My scrapbook - living in Brisbane

yearshappy

More than ever, it pays to play ahead
The money coming in is dwindling, but the bills keep rising. How do you stop your life disappearing into a financial black hole?
The answer can be as simple as a household budget.
Budgeting expert Michelle House of secretbudget said the best way to keep on top of your finances was to keep track of your money, use cash, create a budget and 'plan everything.'
'Not only will yo feel more positive and in control, but you'll be setting up a positive way of managing your money that will stay with you for years to come,' she said.
'Money is a precious, finite resource. So start a budget and review it and our spending every month. Also, using cash, rather than credit cards or eftpos, is a great way to 'see' your money.'
Each week, withdraw your budgeted money for the week and allocate your cash for fuel, groceries, public transport and so on.
She said committed payments such as a quarterly electricity bill, should be withdrawn on a weekly basis and kept in a high-interest-earning account until payment time.
Delia R from The Australian Securities and Investment Commisison said sticking to a budget was important at the best of times - and imperative in the worst of times.
'A budget is particularly important if you are doing it tough or you have had your hourse cut back or, heaven forbid, you have lost your job,' she said. Householders should visit the ASIC Fido website (fido.gov.au), which includes a budget planner.
'It draws your attention to the places where you actually spend money,' she said.
The key is to use after-tax income and not to include any extra money you might receive, such as overtime or bonuses.
Then you need to be honest about what you spend your money on, especially items such as alcohol and cigarettes. TO do otherwise 'is like cheating at patience.'
But don't be too harsh on yourself.
The idea behind a budget is to separate how much you need for the essentials of life, for example food and rent, from the items you want to have, such as going to movies. If there is a shortfall, then the first palce to cut is from the list of wants.
However, don't cut out all the treats, because if the budget is too strict, you won't keep to it and you'll be back to where you started.
Another common mistake people made in filling out a budget was not making allowances for longer-interval bills such as electricity and rates.
You should be putting aside a regular amount each pay period for these expenses, which means when the bill arrives in the mailbox there will be money in your bank to cover it.

Beat boredom
Here are 10 ways to keep busy on a winter weekend.
1. Read a book.
2. Invite friends over for an afternoon card game.
3. Organise a clothes-swap session with friends and purge any outfits you didn't wear last season.
4. Post any unwanted items on eBay for extra cash.
5. Make a batch of hearty chiken soup to last the week.
6. Play board games
7. Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
8. Bake something.
9. Solve a crossword.
10. Relax the mind by spending a few minutes meditating or listening to soothing music.

yearshappy

Commit to making investment a priority
As we approach the end of the financial year, it's the perfect time to ask ourselves how much we have achieved since last July.
In theory, your finances should be in a healthy state - interest rates are down by a full 4 per cent, the Australian share market is up by 20 per cent, you have received a $15-a-week tax cut with the promise of more to come in six weeks, and you probaly received a $900 gift from the government.
Yet, despite the good news, it's a safe bet that the majority of people are no better off financially.
Why? Because it's human nature to attend to our commitments, yet procrastinate over everything else.
The secret of building wealth is to put a strategy in place to ensure that investment happens automatically.
To do this, you have to change your habits so you start to spend your salary in the correct order.
Most people do it the wrong way. They get paid on Friday, fill the car with petrol and then probably drop in to the bottle shop and the video shop on the way home. The next day, they do the groceries, where they may fall into the trap of buying a few unnecessary knick-knacks.
Their loan repayments are debited automatically from their bank account and inevitably, by next payday there's nothing left to invest.
They resolve that next week will be different, but it never is.
This ability to spend exactly what you earn is one of the real mysteries of life. Petrol prices and interest rates can rise and fall, and groceries always go up, yet we automatically adjust our spending so that our expenditure always runs in line with our income.
This is the reason pay rises seldom make a difference to anybody's financial situation.
The solution is simple. Make investing the first and most important item of your expenditure instead of something you try to do when you get around to it.
For example, if you are on a low income, arrange to have a small sum such as $200 a month automaticlly debited from your bank account and invested in a good share trust.
FOr those paying off their house, even increasing the payments by just $200 a month could make a substantial difference.
THE GOOD news is that once you put the process in place by direct debit, you can virtually forget about it.

yearshappy

Jobs: it's all about attitude
------ Finders, keepers think positively
Attitude is everything when it comes to jobs - keeping one, or finding one.
Darren Buchanan, from recruitment firm Hays, said:'In the boom times, many people had an 'all about me' attitude and employers were forced to accept that.'
But now jobs are scarcer, 'being the stand-out person because you are the stand-out compainant or the bad apple is not something employers will generally tolerate now.'
Mr Buchanan said employers were looking for staff with a positive attitude, who were open to change.
He said it wasn't necessarily about working longer hours but being more productive, and taking on additional responsibilities or slightly different roles.
'Those people who dig their heels in and say they won't, run the danger that there will be someone sitting next to them who will say, 'I will' - and they (the latter) will become more valuable to that company.'
He said people who were unemployed shouldn't give up but continue to send out resumes and contact recruitment agencies:'It may take days, it may take months to find a job but if you knock on a door long enough, someone will open it.'
But sending out hundreds of resumes with no cover note or the same cover would not cut it with employers who wanted to see you had researched the company and knew to whom you were applying.
Similarly, when you register with an agency you need to have some idea of what you want to do,' Mr Buchanan said. 'Going in and saying, 'I will do anything will not help your situation or the recruitment agency.'
And he warned employees to think long-term.
'one of the results of the current market is that lots of people are applying for lots of jobs and they are taking the first one they are offered. Then, two weeks later someone offers them another job and they are leaving that first job. They are burning bridges along the way at  a time when you should be burning bridges.
Kristen Mangelsdorf, from Link Recruitment, agreed that employees needed to stay positive.
'There are going to be redundancied and you have no control over it,' she said. 'Everybody knows someone who had been made redundant. THere is no embarrassment in being made redundant.
She said it was important to use your networks to help find work, to be confident about selling yourself to potential employers.
If you are unemployed and have been thinking of a careet change, now is a good time to go back to study, or to look at starting your own business.
As many businesses went bust during previous economic downturns, the number of new businesses incresed as people looked to create alternative sources of income by starting a business from scratch, buying an existing business or buying a franchise.
Value tip
- If job cutbacks leave you short and you need extra cash, try a garage sale - it's a great way to make money and rid your house of some clutter at the same time.
-If you have just one or two items, it may be easier to advertise them for sale separately.Monitor the classified ads for a few weeks to get an idea of what items are selling at what price. Remember to cover the cost of the ad in your asking price.
-Online auction sites such as EBay also offer opportunities. But read the fine print and make sure you understand all the charges and conditions.

yearshappy

Take an interest in your future
Even with interest rates at historic lows and house prices stagnating, there is much conflicting advice about whether it's a good time to dive into the property market.
And for those who have already taken the plunge, the tough choice is whether to lock in these lower rates for a fixed term, or continue to ride out the recession and hope rates fall even further.
Despite the worldwide credit crunch, there are still plenty of lenders willing to provide funds for home loans. However, the most important questions for potential homebuyers is: Am I really ready for such a big financial commitment?
The best places to borrow and the type of loan to get depend on the size of your deposit, your savings record, your income and any other loan commitments you might have.
It is also important to consider the legal and borrowing costs, which may include fees for mortgage stamp duty, the valuation, loan application and mortgage insurance. These may range between 750n and 4000, depending on the lender, the amount borrowed and the purpose of the loan.
Lenders may even offer to come to your home to take your loan application. Unfortunately, many of these people are more focused on sales than lending.
They will probably arrive with a laptop full of impressive programs and instantly tell you how much you can borrow. You may be shocked to find out how large a sum it is.
The programs are accurate, but they can lead you into dangerous waters as many people don’t take into account individual factors such as how much they spend on dining out or sporting commitments.
Unfortunately, too many borrowers think: if the bank says I can borrow that much, it must be OK.
The solution is to take control of your future and do a budget before you think about borrowing, taking into account items such as car replacement, holidays and home maintenance. This will tell you how much a week you can afford on new loan repayment.
Then it’s simply a matter of asking the lender how much of a loan your nominated weekly repayments will get. You can then plan your borrowings with confidence, knowing that the payments fit your lifestyle, not some bank’s computer.
Most home finance lenders offer a variable rate and a fixed rate. Borrowers now have the choice of a rate of about 5 per cent that will be raised and lowed in line with prevailing Reserve Bank rate changes, or a constant rate of between 5.8 per cent and 7 per cent that will be fixed for two, three or five years.
Nobody knows for certain which way interest rates will move, but there is a general feeling that rates will fall a little before eventually starting to rise again as we come out of recession.
If you accept this view, a good option may be to stick with variable for the time being but be prepared to move to a fixed rate when the bottom of the interest rate cycle appears.
In this climate I would be extremely wary of taking out a three-year fixed loan, because it is likely rates will be much higher after three years and you may be forced to refinance at a much higher rate.
I would prefer a five-year rate.

yearshappy

Your guide to bargain buys
Clothing
Designer clothes don’t need to come with an expensive designer price tag.
Second-hand shops are doing a roaring business.
Lifeline retail manager Mallory Lowe said she had noticed a significant shift in the customer base of the organisation’s shops.
Our stores have become a popular hunting ground for the fashion-savvy, who are searching for an individualism that only second-hand can offer, as well as the thrill of finding that special designer price at a thrift shop price.
Elsewhere, try buying specials out of season and put them away until next year. If you are buying for children, remember to buy bigger sizes to allow for growth before they get to wear them.

yearshappy

Cashed out? It’s time for shop tactics

Supermarkets or farmers’ markets, online or at auction, retail or warehouse? Never has there been so much choice in where to spend your money, let alone what to spend it on.
And while many people consider shopping a chore, finding a bargain can be fun as well as financially rewarding.
Luke Schepen from Woolworths said bargain-hunting customers often wanted to know the best day of the week to get the biggest specials.
The answer is there is probably no one best time to shop. But if you are a savvy shopper or lucky to be in the supermarket at the right time, then there are savings to be made.
Mr S said that place to start was the catalogue of weekly specials, but being in the store at the right time of day could also pay off.
For example, the best time to look for discounts on bread was after 5pm.
We bake all bread fresh daily, so if we have made too much during the day then we prefer to sell it than see it go to waste. You might get 20 to 40 per cent off some baked goods late in the afternoon.
Late afternoon was also the time when some of the morning tea lines such as finger buns and pastries were discounted.
Meat was marked down twice a day – morning and afternoon – but times varied, depending on when the supermarket meat managers were working.
Fresh fruit and vegetables were discounted in the mornings with the specials of in-season fruit and vegetables displayed towards the front of the section.
Budgeting experts Michelle House of secretbudget.net warned it was easy to overspend on groceries.
The most common mistake is not planning. Not taking a list, or taking a list and not sticking to it, shopping when you are hungry, and buying two-for-one specials when you don’t really need them. Ask yourself, ‘do I need this, or is it something I want?
She recommends doing an audit of your pantry, fridge and freezer to see what you have left.
Most of the time you’ll find three or four means left in there to make. Grocery shopping can become such a habit and is sometimes unnecessary. Ms House also recommends making a menu plan and writing out a shopping list, then weaning yourself off the weekly shop.
I highly recommend that you only go to the supermarket once a week, then stretch that out for two weeks and then one month, she said. We had one member at secretbudget.net who did this experiment and her grocery bill went from $180 for the week to $180 for the fortnight and then to $250 for a month.
This didn’t include milk, bread and fruit and veggies, and the meat was purchased every four months in bulk, but she could do this because she did a 30-day menu plan.
Cutting back during the recession doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself.
Ms House says that by eating out a t clubs near you – sports clubs, for example – you can usually get a huge and nutritious dinner for a family or four for under $100. Some even have free kids’ clubs.
There are hairdressing colleges and natural-therapy schools that offer cut-price treatments done by students under supervision; and many shops offer discounts on special days.
Bargain-hunters should also keep an eye out for coupons for cheap deals on everything from holidays to restaurant meals.
It pays to shop around.
The same item may be found considerably cheaper at a different outlet, even within the same shopping centre. Check out discount shopping stores and warehouse which are open to the public.
If it sounds too difficult getting around to all those outlets, consider joining a discount shopping bus tour. The savings you make will more than cover the cost of the tour.
And don’t be afraid to barter or ask for a discount.
Private health insurance funds also provide some shopping discounts for members. If ou are a member of a union, you can also access discounts through the union shopper ( www.unionshopper.com.au )

Value tip
Buy only what’s on your shopping list. Plan your meals for the week. Go through your pantry/fridge/freezer first to see what meals you can come up with and then buy the rest.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry. If you have a habit of stopping for a coffee, choose a supermarket away from coffee shops.
Buy generic brands. Try to buy home brands where possible. You’ll generally save 50 per cent.
Save up and buy in bulk. If necessary, invest in a freezer. A whole rump is about.., where pieces by pieces it’s about … buy washing and cleaning products in bulk, too.
Only buy fruit and vegetables in season. Don’t pay a premium for out of season items or frozen fruit.
Source: www.secretbudget.net

yearshappy

Net gain is your cheaper option

It has never been easier to spend money without leaving home.
With just a computer and a credit card it is possible to buy everything from groceries to garden plants, make-up to home makeover products, clothing to car accessories.
And what started as a fad for the tech-minded had become part of everyday life for many people.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 61 per cent of the 11.3 million people who went online last year used the internet to buy goods or services for private use.
Convenience has driven the growth of online shopping.
It has brought smaller businesses closer to new customers. Farmers sell their meat and vegetables direct to customers in the city, budding fashion designers can sell their frocks without the cost of setting up a store.
Coles and Woolworths offer online shopping alternatives.
It can be cheaper to buy online through auction sites but even if the cost is higher – taking in the delivery fees – it may be more than made up in the time and money saved by not having to drive through traffic, find parking or traipse through the shops.
You are also less likely to be swayed by in-store promotions and advertising for goods you don’t really need.
The internet has also made it easier for us to sell household items, through online auction sites. According to consumer association Choice, it can be a great way to make some money selling unwanted ‘treasures’.
The downside of online auctions is that although vendors are registered they are not businesses, so the risk to buyer is higher.
The key is to know who you are buying from(get a physical address for the seller), exactly what you are buying and how much it will cost, including delivery. Find out how long you should expect to wait before the goods arrive and make sure you are clear about the procedures for return of the goods if you don’t like them or they are faulty.

yearshappy

Great deals going under the hammer

Shoppers are now, more than ever, sniffing out bargains as the recession starts to bite hard.
auctionsRus managing director Ken Gargan said his company had experienced a rapid rise in demand in the past 12 months – from liquidators seeking to auction products to pay the creditors of failed firms, to mums and dads searching for bargains.
While liquidators have always known about companies like us, we have found there has been a real increase in recognition from ordinary householders coming through the doors.
People who go through us for renovation and homeware supplies frequently get savings from 50 up to 75 per cent on prices set by the major retail chains.
AuctionsRus holds its main auctions on weekends. Goods not sold then are given a bidding price based on that auction and offered for sale over the following week, when they can be seen at warehouses in Sydney, Brisbane, and on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, or online.
Mr Gargan said auction buyers needed to do their homework before they started bidding: Go to a number of retailers and get in your head exactly what you want, bearing in mind what is normally sold in auction is no different from what you get at the retailer.
He admits the auction progress can be daunting for first-timers, but says it doesn’t always pay to sit back and watch. The first items in a line to go under the hammer are actually normally cheaper, because people are sitting back waiting to see how they will go. They end up paying more if they wait until the end.
While some products will come with a manufacture’s warranty, the goods are bought ‘as is’ with no returns.
The cost of transporting large items also needs to be factored in.

yearshappy

Beautiful one day …
Today the Sunday Mail publishes a 150-question quiz which tests our readers’ knowledge of all that is great about Queensland and its history.
There is one easy question it does not contain. Q, What is the best state in Australia to live, work and play in? A, Where else but Queensland?
As we celebrate our state’s 150th birthday this weekend, it’s appropriate to reflect on the opportunity, freedom and unique character that is Queensland.
As Prime Minister Kevin Rudd – a Nambour boy himself – says, the Sunshine State has always been proudly different.
Our state and our personality have often been shaped by extremes – of climate, terrain and adversity – which have given us a dogged determination, a creativity and a strength of spirit to stand up for what we believe.
Our differences haven’t always been appreciated by the rest of the country. Indeed, there have been times when we’ve been ridiculed for it.
But as we reach this important milestone in our history, we can celebrate the fact that Queensland’s position in our nation has never been so influential, so acknowledged or so envied.
This great northern land, derided only a few decades ago as a society, educationally and culturally challenged backwater of ‘banana benders’, is now the place people flock to from other states.
And it’s not just the world’s best climate that draws them here in droves.

… perfect the next
We are wealthier, better educated, we are culturally diverse, we are more tolerant than ever.
We are also the engine room of Australia. Our economy, while in neutral at the moment, has driven the nation for the past decade and will lead us out of the financial doldrums again.
Queenslanders dominate the national political scene. Our music and arts scene is flourishing, and in the sporting arena…well, just ask New South Wales.
Despite the pressures of rapid population growth, our lifestyle is sill among the most relaxed in the world and we enjoy access to some of the most pristine environments on the planet.
And we are a state that looks forward excitedly to future possibilities, not backwards at former glories. This is a place where energy and enthusiasm are embraced. Perhaps that’s why the southern states are losing so many of their best and brightest young people across our borders.
Our regionalised make-up means we also enjoy the differences that so many individual communities create, from the bush to the tropics.
Now is the time to celebrate that uniqueness.
Smile – you’re a Queenslander.

yearshappy

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
I travelled the world racing for more than 10 years, but there’s nowhere better than Queensland.
It’s got everything for a great lifestyle – warm weather, fantastic beaches and scenery and plenty of wide, open space for people to enjoy doing just about whatever they want.
When you live here, it’s easy for us to take things for granted, but when you go away, that’s when you appreciate what we’ve got.
I was born in Brisbane in 1965, and our family lived in West Chermside.
My early years were spent riding motorcycles at places like the Nudgee dump with my brothers, Colin and Scott.
When I started racing mini-bikes, I always tried to win. Sometimes I would get disqualified for carving people up, or taking them out.
Once , I passed every kid in the field. Then I hit a bump and flew over the handlebars and fell flat on my face.
We moved to the Gold Coast when I was a teenager and that’s when I started road racing at the old Surfers Paradise Raceway before it closed in 1987.
At that time I enjoyed having fun, partying on with my mates like any normal teenager. I used to hang out at the beach a lot.
Many of my mates didn’t know what a motorbike looked like. They were into surfing.
One of my first cars was a second-hand 1977 Holden HX ute which had a hole in the radiator. I didn’t have the money to fix it, so I used to take loaves of bread with me on trips and pushed bread into the hole to stop the radiator leaking.
In 1987, I was invited to race overseas for the first time in the Duzuka EeightHour in Japan. My racing career started taking off after that.
What’s special about Queensland is our laid-back attitude. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. You don’t have to wear a tie here like you do in other palces.

yearshappy

Magic in diverse environment
Queensland has provided me the opportunity to live out my dreams, and for that I am grateful to our wonderful state.
I grew up in Victoria, but some of my most cherished Queensland memories are of the days when Steve, my son and I would head up to Cape York and catch crocodiles involved in human-crocodile conflict.
Far north Queensland holds so many special memories, but there really is something magical about sitting quietly in a boat on an isolated river, watching a crocodile – a true prehistoric relic – going about life the same way it has done for thousands of years.
Of course, sharing these moments with my best mate made them all the more memorable.
For me, Queensland has always held the dream- whether that dream was moving the family from Victoria to Beerwah to start the Beerwah Reptile Park, now the worldfamous Australia Zoo, or heading out beyond Winton, exploring the landscape while searching for reptiles.
The dream was also helping to raise the profile of Queensland’s highly threatened koala population.
I reckon there isn’t much better than simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the Queensland bush. The thing which is most special and unique about Queensland is our magic wildlife and the incredibly varied landscapes which they call home.
Sitting by a campfire as the sun rises, boiling the billy with cicadas bumming in the back ground, the flurry of a cheeky bunch of lorikeets flying overhead and the complete contentedness of a koala sleeping in the fork of an ancient blue gum – it just doesn’t get much better than that, mate.
It really is a privilege to live in a state that has such diversity in its ecosystems.
The diversity of Queensland’s awesome environment is something to cherish and protect for future generations.

Home sweet home
It means many things to be a Queenslander. It’s where I was born and where I grew up and will always be my home.
Fifteen stone of prime Queensland beef. It’s one of things I define myself by. Like any place, Queensland changes and evolves. Like all of us, it’s a place that has had its share of secrets and shadows. But it’s also a place where people will find opportunity, and I think the very best of Queensland is extending that opportunity to all.
I’d like to hope Queensland’s generosity is a part of me and how I treat people.
When I think of Queensland I think (in no particular order) of my mum and my family, Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, Eddie Gilbert and Peel Island, Woody Point and Filmer’s Palace Hotel, Chinatown, Moreton Bay, the South Bank arts centre and the bulls at Rocky.
Best of all, Queensland is a place my children love.

yearshappy

Talking about my generation

In 1968, a year before the Woodstock festival officially announced the dawning of the Age of Aquarius and set the course for dramatic social change, a Queensland ‘Code for Teenagers and their Parents’ was published.
The teenagers ‘coming of age’ were among the baby boomers who dressed as mods or hippies, listened to rock ‘n’ roll on transistor radios, embraced love and peace and were tempted to sample the first hallucinogenics.
‘radical’, ‘far out’ and ‘groovy’ they were part of the beginning of the new era of freedom.
Girls wore mini-skirts and took the contraceptive pill, and boys put aside trousers and button-up shirts with collars for jeans and T-shirts.
They protested the Vietnam War and most of them smoked cigarettes, if not marijuana as well.
They would seek out someone over 21 to buy them a few ‘tallies’ or a bottle of sherry or port, which came in a brown paper bag form the hotel bar, and didn’t think twice about drinking it before jumping into a hotted-up V8.
To those born even just a few years earlier, they were outrageous rulebreakers with no respect for social mores. So, in September 1968, Queensland Newspapers published a code ‘specially prepared for Australians’, with ‘principles and rules for six areas of teenage conduct.’
More than 70,000 copies of the 12-page booklet were distributed in Queensland. It details the rules first adopted in St Louis, USA, and ‘modified in light of discussions among youth groups and youth learders in Queensland.
Its recommendations were heartily endorsed by then Police Commissioner Frank Bischof, who says in the foreword: ‘the most energetic section of the community is that of our young people who are destined to be the citizens of tomorrow. Youth must be controlled. It’s preferable that young people be cajoled and trained by precept and exam[le rather than by being suborned into doing what is right and proper.
Lady Cilento, who wrote her Medical Mother column for more than 50 years from 1933, helped compile the booklet and said it gave ‘ a basis upon which every teenager and person charged with the responsibility of a teenager can seek a reply to many problems of daily occurrence.
In the 41 years since, the teenagers for whom it was intended have become parents and in some cases, grandparents, of teenagers.
A group of teens, aged 16 to 19 years, were happy to share their opinions of each of the six areas of teenage conduct with Dot Whittington.

yearshappy

When milk bars and skimpy bathers lured teens to ruin

Steven Martin, 18, is a student at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has been dating Emily Hill, 16, a Year 12 student at St John’s College in Nambour, for almost a year.
Max Gordon, 16, and Alix W, 17, are also in Year 12 at St John’s college and Max’s girlgriend, O, 17, is in Year 12 at Maroochydore State High.
Beau W, 19, and Rose H, 18, have been together for more than two years.
They attended different high schools and are now studying business at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Here, this group of modern teenagers give their views on the parents’ guide to understanding teenagers in 1968, under each of the six categories.
The code said” Steady company-keeping is the normal preparation for marriage. Steady dating can and often does lead to tragic consequences. These are intimacies, premature and immature marriages, and heartbreak if one party ends the association.
‘Going steady and single-dating for young teenagers thrusts adolescents into an adult world for which they are not ready.
Today’s teens were unanimous in their verdict” what a joke. It’s ridiculous.
Max: You can’t be this young and thinking about marriage just because you’ve got a girlfriend. I want a friend, not a wife.
Beau: These rules should apply to, like, 12 year olds. When you’re 16 you’re old enough and you’re going to do it anyway.
Emily: Marriage has never crossed my mind. It’s about having fun together, not about marriage.
Recreation
The code said: parents should make their homes available for the group activities of teenagers. There is a deplorable drift away from the home as a place where teenagers might gather and have their fun.
Too often the sound lounge, street corner, the milk bar and over loaded car have become the gathering places of teenagers because they were not encouraged to gather at home.
Parents should promote wholesome, constructive and cultural hobbies for their teenagers. Drive-in theatres should be banned for single dates and are not recommended for group dates.
Today’s teens had no idea what a sound lounge even was, thought that a milk bar sounded like it would be great fun and called for the return of the drive-in theatre, as it would be a ‘top make-out area’.
Emily: parents encourage us to be at home. At their house they can decide when a party ends. Anywhere else kids can decide what they want.
Alix: parents like you to bring your friends around so they can watch you.
Beau: not man people overload cars or drink and drive. The laws are really strict on that.
Dress
The code said: this section on teenager conduct deals with dress – or more specifically with modesty and good taste in dress.
Modesty preserves chastity. Thus one must not be concerned solely with how he or she feels like dressing, nor with what is comfortable in dress, nor even with what may be popular in dress. It’s more important to be concerned with what will be the effect upon the feelings of others.
Public swimming and sun-baking are not occasions for abandoning discretion. Swimsuits too small or too tight should never be used.
A young man is embarrassed if his partner draws unnecessary attention by dressing in a provocative manner..
Today’s teens rejected the idea their dress might affect others, and were unanimous in proclaiming that they should dress the way they wanted; in what made them comfortable and feel good about themselves.
They were not familiar with the phrase ‘modesty preserves chastity’ – do you mean dressing like a slapper? One asked.
Max: you can wear what you want to wear. I’m not worried about modesty for my girlfriend. It’s more like this is my girlfriend if other guys are looking at her.
Emily: it’s your own choice what you wear as long as you cover the main bits on the beach. Steve doesn’t care how I dress.
Drinking
The code said: alcohol is a menace for the young. Experience proves that drinking is definitely the cause of much misconduct and danger on the part of teenagers.
The drinking of alcoholic beverages of any kind should be absolutely prohibited to teenagers.
Today’s teenagers could not imagine drinking being totally prohibited or excluding a drinker from their group. Alcohol prohibited to teenagers? No way!
Max: parents should teach kids to drink properly before they are 18, otherwise they just go for it and then really hurt themselves. If they are kept in a cage they will get blind out of their mind when they turn 18.
Alix: parents prefer it if kids drink at home while they are around so that they can supervise it. That’s better than not knowing what they are up to somewhere else.
Drugs
The code lists the effect and dangers of marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, morphia and its derivatives, heroin, LSD and aspirin, phenacetin and caffeine compounds.
It’s well known that drug peddlers hang round schools, milk bars, sound and coffee lounges and places frequented by teenagers and try to make friends with boys and girls to induce them to take drugs.
Today’s teenagers listed ice and heroin as the most dangerous drugs they knew.

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SundayMail agenda
To make the state’s 150th birthday, we asked 20 prominent Queenslanders to tell us what it means to them to be Maroon
Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister of Australia
Sesquicentenary. It’s hard to pronounce, but it’s worth celebrating.
Reaching 150 years is a good innings. And while it’s hard for me to admit, I’ve been around for more than 50 of those years. The Queensland I grew up in back in the ‘60s was a very different state to the Queensland of today.
I remember when an indoor toilet was a luxury; when most houses has an outside boiler to heat the water for the night’s bath; when rainwater tanks were banned because of the health risk from the uninvited cane toad or pigeon in the drinking water.
I grew up in a Queensland where it was perfectly acceptable for a 10-year-old boy to dance the Pride of Erin for recreation.
It was a time when cars all had bench seats and no seatbelts, when clearfelling of native forests was widespread, when Fourex was the only beer and it was all full strength.
The backyard barbecue was made of Besser blocks and usually matched the backyard incinerator, where everything from old newspapers to plastic bags was burned. Today the barbecue has an oven function, the old papers go into the recycling bin, and the plastic bags get reused.
Rainwater tanks are back in fashion, forests are being planted in return for carbon credits and Queensland has its own wine region.
Queensland has always been proudly different.
But while the Queensland I grew up in celebrated its differences, the Queensland of today celebrates how much it contributes to the rest of Australia. And it does, in every field of endeavour.
Queensland has given the nation its first female governor-general in Quentin Bryce. It has also given Australia its first elected female premier in Anna Bligh.
Queensland has given the world a vaccine against cervical cancer with Professor Ian Frazer’s pioneering work.
While Queensland is being hit by the global recession, its gross state product last year was more than $200 billion.
And it continues to lead the nation in population growth.
There are about 4.3 million Queenslanders. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says there will be six million of us by 2026, and that Queensland will be the second-largest state by 2050.
Why do people come here? It’s not just the great weather, which looks even more tempting on a grey Canberra winter day.
It’s the attitude of the place and the people.
Look at the way the state has picked itself up after devastating storms and floods in the past year – cleaning up, rebuilding, demonstrating the great qualities of resilience, courage and compassion that are at the core of the Australian character.
Look at the achievements of Queensland sportsmen and women, such as the State of Origin team, with their fantastic win in the first match of the series last week.
Sam Stosur, a Gold Coast girl, also became the first Australian woman to make the semi-finals of the French Open since 1988, and that’s after fighting a battle with Lyme disease.
How will I celebrate the sesquicentenary?
With a bit of luck, I’ll be on the deck at Norman Park with Therese and the kids, enjoying a cup of tea and a glorious Brisbane day.

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Attitude and values part of the package
Being a Queenslander is something that can’t be described, which is why people who live in other states can’t understand it.
We’re all fiercely proud of being Australian, but there is something different about  being a Queenslander. It’s all about attitude.
Queenslanders know what it is like to be the underdog. We know what it is like to have to overcome adversity and overcome the odds when nobody thinks you can.
It’s why Queenslanders value people who are genuine, and why they appreciate the value of true mateship.
It’s kind of like being a part of one big family. There is an unbelievable loyalty to the state and the people who live here.
Whether you do something good for Queensland, or you do something bad, Queenslanders will never forget it.
When it comes to their state, Queenslanders take it all personally.
The man on the street feels that anyone representing Queensland – sports people, politicians, actors and artists – is representing them.
Whether you are living in Toowoomba or Toronto, you’re always a Queenslander.
Being a Queenslander means so much. It’s what makes us who we are.

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A message from Lord Mayor Campbell Newman
On 17 June, I delivered the 2009/10 Brisbane City Council budget to Council.
This budget - unlike those delivered in recent years - has been framed in very tough economic circumstances.
I am proud of what we've achieved with this budget; and i feel very strongly that the decisions we have made will ensure Brisbane ratepayers continue to benefit from our strong economic record.
We've had to bridge a $45 million black hole caused by the Global Financial Crisis and ensure we minimise economic impacts on Brisbane residents.
There is no doubt that in the 12 months since the last budget, our local economy has changed considerably. Gone are the days of low unemployment, as well as the days of strong property prices rises and rapid construction cost increases.
Our challenge has been to develop a responsible budget that cuts costs and provides a stimulus for the Brisbane economy. This has not been an easy task, but strong financial management is about making tough decisions.
This budget gets on with the job of tackling traffic congestion; addressing flood issues; buying new buses and CityCats; and ensuring much higher standards of cleanliness and service throughout the city.
Despite tough economic times, this budget continues to deliver on meeting our Vision For Brisbane 2006 and ensuring Brisbane is an easy living, smart thinking, world class city.
The budget overview on the inside of this edition of Living in Brisbane provides a good snapshot. Further information can be found by visiting www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or calling (07) 3403 8888.

Campbell Newman
LORD MAYOR

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Recognising locals SES heroes
Work of local heroes, the State Emergency Service volunteers, is being recognised by Council in this year's budget.
While regularly playing a critical role in responding to emergencies, the SES, like many volunteer organisations, struggles to raise funds and recruit volunteers.
As part of Council's ongoing support of this wonderful organisation, $300 000 will be provided for a new job tasking computer system.
Council will also match fundraising by SES volunteers dollar-for-dollar, and introduce annual service recognition payments - $200 for one to five years service and $500 for over five years - to help recruit and retain volunteers.

Neighbourhood Planning update
Neighbourhood Planning brings local communities and Council together to plan our city.
There are now 20 Neighbourhood Plans underway or already completed across Brisbane. As part of these plans, Council delivers improvements to local services and facilities that are suggested by the community.
In Chermside, young people wrote and produced their own 'Song for Chermside'. In Acacia Ridge, participants built a new picnic precinct for the community. In Wynnem/Manly hundreds of street trees were planted. In Bracken Ridge a new heritage trail was created to commemorate the Indigenous history and early settlers to the area, and in the Centenary Suburbs a dark, dingy underpass was transformed with a colourful mural painted by a local artist.
These and many more improvements to local areas have taken place thanks to the community working with Council through Neighbourhood Planning.
To find out more, visit: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/neighbourhoodplanning.

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Bus services boosted in budget
A new rapid transit bus service to rival light rail will be launched in Brisbane's CBD next year as part of Council's massive $164 million public transport investment in 2009/10.
Dubbed the 'City Glider', the service will link West End, South Brisbane, the CBD, Fortitude Valley and Newstead, helping reduce vehicle congestion in the inner-city.
The glider, which will be formally launched next year, is part of a massive $100 million-plus investment in all forms of public and active transport, such as buses, hire bikes and ferries.
The City Glider route will initially be serviced by distinctively painted existing rigid and articulated buses, before those vehicles are replaced by large tram-like buses.

Getting Brisbane moving: Clem7 update
Tunnelling on the Clem Jones Tunnel(CLEM7) is complete after the second tunnel boring machine broke through at Woolloongabba.
The breakthrough represents and an important milestone for the CLEM7 with both 4,000-tonne boring machines (named Matilda and Florence) having completed their historic 4.3 kilometre journey from Bowen Hills to Woolloongabba.
The 6.8 kilometre CLEM7 will connect Woolloongabba in the south to Bowen Hills in the north, and will be the first section of the new M7 motorway. The CLEM7 will bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights, reduce travel time by up to 30%, cut fuel costs, lower stress and improve safety.
The CLEM7 is on track for completion in 2010.

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Simple changes can make a big impact on your health
1. A really good laugh relieves stress and relaxes your muscles. Book a night out at a comedy club with friends, rent a funny movie, or just gather frends around you that make you laugh.
2. A recent US study found adults who drank a glass of vegetable juice daily as part of a kilojoule-controlled, heart-healthy diet lost about 2 kilograms over 12 weeks, while those who followed the same diet but didn't drink the vegie juice lost only half a kilogram.
3. Prevetion is better than cure when it comes to health. Try taking natural supplements specially designed to support the body's immune function, such as garlic, vitamin C and zinc.
4. Want to live to 100? A new study at the Boston University School of Medicine found  being outgoing and knowing how to manage stress were traits found in children of people who lived to 100. Socialise more, stress less
5. Beans and lentil, tea, fruits, red wine, help protect against heart diseases. Eat a handful of beans or lentil twice a day. Sprouted forms are best.
6. Go unplugged one day a week. One evening a week, switch your phone to silent, and turn off the computer and TV. Go for a walk, read a book, write a letter, play board games or just simply chat with a friend.
7. Eat more whole foods, an apple, raw nuts and seed, plain yoghurt.
8. Brightly coloured plant foods are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Saving Boost 4.6%p.a
Give your saving a boost with our special offer of additional interest - available to new customers opening a WebSavings Account of Business WebSavings Account.
Hurry - limited time offer!
To find out more, drop into your local branch, call 1300 736 66 or visit www.boq.com.au Bank of Queensland

yearshappy

Improving energy efficiency in home
QIS Solarwise commenced business in 1979 when there were no government rebates and very few people thought about solar and insulation.
Back then, the director of Solarwise foresaw energy shortages and rising energy costs.
Going through the 80s there were lots of solar hotwater sales, but authorities promoted against energy savings.
The times have certainly changed since then, and these days there are rebates on insulation, solar hot water and solar electrics.
The only problem the consumer faces in who to choose?
There were many companies which had been in the business less than 12 months.
The company focuses on home insulation, batts for noise control, pool heating, solar how water and skylights. It aims to offer clients a tailored solution for their energy needs.

Bea trims down her curves
Princess Beatrice has painted the town red...in a designer dress showing off her newly trim figure.
The 20-year-old royal appeared to have put the embarrassment of bikini shots taken last year behind her as she showed off her slimmed-down physique at a charity dinner in London last week.
While she has always been happy with her curves, the Queen's granddaughter was mortified last year when she was snapped frolicking in the Caribbean on holiday with boyfriend Dave Clark.
At the time she said she was 'terribly upsite'by the public debate the photos prompted.
It was such an unflatering bikini...and i thought people were a bit mean, although i know it comes with the territory.
The trouble is, i don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting. I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it is the kick i need.
Fourteen months on, the Princess has clearly acted on the experience. She looked sensational in her brilliant red March Jacobs dress.
A friend said: Bea hasn't been on any crash diet, she's just been eating sensibly and being generally active.
She's also growing up a lot - she will be 21 next month and was only 19 when those awful pictures were taken.

yearshappy

Chinee change
Feeling sick, tired or rundown again?
The dreaded winter cold and flu season may not be entirely to blame, according to Diamond Bridge Clinic manager Ken Dinsmore.
'The answer may be your immune system is not functioning efficiently and very simple lifestyle adjustments may be just the tonic your system needs,' ' Amazingly, we are generally unaware that our immunity is working so hard.'
Chinese medicine's foundation is in balancing food and lifestyle patterns with the changing patterns of the four seasons to bolster immune health.
Chinese herbs and acupunccture have been proven to be successful in restoring and strengthening immune function.'
'As a rule, the time to strengthen immunity is between the change of seasons, this way the body is prepared in coping or prevention with the arrival of winter chills and summer heat.' he said.

Heal your mind and banish your podge
My main concern when I think about diets in general is the belief that they need to tell us that we do not know how to maintain our weight on our own.
Diets tell us that we cannot look after ourselves; our body does not know how to maintain itself.
It needs this person or that product to help it out.
There are millions of programs and procedures out there, fuelled by our desperation for quick change, not so such about long change but how fast can I get this weight off and how easily?
In anxiety, we feel the fatsuit has to go and now, resulting in us looking outside of ourseles for the answer.
This does not solve our problem; obesity is a disease that originates in the mind. THerefore we must also heal our minds as well as taking positive action. We need to learn to be more accepting and patient with ourselves. We need to stop and ask, what led me to get to this point? What feelings, emotions or situations am I avoiding feeling, or am I afraid to deal with?
Marketers love our desperation and they feed off it. They make us believe that we are not capable of healing ourselves.
These are Mickey Mouse band-aid solutions that cover up the symptom without addressing the underlying problem.
What we all forget is that we have an in-built feedback system designed to maintain our body weight.. Over the years of dieting, bingeing and restrictive eating, our body has forgotten how to trust itself.
We keep confusing it to the point where it feels disempowered; it no longer knows what to do.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to stop and trust that our body knows what is best for us.
It is to stop relying on others for the answer and find it inside ourselves. It takes trust, courage and patience to do this. Because after years of dieting the body might take some time to realise that you aren't going to undermine its ability again.
This may mean a slower initial weight loss or, even at the start, your weight going up. But we all have the ability to effectively maintain a healthy weight; we just need to believe in our ability to do so.
Don't focus on counting calories; focus on nourishing your body with good food and being active wherever you can.

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There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Take time to cut down your stress
We live in a stressful society. We all have enormous pressure on us. Compared with our ancestors we continue to get more and more done each day. Indeed we need to and we have to keep up with our life.
We are running through our lives trying to stay on top of things and we are constantly stressed and exhausted.
Too much stress, of course, is not good.
But these days, we only have to look at the average person's to-do list to know that avoiding stress is seemingly impossible.
There are ways we can actively minimise the stress we feel.
We do ourselves no favours by barbouring and actively cultivating the stress in our bodies.
We are constantly thinking about the next task to be done, never concentrating fully on the one we are doing now. WE write out a million things to do and just looking at the list makes us feel overwhelmed and stressed out.
How can we reduce our stress?
The best thing is to look at your to-do list and to ask yourself each and every day: If I completed one task today, which task do I most need to complete to feel as though I have had a productive day?
Start something important and complete it rather than fluff around with a few unimportant items and not accomplish much. Do something to completion so you can get the satisfaction of crossing something off the list.
The biggest stressor I find is the every-pressent need to mentally jump into our next task before we are physically finished with our current one. Grab hold of yourself and pull your mind back to where you are now.
Stop for 10 minutes a day and sit somewhere quiet and allow yourself to think of nothing. Our thoughts are a runaway freight train if we allow them free range to go where they please. We have control over our thoughts and talking a 10-minute break every now and again is enough to bring them back under control. With our thoughts under control we are much more able to concentrate on the current task, thus finishing faster and being able to move on to something else a lot quicker.

yearshappy

It's not selfish to care for yourself
I am interested to find out who or what is number one on your list of priorities and where you fit on the spectrum.
I know I am guilty of putting my clients' wants ahead of my needs. As women, something we do better than multi-tasking is self-sacrificing. We feel if we put ourselves higher or, God forbid, number one on our list of priorities that would be selfish.
i think it is self-deprivvation to do otherwise.
Our most important quality is our health, a precious commodity that we take for granted until we no longer have it. Without health we cannot function, we cannot do the millions of things that need to be done on our to-do lists. It would make it harder to maintain the household and impossible to look after the kids.
Our health is the foundation for our action and life experience. Remove this foundation and the whole structure is compromised. Yet that is what we do day in and day out. we neglect our foundation for the maintenance of each layer on top of it.
We are living with the unrealistic stndards that everything should come before us.
But who is looking after you?
who will look after the family if you are unable to continue to do so?
You are the foundation from which all action occurs. You need to invest a bit more time and effort into laying a strong foundation. You need to take care of yourself as our number one priority and then you will be in the best situation that you can be in order to look after those around you.
They even tell us to do it in the safety demonstrations on planes, to fit our masks before we help others. We are in no position to help anyone if we cannot breathe.
We need to value our selves enough to make time for ourselves. Eat healthily, get enough exercise for the sake of those who value you most.
Our health is the foundation for our action and life experince. Remove this foundation and the whole structure is compromised.

yearshappy

Your rights at work in Australia(-)

How pay and conditions are set in Australia
Acts of parliament
. Legislation setting out laws is determined by Parliament
. In Australia there is a federal system of government with a national(called the Federal) government and six state and two territory governments
. The Australia Constitution sets out the powers of the national parliament to make laws
. The State and Territory Parliaments can also make laws but where these are inconsistent with the federal laws then the federal laws apply
. When the Australia Constitution was made it gave the federal parliament power to make laws about workers pay and conditions in certain circumstances
. The major federal law about work is called the Workplace Relations Act
. The State Governments also have the power to make laws about workers pay and conditions
. In NSW the major law about work is called the Industrial Relations Act
. The Australia trade union movement has successfully campaigned for laws that promote many benefits to australian workers,eg holidays pay,long service pay stc
Awards
. australia has a system of conciliation and arbitration which establishes a tribunal to determine pay and conditions
. The federal and State laws both establish tribunals called Commissions
. The commissions consider disputes between workers and their employers and make decisions. The workers are represented by Trade unions
. These decisions set out pay and conditions that both the workers and employers must abide by and are called awards
. Awards set out the minimum pay and conditions for those workers and employers covered by the awards(you cannot be paid less or receive conditions that are less than those set out in the award)
. Different awards cover specific industries or occupations(jobs)
. Trade unions frequently make applications to improve wages and conditions in awards. When employers under pay workers, trade unions take legal action to recover back pay for workers
. Federal Awards will only apply to employers named as respondents and to those workers employed by those particular employers
. NSW awards apply to all employers and workers in a particular industry and/or doing particular jobs
. Where you have a dispute with your employer about the award you can go to the commission to settle the dispute: contact your trade union for assistance
Agreements
. sometimes workers and their employer agree to different pay and conditions than what is in the award
. when this happens it is called an agreement
. agreements can't have pay and conditions that are less than what is in the award unless it can be shown that overall there is no disadvantage to those the agreement will apply to 1) This means that if any condition or pay is less than in the award other conditions must be better so that no one is worse off 2) The value of all of the provisions in the agreement must be no less than the value of all of the provisions in the award 3) This is called the no disadvantage test
. Agreements can be registered with the Federal or NSW commission
. When agreements are registered they take the place of awards and are legally binding
. Agreements do not have to be registered 1) These are sometimes called over award agreements 2) where agreements are not registered it is important to have some record of what they are so people undertand their obligations and so that there is evidence of what has been agreed if there is a dispute about it later
. where you have a dispute with your employer about the agreement then you can go to the Commission or a court to settle the dispute
. if your employer seeks to negotiate an agreement at your workplace it is important to contact your union to represent your interests

Individual contracts
. not all workers or workplaces are covered by awards or agreements
. where there is no award that applies to a worker that worker will have an individual contract of employment
. these contracts may be written documents which outline the pay and conditions that will apply (the contracts may be quite simple or very detailed)
. Sometimes there is not even a written contract(when this happens terms and conditions will be determined using a number of factors such as: verbal discussions about what the conditions will be; any documents like a job description or job advertisement that have been used; certain things that have been determined over many years by courts when considering employment cases - this is called 'common law' and will be used if there is a dispute to determine what should happen when there is no other award, agreement or written contract that sets out what the conditions should be)
. some individual contracts can be registered under the federal workplace Relations Act - these are called australian workplace agreements(AWA'S)
. if you are covered by an individual contract and you have a dispute with your employer then you will have to go to a court to settle the dispute
. you should not sign any individual contract unless you have sought advise from your trade union

yearshappy

you rights at work in Australia (2)

Getting a job
. employers use many different ways to employ workers: advertisement in a newspaper or on a notice; asking friends or other workers if they know someone who would like a job; using an employment agent
. there is no laws that say employers must use specific steps when employing people
. there are laws that say employers cannot discrinimate against people when deciding who gets a job - theis means that whatever way an employer uses to decide who to employ it must be fair
. when you apply for a job you are entitled to know: what the job involves; what hours you are being asked to ask; what pay you can expect to receive; any special requirements of the position
. when you apply for a job you should provide evidence that you can do the job(have the necessary qualifications) - this may also mean that you have the right to work in australia
. if you are offered a job you should make sure you understand what will be expected from you: this might be in a letter from the employeroffering you the job; if you are unsure about anything in the letter or you do not agree you should ask the employer; even where you don't get a letter make sure you have understand what is expected
. it is quite common for people starting a job to have a period of 'probation': this is a short period of time where the employer can make sure you are able to do the job and you can also make sure you are happy with the job; a probation period must be for a reasonable period of time - 3 months is common but a longer time may be necessary for very complex jobs; an employer should tell you if you aren't doing the job properly and help you so that you can be better; during the probation period if the employer feels you are not able to do the job even with support you can be dismissed; some trade unions provide employment services and assistance to unemployed members

types of employment
permanent employment
. a permanent worker is one that has ongoing work
full time employment
. a full time worker is one that works an average of 35 or 38 hours each week
part time employment
. a part time worker works less houres than a full time worker
casual employment
. a casual worker is one that does not have ongoing work
. a casual worker is employed by the hour
. a casual worker has no guarantee that they will work on any given day or week
. a casual work usually receives a loading to compensate them for the unpredictable nature of their work
. a casual worker can be full time or part time
temporary employment
. a temporary worker is one that works for a defined period of time
. a temporary worker can be full time or part time
. a temporary worker is entitled to the same pay and conditions as permanent workers for the period of their employment
Agency employment
. employers somethimes get workers from another organization to do certain jobs
. these workers are called agency hire or body hire workers
. these workers may work at different places each week or month depending on where they are required
. while they may work alongise you they are not employed by your employer and may not have the same pay and conditions
. employers often use these workers to reduce their costs
. these workers often don't have the same pay, conditions or job security of other workers although they are doing the same sort of work and have the same skills
contract employment
. some employers require workers to work on contract, eg payment according to resuilts, sales etc
. contract workers are sometimes paid a set amount of money per m2 or per line meter of work done or per hour
. often employers advise contract workers they have no rights, eg to superannuation or to workers compensation, but this is often not true
. contract workers should contact their union to ensure they understand their rights

Basic conditions
pay slips
. employers are required to provide workers each pay period with written details of - : how much they have been paid; what hours they worked and whether penalty rates have applied; how much tax has been taken out; how much superannuation has been paid on their behalf; what other deductions have been taken from their pay
Rates of pay
. Minimum rates of pay are set by Awards - to find out about the minimum rate of pay in your industry you should contact your union, the office of industrial relations or wage line: to contact you union call the labor relations call either a Contact Centre or the Dir Award Enquiry servide on 131 628; to find award rates online go to www.dir.nsw.gov.au/awards/index,html; to contact Wage line for federal awards call 1300 363 264
. unions negotiate wage increases and other benefits in excess of minimum award rates of pay
Pay increases
. if an award is changed to increase pay rates then the employer must pay whatever the increase is
. if your pay is already above what is in the award then the employer doesn't have to increase your pay(provided your pay is not less than what is in the award)
. sometimes awards set out increase for achieving certain skill levels or because you have been in the job for a certain period of time. these must be paid by the employerif you meet the conditoons set out in the award.
. if you are convered by an agreement and it provides for pay increases then the employer must pay them
. if your individual contract provides for pay increases then the employer must pay them
. the best way to improve your wage is to join a trade union
Annual leave
. in NSW there is a law that gives workers 4 weeks annual leave each year
. employers must allow you to take the leave and you must take the leave within 6 months of it falling due(12 months after you first started)
. by agreement with your employer you can take your holidays when it is convenient to you both
. if your employment has an annual close down you may be required to take part of your annual leave at this time
. by agreement with your employer you can take your holidays in more than one break
. you can also use single days of your annual leave to take care of family emergencies
. some awards and agreements also provide an extra payment when you take holidays - this is called an annual leave loading and is usually an additional 17.5% on top of your normal pay
Sick leave
. most awards and agreements say that workers can take days off without loss of pay when they are sick
. defferent awards have different entitlements as to how many days you can have
. some awards and agreements say that if you don't use all your sick leave in one year you can carry those days over to the next year and use them then
. employers can ask you for a doctors certificate saying you were sick as evidence that you are entitled to paid sick leave
. workers who are sick need to tell their employer they won't be able to work as soon as they can
. if you run out of paid sick leave you can take unpaid leave or you can ask your employer to use some other type of paid leave(annual leave) so that you don't lose any pay
parental(paternal or maternal)leave
. parents are entitled to 12 months shared unpaid leave(that is combined both parents can take in total 12 months leave)
. some awards allow for some paid maternity leave, normally of a maximum of 12 weeks
hours of work
. awards and agreements usually set out what are the normal hours of work and when those hours can be worked
. most awards and agreements say that if you work extra hours(called overtime) you are entitled to an extra payments
. if you work on days or at times that are not the normal hours of work you may also be entitled to an extra payment
. if you regularly work outside the normal hours and/or days of work this is called shift work and will usually mean you are entitled to an extra payment
. employers have to provide reasonalbe notice in advance of when you are required to work. This is called a roster.
. employers are required to consult with workers if they wish to change the hours or days which people are required to work
. for health and safety reasons there must be a reasonable break to allow people to have meals
. trade unions often campaign for reduced houres of work and paid leisure days (sometimes called fleci days or rostered days off)
Superannuation
. there is a federal law that requires all employers to pay superannuation on behalf of their workers
. superannuation is a scheme of savings for workers to use when they retire
. employers are required to pay an additional 9% of what each worker earns to an approved superannuation scheme- where workers earn below a certain amount of money the employer does not have to pay superannuation for those workers
. workers cna also make voluntary payments towards superannuation
. if you have not been receiving superannuation payments you should contact your union, a claim can be made for superannuation payment to an idustrial magistrat
. workers are able to choose their own superannuation investor, contact your union for advice as to which superannuation firm is best
. it was the trade union movement that campaigned for and won superannuation for australian workers

yearshappy

Your rights at work in australia (3)
occupational health and safety
. employers must provide a safe place and method of work
. this means that employers must take all reasonable steps to reduce the chance of accidents or illness in the workplace
. workers also have to take all reasonable steps to reduce the chance of causing accidents or illness in the workplace
. this means that workers must: wear protective clothing where it is provided; follow safety procedures; report any situation or practice that is unsafe
. employers must consult with their workers and trade union representatives to identify risks and hazards and to take appropriate steps to make the workplace safe
. there are some specific laws that must be followed about particular hazards - using certain chemicals for example
. employers and workers can be prosecuted if they don't take reasonable steps to reduce the chance of accidents or illness at work
. most trade unions have safety experts that can visit workplaces and help improve safety
workers compensation
. where a worker if injured at work they are entitled to workers compensation - this can include if you are injured on your way to work or home from work, it is called a jouney claim
. this means that they are paid their normal pay and any medical expense while they are off work
. the aim is to have the worker return to work as soon as possible
. where the worker cannot do the full range of duties that their job requires the employer is required to provide suitable duties for a worker when they returen to work. this is called rehabilitation.
. where a worker is unjured at worke they must notify the employer as soon as possible so that workers compensation payments can be made
. where there is a dispute about workers compensation the workers compensation court will determine the matter
. trade unions have solicitors that provide free legal advise and assistance for inuried workers
Discrimination and harassment
. there are also laws that say you cannot treat a worker less favourably because of their -: sex, pregnancy, marital status, race, sexual preference, disability, age, carer's responsibility, union membership
. there are discrimination tribunals that will deal with cases where someone has been discriminated ageainst
Migrant workers
. migrant workers face many obstackes at work, they can range from discrimination to bullying, difficulty with language barriers
. some employers may take advantage of migrant workers by assuming that they do not know their rights at work
. trade unions provide migrant workers with support by ensuring they are not on their own in knowing and enforcing their rights at work- to find out information about which union you should join call 1800 688 919
. english language courses are available form the NSW Government. the first 150 hours of course work are free.
overseas skills recognition
. a major problem for migrant workers in australia is having skills they may have gained overseas recognized by australian employers
. often australian employers prefer workers with local work experince and prefer local qualifications
. if you have overseas qualifications you may need to have your documents translated into english - translation services can be obtained from the Community Relations Commission, the Department of Immigration, and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs or from private accredited translators
. there are directories that compare overseas qualifications with their australian equivalent, you will need to have a look in the national office of overseas skills recognization of overseas skills and qualifications
. for assistance with the english language please phone translation and interpreter service.
leaving a job
resigning
. where you wish to leave a job you need to give notice to your employer
. awards and agreements usually set out how much notice you have to give - two weeks notice is very common but sometimes it is longer
. notice can be in writing or verbal
. an employer may require you to work during the notice period of may ask ou to leave straight way. In either case you will get paid for the notice period.
. if you don't give notice or don't turn up to work during the notice peirod you are not entitled to be paid for that period
. you are also entitled to be paid any outstanding pay and accrued leave entitlements
Getting the sack
. the period of notice is usually set out in the award or agreement
. the employer has to pay you for the period of notice even if they don't want you to continue working druing that time
. a worker who believes they have been dismissed unfairly can take action against the employer in the Commmssion
Unfair dismissal
. where it is found that the employer dismissed someone unfairly the Commission can order that the worker be reinstated: this means they get their job back; reinstatement is only available where it is practical to do that - the job or another suitable job is still available; - the trust between the employer and worker can be reestablished
. where reinstatement is not possible the Commission can award the worker compensation up to a maximum of 6 months pay
. sometimes workers are dismissed because their job is no longer needed. this is called redundancy
. there are laws that set out payments to be made to workers who are made redundant - these only apply to workplaces with 15 or more workers
. awards and agreements may also set out payments for redundant workers
The role of unions
. trade unions are organizations of workers who have joined together to improve their pay and conditions at work
. they are legal organizations recognized by the government and employers that all workers are free to join
. trade unions are democratic organisations whose officials are elected by their members
. in australia trade unions are separeate from the government and do not work for the government
. trade unions negotiate on behalf of their members for improvements to their members wages and conditions
. trade unions appear before the courts representing their members interests and are paties to awards and enter into agreements on behalf of their members
. trade unions provide advice about workplace issues to members and represent them in court hearings and with their employers
. trade unions also lobby governments to improve laws protectiong workers rights
other sources of assistance
. the best source of information for any question in relation to your work is your union - contact your union via the Labor Council.
. Government Departments can provide advice and information but cannot represent workers in tribunal matters
. lawyers can provide advice and represent workers in court matters
. legal centres can also provide advice and represent workers, details can be found in the phone book
. working women's centre is a help line for women about their rights at work

yearshappy

Rest and exercise to maintain health
You wake up with an ache in your knee, and you believe that once you get to the gym and warm up, it will go away.
That day after your 45min workout on the cross trainer sitting at your desk you notice that your back is aching again, so you pop some anti inflammatories that you bought the last time you hurt your back, a couple of months ago.
That afternoon your neck gets really tight, because let's face it, it has been a streeful day.
You go to bed exhausted and wake up the next day and do the same thing again.
Sound familiar? We push through our pain, because we think it is our old age catching up with us. We plough on in spite of our pain and we put up with our discomfort.
Pain is a feedback for the body; it indicates that something is going wrong.
Do you absolutely have to work your butt off every day for 45min on the cross trainer to keep the weight off, while your knee hurts the whole time?
There is more to health and weight management than how many hours you churn out on your favourite piece of cardio equipment.
A lot of people who are used to exercising regularly to keep their weight under control are afraid of what would happen if we started listening to our body, which is screeming to stop and take a rest.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to have a rest.
I am not advocating becoming a couch potato, and completely doing nothing until the pain goes away.
I am talking about taking the foot off the accelerator, slowing down and taking our exercise a little easier. I am talking about incorporating stretching and injury prevention exercises into our program to heal our body.
This means, if you have ever been to a physio for an injury,that you actually do your rehabilitation exercises, religiously, for a change.
It is important to do this instead of doing one or two for a couple of days after you see the physio and then never picking up that resistance tubing ever again. You need to continue to keep these exercise up even when the pain goes away.
Our joints need to be maintained. It is frustrating, it is tedious but at times it is neceessary for our joint health.

What it will cost you

• Parking across a driverway $50 to $100
• Parking in a disabled car park $60 to $200
• Clogging an intersection $50 to $150
• Breaching bus zones $100 to $150
• Parking in a clearway $120 to $200
  

Parking a long and heavy vehicle within 100 meters of a residential are $375 to $500.

Formal match for manners
A school formal is a milestone in a young person's life.
It's a night you're going to remember for the rest of your life, so you want everything to go right.
Deportment trainer and fashion stylist Judi Blinco knows how important it is to look and act your best on your big night.
She runs etiquette, grooming and deportment workshops for southside high schools.
And the first thing to remember is it's never too early to plan for the perfect formal.
Ms Blinco offers six big formal tips:
1. Carry yourself as a confident your woman, keeping your back staight and your shoulders square, walk in a strainght line, have control in your movement and most importantly, smile.
2. Treat your date with respect;be thoughtful, courteous and introduce your date to your friends or anyone you may like to.
3. Know your table manners and apply them gracefully. Apply the BMW rule: bread, main, water (bread is always on the left, Main in the middle and water to the right above the main meal knife). Your cutlery will be set according to how many courses will be served and start using cutlery from the outside and work your way in.
4. Posing for your formal photos: practicee, practice, practice. Spend a few minutes in front of the mirror in your formal gown before leaving the hourse. Typically the Miiss Uniiverse pose works best, good posture, have all your weight on one leg and bring the other foot forward keeping your feet close together, arms straight down by your side or gently place one hand on your waist (not your hip).
5. This is a formal occasion. At no point in the evening can your shoes end up in your hand or placed anywhere but firmly on your feet. Practice walking in your heels.
6. Pack your cluth with necessities only: mobile phone (with full battery and credit for emergencies), powder, gloss, some cash, ID, camera and eftpos card.

yearshappy

Time management tips - How to get it all done
September 05, 2009 by Victoria Rowden
Juggling school, work, and a social life can be frustrating and difficult for anyone. It often seems like everything can be overwhelming, and that there just aren't enough hours in the day to accmplish everything that needs to be done. Learning how to manage your time can allow you to get your work done and still have time to relax.
Here are some time management tips for busy students:
Prioritize
This is one of the most effective ways to manage your time. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and decide what is most important. Anything with a pressing deadline needs to be moved to the top of the list. You may be tempted to drop social of family obligations from the list completely, but keep in mind that these things are important too!
Invest in a day planner
A good day-planner is an absolute must for any studennt. Use it to write down deadlines and assignments, meetings, or scheduled activities. This may seem like common sense, but knowing what lies in store for you on any given day makes you more efficient.
Plan ahead
Consider this situation: you are assigned a lengthy term paper on the first day of classes. It isn't due until finals week. You have a million other things going on, and put the paper off until the week before finals, only to find that you have even more to do then! Think ahead to what your schedule looks like for the entire semester and plan accordingly. Some weeks are busier than others, and a little prepareation can make these times more manageable.
Break it down
One time management trick is to not let large projects overwhelm you. Writing a research paper is a time consuming task, but it becomes more manageable when you break it down. Instead of sitting down to work on the paper all at once, consider spending an hour here and there working on pieces of it. Spend soome time on brainstorming, library research, outlining, and drafting at different times. If you have some time to spare, work on an individual part of the paper. This allows you to space things out, and also prevents the feeling of being in too deep.
Schedual your time
Successful time management involves discipline. As a student you must schedule your time just like at the workplace. Goofing off and procrastinating will get you fired at an outside job, so why should you put up with it in your school work? SCHedule blocks of hours for homework, writing, and studying and stick to it. Consider yourself at work: off limits to friends and distractions. Don't neglect yourself, though. You can also schedule time to see a film or go to dinner with friends!
Overcome procrastination
Procrastination is the enemy of time management, and a student's biggest foe. This is a difficult one to overcome, because humans are hard-wired to prefer instant rewards over long-term rewards. It can be difficult to beat procrastination completelu, but by eliniating distractions in your work enviroment you can make a good start. Scheduling your time and breaking down your workload into manageable chunks can also help.
Practice efficiency
Make use of the time that you normally spend doing nothing. If you find yourself stuck in a long line or waiting in a doctor's office use this time to get work done. Keep a few short projects on hand for just this situation. Whether you are going over lecture notes or brainstorming for a project, you can be sure that your time is not wasted by reading a magazine from four years ago or staring into space.
Say 'No'
As a student, there is a lot of competition for your time. Though you may want to make a good impression with a professor by picking up an extra research project or helping with departmental activities, know your limits. If you don't have the time to do something, say so. This goes for friends as well. Don't be guilted into watching a movie or staying out late when you don't have time. Politely decline if you can't fit something into your schedule.

yearshappy

Credit shark attacks to end
Credit card providers and banks that push unwanted cards and increased credit limits on customers who can't afford to pay will lose their lending licences in an unorecedented cracdown to be made federal law by year's end.
With unemployment on the march and the number of bad debts rising as a result of the global financiaal crisis, Federal Cabinet has signed off on two pieces of legislation designed to stop predatory lending by banks, card providers and finance brokers.
The package, to be introduced to Parliament by September, will also cover bank and non-bank home loans.
After seven months of protracted negotiations driven by the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Nick Sherry, the states have handed over their powers, and for the first time there will be uniform national legislation to protect borrows.
The two new laws - the National Consumer Protection Bill and another covering marginn lending for investment assets - reflect growing concern within the Rudd Government that, with the impact of the global financial meltdown, ordinary Australians are increasingly drowning in debt.
It follows studies that show unsustainable reliance on credit cards is masking the level of mortgage stress in Australia, with more than 600,000 households - 8 per cent of the market - already maxing out their credit cards to keep afloat a year before the global credit crash even took hold.
Cabinet sources have confirmed to The Sunday Mail that under the new laws, to be overseen by the financial watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, all credit-proiders will have to be licensed.
All credit provision will be subject to new responsible lending conduct rules that will shift the onus of the checcking the cridit-worthiness of a borrower to the lending institution - and they will pay the penalty if they don't.
Loan sharks, also known as pay-day lenders, who charge punitive interest rates, will be targeted as well. They'll be included in a national licensing regime for the first time. And property spruikers - who offer financial 'advice' then provide a credit card or loan facility to pay for the product - will also be brought under federal jurisdiction.
Borrowers will be given the right to take the lender or bank to an independent disputes resolution body where lawyers will not be required.
Repeated breaches by lending institutions will see them lose their lending licences.
News of the crackdown follows increasing anger within the Government at the failure of the banks to pass on to borrowers last week's 25 percentage point interest rate cut.

Keep abreast of your rights under awards as downturn bites
I have been getting a higher number of questions about award wages than usual.
To find information, visit the website of Wageline Queensland or the federal Workplace Authority.
CareerOne.com.au also has a Salary Centre in our News&Advice section, with links to salary surveys and to award rates. By visiting http://www.wageline.qld.gov.au/, you can find info on an A-Z list of State-based award wages, although the trick sometimes is figuring out which award you fall under.
There is also a page on the minimum award, the rights and obligations of both employers and employees, a section for apprentices, and more.
The help line is 1300 369 945.
The Workplace Authority has just redesigned its website. You will now find a Rates of Pay tab at the top of the home page http://www.workplaceauthority.gov.au/
A helpline for those covered by federal laws is 1300 363 264
I have had a few emails about people doing unpaid work. I am hearing about quite lonnt-term unpaid work stints including shifts in cafes at busy times.
Everyone needs to take care to keep on the legal side of things.

Banks give managers more power
The role of the local bank manager is being resurrected in communities across Queensland, as major banks move to restore decision-making to small branches.
Westpac is changing its policies to hand bank managers the responsibility for quick decision-making for local custormers - something that has been missing in recennt years.
Queensland managers Ben Elliot said the bank was advertising for 100 bank manager positions which he hoped would be filled by September.
New responsibilities included overseeing branch profit and loss,personnel and marketing.
However, unions were concerned that the move would result in job lossers, with current bank managers having to reapply for their positions.

[ 本帖最后由 yearshappy 于 11-9-2009 22:38 编辑 ]

yearshappy

Social seniors
Plans are under way to create  southside social group for over 50s. Judi Donnelly said it could include movie nights and meal trips, and provide a network of like-minded people. Ph 3341 0607

Apprenticeships and Traineeships available
We are running prevocational and placement programs for the following industries throughout Brisbane:
Aged Care / Automotive / Bakery / Bricklaying / Business Administration / Child care / Commercial cooking / Horticulture
Jobs are available for the right candidates
These programs are undertaken under the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program, an Australian Government initiative.
For more information call 07 3350 9440 or email accessqld@missionaustralia.com.au
Mission Australia
Apprenticeships info
Contact Apprenticeships info to access free advice and support about apprenticeships, traineeships and training options.
www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au 1800 210 210

Studies expo details info for job seekers
School leavers or those looking for a career change will have more than 100 study, training and work options to choose from at the Tertiary Studies Expo.
The two-day event in the Exhibition Building at the RNA Showgrouds this weekend, will feature 110 exhibitors.
They will include all Queensland universities, interstate and overseas universities, private training providers and TAFE institutes.
Several State Government departments will provide details on their graduate programs, scholarships and other employment opportunities.
Defence Force recruiting and graduate empployment provviders will also be there.
Billed as Australia's most comprehensive tertiary studies and careers expo, the event attracts a range of corporate agencies whose reprentatives will be on hand to discuss graduate and employment recruitment opportunities. www.tsxpo.org

Plan how to use new qualifications before starting study
Short and long courses are a great way to improve promotion prospects, bounce back from redundancy, or change careers.
However, it helps to plan for how you are going to use your new qualifications.
Talk to the TAFE, private college or university where you plan to study. Many have career advisers. Tutors and lecturers are also a good information source. Some colleges even arrange for employers to talk to students.
You can also organise this yourself.
A reader, Carissa, is studying occupational health and safety at TAFE and wanted to learn more about the sort of work she would be doing.
I gave her some tips on how to stage an employer night and she is working with her lecturer to make this happen.
Ask course providers about government-funded course. Organisations such as Queensland TAFE and Skilling Solutions Queensland are happy to advise you in on all sorts of options.
Also, check out the special training feature on the CareeOne website called Upskilling for the Future.
The site includes 37 articles and videos.