when I almost became an Aussie

[Rifleman1776]

Long time ago....I was nearing my discharge from the U.S. Air Force after a four year enlistment in 1963. I received a series of letters from the Government of Australia. They were trying to recruit former members of the U.S. military to move to and settle in Australia. It seems we had a good reputation for work ethics and skills. The offer was quite tempting, housing, car and income for, as I recall, six months until we found employment. I was single and did not have close ties with my family so that part would not have been a problem. I seriously considered it. Australia, at that time, and still, is viewed by Americans as a new frontier and land of opportunities. But what killed my enthusiasm was a requirement I give up my American citizenship and become an Australian citizen. At that time, and still today, I could not give up my American citizenship. Just couldn't.
However, if I had known about such things as men's sheds, nude beaches and your many beautiful women I might just have accepted those conditions.

[minus459]

G'day Rifleman, the beaches are still great I'm told , I believe the men's sheds are terrific, the women are still beautiful but they run too fast now . You should try now mate, dual citizenship is now available.

[RedShirtGuy]

It's the nude men's sheds you gotta worry about

I'm of the thought that taking citizenship for another country is only a legal matter. Whatever nationality your heart holds truest is your *real* home and you're just living away from it.

[wheelinround]

Long time ago....I was nearing my discharge from the U.S. Air Force after a four year enlistment in 1963. I received a series of letters from the Government of Australia. They were trying to recruit former members of the U.S. military to move to and settle in Australia. It seems we had a good reputation for work ethics and skills. The offer was quite tempting, housing, car and income for, as I recall, six months until we found employment. I was single and did not have close ties with my family so that part would not have been a problem. I seriously considered it. Australia, at that time, and still, is viewed by Americans as a new frontier and land of opportunities. But what killed my enthusiasm was a requirement I give up my American citizenship and become an Australian citizen. At that time, and still today, I could not give up my American citizenship. Just couldn't.
However, if I had known about such things as men's sheds, nude beaches and your many beautiful women I might just have accepted those conditions.

Interesting tail our government willing to pay for housing, car and income for 6 months I wonder how many took that option.

I find strange also that Australia demanded back then you give up your American citizenship, that from what I believe was only ever a case for European immigrants back then.

I also find it strange re-Mens Shed as the idea is not unique to Australia. Men's clubs of all sorts have been in the USA since long before the 60's. Al Capone ran many a Mens Shed with naked woman. America had naked women dancing in the streets during the 60's, it was the time that America created the "LOVE IN", now who'd have missed all that.

As for naked beaches here well they are until the people turn up.

[Rifleman1776]

We do have a lot of organizations for men but the 'shed' concept is not something I have seen here. It would be a great fraternal hidey place. I suspect the attitude about women and marriage is part of the difference. My wife would never allow me to vanish to a shed several times a week. Enuf said on that.

[cultana]

Interesting tail our government willing to pay for housing, car and income for 6 months I wonder how many took that option.

I find strange also that Australia demanded back then you give up your American citizenship, that from what I believe was only ever a case for European immigrants back then.

Subtle military recruitment drive.

[artme]

Subtle military recruitment drive.

Born cynical or just made that way??????

[cultana]

Born cynical or just made that way??????

Actually neither in this specific case, just stating a nasty fact.
This was the period that several battalions of the RAR were being formed in relation to our commitment to the conflict/war in Vietnam.

Ex servicemen from other friendly nations, eg USA, were and are still acceptable to "transfer" across. In most cases equivalent rank holds. IN that specific period such transfers would assist in producing a "core" of useful NCOS and where possible officers that would need minimal training with respect to Australian tactics and operational SOPs.

Reality I am cynical, but I was taught by the best set of instructors on how to be such.. The Green Machine.

[fenderbelly]

We do have a lot of organizations for men but the 'shed' concept is not something I have seen here. It would be a great fraternal hidey place. I suspect the attitude about women and marriage is part of the difference. My wife would never allow me to vanish to a shed several times a week. Enuf said on that.

See if you had taken up the offer back then you wouldn't have this problem now

[artme]

Actually neither in this specific case, just stating a nasty fact.
This was the period that several battalions of the RAR were being formed in relation to our commitment to the conflict/war in Vietnam.

Ex servicemen from other friendly nations, eg USA, were and are still acceptable to "transfer" across. In most cases equivalent rank holds. IN that specific period such transfers would assist in producing a "core" of useful NCOS and where possible officers that would need minimal training with respect to Australian tactics and operational SOPs.

Reality I am cynical, but I was taught by the best set of instructors on how to be such.. The Green Machine.

Another interesting little side light here about consription at that time.

Many young migrant men who had come to Australia an been naturalised objected to conscription on the grounds that they had come here,with their families, to escape conflict and, therefore, were not going to get dragged into one they saw as being no business of Australia's an certainly no business of theirs.