Emmigrating to Australia

Hi,

My name is Mathew Ashton and I currently live on the west coast of Canada. I am in the final stage of the immigration process for Australia - I'm applying under the Skilled Independent Regional Visa. What that means is that I will be restricted to working in regional areas only of Australia, rather than metropolis centers for the first 2 years. The place I've been approved to work in is Maroochy Shire; 2 hours north of Brisbane in Queensland.

I am hoping to hear from those of you who are living either in Brisbane, or preferably or north of Brisbane, and can point me to cabinetmaker/furniture maker shops in the Maroochy Shire. Specifically, I am interested in companies that I can contact about potential employment.

My qualifications are: (in short) 22 years as a cabinetmaker, furniture maker, woodturner, carver... Basically there is very little in the woodworking industry that I haven't done. If you are so inclined you can view some of what I've done at

. To limit the spammers you will find my contact information on my webspace, so ya might as well have a look :-).

Thx in advance, Mat

I can't point you to any shops but I can say Brisbane was one of my favorite places in Australia. For that matter QL is pretty nice all around. I'm envious! Good luck to you, Cheers, cc

I'm in Perth so I can't give you any pointers but try

and have a look.

The talk we hear quite often is that the manual trades have trouble finding skilled people because the kids are all going for computer related fields so I doubt that someone with your skill would have trouble finding work.

You may also like to join

Paul

Unless otherwise stated all references to location refer to Western Australia

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 03:35:20 GMT, "Mat A" vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

OT, but....

Well, be prepared for the weather. Sorry. But you are heading for the Tropics, with a capital T. It rains all summer.

am serious, because you mention Canada, which _starts_ way North ofthe tropics. If you like tropical weather then fine. Otherwise headway south, or look for indoor work in places that _at least_ havefans.

But then I am biased. I hate the tropics.

***************************************************** Have you noticed that people always run from what they _need_ toward what they want?????

cabinetmaker/furniture

I think Western Australia and Perth in particular is the nicest place to live in Australia. I came here for a holiday from Victoria and ended up moving here. The weather, people and lifestyle are unbeatable.

Fraser

PS Victoria Australia not Victoria Canada.

Yea baby! the tropics I can't waite. I like the rain, especially when its

Mat,

if you haven't already done so, check your trade qualifications and their relevant equivalencies down here. If you can't explain your qualifications in 'their' terms, you will have trouble getting work (or fair wages) until you can.

I'll suggest that you contact Maroochy Shire direct with your query, you may be pleasantly surprised with what else they may be able to assist with.

For now, try

the links to the building trades, all the businesses are listed. I suggest that you write to the shire and tell them what you are planning to do and ask if they can offer assistance. They should be able to put you in contact with the local employment services also.

Best of luck and welcome to Oz.

BTW, you *will* need to learn how to talk again, but that shouldn't take more than 5 years..;-)

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:04:17 GMT, "Mat A" vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Good! To each their own. I was not judging but warning.

I live 32 deg south and would happily go the other 3-4 in Oz!

***************************************************** Have you noticed that people always run from what they _need_ toward what they want?????

Good luck to you, Mat. Having lived and worked in Australia, (some 40 years ago) I'd venture to say you're going to enjoy the country and have made a good choice. Rural QL back then was one of the most laid back lifestyles I've experienced, and I'd bet the folks are still as friendly as they were then ... and the beer is good!

It takes a special kind of person to pull up stakes and not many have that adventurous spirit these days.

My hat's off to you!

India. China. Korea.

U.S. doesn't actually have a shortage; the folks here just don't want to pay what they are worth.

--

Book reviews -- Salesmanship & related topicsHoward Lee Harkness

I'd do it, but they don't let Americans emigrate to Australia. They like Canada better.

(Or, to be fair, put this ten years ago. The politics might have shifted. I doubt it though. If anything, they probably want even less to do with us now.)

Could be we ruined them back in the early 60's (way before yanks started going there for R&R from RVN) when Americans were rarely seen in Australia. I worked on an offshore seismograph crew, and the problem for the Aussie men was that their women absolutely loved us to the point of following our largely American crew from town to town. Can't tell you how many altercations/fistfights I got into as a young buck over that single fact ... but it was always _well_ worth the effort. ;>)

I looked into moving to Canada, but they don't want retirees - unless they bring lots of money :-). I guess we're stuck here - can't afford to give up Medicare.

Note that I don't blame Canada for that - seems like a reasonable policy

- but I sure wish there was a loophole for me and my wife.

He said "skilled".

From my personal experiences I have found that while in developing countries that is not shortage of labor, most of the labor is not necessarily skilled. Good craftspeople are probably even more valued there then here in USA.

Artak