No Worries

Spontaneity is key when planning trips like this one! Out for dessert the evening before, Emma (housemate), Kathryn (colleague) and I decided to hit the road: the Great Ocean Road. We'd heard the views were spectacular and that it was definitely worth taking our time. We headed home, agreeing that we'd rent a car, sleep on the beach and do this thing el cheapo.

Our route was going to be a two-day loop. South East of Melbourne is the breathtaking drive down the Great Ocean Road. Beautiful coastal towns like Apollo Bay, and Port Cambell look out upon mountains, surf beaches and vast blue waters. Waves crash the limestone cliffs, with so many photo opps, you better NOT be in a hurry!

We left the city around 5:30pm on Tuesday March 30. There are no words to explain how awkward driving a manual on the left really is!! We made it through and out to Geelong and through Torquay (Quicksilver factory capital).

Dinner was spent at a waterfront restaurant called Growlers. I suddenly knew I was out of Melbourne. I have yet to see a place around here where they allow flip flops but can charge 26$ a plate! Fine dining meets beach bum at its best!

On the road again (just can't wait to get on the road again!...) we wound our way through dense forest and cliff-facing hairpin turns. It was dark by now so we agreed to make it to Apollo Bay and find a beach to crash on.

Morning. Organic coffee. Breakfast. Drive. The views! My god the views!

We reached the 12 Apostles (rock pillars rising from the sea) by around 2:00pm. This was well worth the drive!

Back down the road the way we came, we pulled over in a parking lot 50 minutes from Melbourne in Geelong to plan our route through the city. The rental company had informed us that this car was forbidden to take the ferry. So instead of the loop we had planned, we had to climb all the way back up through Melbourne and then down again to the South West to Philip Island via the Mornington Peninsula. Rubbish!!

10 minutes and we're on our way... or not. The car won't start!! More rubbish!!
So we lose another hour and a half, get ourselves back on the road, get ourselves supremely lost trying to avoid toll roads, finally getting ourselves to San Remo by 1:00 am. No bottle of wine on the beach tonight: we sleep in the car.

Morning. Organic local coffee (I've learnt to ask for a long black). Breakfast. Drive.

We have limited time today as the car must be back by 5:00. So we stop at a Koala reserve, head over to another scenic outpost and cross back over to the mainland for a tasting at a local winery. Mmmmm. Back in the car and we're on our way... or not. *&^$!ing car won't start! This is beyond rubbish. So we call BC rentals and inform them that their vehical is a piece-o-shit supreme. This means we hit rush hour on the way in.

The manager, after scratching his head, shakes it and says "It must be something really weird, hmm, our cars are serviced regularly, that's so weird!" which we all know is utter bullshit and he knocks a day's rental off the cost. Thanks a heap buddy.

All in all, adventures are just that. Next time we'll rent a Wicked camper. If you pick it up naked, you get a day free!

Dear So-and-So at St. Kilda Beach: yes you!

Dear Guy complaining about his beer gut: you know that's a beer in you hand, right?

Dear stupid 17 year old fool: you sound like Jonah from Summer Heights High. You're going places, absolutely.

Dear jelly fish sting victim: just get your friend to pee on you! I hear you'll feel tons better.

Dear girls sunscreening each others' backs: you know she can reach her own ass cheeks right??

Dear those who are far too white for Australian beaches: a little zinc on your nose and lotion on your shoulders won't cut it here. You are going to feel that tomorrow. and the next day, and the next, and the one after that. But sadly I know you will do it again, won't you?

Dear topless girl: everyone is staring at your breasts. But after all... it is St. Kilda...

Dear girls who's conversation is way too loud for how inappropriate it is: SHUT UP!

Dear Guy with a taco: you know that seagull has got it in for you, right?

Dear Shelley @ Teach Australia

To Whom It May Concern:

            I write this letter with the intended goal of informing future Casual Relief Teachers (CRTs) heading to Australia under the umbrella of Teach Australia. I strongly feel circumstances have changed since the time of my interest in the program and my arrival and first month in Melbourne.

 

When I arrived in Melbourne, I contacted the Australian partners, Staffing Organization Services (SOS). As I had been informed, work would be available as of February 8^th, so I called them immediately. Before I could start, however, I needed to complete some paperwork including the SOS contract and agreement. They emailed the documents and I discovered I needed things like a notarized copy of my passport and two passport-sized photos. Personally, these are things I had back home in Canada. I feel if I had been informed in advance that these documents were necessary, the process would have been much more efficient.

 

Furthermore, in order to work in Australia and receive a tax refund, you need to apply for a Tax File Number. This application can be filled out online (www.ato.gov.au) and takes about 5 minutes. It can take up to one month for your application to be processed. It seems then, if you wish to receive your TFN upon arrival to Melbourne you could apply from Canada before departure. If you do not have an Australian address, complete that section as Poste Restante (general delivery) and pick up your mail at the general post office (corner of Bourke St. and Elizabeth St.).

 

As I discovered also, Immigration Services no longer needs to stamp your visa in your passport. This is a recent change but also saves the hassle. Your electronic copy is sufficient. If you would like your visa stamp for peace of mind, this service is only provided between 9am and 11am, Monday-Friday.

 

For myself, work only became available 2 weeks after my arrival. This proved to be frustrating but also timely, as I was spending the bulk of my time searching for housing. Months prior, I had signed the Assessment form which included all the services Teach Australia agreed to provide. Before I left Canada, I was told I would receive a list of apartments to look at upon arrival. But I did not receive a list of any kind. With limited Internet access at the hostel, I found my way to the Victoria State Library (Swantson St.) where they provide free wi-fi.

 

After I found a place to live, I was ready to work. I asked SOS about the three-day minimum, and they had not heard of it. I was told under no uncertain terms that Canadian teachers were guaranteed three days of pay, if not a minimum of three days of work. This detail was never part of the contract and assessment form, but was promised nonetheless.

 The reality is that Canadian Teachers should plan to average this. Some weeks you may work 1 day, others you may work up to 3 and rarely do you reach 5 days. This is a very important point to note when traveling on a budget. I feel I was misinformed and realize I should have gotten something in writing before my trip.

 

I write this letter in an effort to simplify this process for working travelers under the umbrella of Teach Australia. I strongly feel I was misled as to the reality here. I have learned to ask for a written contract in the future, should I participate in a similar partnership.  I urge all interested teachers to do the same. I hope this information is helpful to those who are thinking about signing with Teach Australia, and those who will be arriving soon. 

Sincerely,

Erin Flaherty, B.Éd.

A day in the life of a CRT

CRT: Casual Relief Teacher. The note on my desk (once I found it in the mound) said Hi CRT! I scarcely had a chance to glance at it before the students piled into the room. 

Let me rewind. 

The agency through which I'm employed, contacted me thursday for work monday. I carefully planned my route, leaving ample time to get there. But Melbourne city transit is the pitts and everything was late. For the 9 o'clock start, I walked in the door at 8:55 instead of 8:30! 

The day was kicked off with assembly which was basically run by the kids. There were presentations from the compost team, the water team, the sun smart team...Leadership at it's finest and values I could identify with!

Back in the class, students worked on their laptops researching Democracy. I was able to add 2 cents in about Canada and some started to look into that. 

Morning recess was 1/2 an hour! I had a break. Then we peddled away at some math and corrected as we went.   When lunch came, I was on yard duty (but I didn't have a hat!) and ended up with a small crying boy in my care. He held my hand as we walked around in the sun.

We worked for 40 minutes longer after lunch and by 2:45 it was time to pack up! The students had a dance class for the last period every Monday. We learned the Men in Black dance (yes from the Will Smith video) and it was time to go. Let me just say, when it comes to pop culture, Australia is in a bizarre time warp situation!

I think I'm going to like leaving school at 3:30!!

A hair... "raising" experience

When travelling in Oz, (or anywhere for that matter) it is advisable to double and triple check the voltage of all appliances. But more importantly, be sure they are NOT 15 year old pieces of crap. If you can't tell from the photos, I'll be glad to colourfully illustrate:

As I put the curling iron to my hair , I heard a sizzle. I removed it instantly and watched it melt in two as I dropped it to the floor and reached for the outlet!! 

Well the photo tells all...

Surprisingly, no major harm. My hair will grow back, right?

Vegimite

Alone in the dining hall again, (I get free continental breakfast but sadly must eat alone since there is no one on campus!) I have my first Australian encounter with what I believe to be VEGIMITE.  SO salty and surprising (since I thought it was nutella). It turned out for  the best since my bread is in fact mouldy. Phew, good thing I was alone after all!

Feb.3 2010

Leaving was harder than it's ever been. I haven't cried that much in public probably ever! 

1st flight to Denver: 2 hours 35 minutes

The guy beside me was really friendly. He showed me pictures of his grand kids and together, we entertained the 5 year old in the seat in front of us. I read a lot: Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country, and we were there. 

At the airport I transferred my bags, went through customs and got immediately on my flight to LA. No time to spare, and I was getting HUNGRY!

2nd flight to Los Angeles: 2 hours

I get stuck in the middle of three seats. The man to my right is.. already asleep?? And I chat with the man to my left for the first half hour. Same old: where you from and where you going. I start to feel sick because I'm so hungry, but who buys a mini can of Pringles for 8$!!!

I turn my attention to an episode of 30 Rock.

3rd flight to Sydney: 14 hours 50 minutes

I am in the middle seat of three.. AGAIN. And this time it's for the long haul. I had time to pick up some food in the airport and we'll be fed supper soon. The man to my right is a retired principal from Fort Saint John's (and originally England) named Bob. The woman to my left sleeps almost the whole way but I find out later she is studying Marine Biology, on her way to Townsville. 

4th flight to Melbourne: 1 hour 15 minutes

Bob and I change gates, head through security (I get randomly selected for a pat down in a small cubicle) and hop on a plane that might as well have been the very same one we just came from only with fewer people. 

Upon arrival in Melbourne it is cloudy and 18 degrees but I am JUMPING! It's hard to think I just left the harshest part of winter back home. 

I drop my things at the International House at the University of Melbourne and head right back out. Time for lunch. 

By 7:00 I am zonked and head to bed.