Off to Hunter Valley

So you are all up to date on the most recent adventures. 

The next one to take place is actually this weekend.

Heading up to the wine country, Hunter Valley, with Emma and Claudia. 

www.winecountry.com.au 

We will not be driving "Frieda the Festiva", Em's 10 year old blue wonder that she bought for $3500. 

Thankfully, Claudia just bought a two year old Toyota and a Tom Tom GPS. 

I'll let you know how many wrong turns we take, due to bad directions from the Tom Tom of course, and how the wine is. I'm sure this is a two-two and a half hour drive that will be worth it, even in "winter".

So far, Aussies do not like their wines dry. Think more along the lines of Pinots, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blancs and wine blends. Oh and lots of bubbly. I have never had so much sparkling wine on a regular basis as I have had here. Not many fans of the Chardonnay, I must say.

Here's to lots of tasting and lots of pics! 

The Relo Girls

Many of you have heard me talk about the "relo girls" so I guess it is about time for you to meet them!

The first couple of weeks I was in Sydney, the office hooked me up with Relocations Australia. I will be forever grateful to this wonderful operation that not only helped navigate the crazy rental market, but also drove me around town and introduced me to some ladies that are fast being friends. 

The owner of ReloAUS, Pat, got this idea that some of her clients would really get along with each other. She organized a dinner to introduce four of us to each other. It was the beginning of a fast network of ladies who all were sharing the same experience and as Pat said that night, "a girl needs girlfriends no matter where she is". Little did we all know that Pat was just as good a "friend match maker" for her clients as she was at securing a house.

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of Ditte just yet. She was born in Switzerland but grew up largely in South Africa. She is married (her hubby is in pharmaceuticals) with a one year old son who is to a cutie. They moved to Sydney from Switzerland and actually live in the same building as Georgia overlooking Luna Park and the Harbour Bridge in Kirabilli. 

Georgia is from Toronto. She works in HR for Royal Bank of Canada. Honestly a sweet lady who has been come my theater mate. Oh-and HUGE! greek family. Have laughed a lot over Georgia's tales of family practically calling the police to make sure she is still alive because it's been five hours and she hasn't returned their phone call. Time zone difference does not count.

Emma is from England, still has a house there that she rents out, works for JPMorgan and is now single. Em is only here for 18 months and is just about half way through her contract. She is loving Sydney and is actually considering extending her stay now. Em also attracts the men and the weird ones! Ha! She and I have had many laughs over the escapades that Em has found herself in, including a marriage proposal from a contestant on "Tradie Wants a Lady". Think "Farmer Wants a Wife" or "The Bachelor". 

The most recent edition to the group is Claudia. She works for SAP and comes to Sydney from Germany. She just got a place down the road from Emma in Mossman. If I had to be a betting woman, Claudia I think is here to stay. She just received all her belongings from home and bought a car. From talks with her so far, there is no indication she is not going to stay as long as her visa allows her and if all goes well, then why not remain! 

Stories and laughs to be continued...

Emma, Georgia and Claudia

The Good Food Show

Who knew a food expo could be so much fun! 

www.goodfoodshow.com.au

No better way to spend a Saturday than tasting wine, sampling food and buying a trolly worth of "show bags" filled with all kinds of products to take home.

I went with a couple of the relo girls, Georgia (Toronto) and Claudia (Germany), and actually thought when we started it was just a wine tasting. Literally half of the expo was dedicated to wine and I now know why the peeps I met up with on Friday night who had spent the day at the show were so wrecked! 

It was not just a drinking event, but there were also many food demonstrations by top area chefs like Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, and actually cooking classes like cupcake decorating and home barista skills. 

A promo for the show stated "it will be like the biggest gourmet deli, most fascinating kitchen shops and award winning cellar doors – all under one roof!" and it absolutely was that--fresh fish, meats and produce, chocolates, spices, and small kitchen appliances. You could have filled your pantry, decorated and designed your kitchen and even drove away in a brand new Ford to be auctioned off (I guess I didn't win that)! 

All I have to say for you peeps back home is if the food show in town is anything like this, I/we have totally been missing out. 

A 1963 Caddy

So I have to dedicate a post just to the 1963 Cadillac that was the ride to the Roller Derby a couple weekends past. It was a beauty and in amazing condition. It literally stopped people on the streets. We would be sitting at a red light and people would ask if they could take a picture of the car before we drove off.  She is amazing with white and red leather interior and full stereo system in the boot, I mean trunk!

With regards to cars, Australia has prohibited the importing of "western" style cars (e.g. the drivers seat is where we all know it to be!). Australian cars put the driver in what would be the passenger seat to those of you in the US and parts of Europe. Not only do they drive on the opposite side of the road, they sit in the opposite side of the car! Now just imagine that right hand turn into the opposite lane of traffic! I am afraid of my first driving experience and everyone in Sydney should be too! 

It actually took me a few minutes to figure out that Mark, the owner of this beauty and Ann's date for the evening, was on the "driver's side" of the car. When probed further he said that if a car is 30+ years old, it can be imported into the country in a style that I (and you) would be accustomed too. Mark is a car nut who likes the classics. His other passion, Ford Mustangs (which we happened to see the same night in the carpark, I mean parking lot, of the garage--a Shelby Mustang)! Dad, he would make you proud. 

Sydney Roller Derby League

With Ann and Emma on our way to the derby in a '63 Caddy!

It was a throw back night through and through, even down to the wheels that took us to the derby!

Roller derby as we all know is making a come back with movies and competitive teams popping up in cities all over the western world. Cleveland even has one and our very own Libby Spicer, aka Knoxious Mallory, is a derby girl!

July 17th was bout four between the reigning champs, The D'Viants, and the Screamin' Assalut Sirens.  It was a match up that had everything riding on it for the D'Viants. So far SAS had won the prior three bouts and if they couldn't stop them tonight, D'Viants would loose their crown.

Two teams of five skate around a flat track in full contact trying to stop "the jammer" from scoring. 

I will say I was a bit disappointed that it was on a flat track. I had visions of a wavy skate track and lots of "hockey" like action. Nonetheless we were thoroughly entertained from the cheerleader who didn't know how to skate and every time she tried to shake the pom pom she almost fell, to the full on crash of five skaters that even took the ref down! 

Derby History Lesson:

- Started in Chicago in 1935! Just another reason to love Chi-town!

- Lost favor in the 70s but was revived by a down home effort in Austin, TX in 2001. Love that town too! 

- Today over 350 teams worldwide and continues to grow in Oz with teams in every state. 

Someone fall down and go "boom"!

For more info visit, www.sydneyrollerderby.com

England vs Australia, 19 June 2010

Almost a Full House

With Emma in the JPMorgan Corp Seats

Last minute offer to see a Rugby Union game with Emma (from the UK). Had to go support the English fan base (though I am in Wallabie colors just to be safe!). 

Just about a full house and we were fortunate enough to have fans sitting next to us that took turns explaining the game to Emma and me. I think we talked more than watched but hey that happens!

We made fast friends and ending have a full night of sports as we joined our rugby mentors for a few beverages watching late night World Cup action as AUS took on Ghana.

Of rivalry note:

- 39th match between the two teams (AUS 23 wins, ENG 14, 1 Draw)

- ENG has only won twice down under and both in the same year 2003. That is until that night! 

- A 5'10", 30 year old tow head that the ladies love - Jonny Wilkinson - created a house full of boos during warm ups due to the final goal he kicked with seconds in the game that caused AUS the World Cup. It's still a pretty fresh wound for the fans down under. Hmmm...I know that feeling-Kardiac Kids!

Now you know why the ladies love Jonny! (from SportsPad)

Unfortunately, not a good night for Australian sports!

Rugby: AUS 20 ENG 21

World Cup: AUS 1 GHANA 1

RL, Australian Rules, Huh?

So rugby just isn't rugby down under. There are two versions of rugby, or "footy" as they like to say, and each has a distinct spin on the sport...

Sunday afternoons, find yourself a few mates and plop yourself down in a pub and cheer on your favorite teams. Hey, almost sounds like NFL. However in Oz you also can watch on Monday and Friday too!

Okay little background on "footy":
Southern and western states of Oz mainly play Australian Rules.
NSW and Queensland play Rugby League.

Just to confuse you a little more, soccer here has also started to brand itself as football to be more in line with the international game! That being said, every time I have said football in relation to soccer someone goes oh you mean soccer. I'm going to say they have a long road ahead of them to rebrand that sport here!

Aussie Rules (AFL: Australian Football League  www.afl.com.au)
Season: March-September
Field: Oval shaped with four posts at the ends (two inner goal posts, two smaller outer posts)
Team: 18 players plus four reserve
Time: Four quarters, 20 minutes each

Scoring:
- kick the ball between the goal posts, get six points
- if ball is touched on way to posts, touches a post or goes between a goal post and a behind post (those smaller outer posts), get one point

There are 16 teams across Oz with animal names like the Crows, Lions, Tigers. Few of the weaker names include the Magpies, the Cats, the Doggies.


Rugby League (www.australianrugbyleague.com.au)
Broke away from the English rugby union and changed many of the rules.
Season: winter.
Field: like a football field with H shaped goal posts at the ends.
Team: 13 players plus reserves.

There are 16 teams in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Scoring:
- Of note, handpassing can only be done backwards; kicking is the forward motion. After six tackles play switches sides.
- Get the ball behind the goal line, score four points.
- Two point conversation only if the above happens, do you have a chance to kick.
- Additional points can be scored through penalty goals and field goals.


Rugby Union (older code of rugby) what the rest of the world knows as rugby.
Australia's team is the Wallabies and they have gained momentum on the national stage.

Resources Super Profit Tax vs Minerals Resource Rent Tax

The RSPT is the reason Kevin Rudd was ousted from the Prime Minister's office.  Julia Gillard renegotiated the following mining resource tax to the satisfaction of the large mining companies in Australia such as Xstrata, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

Here's a brief comparison:

RSPT v MRRT - the differences

July 2, 2010 - 11:49AM

Resource super profits tax (RSPT) v minerals resource rent tax (MRRT): a comparison.


RSPT: All mining and petroleum companies - some 2500 - would have been subject to the tax on so-called super profits.
MRRT: Limited iron ore and coal companies whose resource profits exceed $50 million per annum. The current petroleum resource rent tax regime extended to all onshore oil and gas projects, including coal seam gas.

--
RSPT: The 40 per cent tax kicked in at profits which exceeded the 10-year government bond rate, currently just over 5 per cent.
MRRT: A 30 per cent tax kicks in at the long-term bond rate plus 7 per cent.
--
RSPT: The tax was payable on the realised value of resource deposits.
MRRT: The tax will apply to the value of the resource, rather than the value added by the miner.
--
RSPT: Onshore and oil projects would have been subject to the tax.
MRRT: The current petroleum resource rent tax regime will be extended to all onshore oil and gas projects, including coal seam gas, at a 40 per cent tax rate.
--
RSPT: Allowed deductions for the cost of extracting resources and getting them to the taxing point.
MRRT: Projects will be entitled to a 25 per cent extraction allowance.
--
RSPT: Starting base for the tax was 100 per cent of the accounting book value of existing capital.
MRRT: Miners may elect to use the book or market value as the starting base for project assets. A book-value starting base will be uplifted with the long-term bond rate plus 7 per cent.
--
RSPT: Existing projects brought into the regime.
MRRT: Measure retained.
--
RSPT: States and territories would keep existing royalties, but the federal government would provide companies with a refundable credit for current state royalties paid.
MRRT: Not yet determined, and subject to further consideration by a transition policy group headed by former BHP-Billiton chairman Don Argus and federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson.
--
RSPT: Resource exploration rebate to provide refundable tax offset at the company tax rate.
MRRT: The rebate will not be pursued, but exploration costs will be deductible in the normal way.
--
RSPT: Western Australia and Queensland to get more than $2 billion each from a $6 billion regional infrastructure fund that comes from the proceeds of the tax.
MRRT: Appears to be no change.
--
RSPT: Phased-in cut of the company tax rate from 30 per cent to 29 per cent in 2013/14 and 28 per cent in 2014/15.
MRRT: Company tax rate reduced to 29 per cent in 2013/14 but no commitment for a cut to 28 per cent until improvement in the government’s fiscal position.
--
RSPT: Small business will be eligible for the 28 per cent rate from 2012/13.
MRRT: Cut limited to 29 per cent from 2012/13.
--
RSPT: Small business will be able to immediately write off assets valued at under $5000 and be allowed to write off other assets (except buildings) in a single depreciation pool at a rate of 30 per cent.
MRRT: Measure retained.
--
RSPT: Increasing the superannuation guarantee rate from 9 per cent to 12 per cent by 2019/20.
MRRT: Measure retained.
--
RSPT: Other superannuation measures: $500 annual super top-up low-income earners on less than $37,000; raising the the super guarantee age limit from 70 to 75; more generous contribution limits for over 50s with low super balances; higher concessional contributions cap of $50,000 for those aged 50 or over who have less than $500,000 saved.
MRRT: Measures retained.




AAP

 

Coming Up...

All this government and political talk has made me sleepy.
Will be back with fun stuff to report on like rugby, roller derby and a 1963 Cadillac!
Stay tuned...

Australian Government

Background on the government structure in Australia.
The following are excerpts from the Parliament of Australia website.

The Commonwealth of Australia was created in 1901 when the states made the decision to federate from the British.

Although the Queen of England no longer rules, she is the Former Queen of Australia and as such appoints the Governor General, on advice from the elected Australian government. The Governor General is appointed to represent the Queen locally.

Power is distributed at a national level (the Commonwealth) and state level (Made up of the five states of Australia-New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia-and three territories made up of the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island).

The Governor General
...is appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

The Senate
...made up of 76 senators from the states and territories and is a very power political group.

The House of Representatives
...made up of 150 members as representatives of the electoriate.

Both the Senate and the House are elected for three year terms.

Each state has a governor.

For each citizen of Australian over the age of 18, it is compulsory to vote. You may be fined for not voting.


Political Parties
...Australia has four main political parties.  
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is a social democratic party founded by the Australian labour movement. The ALP has governed since late 2007. 
The Liberal Party is a party of the centre right. 
The National Party of Australia, formerly the Country Party, is a conservative party representing rural interests.  
The Australian Greens is a left-wing and environmentalist party.


Facts on the Australian Government

Government Coup Equals Historical Moment

The Labor party has decided that it's elected official, Kevin Rudd, is no longer the super star from the 2007 election ("Kevin in '07").

In a late night move, powerful members of the Labor party gathered support to oust Kevin Rudd from the office of Prime Minster.

What I have been told of the Australian state government is this:
- elected officials can be ousted by their own party given enough support which basically means caucus votes.

In this case, Kevin Rudd lost his credibility and support over bad policy, reneging on his campaign promises like climate change and most dramatically his inability to create a solution to the RSPT Resources Super Profit Tax (a proposed 40% tax on mining operations new and existing within Australia--more background info to come on this topic).

In a move that was unprecedented in Australian history, Labor declared war on one of its own.
Kevin Rudd vowed to fight through however when his camp came to the realization that he did not have the necessary number of party votes to win, he did not contest the hand over of power to Julliard Gillard, a very popular local Labor party politician, and stepped aside to allow her to be "elected unopposed".
In tears, I might add. During the public announcement, Kevin Rudd was reduced to tears.

Of particular note, Julia made the symbolic decision NOT to move into the official residence of the Prime Minister unless she retained her position at the general election, which she gets to call.

Additional senior government positions held by women in Australia:
- Kristina Keneally, Premier of NSW
- Quentin Bryce, Governor General of Australia

Recent Important Dates

12 June:
Notification that 457 Visa has been approved for three years. I'm legal!


24 June:
Coup of NSW state government delivers first Prime Minister in Australian history (more to come on this in a separate post).


30 June:
Coldest June morning on record in Sydney in 61 years! 39 F/4.3 C.

http://weather.ninemsn.com.au/news/sydney-shivers-through-its-coldest-morning-in-61-years/14542


1 July:
Notification that the Office of Taxation knows I am residing in Sydney.
I am the proud owner of a tax identification number.


8 July:
Lebron James announcement to join Miami Heat. Enough said.

Updated Been a Long Time Coming

Okay, I have heard the message that I have been neglecting the blog.
Yes, I have and I am sorry. Updates a comin'!