Gosh, aren't these Ozzies nice people?

[ghosty]

Have been in Melbourne since Friday, checking out suburbs, sights, schools etc .... and you know, these Ozzies are REALLY REALLY nice people
Coming from NZ with not many Aussies in my acquaintance (apart from some cousins I don't know) my view of Australians has been somewhat tarnished by the slightly paranoid attitude of kiwis (don't want to offend any kiwis - you know I love 'em, will be one myself very soon) .... and apart from the odd Aussie mumsnetter who is always very kind, I wasn't sure WHAT to expect ....
Anyway, Melbourne is a fab city .... it feels very European, the spring weather is toptastic, the trams are wonderful, lovely shops and cafes, and loads of little nooks and crannies of loveliness everywhere you turn. The people are soooooo friendly and chatty - have been helped on and off (buggy and toddler) every tram I have been on - people falling over themselves to help, smiling and waving me on my way .... all shiney happy people .... wow!
Dead trendy too ... which scares me a bit because I am not used to trendy ... but maybe it will kick me up the backside a bit and drag me out of mumsiness and back to the old me .... well, sort of
And the best bit? I met a mumsnetter today ... Melbournemum .... .... what a lovely lady - she drove miles to meet me, had a coffee together and a lovely mooch round a children's farm .... she was also so very lovely and friendly and I feel so good that I have my first RL friend in Melbourne ... If you read this MM - thanks for today ... it meant a lot
Mumsnet is a fantastic thing isn't it? Meet someone on the internet, talk to them, meet them in RL in a foreign city and she is the real deal (not a hairy trucker at all! )
I think I might like it here

Do you mean SA - South Australia or SA - South Africa Sandcastles?

I was sure you were in Aus ....

But if you mean South Africa then, um, no, won't be going there .... was born there, my brother lived there for a long time .... couldn't live in fear of my life everytime I went in the car or went to bed (SIL carjacked three times, they were burgled in the night when they slept - friends of my parents burgled at gunpoint, another TWO of my parents friends shot dead in the street when their car was held up )

If you mean South Australia ... well, never say never ... DH's territory is also South Australia but there isn't much business in Adelaide and one of the other guys goes there now and again .... If I come for a visit I will be in touch, I promise

Hi Ghosty, we are Melbournites too.Travelling around Oz at the moment with 2 dds for 12 months. Will be home by Christmas so if I can be any help just get in touch. Tilba x

Oooh, I'm really near Surrey Hills! (Camberwell) My ds goes to Gymbaroo there! Let me know if you move thereabouts and I'll welcome you with neighbourly muffins! I'm not a hairy trucker either! And I'm a Kiwi so feel free to wear any large Silver Fern emblazoned clothing you fancy.

Melbournemum, if you're reading this, am going to the playground in Port Melbourne on the beach after Spanish lessons in Sth Melbourne tomorrow if you're keen to join. Will email you too.

southeastastralplain...a little boy (a la Kath and Kim) is a little red sausage that are popular at parties dipped in tomato sauce. Sadly, a bit pervy, I know!

little boy thingy - cheerios

Oh Tilba and Tango ... brilliant ... more ready made instant friends .... can't wait!
Tango ... you may actually be able to give me some tips on how the kindergarten system works in Borondoora City .... have worked out how it works in Whitehorse City (they have a central enrolment process) but can't seem to work out Borondoora ... ????????
Where are you in Camberwell? We had a look around Canterbury Primary School on friday ... it looks fantastic - but a tad exclusive maybe? Do your children go to school yet? They may be too young ....
That is the biggest issue for us. When we moved to NZ DS was only 2 so we had ages to work out exactly how things worked and where we wanted to be .... but we need to get it right first time this time ....

DS is 2 and have just enrolled him for Kindergarten in 2008 (actually enrolled him at 2 different ones so I could choose later) If you ring the Booroondara Council they will send you a booklet with kinders and childcare in the area (with a very helpful map!)

I then contacted the places directly and they sent me out forms...you have to pay to apply which surprised me...$15 at one and $20 at the other. Also surprised he could not begin 'til the beginning of the 2008 year...from memory, in NZ, they can start kindy and school as soon as they turn 3 and 5??

We're renting on Riversdale Road, just down from the Middle Camberwell shops...I go up to Canterbury a fair bit (lovely for cafes as is Surrey Hills!) and go past Canterbury primary on the way..it does look nice...I imagine it has to be posh to compete with all the private schools around this area!

I taught at Camberwell Primary (near Camberwell rd/Burke Rd intersection) for a while 6 years ago..it's not posh and is French Bilingual which was quite cool. I also taught at MLC (Methodist Ladies College) in Kew which has a junior school and was ACE but very posh!

I know a lady who has a three year old and lives in Surrey Hills...she has lived there for ages and will know what schools are good if you want me to contact her.

oh Tango buggar, missed this. Was away at weekend and just checking email now while boys have lunch time nap.
will email you to try for meetup later in the week

Great Ghosty! We will all have to meet up in the new year. Just in case you don't move to Surrey Hills and end up more inner one of the most fantastic schools is Fitzroy Community School. They have a web site you can google. Also the childrens author John Marsden has set up his own school near Romsey. It only started in Feb and doesn't have a web site but it's a pretty amazing school and if you google Marsden and Candlebark you'll see lots of interviews. We are doing correspondence with the girls......much easier!!!! Tilba x