5/10/2008 (Sunday)
Today, Melbourne time was adjusted by 1 hour earlier. Therefore, the time difference between Melbourne and Malaysia is 3 hours now.
I attended 9am Sunday Worship at ECC. I thank God for the wonderful worship session and sermon today. The topic today was "Unlocking Your Faith for the Impossible" by Rev Ken Teo and the scripture was from Gal 3:6-14. We must have faith in God because God is Love and Mighty. God know our future and will bless us with his love.
The worship and God words today really draw me closing to God.
I also met some brothers and sisters from Malaysia. What a small world, Bro. Stephen and his wife are formerly Grace Church members. They know most of the church members in Mission Grace Church and Grace Church, KL.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Passed My Tests
3/10/2008
Today, I passed my both Learner Permit Test (LPT)and Hazard Perception Test (HPT)! Both tests are using PC. It was not so difficult as long as prepared well. I download materials from VicRoad site to prepare for LPT but I did not have any clue for HPT. I just based on my driving experiences to answer for HPT questions honestly. The next test is driving test and I have to take a few lessons from driving school to get myself prepare for the test.
Today, I passed my both Learner Permit Test (LPT)and Hazard Perception Test (HPT)! Both tests are using PC. It was not so difficult as long as prepared well. I download materials from VicRoad site to prepare for LPT but I did not have any clue for HPT. I just based on my driving experiences to answer for HPT questions honestly. The next test is driving test and I have to take a few lessons from driving school to get myself prepare for the test.
Another Interview and Meeting New Friend
1/10/2008
Another interview scheduled at 2pm at Collin Street. It was for the contract position of Management Accountant. My skills and experiences matched the requirements perfectly. However, the drawback is that I lack of local experiences. Anyway, I have the faith in God and I believe God will guide me through.
In the evening, I had an appointment with a guy who I know him by calling his company. He called me at noon and asked to meet him at 7pm in Box Hill Centro. We went to a Chinese Restaurant which is belong to one of his client. We had a nice conversation. I am glad that I was able to find a new friend in Melbourne.
Another interview scheduled at 2pm at Collin Street. It was for the contract position of Management Accountant. My skills and experiences matched the requirements perfectly. However, the drawback is that I lack of local experiences. Anyway, I have the faith in God and I believe God will guide me through.
In the evening, I had an appointment with a guy who I know him by calling his company. He called me at noon and asked to meet him at 7pm in Box Hill Centro. We went to a Chinese Restaurant which is belong to one of his client. We had a nice conversation. I am glad that I was able to find a new friend in Melbourne.
Nice Dinner
30/9/2008
I was invited for a dinner with Rev Lai and his wife Linda at their house. Linda came and pick me up at about 7pm. Their house in Mount Waverley. Is a double storey unit very near to Mount Waverley train station. When we arrived, the dinner was also ready. Rev Lai is a good chef.
Wow, this was my first Malaysian Chinese home cook food after I arrived Melbourne. It was so delicious.
During and after dinner, I had some chat with both Rev Lai and Linda. Thanks for their warm reception and hospitality in Christ.
I was invited for a dinner with Rev Lai and his wife Linda at their house. Linda came and pick me up at about 7pm. Their house in Mount Waverley. Is a double storey unit very near to Mount Waverley train station. When we arrived, the dinner was also ready. Rev Lai is a good chef.
Wow, this was my first Malaysian Chinese home cook food after I arrived Melbourne. It was so delicious.
During and after dinner, I had some chat with both Rev Lai and Linda. Thanks for their warm reception and hospitality in Christ.
Steps to get Driving Licence
29/9/2008
After checking with friends and information from www.vicroads.vic.gov.au, as new migrant, I have to go through a few tests before I can apply for driving licence.
I went to VicRoad office at Burwood East to book for my tests as follows:
1.Learner Permit Test and Hazard Perception Test on 3/10/2008
2.Driving Test on 15/12/2008. The earliest available date.
As permanent resident, we can drive in Victoria for a period of 3 months on our overseas licence and then we must convert it to a Victorian licence.
For me, I have to pass my driving test 0n 15/12/2008 in order for me to continue legally drive in Victoria.
After checking with friends and information from www.vicroads.vic.gov.au, as new migrant, I have to go through a few tests before I can apply for driving licence.
I went to VicRoad office at Burwood East to book for my tests as follows:
1.Learner Permit Test and Hazard Perception Test on 3/10/2008
2.Driving Test on 15/12/2008. The earliest available date.
As permanent resident, we can drive in Victoria for a period of 3 months on our overseas licence and then we must convert it to a Victorian licence.
For me, I have to pass my driving test 0n 15/12/2008 in order for me to continue legally drive in Victoria.
Attend Church Service
28/9/2008 (Sunday)
My house-mate told me there is a church nearby, just 10 minites walk. There are two Sunday Worship available, 9am-English and 11:15am-Bilingual Chi/Eng. I attended the Bilingual service with the house-mate's mum.
The church name is Evangelical Chinese Church (ECC) at Elgar Road, Box Hill North. ECC has been ministering to the community for more than 30 years. Formerly Rev Tam also served in this church and he is now ministering at New Life Evangelical Church in Blackburn South.
After the service, I managed to talk with a few brothers and sisters. There are also some brothers and sisters who came from Malaysia.
My house-mate told me there is a church nearby, just 10 minites walk. There are two Sunday Worship available, 9am-English and 11:15am-Bilingual Chi/Eng. I attended the Bilingual service with the house-mate's mum.
The church name is Evangelical Chinese Church (ECC) at Elgar Road, Box Hill North. ECC has been ministering to the community for more than 30 years. Formerly Rev Tam also served in this church and he is now ministering at New Life Evangelical Church in Blackburn South.
After the service, I managed to talk with a few brothers and sisters. There are also some brothers and sisters who came from Malaysia.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Interviews on my Birthday
26/9/2008
Today is my birthday! However, I have celebrated on 21/9/2008 at home with my family.
Nobody in Melbourne noticed that today is my birthday.
In the morning, I woke up very early and got myself ready for interviews. Left house in Box Hill North at about 8:40am and took public transport to city. I almost late for the first interview at 10am due to not familiar with the train route.
First interview end at about 10:40am and I took tram to Collin Street for another interview at 11:30am. After the interview, I had my lunch and spent sometime walked around in the City.
Today is my birthday! However, I have celebrated on 21/9/2008 at home with my family.
Nobody in Melbourne noticed that today is my birthday.
In the morning, I woke up very early and got myself ready for interviews. Left house in Box Hill North at about 8:40am and took public transport to city. I almost late for the first interview at 10am due to not familiar with the train route.
First interview end at about 10:40am and I took tram to Collin Street for another interview at 11:30am. After the interview, I had my lunch and spent sometime walked around in the City.
Other Things
25/9/2008
Job Search / English
At 11am, I went to AMES and what thay did only to register me with government job search engine. It did not really help in job searching.
I also asked them about free English course for new migrant. According to them, free English course is only given to new migrant who has paid for the additional fee during the migration application. We did not pay for the fee because our IELTS results are acceptable.
Mobile Phone
Tel-co in Australia will do "100 point check" for new subcriber who wants to subcribe for promotion package which come with new mobile phone. It is to ensure that the new subcribers are Australia Resident.
For me, I have to proof my resident identity and also local address. For resident identity, I got my temporary Medicare Card and for local address, I gave them a copy of bank statement which requested from the bank in person.
I registered with "3" for cap $29/month with bond for 24 months. I selected free Nokia 6500 for my mobile phone.
Job Search / English
At 11am, I went to AMES and what thay did only to register me with government job search engine. It did not really help in job searching.
I also asked them about free English course for new migrant. According to them, free English course is only given to new migrant who has paid for the additional fee during the migration application. We did not pay for the fee because our IELTS results are acceptable.
Mobile Phone
Tel-co in Australia will do "100 point check" for new subcriber who wants to subcribe for promotion package which come with new mobile phone. It is to ensure that the new subcribers are Australia Resident.
For me, I have to proof my resident identity and also local address. For resident identity, I got my temporary Medicare Card and for local address, I gave them a copy of bank statement which requested from the bank in person.
I registered with "3" for cap $29/month with bond for 24 months. I selected free Nokia 6500 for my mobile phone.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Started As New Migrant
24/9/2008
As a new migrant, there are a few things I had to do after I arrived. The things I have done today:
1. Apply for a Tax File Number - online
2. Register with Medicare - I went to Box Hill Medicare office to register. However, the officer cannot register for me immediately because my visa has been granted for more than 2 years. According to the regulation, if the visa grant date is more than 2 years, additional documents must be provided to show the intention to stay permanently in Australia. From the list of documents, I could select any 2 to support my registration. I felt that I could not get the documents.
Fortunately, after re-checked my file, I found 2 documents were avalable, i.e. testimonial from my previous employer and existing tenancy agreement. I managed to register my Medicare at Doncaster office.
3. Register with Centrelink - I went to Centrelink Box Hill office to register for employment assitance. They registered me for appointment with AMES, Box Hill at 11am the next day to further assist in job hunting.
As a new migrant, there are a few things I had to do after I arrived. The things I have done today:
1. Apply for a Tax File Number - online
2. Register with Medicare - I went to Box Hill Medicare office to register. However, the officer cannot register for me immediately because my visa has been granted for more than 2 years. According to the regulation, if the visa grant date is more than 2 years, additional documents must be provided to show the intention to stay permanently in Australia. From the list of documents, I could select any 2 to support my registration. I felt that I could not get the documents.
Fortunately, after re-checked my file, I found 2 documents were avalable, i.e. testimonial from my previous employer and existing tenancy agreement. I managed to register my Medicare at Doncaster office.
3. Register with Centrelink - I went to Centrelink Box Hill office to register for employment assitance. They registered me for appointment with AMES, Box Hill at 11am the next day to further assist in job hunting.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Arrived Melbourne
23/9/2008
The plane landed about 00:15 at Darwin Airport. All passengers had to take their luggage, clear immigration/custom and check-in again at Tiger Australia counter.
The flight to Melbourne was delayed for about 1 hour and took off about 03:30. The plane later touched down about 08:00 at Melbourne Budget Airport.
I took skybus from Melbounre Airport and reached City near Southern Cross Station about 09:30.
I took a train from Sourthen Cross Station to Box Hill Station. At Box Hill, I had my lunch and later took a bus no. 291 to Box Hill North. I arrived at the house in Box Hill North about 11:00.
In the afternoon, I went to Box Hill and opened a bank account.
The plane landed about 00:15 at Darwin Airport. All passengers had to take their luggage, clear immigration/custom and check-in again at Tiger Australia counter.
The flight to Melbourne was delayed for about 1 hour and took off about 03:30. The plane later touched down about 08:00 at Melbourne Budget Airport.
I took skybus from Melbounre Airport and reached City near Southern Cross Station about 09:30.
I took a train from Sourthen Cross Station to Box Hill Station. At Box Hill, I had my lunch and later took a bus no. 291 to Box Hill North. I arrived at the house in Box Hill North about 11:00.
In the afternoon, I went to Box Hill and opened a bank account.
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