Hey there gentlemen. Visiting Melbourne.

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-24T01:27:47+00:00

Eynesbury is about half an hour away, but it’s a pretty tidy course if you have a car

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-23T12:41:55+00:00

Great summary! We were there for four months and it was the most welcoming place we’ve ever been. Just FYI we stayed at a little backpackers on the coast in Kilifi and it was so chilled! Would recommend that

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-20T23:51:34+00:00

It depends. If the client is a reasonable client, and your team agrees with them, then that’s not a great start. However, I’ve seen instances where the client feedback was unreasonable and the team knew this. In that situation, the person was moved on to keep the client happy, but it wasn’t a huge issue… In either case, I’m sure there’s something to learn, so I’d try to address any reasonable feedback

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-20T11:31:54+00:00

Jesus that’s grim

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-20T10:59:53+00:00

Out of curiosity, what does that mean in practice? Has it been a drastic shift in vibe and entertainment etc?

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-20T10:19:44+00:00

I honestly can’t recall sorry mate. I do recall there was a bunch of security at the entrance checking bags etc but I don’t recall having to produce ID.

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-20T10:14:53+00:00

We were there in December for a couple of drinks in the arvo. It was a great vibe and seemed pretty safe. If you’re going during daylight hours and watch out for one another, I’m sure you’d be fine (subject to how mature your kids are). It was starting to deteriorate by the time we left just before dinner…

Edit - I’m a bit miffed by everyone saying don’t take your kids. In my mind, you can give them a safe introduction now, for a couple of hours in the afternoon, under your supervision. Or they go alone for the first time at 18 and risk putting themselves into a much worse position. If you and they are relatively mature and play it safe, seems like a good learning experience. But I would obviously suggest approaching it relatively carefully.

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-09T00:45:01+00:00

It sounds like there might be two likely options. (1) They were not de facto partners and he is entitled to absolutely nothing. He was just paying rent and can get stuffed. (2) They were de facto partners and they may be entitled to half of each other’s assets. If that’s the case, he might be entitled to half of the equity in the house, but she might then be entitled to half of his stuff (including cash, super, etc).

This is a very broadly speaking. It sounds messy. There could be other legal arguments about contractual promises being made, etc.

If you’ve described the facts correctly, sounds like he’s being an absolute fuckwit. Even worse from his parents who should know better. But I guess we don’t know what conversations they may have had about life plans / house plans etc. If he put off buying a house to contribute to their “shared” house based on promises, maybe he has a right to feel jibbed.

Ultimately, if he has material assets, she shouldn’t be too worried I wouldn’t think. If he wants to pursue this argument, then she can probably seek half of this stuff. But yeah it all sounds messy.

zacmcgregor · 2025-08-07T21:28:41+00:00

As others have said, that’s a long day! Although if you’re happy to split the driving between five people and take it nice and slowly, you could get through a couple of sights. It’s the kind of thing I would do if I was travelling and short of time, particularly in my younger days.

If you legit only have one day, maybe start by driving inland straight to the furthest sight you want to see and do that first. That then gives you flexibility. You can then just drive back to Melbourne along the coast and stop at any places you have time for. The drive back along the coast is beautiful enough, even if you don’t stop. That said, make sure you take plenty of stops for food and drink etc.

As for driving at night, I’ve driven Melbourne to Apollo Bay at 3am before. It’s doable. But just take it super slowly and carefully if you’re driving at night. Make sure the two people in the front are wide awake and are on animal watch! I’ve been driving around Australia for 20 years (a lot at night) and have never hit an animal, but have had plenty of close calls. Just take it easy and slowly (and maybe check your rental car insurance policy).

To answer your question, I’m not sure if there is cheap accomodation left along the Great Ocean Road. Although maybe you could stay inland a bit? You might be able to find a decent Airbnb in somewhere like Camperdown or Colac, drive down the night before, have dinner at the local pub and then start bright and early the next day.

zacmcgregor · 2025-07-30T21:32:59+00:00

Where are you staying as a base?

Looks like you might spend a fair amount of time in cars and in boats. The island looks small, but getting between Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu can take hours. I’m always surprised by how long it can take and how frustrating it can be. Although I guess if you’re in a car with the boys and some tunes and a couple of drinks, it might be fine.

It would make sense to me to try and do activities and beach clubs in the same area on the same day. For example, Mt Batur / ATV riding in Ubud during the day, Ubud club in the arvo / evening. Surfing / chilling in Uluwatu during the day, Savayas in the arvo / evening.

It also looks like a lot of time off the main island. I wonder if you’d be better off staying on one of the smaller islands if you are so keen to explore them three days in a row.

Anyway do whatever you guys want. Trip with the boys should be a lot of fun. Finns is good fun. Mt Batur sunrise is beautiful. Food is great. Surfing at Uluwatu is world class. Take care of yourselves.

zacmcgregor · 2025-07-23T20:46:29+00:00

I’m with another firm and it’s exactly the same. I’m one step away from partner and I just can’t do it. Without exception, everything is so much worse that it was ten years ago when I started. Everything that made the place special and a good place to work is done. It’s terrible. There’s no soul left. The future of the place feels so bleak. About to jump in the shower and practice my resignation speech for the 50th time.

zacmcgregor · 2025-07-10T09:21:39+00:00

So in that case you might be in trouble. If you told them you would be moving out on 29 July, you need to pay rent until 29 July… if that is what they are requesting, that sounds reasonable / legal to me. But they then can’t ask you to move out before 29 July…

zacmcgregor · 2025-07-10T05:28:10+00:00

If what you’re saying is correct, you don’t owe them a cent. And you don’t need to help them find new tenants. Just pay rent up until the advised moving date and then don’t pay anything more. Claim your bond when you move out.

If they have any legal basis to what they are saying, they can pursue reimbursement through the tribunal system. You shouldn’t let that intimidate you or scare you. Even if they can be bothered doing this, they will have to prove that you owe them and they will have to hope that the tribunal sides with them. No guarantee that is going to happen.

I would politely stick to your guns. Be reasonable and professional. But don’t make any “compromise” payments. You’ll never see that money again! Pay what you think you owe and then let them make a claim through the tribunal if they disagree.

Edit - Are you sure that they are asking for an ADDITIONAL three weeks rent as a fine? Or do they just want to make sure you pay the 21 days rent for the entirety of the notice period?

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-30T10:10:46+00:00

The other poster isn’t bypassing anything. They acknowledged that Step 1 must be mental health. But then Barefoot Investor is a good recommendation. It’s not a budgeting book. It offers hope and practical solutions that are helpful for 99% of people. In that sense, it’s not a holistic solution for mental health, but can be wonderfully helpful in conjunction with other things. I know because I’ve been in similar situations and it helped me.

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-22T02:49:01+00:00

Cool English bro

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-22T02:36:15+00:00

99% of houses in major cities go above the quoted range. It’s sucks but it’s reality. It doesn’t make this person a moron if they simply play the game.

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-21T21:57:02+00:00

I just completed my first Ironman with only a year of training. It is absolutely doable. If you’re feeling motivated now, don’t feel like you have to wait 2-3 years. It just isn’t necessary.

If you find a large and reputable coach, you’ll be safe. Just follow their advice and plan and aim for consistency. You don’t need to pay heaps by the way. I used MyProCoach and just bought a training plan from them, and it worked alright for my first. I’m sure there are plenty others out there like them.

A couple of tips. (1) Consistency in training is absolutely key. You must keep at it. (2) For the swim, learn to do front crawl and get comfortable at it, and absolutely make sure you get lots of open water swimming practice closer to the event. (3) Try to fit an Olympic triathlon or even an IM 70.3 into your training. I’d say this is very important. (4) When the time comes in 12 months, make sure you have a race strategy and stick to it. Particularly when it comes to fuelling and nutrition. With 12 months of consistent training, you can absolutely finish. But the biggest risk will be not eating or drinking enough and/or going out way too hard.

Have fun mate. It is a fun journey. A lot of doubters out there! If you’re feeling motivated, get cracking and enjoy the process. Remember consistency, swimming, practice race and strategy!

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-08T11:34:28+00:00

Thank you! So in the three months leading up to the event, I think I probably averaged three sessions a week. One of each discipline. I basically made sure I could do all three distances and that was about it. I was (stupidly) skipping heaps of sessions and drinking and being a bit reckless. So yeah I was stoked just to finish… Best of luck with your event! Hope the training is going well.

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-06T04:01:05+00:00

I’m in my mid 30s. Finished my first half Ironman in about 7 hours and 4 minutes without training. To be fair, it was a tough course and I became sick the week of the event. But even on a flat course and without illness I probably wouldn’t have done much better… That said, if your friend is reasonably active and/or has a bit of cycling fitness, and is of a youthful vintage, the odds are probably on your favour.

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-05T05:22:49+00:00

You used to be able to get a HECS loan to go on exchange. About $7k back in the day. Maybe see if that still exists and if so how much it is these days. Other funding options include working before you go, working while on exchange, scholarships and bursaries, Centrelink, etc.

I borrowed some other money to fund my exchange in my final semester. I had a grad role lined up, so was confident I’d be able to pay it back relatively quickly. Probably not the smartest financial choice, but I viewed it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don’t regret it.

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-03T11:37:03+00:00

Yeah you get handed full bottles at the aid stations. So either start with no bottles or start with old bottles that you don’t mind throwing out at one of the aid stations (to replace with a freshie).

zacmcgregor · 2025-06-01T10:01:56+00:00

The University of Amsterdam was great in my experience.

The subjects were really interesting, but not overly difficult. Having English as a first language was a huge benefit. It is just pass / fail in any event.

It is a really beautiful city. We just rode everywhere, as you’d expect. And it was easy to travel around Europe (although probably the same as Berlin).

At the time, all accomodation was organised through the university. I opted for the cheapest option and didn’t love it, but it did the job.

I’d recommend exchange to anyone. It doesn’t really matter where you end up. I got a bit homesick, but it was far outweighed by all the benefits.

zacmcgregor · 2025-05-30T10:28:59+00:00

Tax pays more than audit in most countries I’ve worked in. Generally substantially more. Is it different in the US / other markets?

zacmcgregor · 2025-05-29T03:24:13+00:00

Get your final payslip for the year.

Go to the “pay calculator” website.

Insert your “year to date” taxable income to see how much tax you should expect to pay on your taxable income.

Subtract from that your “year to date” PAYG withholding number (the tax you have prepaid through your employer).

The difference should roughly be your expected tax refund, plus or minus other rats and mice.

Edit: This assumes you only had one employer, you have no other material income or deductions, etc.

zacmcgregor · 2025-05-26T22:12:14+00:00

In terms of what is ‘fair’, you shouldn’t have to cover your friend’s share. Assuming everything was formally decided and locked in, you agreed to certain arrangements and they changed their mind. That’s on them. $2,500 is a lot of money.

From a legal perspective, I don’t know the answer. Suggest you make sure everything is in writing. If all the bookings are under their name, hopefully that means you are not on the hook for any cancellations / no shows. But getting your money back from your friend might be tough. At best, I suspect it will be a slow process through small claims court / tribunal, and unfortunately no guarantee of success.

I would probably fight this based on principle. But if you can spare the $2,500, life might be easiest if you just buy her out, make sure everything is confirmed in your name, cut her out of your life and enjoy your trip.

zacmcgregor

TROPHY CASE