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Thread: Leaving Australia
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7th June 2016, 08:12 AM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Leaving Australia
Well... I always knew it was coming. I've really grown to love living in Australia, but it was never going to be permanent. Maybe if the length of the trip home to the U.S. and the associated price was a third, or even half, of what it is, then I would've very seriously considered it, but the distance is just too much.
That said, I did think it was going to last a bit longer. Initially my girlfriend and I had planned to leave some time in the middle of next year, but she recently was offered a job she simply cannot refuse. And so, just like that, we're off.
I have three woodworkers in my family who I would say are fairly serious hobbyists, so it had been an interest of mine before leaving the U.S. in 2012, but it wasn't until I moved here and became fascinated with Australian native woods that I decided to set up my own operation and it became an important part of my life. I've never really looked back.
I'll still be on the forums into the future from the U.S., but it does sadden me a bit that I will no longer be able to actually participate in the Australian woodworking community in earnest. There's something very different here than in the U.S. It has a much more approachable, manageable vibe. Sure, there is some bravado and dogma speckled here and there, but it's nothing compared to the Lumberjockery and competitive nature of the American Woodworking community, and it's something I want to remain a part of, if only from an outsider perspective. I'm taking back about 4 cubic meters of fairly high quality native timber, so that should help
I'll be freighting my lumber and closing up shop soon, likely mid august, but if anyone is in the Brisbane area and wants to come by for a coffee and a handshake, I'm here until the first of September/end of August, so don't be a stranger.
My time here has been a positive and formative experience, and I owe that in no small part to my growing interest in woodworking, which has been furthered through many of the interactions I've had with forum members, both online and in person.
And so, to quote Bilbo Baggins: "I am going now. I wish you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye."
All the best,
Luke
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7th June 2016 08:12 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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7th June 2016, 09:40 AM #2
All the best ... And good luck Luke !
Glenn Visca
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7th June 2016, 10:17 AM #3SENIOR MEMBER
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Haven't met you Luke, but I certainly enjoy reading all the antics and projects you tackle.
Good luck with the move, and glad to hear you're still going to an active member on here!!
I may be in Brisbane in July, and if I can swing an afternoon off I'll steal the car and take you up on that coffee offer.
Cheers
Gab"All the gear and no idea"
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7th June 2016, 10:24 AM #4
All the best Luke, I hope I will be back in time to catch up.
Neil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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7th June 2016, 10:24 AM #5
Best wishes Luke, it's been a pleasure to have you around.
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7th June 2016, 10:32 AM #6.
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This is a very astute observation Luke. I'm a regular poster on a US dominated milling forum where there are for good reasons lots off Lumberjockeys and it has taken me some time to get some credibility on that site. Having lived in the US for 2.5 years I have some idea of how to approach this sort of thing, know some of the local expressions, write measurements in Imperial etc.
Back to the main topic - all the best for the future and hope all your wood gets back safely.
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7th June 2016, 10:49 AM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Best of luck Luke.
Ross
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7th June 2016, 02:13 PM #8
Your contributions are always appreciated Luke and there's no real reason why things should change too much as far as forum activity goes. The fact is that people connect here from all over the world and most of us will never meet in person. So considering that many of us haven't met you and assuming that you will continue to post here we can say without offense that technically speaking we won't actually miss you .
I hope everything goes well with the move and that you bring some more international flavour to the forum.Cheers, Bob the labrat
Measure once and.... the phone rings!
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7th June 2016, 04:28 PM #9regards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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7th June 2016, 04:42 PM #10GOLD MEMBER
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7th June 2016, 05:37 PM #11GOLD MEMBER
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Well , you certainly got that wrong mate!!! Ditch the girlfriend and stay in this magnificent country and use our native timbers to your hearts content. . I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to leave, especially Qld, beautiful one day, magnificent the next. How are you going to get on for State of Orign matches while overseas? What about the meat pies, the fair dinkum fish and chips, and the Bunnies sausage sandwiches.
All the best anyways Luke, come back soon, like so many tend to do after they get a chance to compare their country with ours. The grass is always greener hereregards,
Dengy
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7th June 2016, 06:07 PM #12
Thank you Luke, But the cold next winter will be a reality check after Brisbane winters were we call 10deg"C" cold..
Safe journey's sir and looking forward to seeing your woodworking endeavours from the other side of the Pacific...
Cheers, crowie
PS - You'll have to unlearn Aussie English ......
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7th June 2016, 06:44 PM #13SENIOR MEMBER
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Mate, when you entered for the Wootha prize in Maleny, I thought strewth and crikey this bloke could turn into a fair dinkum Aussie. Now I don't want to give you an earbashing but if you ever get 'Sleepless in Seattle' you can jump on Qantas and head back to Brissy. Thanks for your contributions to the forum and hooroo from me.
Gary
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7th June 2016, 06:53 PM #14
Luke ,
I never met you like others .
But I always enjoyed reading your threads and will still do I hope.
Good luck with the move .
And really it's only across a large pond ,
And the earth is strangely shrinking with regard people moving everyday around it .
Cheers Matt
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7th June 2016, 09:55 PM #15a rock is an obsolete tool ......... until you don’t have a hammer!
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