Aussie mumsnetters ...

[PieMinister]

Have you found a decent local parenting forum (am in Melbourne)? Essential Baby? KidsSpot? Need local info on schools, holidays etc but have so far failed to peel myself away from mumsnet...

Hopeful bump? In desperate need of some advice on finding a better childcare option ...

No I haven't ! I have seen essential baby and another on bumps and babies I think ...

If you find a good one I will be so happy LOL !

I am on the Central Coast (NSW)

No, but then again I haven't looked too hard as my addiction to MN seems to have grown, not lessened, since our move to Sydney

Let us know if you find one though. I would love a good moan about primary swimming carnivals at the moment and nobody who doesn't have a child in an Aussie school would understand my issues.

I've never managed to find one, and I did look when my daughter was little and I needed local company. I'm told that Essential Baby has some good people on it, but - and I haven't persisted too much - it's never drawn me in.

I don't mind Kidspot for recipes. I occasionally have a read on naturalparenting for less mainstream stuff. The British expats site might be a good source of info as it's not just stuff about emmigrating.

Our swimming carnival is today ...hope it went well ! We will see when they get home.

Nope, haven't really tried though - something directed me to Bubhub but it appears rather Nethuns-ish (without much of the obvious garish colouring or tickers but still - bubhub, I ask you!) - here is a link to preschools Melbourne so you can get an idea if it's the sort of thing you're after. You might have to learn the language of the huns though...

MN is still my forum of choice - I just don't seem to "get" the others

Have you looked at places like PomsinOz and BritishExpats as well? They might be able to advise on schools OR forums to find school info.

SunnyD - feel free to moan about the swimming carnivals anyway - even though DS is only 3, it will be good warning!

SunnyD, my addiction to MN has been raging since coming here too. The more I think I should ban myself, the more I find myself hunched over my phone for the whole commute home...

But I HAVE to find some decent childcare somehow. I keep coming ip against a wall of 'she'll be right' comments...

what is a swimming carnival? I went to a primary school trivia night a few months back and that was pretty eye-opening... Very, erm, enthusiastic, very, um, alcoholic? Or is that just in my suburb?

I haven't found any either. I have found it helpful to ask on FB if I need local knowledge as I have a network of Mums here now.
I am also in Melbourne can I be of any help?

You could try thebubhub (bubhub.com.au). I receive emails from them and I know they have a forum. Not sure how good it is though.....

Pieminster - I am an Aussie in London, so I went through the Aussie school system.

A swimming carnival is like a sports day - but all swimming. So kids spend the day at the local pool participating in all the different activities ie breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly etc. Most important thing to remember is lots of sunscreen and lots of money for lollies (ie sweeties) from the pool canteen.

And yes, the trivia nights (and drama nights/music nights/art nights/library nights/maths nights) are usually very enthusiatic and alcoholic - usually just for the parents though!

There is no such thing as shy or reserved Aussie parents. You'll be forgiven somewhat from exuberant participation as you're clearly 'forrin'... but this will diminish in time and you'll get sucked in to it all too!