Dear Guest,
Welcome to the first edition of LIAISON for 2008!
I hope you and your family had a wonderful
start to the year, just like Sarah, one of our UK clients. She says,
'I have just (yesterday!) returned from Australia where
I spent my first new year's eve with my family and my sister's
family having a party on the deck in the warm summer air singing
my heart out on a karaoke machine!'
Many thanks to everyone who shared their ideas with me about
their Australian New Year's Eve celebrations and I hope
that each day of 2008 brings you closer to your new life here.
I often hear how surprised
people are by how confusing Australian Immigration laws
can get. If you have felt this way, you are not alone-
the frequency and speed that immigration laws change always amazes me too.
At a recent presentation by the Department of Immigration, a speaker
mentioned that there have been over 10,000 different
changes to migration legislation and process in the last twelve
months! This is second only to our
Taxation laws in complexity and it is no surprise
that most law firms do not provide
immigration services unless they specialise in it.
With the benefit of assisting over 80,000 valued clients over the past
seven years, our experience and expertise will ensure
you receive a smooth and successful visa application process.
Until next time,
Assyl Haidar
CEO
Simply click on the links below to automatically scroll
down the page of the latest LIVE IN australia.com® news.
Click on 'TOP' to return to the top of the page:
- Happy New Year to a Booming Australia!
- So how do you like Australia?
- These boys have big new goals
- How far can a migrant go?
- Western Australia still needs you!
- Aussie Surprise of the Month
- A Town Like Armidale
- New! One nation, many cultures
- New! Aussie Survival Guide
- Aussie Recipe of the Month
- In Brief
Happy New Year to a Booming Australia!
At the dawning of 2008, Australia's population is growing faster
than at any time in the last twenty years. One cause is rising
fertility, the other a seemingly ever-expanding immigration boom.
Australian population growth of 1.2 per cent is
higher than the world average, being only just behind
the rapidly expanding Indian population growth of 1.6 per cent.
Last financial year Australia experienced a
record net migration of 177,600 breaking the
standing record of 172,900 set in the Bicentennial
year of 1988. The intake also dwarfs the huge migration
after both world wars: a net 166,303 in 1919 and
149,507 in 1950.
The chief economist at CommSec, Craig James, said
immigrants were being attracted by Australia's booming
job market.
Nowhere was this more evident than in the boom
state of Western Australia, with 2.3 per cent population
growth the biggest of any state.
The surging population is stimulating economic
activity in many areas, most notably in the home
building industry. With the Australian population
growing by 315,700 people, over the year to last June 30,
the nation topped 21 million for the first time, the
boom and the skilled migration it generates is certain
to continue.
A senior economist at Commonwealth Bank, Michael Workman, said:
"Population growth is likely to remain quite firm as
the Federal Government responds to strong demand from
the business sector for skilled and professional staff.
The jobs markets need more people."
Talk to an
LIA Migration Advisor soon and get the data you
need to join the boom and build a prosperous future.
TOP
So how do you like Australia?
Australian of the Year 2006 - Professor Ian Fraser.
Scottish-born scientist, Professor Ian Frazer, said
becoming an Australian citizen was 'no decision at all'.
'We'd been in Australia a couple of years and decided
we wanted to stay here,' Ian said.
An immunologist, he worked in Melbourne and Brisbane
to develop a vaccine to prevent and treat cervical cancer,
a disease contracted by 500,000 women each year, with
half dying from the disease. In worldwide trials the
vaccine has prevented viral infection and reduced pap
smear abnormalities by 70 per cent.
Ian first came to Australia as a student in 1974
through the Australian Working Visit Scheme. He settled
here permanently with his family in 1981 and became a
citizen in 1998.
TOP
These boys have big new goals
It's fair to say that Ring and Akon are very happy with
Australia. While born in Sudan, they are now keen players
and fans of Australian Rules Football (AFL). This season,
Akon was in Albion's Under 12 B premiership side while
Ring played for the Under 14 team.
The Australian Football League (AFL) Foundation and
Sports Without Borders (SWB) presented them with a cheque
at St John's Primary School in Sunshine West in Melbourne,
to ensure Ring and Akon, who arrived in Australia nearly
four years ago, have all the equipment necessary to
continue their football careers with Albion Football Club.
SWB is a not for profit organisation dedicated to
providing support for young people from migrant and
refugee backgrounds, who are involved in sport or want
to be.
Introduced in 2005, the AFL's Multicultural program
is a joint initiative involving the AFL, AFL Victoria
and the Victorian Government. Since its inception the
'Welcome to the AFL' message has reached over 10,000 school students.
If their dreams come true, in just a few years,
Ring and Akon could be the first Sudanese players drafted
to an AFL Club!
Ring and Akon from Sudan love playing football
If you would like an exciting future with new
opportunities for your children, contact LIA and
see what Australia can do for you!
TOP
How far can a migrant go?
Mega-merchant, Sir Sidney Myer.
No listing of famous and successful migrant to
Australia would be complete without Sir Sidney Myer.
Although he died in 1934, his name lives on in his work.
He was born Simcha Baevski in 1878, in Kritchev
(now Belarus). He migrated to Melbourne in 1899, with
little money and poor English, to join his elder brother,
Elcon.
Determined to succeed, Sidney and Elcon Myer established
a shop in Bendigo, country Victoria. As this venture wasn't
successful, Sidney Myer sold his goods, from door to door.
In spite of having little English, he sold enough to buy a
cart and travelled to nearby country towns. The business was
later re-established in Pall Mall, Bendigo, where it prospered.
His big move was in 1911 when he bought drapers, Wright
and Neil, in Bourke Street, Melbourne, near the central Post
Office. A new building was completed and opened in 1914. In
1921 Myer opened another new building fronting onto Post Office
Place. And so, the Myer chain of department stores came into
being.
During the Depression of the 1930s he cut his own
wages and kept on all workers, on reduced pay. He also
set up a Relief fund to provide vital employment opportunities.
At Christmas he financed a dinner for 10,000 unemployed
people at the Royal Exhibition Building, including a
gift for every child.
When he died suddenly in 1934, 100,000 people attended
his funeral. The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established,
to continue the philanthropy begun by Sidney Myer.
The most famous project was the construction of the Sidney
Myer Music Bowl in the Kings Domain in 1958.
Sidney Myer remains to this day a shining example
for people choosing to 'take the plunge' and establish
themselves in Australia.
Australia's booming economy presents many opportunities
to skilled migrants. Contact an LIA advisor
now and see how far you can go.
TOP
Western Australia still needs you!
There is a renewed push to allow more skilled
migrants into Western Australia to help address the
severe skills shortage.
With the highest population influx of any state or
territory in the past 12 months the Minister for Planning
and Infrastructure, Alannah MacTiernan, says most of
the growth is linked to the resources boom.
Ms MacTiernan says, "We're hopeful that with the
new Rudd Labor government that we'll get a more sympathetic
hearing in terms of being able to bring more people into
Western Australia from overseas and help the private sector
cope with this extraordinary burst in growth," she said.
"We're all competing for more resources."
At this time, Britain continued to be the biggest source
of immigrants to WA in 2007, accounting for more than a
third of migrants to the State.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship figures show:
- of the 11,910 people who settled in WA between
January 1 and December 4 last year, 4374 were British
- South Africa was the second biggest country of
origin for migrants to WA
- these countries were followed by Malaysia, Singapore
and India.
If you want a prosperous lifestyle with well-paid
satisfying work, contact a
LIA Advisor now.
TOP
Aussie Surprise of the Month
The discovery of penicillin is usually attributed
to Scottish scientist Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928,
though others such as Ernest Duchesne had earlier noted
the antibacterial effects of Penicillium.
However, the development of penicillin for use as a
medicine is attributed to the Australian Nobel Laureate
Howard Walter Florey.
Florey is regarded by the Australian scientific and
medical community as probably its greatest scientist.
Sir Robert Menzies, Australia's longest-serving Prime
Minister said that 'In terms of world well-being, Florey
was the most important man ever born in Australia.'
No matter what all the ins-and-outs are, Australians
have clearly been at the forefront of medical research
for many decades. It's a fact that often gets overshadowed
by sports results!
Florey's portrait appeared on the Australian $50 note for
many years, and a suburb in the national capital Canberra is
named after him. The Howard Florey Institute, located at the
University of Melbourne, and the largest lecture theatre in
the University of Adelaide's medical school are also named
after him.
If you want seek a career in a skilled environment counted
amongst the world's best, log onto LIA
and see if Australia's in your blood.
TOP
A Town Like Armidale
Armidale is a wealthy, university and cathedral city in northern New South Wales.
Resting high on the Northern Tablelands, it is the most
cosmopolitan NSW city outside Sydney providing harmonious
living for 25,000 citizens from 53 different nations. It is
the administrative centre for the New England region and is
the seat of The University of New England. It is located
approximately half way between Sydney and Brisbane on the
New England Highway.
Armidale's elevation gives it a mild climate, with pleasant
warm summers, extended spring and autumn seasons, and a short
cold winter. This presence of four distinct seasons, unlike most
of the rest of Australia, is the reason for the 'New England' tag.
Air, road, rail and broadband infrastructure links
including communications provides the ability to conduct
business across the globe. Here you can create a future
that embraces technology and computerisation, and with
an expanding global vision whether in your own business,
or in a career with brilliant prospects.
As well, Armidale offers many lifestyle opportunities in
educational, social, cultural and sporting activities.
Some of the beautiful views around the city of Armidale
If the idea of living in a prosperous culturally rich
city appeals, contact LIA
without delay.
Armidale Dumaresq Council: http://www.armidale.nsw.gov.au/
Armidale Information: http://www.nnsw.com.au/armidale/index.html
University of New England: http://www.une.edu.au/
The Armidale region: http://www.armidaleregion.com/
TOP
New! One nation, many cultures
When you have citizens and residents from around 200 countries ...
when over 50% of your population was born somewhere else, or had
parents that were ... it's a fair bet you end up with a country
incredibly rich in lifestyle, cultural activities and sheer fun.
Those people who have lived here for many generations –
and those who've lived here for tens of thousands of years –
inevitably absorb some of the influences of those arriving
more recently. Any Australian who grew up in the fifties can
testify that the country is very different and much more
diverse 50 years later.
Consequently, each month LIAISON will be bringing
you news of activities you can look forward
to, when you finally realize your wish to live here and see
for yourself.
Fittingly, the first event we're talking about is the
Share The Spirit Music Festival, on Saturday 26th January
in Melbourne's Treasury Gardens. That date is Australia Day,
which celebrates the landing of the first British settlers.
Indigenous Australians may have less cause to celebrate such an event.
However, Share The Spirit is presented by Songlines
Music Aboriginal Corporation in conjunction with a number
of media and government organisations.
It's based on the belief that a bright future depends
on everybody concentrating on the road ahead, working
together to help this great country reach even greater
heights in harmony and co-operation. It's a day when
Australians of all creeds, colours and backgrounds can
come together to have a great time and celebrate, while
recognising the history and enjoying the culture of the
first Australians.
Share the Spirit is for everybody, interstate and
overseas visitors included. So if you're in the area, drop
by and have some fun.
The Spirit Music Festival
If you're attracted by Australia's multi-faceted
society, contact LIA
and maybe you'll be here for the 2009 Share The Spirit Festival!
TOP
New! Aussie Survival Guide
Road rules
If you're from India, the UK, Malaysia, Japan, South Africa,
New Zealand, Pakistan and about 63 other countries, you won't
be fazed by the fact Australians drive on the left side of the road.
But ... if you drive on the right side of the road where
you come from remember ... in Australia you MUST drive on the left!
(Unfortunately, several overseas people each year have
road accidents because they forget!)
At first, you'll probably find yourself trying to
drive from the passenger seat! And another thing: because
Australia comprises several states and territories,
road rules can vary from place to place ... different speed
limits, different car inspection policies, different blood
alcohol rules and so on.
A good thing to do when you arrive is get the Rules of
the Road for the State or Territory you'll be living in and
study them. These are available from State and Federal Road
Transit Authorities and also motorist service clubs, like
the RACV (Victoria), NRMA (NSW), RACQ (Qld) and so on. You'll
soon get used to it. But please be very careful!
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria: http://www.racv.com.au
NSW NRMA Ltd: http://www.mynrma.com.au
Royal Automobile Club of Queensland: http://www.racq.com.au/
Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (Incorporated): http://www.rac.com.au
Royal Automobile Association of South Australia, Inc: http://www.raa.net
Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited: http://www.ract.com.au/
Automobile Association of Northern Territory Inc: http://www.aant.com.au
TOP
Aussie Recipe of the Month
Passionfruit butter
Many Australian homes (especially in the country) have
their own passionfruit vines, whether the black or banana
variety. While a native of Brazil, the passionfruit has
been incorporated into Australian culinary culture with
great relish. There are many ways to use the delicious 'pulp'
of the passionfruit. For example, you can enjoy Passionfruit
butter as a spread, or as an ingredient in recipes such as pavlova.
1 cup passionfruit pulp
1 cup sugar (more if fruit is tart)
100 gms butter (must be butter)
2 eggs well beaten
Juice of 1 lemon
Method: Put pulp and sugar in medium saucepan and
soak for an hour or so to help dissolve the sugar.
Cut butter into small dice and put in the saucepan.
Turn on low heat and dissolve sugar and melt butter,
when almost dissolved and mixture is not too hot, add
the lemon juice, give it a stir and then add the eggs.
Transfer mixture to the top of a double boiler, add water
to bottom part and bring to simmer. (If no double boiler,
use a basin over a saucepan). Stir until mixture coats the
back of a wooden spoon. Pour into bottles and put lids on
while still hot. Keep in refrigerator. Freeze passionfruit
pulp and you can make a small batch of passionfruit butter
at a time.
Get some passion into your life!
TOP
In Brief
Citizenship test arrangements review
Citizenship test arrangements currently in place would
be reviewed as part of the usual process an incoming
government undertakes upon taking office, Senator Chris
Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, said recently.
'The Government supports the citizenship test,
however a review of portfolio programs and undertakings –
including the content of the test and the support services
provided with it – is the normal process of any new government,'
the Minister said.
'If there are ways to improve service delivery or client
interaction, we will consider them.'
TOP
More Kiwis bring their skills to Australia
In 1996 there were 291,388 New Zealand-born in Australia;
by 2006 this had grown to 389,463. In 2003 there were an
estimated 460,000 New Zealand citizens living in Australia –
easily the largest New Zealand expatriate community in the world,
and a far higher number than that of any single foreign-born
population in New Zealand.
Successful migrants such as satirist John Clarke, actor Russell
Crowe, film-maker Jane Campion, and Snowy Mountains hydroelectric
engineer William Hudson, among many others, have been claimed by
Australians as their own. Between 1996 and 2000, New Zealanders
were the largest immigrant group arriving in Australia.
TOP
Is there anywhere safer to be in business?
Australia remains one of the safest countries to do business.
The Dun & Bradstreet Global Risk Indicator, which assesses
the risk of doing business in 131 countries around the world,
has listed Australia as the third safest country in the world
in which to do business, behind Austria and Switzerland.
It is still the safest country in which to do
business in the Asia-Pacific region.
Countries that achieve the highest possible rating demonstrate
the lowest degree of uncertainty associated with expected returns,
such as export payments, and foreign debt and equity servicing.
Make it your business to find out what Australia offers.
Contact LIA today.
TOP
Aussie Word of the Month
Squizz(noun): look, examination - "take a squizz at this"
Aussie words in action: If you are seeking a great
lifestyle, take a thorough squizz at the LIA website and then
talk to a supportive and fully qualified Migration Advisor.
TOP
Best Regards,
Peter Seers
Marketing & Client Services Manager
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