Sunday 24 November 2013

It takes the right mindset!


Relocating can be the most wonderful experience ever with great new opportunities or it can be a nightmare. Some of it is out of your control but some of it is to do with mindset. When I was a little girl my grandfather drew a chalk line on the ground and asked me to walk along it. I did it easily. Then he took me to a wall and asked me if I could walk along the top. The bricks’ width easily allowed for my feet but up a few feet I was much more cautious and a little unsteady. He told me that what he was asking me to do was really just the same but because it was not familiar I was getting doubts in my mind. Relocating to a new place is a little bit like walking along that brick wall: if you start doubting yourself and worrying about what ‘might’ happen you will not have an easy time.

When you relocate many of the things you are fearful of you have probably done before: applying for jobs, finding a suburb to suit you, finding a home, opening a bank account, buying a car and making friends. You know you have done these things before but do yourself a favour and do all the research before you arrive. Spend time understanding what your options are, how you go about it, make a file of resource sites to assist you. If you need to find employment , for example, check out all the employment sites listed on the Elite Executive Services helpful links. www.skilledmigrantjobs.com costs you nothing to post your CV and takes only a few minutes. If you need to find a suburb, then look at the maps and information  on the www.eliteexecutiveservices.com.au Relocation Guides. If you want information abut education then check the same Relocation Guides or look at websites such as www.aussierelocation.com which also has a wealth of other information. Keep focused and don’t get too distracted with a lot of the ‘noise’ you find on forums. Use information which has been presented by experts.

There is no guide for finding new friends but if you find yourself in a suburb with likeminded people who enjoy the kind of activities you value, and you throw yourself into what is happening in the community, you will find those friendships do develop naturally. Put yourself out there and know that people respond to a friendly smile and a willingness to embrace a new culture.


Saturday 2 November 2013

The Melbourne Cup: why it succinctly underlines what it means to be Australian.

Newcomers to Australia are often a bit bemused by the celebration and festivities that surround the Melbourne Cup or ‘The race that stops a Nation’. If you have not experienced a Melbourne Cup Day before then you are in store for a treat. It is so much more than the outstanding field of 24 horses pounding the turf: it is really a race which succinctly underlines much of what it means to be Australian. Like Australia itself, the race which was first run in 1861 is steeped in history and  also like Australia, the race is not so much about where competitors hail from but more about celebrating their prowess. 

Over the years international horses have been worthy winners: 40 New Zealanders, 5 British,4 US, 2 Irish and a Japanese horse have been successful! Like the Australian dream itself,  there are rich prizes up for grabs for those who are willing to strive for success and take a risk. The Melbourne Cup has among the richest prize money in the world and is indeed a World Class event. Australians thrive on competition and as well as being a nation that loves sport, competition of any kind is encouraged in any walk of life. 

Australians love to support an underdog and among the many underdogs that have been winners of the Melbourne Cup, the story of Gala Supreme who won in 1973 stands proudly. The horse was originally written off as not having a strong heart and the jockey, Frank Reys of aboriginal heritage, was dogged by injury after injury but despite everything was given a chance by the trainer Pat Hutchins. Drawing barrier 24, which was really not a great start, Reys rode the ride of his life and brought Gala Supreme home for a fine win. 

The Melbourne Cup is not a race which is attended only by the wealthy, as in some other countries. The Melbourne Cup is the people’s race where everyone is swept up in the romance and emotion of the race. Australia prides itself on its egalitarianism and this race is a strong example of that. Australians think of themselves as courageous and as the jockeys brave what is possibly the most physically demanding race of their lives thousands of onlookers hold their breath in awe at their courage! 

More than anything, Australia is a fun loving nation and the Melbourne Cup is a great excuse to let down your hair, enjoy mateship, take some risks, and party. Good Luck!