.. However, the pubs here are super friendly and that makes up for it.

 

Our Actors Artists and Musicians there's nothing comparable in the world as unique and just sometimes lump in the throat stuff. If you have a motorbike you can find people in every town to talk to. It's not a snob place(with a few exceptions) but they are easy to avoid. Australian should travel overseas, to appreciate this place when they come back.( Better not say too much or we will be overwhelmed with hopefuls more than we are already.) Nev

Thank god for youtube - get my Aussie music fix and partner watches McLeods Daughters... Unf after we moved into the smallholding (10 avres of pasture easily feeds 60 ewes/lambs), she has decided she is more of a village/town lady.. Which is fine.. property is on the market - which is really slow where we are...

 

Have a UK motorbike licence - wished I did it a lot earlier in life - though I may not be here if I did... I remember going to Reefton Pub not far from Warbuton from memory and thinking those 2-wheelers had the right idea.

 

 

[facthunter]

Melbourne got world's most liveable City for the 7th year in a row. Now we will get MORE people coming here, to make it LESS liveable. Stay away all.. IT's faked .. It's shocking here Don't come ,We're full already, bigger isn't better. There's Graffit,i Parking fines,.Beggars in the street, really horrible. Go to some nice place like Delhi Nev

 

 

[nomadpete]

Hey that sounds like what I tell everyone about Tasmania. AND on top of everything else, we've got Greens as well. Lots of them!

 

Don't want it to get too crowded!

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Er... Reality check folks... It is based on responses of ex pat execs... Not to say Melb is bad - far from it - its just these things are very subjective at best..

 

Melbourne is not the world's most liveable city, Canadian expert says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

 

[spacesailor]

Yes Melbourne lost it's crown this year!,

 

But Sydney didn't catch it either.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[facthunter]

If the people get too dense, you have a problem. Nev

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Agreed and its about finding the right balance between the urban sprawl and high-density housing, which has its own set of challenges. But the issues about lack of facilities in the mid - outer urban sprawl, infrastructure deficiencies and if course, the public transport (trains) issues are important ones. Also, it is an index of top company execs paid additional to move/live in another country..