I've been living in Oz for almost 6 months now and have a 6 year old in grade 1. In my experience it *is* hard to get close to the other moms. I won't say *all* Australians are difficult to get close to, but it does seem harder to get a hard date, so to speak, with an Australian mom. I don't know what it is. I found I made friends with a true blue Aussie lady of 75 but no one my own age (who by the way was such a help during my settling in process). I have asked two other moms for a play date and they seem to um and aah but nothing ever happens. I have had get-togethers with other foreigners, no problem: Chinese, Britons and even a Serb. But not a single Aussie....unless I count my neighbour who is my age and is very nice. I am not sure if it's a school thing or what. Let me know when/if you ever find out the answer! Oh I forgot to add that Kiwis I find sooo easy to get together with...I really like them.