This was in local paper this morning, may be of interest to some. "Sorry Ken"
Seasonal jobs soon here for the picking
By KATE PRESTT
Oct. 16, 2013, 10:30 p.m.
COSTA Exchange will be on the look out for around 400 workers to pick strawberries and raspberries on the Coast by the second week in December.
HARD WORK REWARDED: Glenda Diggerman, of Costa Exchange, told yesterday's forum the company would need 400 fruit pickers in December. The work is physically demanding but rewarding. Picture: Katrina Dodd.
Glenda Diggerman, who is in charge of the Costa Exchange administration for Tasmania, told a forum in Devonport yesterday there was huge potential for local employment, but only for those willing to do the job.
Miss Diggerman said she always tried to put on as many locals as possible, but often needed to rely on itinerant workers.
``A lot of our workforce is made up of backpackers,'' Miss Diggerman said.
``I try and put on as many locals as possible but last year the retention rate wasn't good.
Miss Diggerman said a couple of days was not enough time to settle into a job.
``Or it could simply be that they weren't used to getting out of bed to start work,'' she said.
Like many growers, Costa Exchange was always on the lookout for those ready and willing to start work and who had a good work ethic.
``Our days start early at around 6am because we've got to meet the deadline with the boat,'' Miss Diggerman said.
``It is a soft fruit and we don't want to store it one extra day to go out on the boat the next night because it would be two days old when it hits Melbourne.''
Miss Diggerman said people needed to realise that fruit picking didn't fit the romantic image of doing it on a lovely summer day with the butterflies dancing around.
``You are out there in the tunnels and it gets humid,'' she said.
``The job is physically demanding if you are not used to working, so people have to realise that it's not a cushy job where you pick a bucket or two. It's repetitive.''
Miss Diggerman said for those willing to put in the hard work it would have great financial benefits.
Last year the highest earning fruit picker working for Costa Exchange in Tasmania took home $1800 in a week.
``People if they want to get in and start the season early, they have the potential to earn a lot of money,'' she said.
Miss Diggerman wants to put more locals on this year.
``Three of the local boys last year were our biggest surprises, earning over $1000 a week,'' she said.
Miss Diggerman encouraged those working in the job service agencies to come and try out a day's work to be able to pass on their experience with those looking for employment.
``I think that would make the difference that is needed because they will be able to say that they have been out and done it,'' she said.
``Yes, you will be sore and the plants are a little bit prickly but it's not too bad.''
No need to say "sorry ken" this is a good thread and is different to the usual, "What should I do in Tassie"
I tend to agree with past postings and think this forum is slowly being ruined by members who cannot tell the difference between "I digress" which can be used for the primary school antics of some members and the "General knowledge" forum which IMO is there for serious information.
I don't come on the General knowledge forum to read crap, you may be right, I need to lighten up, then I would use the "I digress" forum.
Interesting comments about the backpackers viwe to work.
Nice sunny day here in the south, windy and cold though, typical spring day in paradise.
Thanks, Ken. Obviously, it is very important that everyone tries to post their thoughts in the most appropriate section of the forum to make it easier for all forumites and visitors to efficiently find the sort of material they are seeking. It’s clearly not an exact science and there will be grey areas but making the effort to get it right ultimately benefits all. Thanks everybody.
Maybe Cindy when the have a chats start up on the general forum you could remind to to use the I digress would stop other forum member having to try to do so
Having picked strawberries in teams of upto 95 pickers - 75% backpackers, 10% "professional" travelling pickers, 10% "grey nomads", and 5% locals - I find it incredible they give the example of making $1,000 to $1,800 PER WEEK ! I would take those claims by the Costa Exchange as perhaps maybe possible but definitely not what you will normally earn. Expect to earn basic wages.
It is repetitive and tiring. You will get sore back and legs and the day usually begins very early. But that is fairly indicative of all picking/harvesting jobs.
Picking strawberries was definitely not my favourite fruit picking experience ... but it was interesting and where there are backpackers picking, your life will be interesting, and informative. Love interacting with them.
Cheers - John
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Maybe Cindy when the have a chats start up on the general forum you could remind to to use the I digress would stop other forum member having to try to do so
Thanks Brickies, last time I had a whinge about this (some time ago) I received some abuse over it.
Didn't bother Cindy about it, just let the children play and act the bully.
If memory serves, there were also a lot of wasps and flies involved in berry-picking. It's hard yakka, but if you want to work, then you shut up and put up - take aerogard and sunscreem, wear long sleeves, hat and sunnies.
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