Added 17 Aug 2021 and amended along the way
SAME DAY TEST RESULTS / EMPHASISE IMMUNE HEALTH /
STOP THE LEAKS /
Covid-19 Solution NOW

This website is primarily an AFL footy website, but local footy in particular and life in general has been unnecessarily disrupted in Australia.  So all AFL stuff has been removed – until the main problem (see below) has been fixed.  Apologies for removal of data.

Added 08 Dec 2021
This article addresses the divide in policy between Victoria and New South Wales.  Currently (and subject to change), virtually any worker in Victoria not working from home needs to have a vax certificate. Not so in NSW – especially from 15 Dec onwards.

The key message for Victorians who have lost their jobs (been stood down indefinitely or otherwise cannot work as before) is that NSW offers hope.  It is understood that Victorians can currently drive to NSW without restrictions.  So those not able to work in Victoria can seek work in NSW.  For those fit enough, fruit picking and farm work opportunities exist.
See: 1800 062 332 for jobs and guidance about accommodation and / or go to https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest/workers
and go to the bottom of this page for further details.  Note that benefits paid in different states may be different. It may be possible to pick fruit for the summer in NSW and then return to an existing job in Victoria if rules change. Alternatively, there are longer term jobs and also full time jobs available.

The more people who cross the border and work, the better it will be for both states.  Firstly, NSW businesses will get the workers it needs and be rightfully rewarded for being a more user-friendly state in which to live.  Not to mention (but I am going to) getting some of the best and most grateful workers available.

Why would this be good for Victoria? Because the drain of workers from the state will make it virtually impossible for the current restrictive laws to be maintained. So what politicians could not (or would not) achieve, people power will achieve.

It would help if NSW people could make it easy for Victorians to settle in – accommodation at friendly rates, making them feel welcome, helping them find employment with understanding employers etc

Job possibilities fruit picking and farm work Riverina area:
email:
harvestgriffith@madec.edu.au
or call (02) 6963 2200

Acclaimed Workforce Hunter Valley region may have jobs
(02) 7201 8888

Also Madec Coffs Harbour
(02) 6648 2300

Current situation appears to be that the farmer can elect to take unvaxed if they want; the supplying companies may (perhaps) try to discourage such, but see below and go for it

It appears now that Victorians not fully vaxed cannot holiday in NSW but they can go for job purposes.  It may pay to have accommodation arranged as early as possible – even before leaving Victoria.  Accommodation seems to be the main sticking point.  What I would like to do is make contact with community groups in the relevant areas who could offer accommodation.  More on this when news is known.

News of NSW easing of restrictions here:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20211125_02.aspx
which says:

25 November 2021
The NSW Government has updated the roadmap for easing restrictions after the State reaches the 95 per cent double dose vaccination target or 15 December, whichever comes first.  Adjustments to previous settings scheduled for this milestone include:

Masks will only be required on public transport and planes, at airports, and for indoors front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated (previously all indoors front-of-house hospitality staff regardless of vaccination status). Masks will be strongly encouraged in settings where you cannot social distance.

No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm).  COVID safety plans will be optional for businesses and will be supported by SafeWork NSW.

QR check-ins will only be required at high-risk venues including hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, personal services (e.g. hairdressers and beauty salons), limited hospitality settings (including pubs, small bars, registered clubs and nightclubs), and for indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people.

Proof of vaccination will no longer be required by Public Health Order for most activities (businesses can still require proof at their own discretion). Proof of vaccination will still be required for indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people.

With more than 92 per cent of people over 16 now vaccinated ahead of the summer festive season, NSW is continuing to take a responsible and measured approach to reopening.

To maintain high levels of immunity across the community, NSW Health is rolling out a booster vaccination program at its clinics to individuals aged 18 and older who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine six months or more ago.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the easing of restrictions was only possible because NSW is amongst the highest vaccinated populations in the world and the introduction of the booster shot program.

“We’re leading the world when it comes to vaccinations and that is a tremendous achievement we can all be proud of because it has allowed us to return to normal as quickly and safely as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The easing of these restrictions will allow people to get out and enjoy summer providing a boost for some of our hardest industries as we do everything we can to ensure we keep people safe as we learn to live with COVID.”

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the roadmap was a staged and considered approach which ensured Regional NSW was able to welcome back visitors in a COVID safe way.

“Regional NSW is open for business thanks to high vaccination rates right across the state. I’d remind visitors to our beautiful beaches, countryside and outback this summer to be respectful and ensure they are abiding by safety measures, which include wearing masks on public transport, planes and at airports.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the updated plans for the next stage of the roadmap was great news for businesses still impacted by the remaining restrictions.

“This is a timely boost for businesses just before the busy Christmas and summer holiday periods,” Mr Ayres said.

“I want to encourage everyone to go out and support NSW businesses – whether it’s a meal out, booking a regional trip or holiday shopping at your favourite local store, this is a prime time to enjoy the new freedoms and help NSW businesses bounce back.”

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said COVID booster shots would be an important part of keeping the community safe through the summer and new year.

“If you had your second COVID vaccination jab six months or more ago, you should book a booster right now. Don’t’ forget if you haven’t been vaccinated at all go and get the jab to protect yourself and your family,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By stepping up for a jab and a booster shot you help protect yourself and everyone around you, including the elderly, those with underlying health conditions and young children who aren’t yet eligible for vaccinations.

“We will also need to continue to get tested if we develop COVID symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, and continue to follow public health advice.”

The NSW Government will continue to review the roadmap settings and make any appropriate changes based on the current case numbers and vaccination rates.

People aged 18 years and older can receive the Pfizer booster dose at least six months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines registered for use in Australia. You can book your COVID-19 vaccine or your booster shot, via Where and how to get your COVID-19 vaccination.

More information about the next stage of easing of restrictions is available at nsw.gov.au.

Areas in NSW requiring workers will be added below soon
Main areas currently (13 Dec) are Tumbarumba (via Madec Griffith – see above) and Coffs Harbour

____________________________________________________________________________________

This page has had a significant re-ordering on 13 Oct 2021.  This is because “stopping the leaks” has gone to the back burner for now.

Bullet points: current Covid strategies largely ignore the short to medium term problems
* quicker and accurate testing will help – SAME DAY TEST RESULTS
* ensure all workers in the Covid field are fully trained on the key aspects of transmission prevention
* more emphasis needs to be placed on strengthening people’s immune systems (EG: healthy living and diet, vits C, D and Zinc, but do your own research & intake of Zinc needs to be balanced with other minerals – talk to a health care professional who understands this)
* maybe bring back temperature checks – seems like an easy and helpful check
* there is a hotel quarantine leak in Australia every 11 days. Is this acceptable?
* stopping quarantine / leaks – via “buildings 1, 2, 3” method (see below)* the “wait until most people are vaccinated” method – will it work? and how long until it does?

Imagine an Australia with no masks, no capacity limits for shops and restaurants; where social, sporting and spiritual groups are allowed to meet freely; and people could meet in homes as they want and travel freely within the country.

“How long before this occurs Australia-wide?” you may ask. According to our experts, it could be years away. But it needn’t be – with a slight adjustment to current strategies. Australia could probably be free sooner than most think.

More important right now (early October) would be to guarantee same day test results and promote boosting immune health

Same Day Test Results: the current wait is 2 days to get test results – 13 Oct 2021 per: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/getting-your-results-covid-19
That’s 2 days too long. There are test isolation payments available to some people, but there’s more to it than that.  If some people miss work, the business (especially small businesses) cannot operate. They may be a manager or some critical cog in a small business. Let’s say they have a minor sniffle and a 1% chance of testing positive.  They’d like to be sure, but cannot shut down the business for 2 days on a 1% chance of a positive test.  but they’d be happy to do so.

Ways to get the wait time down: maybe have a help line where people can describe their symptoms and the experts at the other end can advise them – maybe keep the “highly unlikely to have it” people away from the testing bays unless their symptoms worsen

Increase staff and hours of operation for processing of the tests.  Maybe test can be done “on site” at the testing areas. Or have more couriers to take the tests to the processing areas.  The processors can work late into each night to produce the results.

Immune health: think back a few years for people getting the flu shot (which is not the same as the Covid vaccine, but just using something to illustrate a point). They would get the shot and ALSO take vitamin C (and / or other immune boosting products), get proper rest and have a good diet.

Immune health should be mentioned in EVERY health officer update; people who have had the double jab are still at risk of contracting the disease, so why not help them help themselves? Research done from this website from a non-medical background had found vitamins C, D and Zinc to be the most common ones recommended.  There is no sign anywhere (at least nothing easily found) on any official covid govt website.  This is not acceptable. Even in the unlikely event that NO vitamins help even in the smallest amount, we need to be told that!

For those pro-vaccine:
Imagine an Australian Island called Bliss Island. It has only one school for prep to year 12s (age 5 – 18). There are no drugs on the island, but news comes that three drug dealers who are wanted for crimes in every state are coming to the island.  What would the plan be?

Plan A: educate all the students about the dangers of drugs. Test every student regularly to ensure they are clean. Station guards at the school who can recognise the drug dealers and chase them away. Ensure that the children are locked away at home outside of school hours so that the drug dealers cannot get to them. Then, maybe one day, it is deemed safe enough, then the children can come out and play again.

or
Plan B: arrest the drug dealers immediately on arrival and send them back to face charges on the mainland.

Which plan sounds better? Note that there is nothing wrong with educating or testing children.  And, even if drug dealers were on the island, wouldn’t it make sense to work both methods at that stage – fixing the immediate problem, but also ensuring that NO MORE drug dealers got on the island?

Get it?  So, if you are pro-vaccine, you are not betraying your group if you want better hotel quarantine control. You’re just a person who believes that a multi-pronged approach makes more sense.  It’s kind of an insurance policy.  So, if there is a recall on a vaccine or if children who cannot be vaccinated can potentially become super-spreaders, then you needn’t be concerned – because no COVID is getting into the country anyway.

For those pro-vaccine part 2
This is a general summary of your position:
A: It’s safe – with more chance of being struck by lightning than to die from the vaccine
B: it’s free; and
C: it helps stop the spread of the disease
From your viewpoint, who wouldn’t get the jab.  Trouble is, not all people think like you.  There are a lot of people who are a little unsure.  A percentage of them are truly anti-vaxxer, but many are cautious or don’t trust the Govt / medical authorities or pharmaceutical companies. And some may have health and other personal issues making them wary.
Winning most of them over to your side will be extremely easy if the following steps are taken in the USA (and the Australia would probably soon follow).
1: Since the vaccine is so safe and it has been out for a while now – especially in the USA – get the vaccine manufacturers to be legally responsible for their products. This is an absolute no-brainer for a safe vaccine. Profits from increased sales would far outweigh any small amount of compensation paid out.
2: There are medical professionals in the USA who are anti the vaccine and who have either been sacked for their stance or been “cancelled” from media platforms. Let’s assume that these professionals are incorrect.  Just properly argue the case against them.  Cancelling them or sacking them merely adds weight to their theories.
3: Hold a non-stacked (ie include people from all sides of the spectrum) forum of politicians, medical experts, suppliers and other relevant people.  And again – assuming that the pro vaccine case is correct – the pro vaccine viewpoint would be clearly shown to be correct in the forum.  As a result, most hesitant people would then sign up for the jab happily.  In which case, they won’t hate the Govt or their employer – a win / win deal, really.

For those against the vaccine:
You’re all lumped in one box here for the sake of simplicity.  You may be totally anti-vaccine; or maybe hesitant; you may be anti-lockdown; or anti-masks; or something else.  One thing you all definitely want is freedom.  No, you want FREEDOM!

Here’s the problem for you in this large and somewhat diverse group (in Australia currently): you currently don’t have the numbers. If it goes to a vote in October 2021, you would lose. Maybe one day you will have the numbers in your favour.  Meanwhile, why not grab early freedom by fighting for better hotel quarantine control, better immune information and same day test results? You can do this while still responsibly promoting your causes.

How should pro-vaccine people and anti-vaccine people treat each other?  How about – with respect and dignity. No need to demonise the “opposition”. In five years time, you may all be on the same side.

Just in: posted by ABC news 24 Aug 2021
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-24/masks-and-contact-tracing-still-needed-at-80pc-vaccination/100403058
(part of article quoted):
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant says people will likely still need to wear masks to combat COVID-19 “for years” even once the 80 per cent vaccination target is reached.
… down further in the same article…
On Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned state and territory leaders to be prepared for case numbers to rise once 70 to 80 per cent of the population was vaccinated and the country opened up.  We must adjust our mindset. Cases will not be the issue … dealing with serious illness, hospitalisation, ICU capabilities, our ability to respond in those circumstances, that will be our goal, he said.
(end partial quote).

Youth Mental Health (posted 30 Aug 2021)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-18/melbourne-lockdown-mental-health-brett-sutton-response-covid/100384122
(part of article quoted):
Every day, paediatrician and child psychiatrist Alberto Veloso sees children as young as five struggling with anxiety, depression and thoughts of harming themselves.
But what is different is the number of those seeking help has gone up drastically during the pandemic.
We are getting a 30 to 40 per cent increase in referrals and increasing demand that we have trouble keeping up [with], Dr Veloso said.
We now have a waitlist. To see one of our clinicians is a couple of months.
(end partial quote).

Added 15 Sep 2021
“Vaccine Passports” to enter a restaurant, sporting event or the like.
What follows are questions on the subject, not answers nor possible ways to make it work
Who gets in?
An adult with double jab status?  Yes, it is assumed, provided documentation is supplied
The school age child of the above adult – not yet double jabbed? Yes / No? Cannot attend birthday party of the parent at the restaurant? (family friendly or disease prevention?)
An adult with double jab status bringing in a sick baby? Yes / No?
An adult with double jab status who had the double jab overseas many months ago and is due for a booster? Yes / No?
An adult with double jab status who is coughing, spluttering and has a temp of 39.5 degrees C? Yes / No?
An unvaccinated person who has fully recovered after contracting Covid-19? Yes / No?
An unvaccinated person who produces a recent negative test result? Yes / No? If “Yes” and if they attend that restaurant every week, do they need to get tested weekly?
A person with a medical cert stating they cannot be vaccinated? Yes / No?

The effectiveness of the whole “Vaccine Passports” plan might depend on which of the above questions get a Yes or a No.

This ABC news post dated 11 June 2021 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2021-06-11/australians-need-to-be-vaccinated-to-stop-covid-restrictions/100195208) says (only part of the news article listed below):
Will we see another Australian lockdown? Statistically, yes.
Burnet Institute epidemiologist Mike Toole said lockdowns would keep happening until the vaccination rate improved and quarantine leaks were plugged.
“Since November (2020), we’ve had on average of one quarantine leak every 11 days, and that’s continuing,” he said.
“They’ll keep happening.”
Murdoch University professor of immunology Cassandra Berry said the higher Australia’s vaccination rate was, the less restrictive future lockdowns were likely to be. (end quote)

In a similar vein, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/mounting-evidence-suggests-covid-vaccines-do-reduc
says (only part of the news article listed below):
…It found immunisation with either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine reduced the chance of onward virus transmission by 40–60%. This means that if someone became infected after being vaccinated, they were only around half as likely to pass their infection on to others compared to infected people who were not vaccinated. (end partial quote)

Note that both above sources are regarded as pro-vaccine.

What is surprising in the ABC article is the admission that Australia has averaged a quarantine leak once every 11 days. Since many such leaks have led to lockdowns, the conclusion is that each day the “wheel of fortune” is spun in each Australian state to see if a lockdown has occurred. If “yes”, there is a real chance of a lockdown. If the wheel comes up with a “no”, it’s not such good news – because the wheel will get spun again the next day.

So, even if Australia achieves a high level of vaccination by year’s end, the RACGP tells us that the disease can still spread. And there will still be minors who are not vaccinated who can spread it to others at school or day care. When this happens, the country will again face lockdowns, shutting down of schools, sports, entertainment and “non-essential” retail outlets.

Why would we tolerate many more lockdowns to come – even if they may be gradually becoming less frequent and less severe? The answer is that no Australian should tolerate that, because a more immediate and a better solution is obvious.

The various quarantine leaks that have already occurred – and their associated lockdowns – have all been contained eventually (or will be – for those currently in effect). In some instances, the lockdown lasted a few days only, and others were much more prolonged. So, stopping the quarantine leaks altogether is critical in the short to medium term. {note added 06 Oct 2021 – this seems a forlorn hope for Vic and NSW in the short term}

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has been quoted to say that the winter NSW 2021 lockdown is costing AUD700 million a week (ABC news: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmXn_Xy-10I).

But that’s only the dollars aspect. Add to this the effect on mental health; and then the businesses, sporting clubs and sporting (plus social) organisations that are in real danger of going under – with the resulting loss of employment and the loss of life’s enjoyment. Then there are the potential business, sporting and social start-ups that aren’t commencing at all – because of the current uncertainty. It won’t matter to these groups if “all is well” in 2023 or later. It needs to be well now. And it can be well now!

Now for the solution: the government and other authorities need to give a much higher priority to stopping the leaks in the hotel quarantine system. Currently, most people flying into Australia get quarantined in multi-storey hotels. They have their own room, but are close to other arrivals in that they share the same air (via aircon) and are close when on balconies.

To fix: use the “Building 1, Building 2, Building 3” method. Here’s the procedure:
A traveller arrives and enters Building 1. After a few days, if they test negative, they move to Building 2. After a few more days and testing negative again, they move to Building 3. Then, if they test negative there, they are free. If they test positive at any stage, they go to Building C – C for Covid.  The purpose-built quarantine centres will help, but they are not here now. In many cases, hotels and motels will suffice in the interim – with only simple modifications required – to become a Building 1, 2 or 3 – and most are available for use now.

Using the Building 1, 2 and 3 system, people who have tested negative multiple times and are about to be released are NOT close to new arrivals who may be carrying the disease. They may have a 1 in 200 chance of catching Covid in Building 1; a 1 in 20,000 chance in Building 2 and a 1 in 2,000,000 chance in building C.  Now we are talking “acceptable risks”! (added 29 Sep 2021: air purifiers look like being another solution to hotel quarantine problems)

Next, ensure all people involved in the system are fully trained and thoroughly equipped so that they won’t inadvertently spread the disease. And workers in Buildings 1 and C should not be working in Buildings 2 and 3. Maybe also pay workers extra if they isolate to a degree (ie stay away from large crowds).

Another part of the solution is to ensure test results for everyone come back quickly and accurately. Surely an instant test (like the haemoglobin test when giving blood) should be something worth pursuing.

Consider a man who wants a great education for his children. It’s a good thing.  So he puts all his energy into saving up the funds for the best education.  Trouble is – by the time they get to school age, one of them has died of starvation. That’s an analogy for what is happening now.  Get it?  The mega-focus is on vaccination and building quarantine centres. But people are dying now. Some are literally dying; others are dying financially and socially; others are becoming suicidal and high stress is causing them health problems. Stopping the quarantine leaks properly will give them hope now.  And, of course, more emphasis is needed on naturally boosting people’s immune systems.

The Spanish flu eventually ended. This pandemic will, too, at some stage. But it makes no sense at all just to meekly accept unnecessary lockdown after lockdown when the leaks can be stopped.

If a slogan is necessary: STOP THE LEAKS
or STLIHQ

In summary, what is the best thing for every Australian – regardless of your position – to do right now?  Promote STLIHQ (stop the leaks in hotel quarantine). Currently, one case escapes from hotel quarantine every 11 days. Life would be better if it were one in every 111 days; or one in every 1,111 days!

Got a better idea on how to stop the leaks! Great; let’s just do it!  spread the word.  Put it on your social media; when enough people do this, the leaks will be stopped.

Please note that this is NOT a protest against any level of government or other authority; nor a complaint about all the people working very hard in government, medicine and hotel quarantine; it’s just a request to put more focus in the right way on one very important aspect of the solution.

You want freedom,? Then plug these three things:
Same day test results; and
Promote immune health and mental health; and
STLIHQ (Stop The Leaks In Hotel Quarantine)

Doug
longdr67@hotmail.com

.
.
.
Earlier topic (not directly related to stopping the hotel quarantine leaks / Covid):
Added 24 Nov 2020 & amended along the way

Stop the Rot; pick the crop!

Australia has a shortage of fruit pickers this season – due to COVID-19 and the absence of back-packers.  YOU CAN HELP AND GET PAID FOR IT!
How?  By being a fruit picker
Start immediately in many cases
Work in pairs or groups

Main areas needing help: Mildura and Shepparton

2021 updated info (subject to change – check when contacting Madec)
Agriculture Victoria announced the Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus which is designed to encourage jobseekers to give seasonal harvest work a go and give farmers the workforce certainty they need.

The bonus is paid directly to workers in two instalments:
– An initial $810, after 10 days of work within a 30-day period
– A further $1,620, after an additional 30 days of work within a 90-day period.

 The program is available to workers who take up seasonal harvest roles on Victorian horticulture farms, provided they:

• meet the work requirements
• have not worked in agriculture in Victoria in the past three months
• start work on or after 17 February 2021
• are 18 years or older and have work rights in Australia
• are not employed under the Pacific Labour Scheme or Seasonal Worker Program.

 Workers will be required to provide evidence that they have met the work requirements, but don’t need to register for the bonus until they have completed their initial 10 days of work. In the meantime, to keep evidence of their employment and work hours – such as payslips, timesheets or via Fair Work’s Record My Hours app. When they’re ready, eligible workers can apply online.  In conjunction with the Sign on Bonus the Commonwealth Government’s Relocation Rebate can be applied for if eligible

The first plane load of Pacific Islander workers destined for Victorian farms arrived in Tasmania On Friday 19 March here .  The attraction and retention of local workers is still required and the Jobs Victoria Online Hub (formally Working for Victoria) continues to attract a local workforce and has a screening section with up to 15 questions to ensure candidates understand the specific nature of the job and the work involved.

 Job seekers can learn more about the Big Victorian Harvest or register on the Jobs Victoria Online Hub today

(if links don’t work here, google the blue bits or call 1800 number below)

Or promote to others who can pick!
Keep fruit prices down at the supermarkets.  News reports mention a possible price rise to fruit and vegies if workers aren’t forthcoming

Call the National Harvest Information Line on 1800 062 332 for jobs and guidance about accommodation and / or go to https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest/workers

Harvest work – is it for me?
Harvest work can involve jobs like fruit or vegetable picking, packing, pruning and planting. It can be rewarding but physically demanding and is not gender specific. One farmer’s best ever grape picker was his sister.  It’s often hot work, but the air is generally a lot less polluted than the big cities.

Victoria’s regions need seasonal workers at different times.
Learn more about seasonal harvest work on the Agriculture Victoria website:
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harvest?utm_source=agriculture-vic-gov-au&utm_medium=vanity-url-301ssredirect&utm_content=seasonalwork&utm_campaign=agriculture

This webpage provides information on seasonal work, where it is and when.

The webpage also provides links to the Working for Victoria platform and Harvest Trail. These platforms enable you to register your interest in seasonal work and apply for seasonal jobs.

There is lots of support available. The Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job is providing financial support to assist with the costs of relocating to regional areas. If you need to move away from home to take up short-term agricultural work for at least 6 weeks and at least 120 hours of work, you may be able to get financial assistance to help cover the costs of your move.

This link explains how to apply for relocation assistance money re short term agricultural work:
https://docs.employment.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/rattuaj_hts_fact_sheet.pdf

This link is the Backpackers Guide 2019 (pre-COVID)
https://q5s4a3d5.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AUSTRALIA_Backpackers_Guide.pdf?utm_source=web-site&utm_medium=download-the-guide&utm_campaign=section-1
Pages 94-97 discussed fruit picking specifically. It gives fruit picking seasons by state on page 113ff

Details: the Harvest Trail is run by MADEC
www.madec.edu.au
who are a not for profit employment agency specially catering to finding workers for the harvest.  In some cases, workers can get up to $6,000 Govt assistance if they need to relocate to work.

If you ring the 1800 number, they can explain employment AND accommodation options.  Employment is generally for adults, but employers may consider employing minors who are accompanied by an adult (eg a family with a 16 year old or a group of footballers including one under 18 person).

Fruit Picking Fact Sheet
download the fact sheet here

also see
https://www.goandpick.com.au
and
https://www.thankful4farmers.com.au/
and
agriculture.vic.gov.au/bigharvest

The Big Victorian Harvest landing page:
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harvest
This is Victoria’s branded advertising campaign page, which enables both employers and jobseekers to select the information they are seeking.

• How to get a harvest job:
  https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harvest/how-to-get-a-harvest-job
  Perhaps the most important page for jobseekers, this one informs them where, when and what jobs are available during harvest, how much they can expect to be paid and where jobs are listed.  There are a few job platforms and pathways.   Working for Victoria
  https://jobs.vic.gov.au/help-for-jobseekers/register-to-find-job-and-training-opportunities
  is the state government’s online job-matching platform and  Harvest Trail is the national online job matching platform and provides guided support to obtain a job on farm. There are also some local regional job matching options such as Pick for Shep
  https://greatershepparton.com.au/business/pick-shepp
  – which is an initiative of Fruit Growers Victoria industry association and Greater Shepparton City Council in the Goulburn Murray region.
• What’s involved and extra benefits:
  https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/crops-and-horticulture/the-big-victorian-harvest/whats-involved-and-extra-benefits
  – this is where the relocation rebate (with links to the relevant Commonwealth Government website) and the eligibility to work are outlined.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE/MADEC:  The Commonwealth Government’s relocation assistance has been updated to reflect that the job seeker must have an offer for eligible short term agricultural work they are planning to relocate to take up or have relocated and started in an eligible agriculture job after 1 November 2020 and there is still the requirement to move to regional areas for at least six weeks.   They need to discuss their relocation needs and/or costs incurred with their employment services provider (Harvest Trail or Job Active provider)  who assesses their eligibility for support under the program and the relocation costs they need assistance with.  The Harvest Trail website has a special Relocation page with all information about the relocation assistance to take up short-term agricultural work.

The Vic Govt has set up a hot line for job seekers:
1300 208 575

And, finally, SPREAD THE WORD! Even if you cannot pick, you can talk, text, tweet and post this on your social media sites.

Any queries / questions, send email to
longdr67@hotmail.com
with “Fruit” in the title.

People who do NOT barrack for Richmond, stop reading here!.
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.Added 26 Oct 2020
Great job by Richmond winning its 3rd flag in 4 years and fulfilling Brendon Gale’s prophecy a decade ago of 3 flags by 2020.