Well I have completed my induction for the Brighton hospital, 2 full days and 4 hours on Wed for “overseas nurses”. There was a lot of welcome to Australia type fun, got to try vegemite (as bad as marmite) and learn some Aussie slang. I was of course the only white person there, others were Indians and Phillipinos – most of whom had been to Ireland first, then come over to Aus, I think Ireland did a big recruitment campaign, but they all couldn’t stand the weather! So strange to hear Indians speak with an Irish lilt. They were sponsored by the hospital to come over but a very poor package and only get 2 weeks accommodation. They were all really nice people, some have left their children behind too (and their husbands), only theirs are very young. I have put starting work at the hospital on hold for a few weeks as it doesn’t make sense to do 2 supernumerary shifts, then not be able to work there again for 2-3 weeks as I start with the district nurses next Mon and they want me for 3 weeks to get used to the job.
I am very impressed with the pay they offer, basic pay plus a 25% increase in lieu of leave entitlements as on casual bank, and I can apply for another 6% increase as I have a post graduate diploma, so should be on $45 per hour(25 pounds)!!! Another perk that the government have initiated to encourage nursing as a job is salary packaging. Basically you can nominate up to $16.000 of your salary to pay school fees, loan repayments, health insurance etc and you don’t pay any tax on this amount, so its a really good deal.
We have just been out to buy a barbecue, so we are real Aussies now! A big gas one with a side burner as we keep getting told you’ll not want to cook indoors in the summer with the oven on, it gets too hot. The aussies even bbq in the winter and just take the food inside to eat!
We have also ordered a leather corner sofa for the family room as it is very big and empty, and all Aussie houses seem to have 2 living areas -family and formal so even if we leave this disaster of a house we will still use it. No further news on house yet, will speak to agent Mon and if no progress will start formal hearing process.
It’s been like a ghost town today, the grand final of Aussie rules football is on and there is no-one around! All the shops in the village have closed early so they can watch it, huge disappointment a sit ended in a draw – which has never happened in the history of AFL. There is no extra time or anything, they just replay it all over again next weekend, there is outcry now as the tickets were $170 each. Ste was on waiting list for a ticket so he may get chance to go next week now!
We are off to the Royal Melbourne show tomorrow, its a huge outdoor show which has been running for over 40 years with animals, foods, wines and rides etc so hope the weather stays good. We went to Melbourne zoo last weekend which was really god, got to see kangaroos,koalas and the 9 day old baby elephant which was very cute. We have also booked a 4 day break to Sydney in December when the boys come over, reserved a 3 bed/2 bath apartment right in the city with fantastic views so cant wait for that.
My ankle still isn’t right, I can walk on it ok but if I do even a little run it lets me know about it- Just keep plodding on. Well, better go and get ready, girls night out tonight!
September 25, 2010 at 9:45 am
Everything coming together nicely for you apart from the house. The Melbourne show sounds good fun my kind of thing. Hope you enjoy it.
I think I’ve come out in sympathy with you I hurt my foot on holiday and it still not right, but like you say keep plodding on.
True Aussies now then with the barbie, they do it properly not like over here. Hope you enjoyed your girls night out.
Love Kath
September 25, 2010 at 11:31 am
Job front is looking good , house probs not so good but i am sure you will get there. Barbie should get lots of use with summer just around the corner.Hope you have a great night out.Love Margaret
September 25, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Girls night out eh, nothing changes!! call you tomoz x
September 29, 2010 at 5:53 pm
hi gill, just been reading your updates. you all sound very settled,as though you have been there for years. Look at you-on nights out already-wat you like?
Well you will soon be geting the hot weather whilst we will be freezing-i feel atrip to south africa coming on. Enjoy work.xx