Well its been a few months in the planning (originally asked the Q here about what scope would be best for a beginner) but we ordered the SW 8" Dob today!
Should take a week all going well (long way up to CQ from Sydney) but the binos will be here first so we can get started with them...just in time for full moon. BTW never having looked at it with anything powerful, are there any safety concerns with peering at full moon with 10x50's and later on when we get the scope?
Now I have to do a crash course in EP, FOV, F/R and I think my NY resolution will be to learn enough to read all your helpful replies and actually understand them!
Thanks Davekyn for the links too - more to study up on over the weekend.
Regards...Frieda