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**ORFIS** · 22-10-2011, 08:40

Originally Posted by PapaGolf

IF we (the Family) do make it over, obviously we don't want to be committing to signing our lives away on a mortgage straight away. Because who knows, we may not like it and want to jump ship (worst case scenario). For the first 12-24 months or so, we were planning on sticking to quarters till we find somewhere permanent. So can anyone give us a heads up as to quarter standards/rents etc? More importantly whats Pads life like?, so the Wife isn't stuck indoors not knowing anyone, miserable as shit with 3 kids to look after and no adult interaction if I'm away. Much appreciated

Ok PapaGolf you are already ringing the alarm bells......your WHOLE family NEED to REALLY want to make it work out here, if going back to blighty is your fall back position you perhaps need to seriously see if this move is for you.....sorry to be so harsh but
a. you have a return of service to complete for the ADF to get their monies return for the cost of bringing you across, the last batch had to do 3 years but RAN have just put theirs up to 6 and I 'm not sure what the Army plan to do this time around.
b. the ADF will not pay for you and your family to move back to blighty.

Talk to others who have made the move - it is not all sunshine and beers!

And it can be VERY VERY hard for your partner. Unless you are very lucky and are posted to somewhere where there is an active Defence Community (Darwin & Albury) she is on her own, will have make a real effort to get out and make a network of support for herself.

**PapaGolf** · 22-10-2011, 10:05

Thanks for the replies. Don't get me wrong, we are very committed to coming over. More than anything. I'm just ironing out the creases so that we fully know what to expect. I've got E-Layers' ear for advice etc, so many thanks to them. I'm just thinking of bit and bobs which might be on others minds. Thanks again

**E-Layer** · 23-10-2011, 00:00

**ORFIS** · 24-10-2011, 06:41

[QUOTE=E-Layer;4018705]I guarantee your head will be in that space at least once.

It might help to just think of it as a 3-year posting and, at the end of the 3 years, you can do what you like.

Sorry E-layer this is something we will have to disagree on, If I hear another lateral say....'but we though it would be just like a overseas posting" I will explode!

For those of you thinking about all of this, IT IS NOT A 3 YEAR OVERSEAS posting:

You are leaving the UK military and all its rules, regulations, allowances, customs and joining another countries Military, yes you are lucky they sort of speak the same language (!) but it is a totally foreign set-up. You should know what the differences are and how you & your family will adapt. Australia is a foreign country so things do not operate in the same way as UK and again you should research this.

The Australian's will have forked out a considerable amount of money to get you here, and they want their monies worth back....yes there have been a small number who have been able to have their Return of Service cancelled BUT this is why the recruiting teams this time around will be more arduous.

If you have a plan of what you will do after your 3 yrs (or 6!) GREAT, but again make sure you have understand the options....the ADF are not going to ship you back to UK, and it is most unlikely that you will be able to go back to the UK military. The ADF are very generous with house purchase assistance so If your plan is to buy a B&B in the Southern Highlands - GREAT - put us down for a weekend.

Don't get me wrong there are some days when you first arrive that you hate the place (normally when you have spent the whole day at the RTA!) but you and your family have to be informed and empowered as to the reasons you have made the move out here. And watching the whales migrate across the bay from your bedroom window certainly makes up for sh**y day at the RTA.

I have dealt with the good the bad and the ugly in regards to 'laterals' over the last 3 years, and the winning formula is a family who have done their research, have plan and are determined to make Australia work for them.

**ORFIS** · 24-10-2011, 07:00

sorry rant over!

**beagleboy** · 24-10-2011, 07:02

Originally Posted by ORFIS

sorry rant over!

Could you say it with more passion, that last bit was a bit wooden.

**Nige** · 24-10-2011, 08:28

Originally Posted by ORFIS

the winning formula is a family who have done their research, have plan and are determined to make Australia work for them.

This is definitely the case.

We, as a family did actually look at this as another posting, in the sense that if it went wrong, we could return to UK after ROSO was up with no hard feelings. It wasn't another posting in the sense that it would be just like the British Army (I'd had enough of that, which was one reason we came here)

It is important to bear in mind that after 6 months, being in Aus is no longer 'new' it is the new 'normal'. Things that are annoying in UK are still annoying here, the sunshine and lifestyle sometimes make it a bit more bearable though.

**E-Layer** · 24-10-2011, 10:20

**Saint-Neil** · 24-10-2011, 10:32

Ok so there is alot about families! what about us singlies that want to take the leap???

**beagleboy** · 24-10-2011, 11:11

Originally Posted by Saint-Neil

Ok so there is alot about families! what about us singlies that want to take the leap???

Meet ya in the boozer.

Apart from the marridies who came over and that the secret was if the missus and wee ones were happy they were happy. Only knew 1 singlie, thought himself a bit of a 'swordsman' so was always trying to throw his leg. Didn't here him complain once about the move, was a bit taken back with our 'relaxed' barracks attitude and a bit of formalities, but, in general no real change except for the tan.