My wife and 12 year old daughter arrived into Brighton, Victoria this week and I wanted to ask is there anything in the area for new arrivals, meetings, clubs or social events to try to get my family and I adapted as soon as possible. regards Dean Theobald
Melbourne is a fantastic city, and there's plenty of social activities to partake in, and lots of expats around to help you get acquainted with the familiarities. First, I would recommend you read the ExpatArrivals Guide to Melbourne, then I would peruse some of these sites to find a Meet-Up for you.
Otherwise, don't hesitate to use this forum to post additional questions you may have about schools in Melbourne, getting around, organising health insurance, or simply, where to go on the weekend.
Hi Theobald,
Check the holiday programs for kids. There will be a tennis camp at Elwood Tennis Club (around the corner from you), there will be Basketball clinics at MSAC (Melbourne Aquatic Centre). There will be sailing at Albert Park lake or at the various Yacht clubs. There is also specific programs for arts (check National gallery of Victoris) or the ACMI (Australian Centre of the Moving Image).
Have you picked a school yet? Most schools will have parent associations, some even will have international parent groups - they get you connected in no time.
I highly recommend checking out the city through walks. You get a great set of cards in a box (I believe it's called "Explore Melbourne" - every card explains a great part of the city and is one walk.) If they do not want to do it on their own, there are guided walks.
If your wife loves to read, I recommend joining a book club. You can find them through the Wheeler centre
or through your local book shop. I recommend Avenue Book Shop in Albert Park.
There are also guided walks around the local markets (Prahran, South Melbourne and Victoria)
It'll be easy to Google all of those contacts.
Enjoy Melbourne!
Susanne
Susanne
Melbourne is a fantastic city, and there's plenty of social activities to partake in, and lots of expats around to help you get acquainted with the familiarities. First, I would recommend you read the ExpatArrivals Guide to Melbourne, then I would peruse some of these sites to find a Meet-Up for you.
Meetup.com/cities/au/melbourne/ (you can search for expat groups, for groups only for women, or for groups depending on your interest)
Newcomersnetwork.com/australia/melbourne/index.php (info about meetings for those who've just arrived)
Internations.org
Otherwise, don't hesitate to use this forum to post additional questions you may have about schools in Melbourne, getting around, organising health insurance, or simply, where to go on the weekend.
Good luck settling in!