Comprehensive packing list for Oz ?

[Mosman]

Hi there,

I am just in the process of ebaying anything not nailed down and am wondering if anyone else has made the move with children and what they wish they'd taken over and what they should have left ?
I have a nearly 2 year old so am thing of getting rid of cots, prams, etc.
The older ones are 8, 10 and 12 so not so many toys these days but I'd planned to get them ipads for the journey and thought maybe their bikes, scooters etc should come.
I would be so grateful for any assistance, I'm doing this on my own really so it's quite stressful.
Thank you

I think they'll stand out quite enough with their accents tbh, anything we can do to Aussie them I think I ought to, they are at sensitive ages.

ooh, 'Ozzie' them- is this a permanent move?!

Oh goodness yes, i lived out there 10 years ago, different state and came back, biggest regret of my life, we should have stayed then. I have no plans to ever come back to the UK

Actually I was asking for my own benefit as well - we're moving over to Perth in June and I've been looking at this thread for ideas about what to take/not take, and I'm really trying to ensure DS settles in with the least trauma..

Well so far on this list I have :

New duvet covers all round
Next size up clothes and shoes from the next sale
Scooters I'm selling their current ones and buying new to take with me still boxed.
Trampoline is getting professionally cleaned and taken.

And that's it really.
A box full of toys each, a suitcase of current clothes.
Everything else is getting boxed up and left in the loft to be sent over when i'm settled or sent to charity when I earn so much I don't care about it any more.

ravenous - how old is your DS?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/living_overseas/1469430-SYDNEY-MN-MEET-UP-time-for-another-one - blatant bit of advertising for Sydney MNers who haven't been to a meet up yet but would like to :)
Although so far we are all expats, we don't have to be - Aussie MNers are welcome too!

Sorry Bubbaluv but I don't want to put someone else's very personal story on a public forum. I would never send my kids there though!

In terms of getting what you pay for Mosman, I think it depends on what is important to you. There is a lot of snobbery around the "prestige schools" here and, Sydney being a small town, some parents are definitely thinking of future contacts. You will often get just as good an education in the mid-tiers, but without the amazing grounds and facilities. My 18yo son has a list of girls' schools he has told me never to send his 9yo sister to as the out of school behavior from some of the girls attending the most exclusive schools would makes your hair curl . We live Upper North Shore where 60% of kids don't go to public schools so as you might have gathered from my posts schools are a not topic of conversation!

Btw I wouldn't worry about stand out accents, Sydney is very multicultural so in the areas you are thinking of an English accent won't cause any grief. Just remember to teach them to say chips for crisps, lollies for sweets and thongs are what they will wear on their feet and she'll be right!

Of course Sunny - didn't realise it was a sensitive matter - thought it might have been rude admin staff or aggro over miscalculate school fees or something.

Ravenous - I doubt stationery will make them "stand out" much. It all comes from china anyway so it's not very Uk specific.

Mosman - don't worry about the accents. It won't be a problem and it won't last long anyway! The trouble with getting too many people's input on schools is that they can change so much in a reasonably short period of time. For example, my DH went to The Kings School and at the time it was very prestigious but truly appalling academically. A few years after he left they got a new principle and he completely turned it around. DH won't consider sending our boys there though as his perception was so tainted.

I knew some horrible/wild girls from Ascham so I assumed there was something wrong with the school, but these days it would be v high on my list if I had girls.

sunnydelight could you pm me your sons list I have three girls who are easily lead at the best of times !

Now winter clothing I have plenty of so yes that'll be packed

Oxford grammar has a very good local reputation. fab facilities -don't rule it out.
It's location tucked surrounding national parks means you can live in a few areas towards top of northern beaches (manly fairlight seaforth or Narrabeen/Mona vale direction) Might open up some more choices.
Dodgy parts of northern beaches-not really

Mosman is a lifestyle choice -gorgeous but would it be hard to start here knowing you would need to move out of the area?
Agree with earlier post - if you have friends in mosman you will still find you will socialise with them. (unless you move to the other side of the blue mountains)

Mashedavocado - where are you shopping!!?? I found it hard to get my head around which were my go-to shops in Aus, but I don't have any problems any more and certainly don't have any hankering for Next (bleugh!)
It is more exy though. Zara has been a useful addition, I must say, as I get a bit bored of Witchery and Country Road. Topshop is coming soon too.

Slightly concerned, I wear a lot of Next (because I haven't a clue really and am lazy, it all looks nice on the page and then suddenly appears on your doorstep)

Adding to Mosman's list I 've got some new towels for container, new boots for dd for next winter Clarks £17 in the sale, whoopee loads from GAP sale for both dd's and a pile of Primark T's for dh.
This bit is the most exciting for me so far[concerned]

, why would I be concerned