I was amused to hear the Industry Minister on TV quoting " I wouldn't say anyone's job was safe". In this current climate (both economic and environmental), I would also assume his job is very insecure.
As I am currently employed in the local government sector providing services to a wide range of people in the community, I would like to think my job is relatively secure. I expect my skills will be in greater need following the recent spate of sackings of other workers, who hopefully can have quality retraining and a chance at other positions.
As I am in the process of submitting my resume online and typing up a cover letter, lets hope I will be invited to an interview. Interviewing skills are something else so I will have to hit the shops for a decent pair of shoes, a hint I picked up at a recent "interview hints" seminar I attended.
A good thing Mr Garrett is reforming Midnight Oil for the bushfire concert. He might need recent band expertise in a year or two also!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Bush Fire Damage in Victoria
This is a link to a youtube "Hell on Earth" video which gives a short timeline of the devestating bushfires in Victoria still burning ferociously. Hearts go out to the survivors and firefighters/emergency personnel.
To see more search Youtube
To see more search Youtube
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Heatwave and chaos
Melbourne's latest heatwave caused chaos in the city. Trains were cancelled, power went out throughout the city, people went crazy from the heat as well as the normal pressures of life.
We were exceedingly fortunate. With newly installed ceiling fans, closed blinds and wet T-shirts we were able to keep the house to an almost reasonable 31 degrees on the last 45 degree Celsius day.
My poor garden was not so lucky. Now the silver birch tree has dropped many of its leaves following a severe burn. Many other deciduous trees in the local streets are also brown and the drift of leaves in the hot winds adds to the feeling of extreme heat stress.
My water tanks are nearly empty after 30 odd days without rain. However, the tomatoes have survived (with sunburn) and also the sweet corn. So far the Camellias look okay but the Correa groundcover has nothing but crisped branchlets.
Oh I wish for the money to invest in photovoltaic panels to hook up to an air conditioner!!! Then we wouldn't have to worry so much about extreme heat and power blackouts. My house is designed to be more passive solar with eaves that keep the sun off the windows in summer.
A big cheer also to various emergency services people who were slaving in the heat to douse fires nearby, fix broken traffic lights (bad accident) and various other life saving events.
We were exceedingly fortunate. With newly installed ceiling fans, closed blinds and wet T-shirts we were able to keep the house to an almost reasonable 31 degrees on the last 45 degree Celsius day.
My poor garden was not so lucky. Now the silver birch tree has dropped many of its leaves following a severe burn. Many other deciduous trees in the local streets are also brown and the drift of leaves in the hot winds adds to the feeling of extreme heat stress.
My water tanks are nearly empty after 30 odd days without rain. However, the tomatoes have survived (with sunburn) and also the sweet corn. So far the Camellias look okay but the Correa groundcover has nothing but crisped branchlets.
Oh I wish for the money to invest in photovoltaic panels to hook up to an air conditioner!!! Then we wouldn't have to worry so much about extreme heat and power blackouts. My house is designed to be more passive solar with eaves that keep the sun off the windows in summer.
A big cheer also to various emergency services people who were slaving in the heat to douse fires nearby, fix broken traffic lights (bad accident) and various other life saving events.
Back from Holiday
January is the holiday season for the Southern Hemisphere. So I crossed the Tasman again, this time to spend almost 12 days mainly in Northland, at the top of the North Island of New Zealand. This is where the Bay of Islands draws hordes of tourists to enjoy tranquil scenery, water sports and huge numbers of almost pristine bays and islands, under a warm sun. I visited Waitangi, home of the Treaty House, Maori Canoe,wondeful Maori Carvings as well as the Treaty of Waitangi which gave England the right to settle in New Zealand and "protect" the Maoris from invaders.
From there I went to Kaitaia and a great day trip to Cape Reinga. This is almost the northernmost tip of NZ where the Tasman Sea meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. Often windy, it was a perfect day to view the cliffs and azure sea (and try to catch sight of the Maori spirits leaving to find Hawaiki). The best way to do this is via Coach Tours which take the visitor up Ninety Mile beach on the sand, throw in sand dune tobogganing time and a visit to a Kauri Museum and shop. Trip is well worth it especially since no insurance company will cover any car on 90 mile beach.
Then down through the west coast of Northland through the great Kauri forest of Waipoua to meet with Tane Mahuta (giant Kauri tree).
Holiday over, now I am home again to the dry plains of Melbourne. Once home, Melbourne turned its hottest 3 days on record, with temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius on 3 days.
Thank god for the newly installed ceiling fans!! A life saver in those conditions.
Time for another holiday to escape the heat!
From there I went to Kaitaia and a great day trip to Cape Reinga. This is almost the northernmost tip of NZ where the Tasman Sea meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. Often windy, it was a perfect day to view the cliffs and azure sea (and try to catch sight of the Maori spirits leaving to find Hawaiki). The best way to do this is via Coach Tours which take the visitor up Ninety Mile beach on the sand, throw in sand dune tobogganing time and a visit to a Kauri Museum and shop. Trip is well worth it especially since no insurance company will cover any car on 90 mile beach.
Then down through the west coast of Northland through the great Kauri forest of Waipoua to meet with Tane Mahuta (giant Kauri tree).
Holiday over, now I am home again to the dry plains of Melbourne. Once home, Melbourne turned its hottest 3 days on record, with temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius on 3 days.
Thank god for the newly installed ceiling fans!! A life saver in those conditions.
Time for another holiday to escape the heat!
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