When
travelling ...
The "best" things often happen when we least expect them!
Travelling to Western Australia ...
Do not bring Fresh Fruit or Vegatables ... Do not bring Honey ... Do
not bring Plants, Seeds or Soil ... Western Australia is free of many
plant and animal pest's and diseases and has strict border controls.
Beware “loser jobs”.... such
as 100% sales commission Door to Door / Tele-Marketing / Charity collecting.
These 'so called' jobs rely on a huge turnover of New Chums and Desperadoes
who work for 2 weeks before realizing that the company is making money
but they're not.
Charity collecting is also a form of begging and may not be good for
the soul.
Beware
dodgey employers / worker hostels or bogus employment agents
You can report bad experiences
(in Western Australia) to Harvesters Australia Incorporated at harvesterswa@yahoo.com.au
Bogus
Employment Agents
Employment Agencies are not only required
to be licenced but also to follow strict procedures including disclosure
of all details of the employment being offered including employers
name, job description, relevant award, start & finish dates/times,
length of job, transport, salary/wages, payday, how you will be paid
i.e. cash, cheque, electronic transfer, and so on. All these details
should be presented to you in written form a copy of which you should
keep. If the employer/client is offering accommodation then details
of that should also be given. Employment Agents also have a part to
play with regards the bona fides of thier clients especially relating
to issues of Occupational Health and Safety i.e. ensuring the employer
has Workers Injury Insurance - you can ask to see a Certificate of Currency
and ask about Awards, Tax rates and the like. These are all issues that
may be doubly important for Non Residents.
All of these things are requirements of a bona fide Employment Agent.
Employment Agents are also not allowed to charge jobseekers membership,
administration or first night accommodation fees so advertisements of
No Fees or Free Memberships may be mis-leading and deceptive and Employment
Agents charging Administration fees or first night accommodation fees
should be questioned .... workstayperth@westnet.com.au
Beware
of misleading or outdated work information
The
biggest source of misinformation concerning Working Holiday Jobs often
comes from other travellers but some Traveller Web Sites offering work
information can also be woefully out of date.
Fellow backpackers often pass on info which they heard from someone
else who heard it from someone else and so on. The classic Job Situation
Expert (every backpacker hostel has them) is usually not out of bed
until late, then seems to just hang around the hostel all day, reclining
in front of the T. V. or at the bar and then tells new chums that "there
are Absolutely No Jobs in this town". Most travellers keen to find
work - do.
The best way to find work in any town, is to knock knock knock on doors!
Beware...when
driving
Australian roads are possibly the
most dangerous in the world, requiring a very high level of awareness
at all times. Fatigue and speed are probably the biggest factors that
drivers have under their control but are also the main reasons for a
majority of crashes - especially on country and outback roads. Take
great care at all times but especially when you start to feel complacent.
Take regular breaks and don't push yourself that little bit further
- especially when you start to feel drowsy. Avoid driving if possible
around sunset or sunrise as kangaroos (roos)etc are at their most active.
If a roo does jump out in front of you DON'T SWERVE.....brake and hit
it is better. Speed limits don't mean you have to do them.... only
drive at the speed you and your passengers feel comfortable with.
Beware
Thieves!
It
is an unfortunate fact of life that thieves are amongst us. You cannot
be overcautious when it comes to protecting your valuable property,
especially your passport, credit cards, cash, bottle opener etc .....
We know a girl who had her purse stolen while trying on a pair of jeans
in a changing room ... her purse was on the floor at her feet when the
thief in the next cubicle reached under .... Dorm rooms and even single
rooms in hostels and hotels are not safe ... Do Not Trust Anyone When
It Comes To Your Valuables ....
Don't get involved
in scams .... you will almost certainly become the victim ....
Letter
from a WWOOFer
...
This is published simply to help travellers understand
that if you find yourself in a situation that doesn't feel right....then
it probably isn't....and that you should not put up with bad conditions......
Here
Beware
when travelling ... not
to become self-centered and inconsiderate. Be aware and alert to thieves
and have backup contigencies for lost or stolen credit cards, passports
etc.
Be Aware
.... You can
often negotiate substantial savings (10% off lowest advertised price)
by booking directly with tour operators, camper, car hire companies
etc...
If you can't avoid the services of a Travel Agent then at least shop
around! ... Remember you can do a lot of shopping around these days
on the Web
YOU CAN OFTEN NEGOTIATE SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS
BY BOOKING DIRECT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS A ND NOT THROUGH MIDDLEMEN
...HERE
Daily
Health Suggestions
Drink lots of water, eat lots of 'wholefoods' including fresh fruit
& vegetables, meat and fish (or 'high protein substitutes'), wholemeal
breads, nut's and limit the amount of fat's (saturated & trans),
high salt, high chemical and processed (nutrient free) type foods.
You can avoid some
contagious type disease infections like tinea (athletes foot) - by wearing
flip flops in public showers etc - avoid sexually transmitted viruses
by wearing protective gear when practicing making babies. The Australian
sun i.e. Southern Hemisphere is much more severe than the Northern Hemisphere
sun and those from the north are prone to do lifetime damage to not
only their skin but also their eyes. Alcohol is a popular ingredient
for social interaction but over indulgence can make us vunerable to
injury (accidents) and predators (date rape, drink spiking, violence,
theft). Best advice - look out for one another.
Remember, A Smile
is an "international language" and helps take us a long way
through our travels.
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