Last year on November 29th, 2011 the Australian government announced a Fringe Benefits Reform that included changes to the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA). At that time the announcement stated that the “tax exemption for temporary residents will be limited to those who maintain a residence for their own use in Australia, which they are … [Read more...]
Oprah and John Travolta don’t need it but you might want one.
April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Qantas Air Pass By now you have no doubt heard of Qantas, especially after Qantas announced that it will be flying the entire audience of the The Oprah Winfrey Show to Australia in December 2010. John Travolta also appeared on that show as he is the Qantas Ambassador-at-Large (picture on right is of Travolta taken at Qantas 90th birthday … [Read more...]
Australian Slang Misunderstanding
January 4, 2012 By 1 Comment
One of the many factors we considered when deciding to move to Sydney was we didn’t need to struggle with a different language. We figured that with everything involved with moving abroad and settling in, at least they spoke English in Australia. Of course we now know that American English and Australian English are not the same. This difference … [Read more...]
What cost $6.5 Million and lasts only 12 minutes?
December 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
Sydney’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks! This year it was the biggest NYE fireworks display in the world. Talk about starting 2012 with a BANG! About 1.5 million people head to the Sydney Harbour foreshore each year to see the spectacular display. Sounds like chaos? Well you’ll be very surprised as NYE in Sydney is actually more tame that a … [Read more...]
13 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Trust a Mammal Without Nipples
December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The platypus is an elaborate hoax, a complete fraud. That’s what the Royal Society originally thought when Captain John Hunter sent a pelt of a platypus back to London. And why shouldn’t they? Just think of the basic description of a platypus: venomous, egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal that manages to suckle its … [Read more...]
Tis’ The Season To Shop
December 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Christmas is the perfect excuse to go shopping. I often end up with just as many items for myself as I do for other people but this year I’m going to try my best to be better. I’ve started actively looking for special Christmas Markets around Sydney to pick up pressies that are not the usual same old same but more crafty and individual. … [Read more...]
Australian 457 Visa Holders To Lose LAFHA Benefit
November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
On November 30, 2011 Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan announced changes to the Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) that may have many expats packing their bags. There are two key changes that will be taking affect July 1st 2012. LAFHA will only be permitted to those who MAINTAIN a residence in Australia but are required for work purposes … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have To Be A Girl To Go To The Roller Derby
November 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Gray rainy skies got you feeling down and unmotivated? Looking for some action this weekend? Then you need to get your butt to the Sydney Roller Derby this Saturday to watch Sydney’s All-Star Team The Assassins eliminate their next target, New Zealand’s Richter City. After last month’s bout against the Sun State Roller Girls, The Assassins … [Read more...]
Warning: Sydney has been taken over by artists!
September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
There have been many strange sightings within the Emerald City these past few days: a gnome in Hyde Park, a floating donut above Tank Stream and acts of kindness in Martin Place, just to name a few. PLEASE BE CAREFUL as no place in the CBD is safe from sudden burst of colour or, heaven forbid, a tsunami. It all seems to have started last Friday, … [Read more...]
Adults Only: Burlesque, Booze and Bones
September 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The very popular Jurassic Lounge, adults only after hours event at the Australian Museum, once again had Sydneysiders lined up to get in. I had missed out on the first Jurassic Lounge back in April and was determined to make it this time. I successfully talked a couple of my girlfriends into joining me, though I admit, it wasn't hard to … [Read more...]