*University of Life
Hello, G’day, howzit and welcome to my website.
Congratulations! Because you are reading this, it means you have made a commitment to do something about your situation.
- If you are frustrated and worn down and just plain scared of what lies ahead as you get older
- If you are concerned about opportunities for your children
- If you are tired of the endless stories of crime and violence
- If you want to start a new life but don’t know how or where
- If you are tired of the lawlessness on the roads, of the taxis that make their own rules
- If you are fed up with corrupt politicians and councils
- If you are sick of the continual increase in the cost of groceries, petrol and basic services
Then read on...
I’ve experienced what you are going through right now.
I know the sadness and anger and frustration of seeing the country you love slowly falling apart, a country that has so much beauty and potential and wonderful people. I hated seeing it happen as much as you do…
As a father and husband, I didn’t want to raise a family in this environment unless there were some major changes. We all had hope after the first democratic elections in 1994, but unfortunately 18 years on, the honeymoon is well and truly over.
In my case I had been thinking of leaving for some time to go to a safer place - but I didn’t know where to start - what to do? - who to talk to? The immigration agents who processed our application were specialists in their field, but couldn’t help us with all the other information, plus their fees weren’t cheap… I tried surfing the web, but there was not enough information in one place.
I was afraid to stay… and afraid to go.
I was born and raised in South Africa and had never moved to another country before…sure many of us have worked or travelled in other parts of the world, but we always came back to South Africa.
So I was fearful of moving to another country and starting from scratch.
You might not have any friends or family in Australia and even those who are lucky enough to get a company transfer still have to deal with all the other issues of relocating.
In 2001 I visited Sydney for two weeks for an LSD (look, see and decide) trip. The airfare plus insurance cost me about R7000.00. These days that same flight would cost over R12,000 and that’s in the low season.
I loved Sydney, but I was seeing it through the eyes of a tourist, not through the eyes of someone who lives there.
So how was I going to find a place to stay, to look for a job, get a tax file number, get a driver's license, register for Medicare, find schools ………..
Does this sound familiar?
It was very hard for me, my wife and two children to leave South Africa.
But…it turned out to be the best decision we have ever made...
It wasn’t always like that…
Here’s how it began.
About 10 years ago we started thinking about leaving South Africa for all the same reasons as every one else does.
To get away from the crime, to have a better future for our children, blah blah blah.
When you have lived in Australia for a few years and have subsequently gone back to South Africa for a visit, then you realise how appalling the conditions are in South Africa compared with the rest of the “free” world.
When you are immersed in it, you start believing it’s normal.
Actually… It’s far from normal. We just become desensitised to the horror stories, because that’s the way we cope.
I used to try and picture in my mind what it would be like having one single day with no fear...
Imagine…
Going for a walk around the neighborhood, or on the beach - at night "nogal"! without the fear of being robbed or worse.
Imagine…
Public parks with jungle gyms and swings, with kids playing while their mothers look on, happily chatting to each other.
Imagine…
Going to a public swimming pool with your kids if you don’t feel like going to the beach? Where there is shade cloth over the paddling pool? Can anyone still remember going to a public pool?
Imagine…
Walking your dog around the neighborhood without a ferocious looking dog in someone's yard trying to attack you.
Imagine…
Not to locking your car doors when you drive somewhere.
Imagine…
Being able to stop at an intersection in your car and not worry about getting hijacked.
Imagine…
Driving your car with the windows wound down.
Imagine…
Feeling safe and secure in your own home without locking all the doors.
Imagine…
That your children could catch a train or bus to get to School or College.
Imagine…
That your older children could go to a club or party in the city with friends and get home safely in the early hours of the morning by sharing a taxi cab or using public transport.
Simple thoughts...
What I have just described should be an everyday occurrence.
Well - because we live in Australia- we take those simple things for granted.
After we arrived in Australia it took just a few days for my family to finally experience the freedom that we used to dream about when we lived in South Africa.
We have Australian friends who live one street away and never lock their doors, unless they go away for a few days.
My daughter and I have both mislaid our cell phones on different occasions: she left hers on a school bus, and mine dropped onto the road when I was getting out of my car, without my realising it.
Within a few days, both our phones were returned to us intact by the people that had found them.
Don’t you think you and your family deserve to have a lifestyle like this?
Although I was fearful of leaving my home country to go to a place about which I knew very little, the balance was being tipped a bit more each day.
Many South Africans have been traumatised directly or indirectly by various incidents: I had an armed robbery at my restaurant, and after experiencing the business end of a loaded pistol at my head, finally all the fear and uncertainty about moving to another country was outweighed by the prospect of securing a safe future for me and my family.
We went to see an immigration agent and started the process.
We decided to join the thousands of South Africans who chose the city with the best climate and quality of living* in Australia:
Sydney, New South Wales
Learn how you and your loved ones can find a new life without fear
If you are contemplating relocating to Australia or if you have recently arrived it’s easy to make a lot of expensive mistakes if you don't have the right information.
You need a step-by-step guide to help you avoid those mistakes.
Presenting
This book is a guide to help you cope with the process of settling in Australia.
I believe the information will be just as important as your entry Visa!
I will endeavour to guide you in a simple, low cost way to move to a new location and start over.
Vic Chatterton
South African Expatriate,
PHD (UOL)*
Within a week of arriving I knew we had made the right decision. It happened when we were treated to a picnic at Bobbin Head, which is a little inlet in one of the many waterways around Sydney, about 20 minutes from where we live. There is a lovely secure playground for kids, there are cyclists and joggers, fishermen, kayakers, a boat jetty, and the famous Halvorsen boat building company.
We found a large picnic area next to the water. To my amazement there was a large covered area with wooden tables and benches, and built-in stainless steel electric braais! All you have to do is press a button and wait about 15 mins. And guess what- the public toilets were clean and even had toilet paper!
The park rangers come every day to clean up.
Great to see your rates and taxes being put to good use!
So is this paradise?
No, but the quality of life is pretty hard to beat.
So what do Australians and South Africans have in common?
Plenty or “heaps” as they would say...
But just because the average Aussie looks the same as you and me doesn’t mean that things get done the same way. You need some guidance to help you adjust and settle in.
How hard is it to move to another country?
Very Hard
Australia is truly a wonderful place, but you have to look after yourself. .
There's no welcoming party at the airport.
The streets are not paved with gold.
So… as you read this you are probably feeling confused and scared. That’s just how my wife and I felt.
We went through the all trauma and stress of a big lifestyle change.
Along with divorce and the death of a loved one, it has been said that settling in a new country is one of the most difficult and stressful situations you can experience.
So I’m not going to gloss over the hard times, but to tell you like it is… the emotional highs and lows that you will experience when you decide to immigrate, but … I will provide you with the answers to many of the questions we were asking when we made the decision to go.
Answers that I would have paid thousands of Rand for if I had had access to them 6 years ago...
I have to say though………
With all the good times and bad times that we went through, we have no regrets.
Our major problem was the sense of helplessness when we arrived.
We had very little information, support, contacts.
We "did it tough" and I want to help you avoid the bad experiences and the time and money that was lost.
If I could start over, knowing what I know now, I would have done a lot more “homework” so I didn’t feel as if I was drowning when we were trying to settle in.
We tried to do some research, but when you are in the throes of settling your affairs in South Africa, you have different priorities: you may be at the stage where you are winding up your job or business, seeing friends, trying to sell your house, deciding what to throw out or keep, organising the removal company, finding a good home for your pets (unless you are prepared to take them with, but that’s another story).
So you think you know quite a lot about Australia?
I'm sure you know that the currency is a Dollar, that the official language is English.
You may know about the various states such as NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and their capitals, that each state has a Premier, and you probably know a bit about the various political parties...
You probably know that Julia Gillard is Australia's first female Prime Minister (this may change soon as Australia had a general election on the 21st August 2010, resulting in the first Hung Parliament since WW2).
Aussies also drive on the left hand side of the road, Robots are called traffic lights…
You probably know a few Australian actors and singers; a few rock groups; you’ve watched Aussie “Soapies”; Aussie movies...
You may know many sports personalities...
You may know that Uluru is the traditional name for Ayers Rock...
But here are some real issues that you will have to deal with:
- Where should we live?
- Rent or buy?
- Private or Public School?
- Where do I find a church?
- How do I get my driver's licence?
- How do I open a bank account?
- How does public transport work?
- Where are the best shops in the area?
- What is HECS or Fee Help?
- How do I start to look for a job?
- Should I buy a local map book (Aussies call it a street directory) or a GPS?
- What is Centrelink?
- Private health insurance or Medicare?
- How do I register as a taxpayer?
- What’s a group certificate?
- What is Superannuation?
- How do I get a phone service?
- How do I get a cell phone service?
- How do I get an internet service- should I get cable, wireless, ADSL or naked DSL?
So if you consider all of the above and then include the stress and emotional roller coaster you are on, it’s really hard to make rational and informed decisions when you are not prepared.
This could waste a huge amount of time but more importantly, could waste a lot of your hard-earned money.
I have spoken to many South Africans and heard their stories about what they experienced, their sense of helplessness, frustration, anger, confusion, depression.
You can avoid this!
I have put together a booklet that has tips and information and links to many websites, to help you in your quest for a new life.
You could download it right now and be reading it within a few minutes.
The A to Z guide for those considering this giant step
It has been written by a South African for South Africans.
You could be browsing the various chapters within minutes.
Save time, save money, minimise the anxiety.
Whether you are about to fly out or are still looking at your options, you still need good, solid information, so this could be more important than your Visa!
The book is designed around key topics in simple language.
This is what my eBook can help you with:
- Gives you a starting point and helps you set goals
- You don’t necessarily have to fly to Australia to “have a look”
- Shows you the pitfalls where you can lose money
- Tells you about many essential legal requirements
- Inform yourself without leaving home
- Build confidence and optimism
- Minimise stress when you arrive
- Be organised and prepared
- Have the right information ready to hand
There are over 15 chapters, packed with tips and information, and links to over 100 relevant websites.
Here are some of the topics :
- Education: Private vs Public schools. University vs College or TAFE
- How to open a Bank Account
- Accommodation: Where and how to look. Paying a bond if you rent. Tenant’s rights. Rent or buy? Mortgage brokers.
- Employment: Employment websites and resources. Award rates, penalty rates, part time, full time, permanent part time, jobshare, casual, contractor. Entitlements. Employer/employee Superannuation contribution. Registering a business.
- Tax: How to apply for your tax file number. Why it is so important to have one. Tax return obligations.
- Obtaining a Drivers Licence: Legal requirements, cost, tips and advice.
- Buying a car. Where to look. New vs used. Registration, insurance, annual roadworthy test.
- Centrelink Benefits: What you need in order to claim.
- Utilities: Gas vs Electricity. Who to contact. How to set up a telephone and internet account.
- Transport: Tips and guides for using Sydney’s Public Transport System.
- Health Insurance: Who is eligible for Medicare. Private Health schemes. Tax implications. How to get a portion of your medical bills refunded back to you in cash.
- Superannuation: How to provide for your retirement. Industry superfunds vs Private.
- Pets: Quarantine laws. What are the costs and the process required if you want to bring animals with.
- Shopping: Shopping hours, late night shopping. Boxing day bargains.
Ladies! My wife would have paid big bucks for this shopping guide.
You can relax. My wife and teenage daughters have put together some ideas based on six years of shopping experience.
Men! where to buy hardware and DIY stuff. TVs, electronic goods, computers, sports equipment.
Plus some additional bonus tips about what furniture to bring, what electrical appliances to bring, will your TV work in Australia, should you bring your car with?
How to fill up your car at a service station.
Many people spend thousands of Rands to fly to Australia to see what they can learn, but they actually don’t learn that much.
It happened to me...
So ... who should be reading this book?
- If you want to escape the mindless crime and violence and start a new life. Then you need this book to get some information and guidelines.
- If you have already decided but you’re not sure whether you want to fly to Australia to look around, then this book will help you with that decision. It could save you a lot of money.
- If you have already decided to come to Oz - great! This book should be part of your travel kit.
"Ok Ok: what’s it going to cost me?" Well actually, I see it as an investment!
You have the opportunity right now to order
“How to survive immigration to Australia” for $45.00 (Australian)
Plus! I'm going to throw in a bonus booklet with sections on Aussie slang and expressions, plus useful tips, plus links to several useful websites.
But that's not all!
I have included a 100% money back guarantee, no questions asked. (But no free steak knives!).
YES! I want to purchase this eBook for AUD 45.00
Click here to order!
Your payment will be processed over a secure server
(you can choose PayPal or ClickBank)
Once the payment is processed successfully you will be redirected automatically to a
page where you can download my eBook and Bonus book in PDF format.
Remember you risk nothing at all with my 100% money back guarantee, no questions asked.
I wish you the very best in your travels
Copyright © 2009 MyOzConnect. All rights reserved worldwide
Welcome to the Land Down Under!
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Written for South Africans by a South African.
It's difficult to describe this feeling of total freedom… you will only truly understand it when you arrive here and experience it yourself...
"Will I like Sydney?"
It’s hard not to love it: there is something for everyone.
Sydney is the oldest and largest city in Australia.
It has a population of about 5 million people, spread over a fairly large area.
It is situated in the south east of New South Wales, which is the country’s most populated state.
Sydney was the host city for the 2000 Olympic Games and is famous for its Harbour, Harbour Bridge, and of course the Opera house.
Like any large city there is so much more than just beautiful buildings, art galleries and museums to experience.
I love walking around the streets of the city, enjoying the sights and architecture, the old pubs, theatres and hotels then strolling down to Circular Quay and watching the cruise ships docking.
On Boxing Day, thousands of people take a picnic basket and line the numerous vantage points along the waterways of Sydney Harbour to watch the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Every New Year's Eve we are treated to a world famous spectacular fireworks display, not just on the Harbour Bridge, but at several locations along the harbour. http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/
There are fabulous golf courses, beautiful beaches, the famous Sydney Cricket ground, Sydney Rugby stadium, ice skating rinks, ten pin bowling, numerous exhibitions, the Maritime Museum, motor shows, food and wine festivals.
For live performance lovers, there are international performances from folk singers, blues singers, soul singers rock groups, comedy acts.
From Eric Clapton to Helmut Lotti; from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Andre Rieu; AC/DC to James Taylor; Boz Scaggs to Rodriguez; Ravi Shankar to Ornette Coleman; Michael Mc Donald to Carole King.
There are jazz venues, musical productions, ballet, opera, plays.
Every January, Sydney stages a two week festival, featuring music, theatre, dance, visual arts.
There are beautiful streets and arcades with fashion houses.
Darling Harbour has the world’s biggest Imax theatre.
You can experience motor racing, horse racing, greyhound racing, dog shows.
There is an amazing variety of restaurants: modern Australian, Continental, Asian, African.
One street in Glebe, near Sydney University has about 15 of restaurants from different countries of origin ranging from Tibetan to Mexican.
There are fish markets, produce markets, craft markets.
A few hours drive away is the famous Hunter Valley with its wine estates and Bed and Breakfast establishments.
Sydney's climate is roughly similar to Johannesburg, but not as dry. The districts to the west have more extremes of temperature, but closer to the city and beaches it is more moderate.
With the Blue Mountains to the west, beautiful beaches to the east, waterways, bushland, and parks, it’s no wonder that Sydney-siders love the outdoor life so much. You can be (safely) lying on the beach, walking a bush trail, surfing, sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing or windsurfing within 30 minutes of your home.
