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Film stars’ surprising jobs before they were famous

<p>Today, they’re Oscar-winners and household names, but before they were famous, these actors were just like us. From restaurant servers to professional jugglers, we take a look at the surprising jobs Hollywood’s most well-known names had before they hit the big time.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Whoopi Goldberg</strong> – Goldberg has had a couple of unexpected professions (including as a bricklayer), but perhaps her most bizarre was her stint as a morgue beautician – yep, she used to doll-up corpses for funerals!</li> <li><strong>Hugh Jackman</strong> – Before he was Wolverine, the beloved Aussie actor was known as “Mr. Jackman” – he was a P.E. teacher at Uppingham School while living in the UK during his post-high school gap year. Jackman also worked as a clown for hire at birthday parties!</li> <li><strong>Johnny Depp</strong> – Prior to becoming a screen star, Depp was a salesman of sorts! The actor sold personalised pens over the phone to “people who don't want you to call them.”</li> <li><strong>Rachel McAdams</strong> – <em>The Notebook</em> star, like many young people, got her start at Maccas. In fact, she worked at the fast food joint for three years, but told <a href="http://www.glamour.com/story/rachel-mcadams-glamour-magazine-cover-interview-ok-we-love-this-girl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Glamour</strong></em></a> she “was not a great employee” but that it was “a great place to work”.</li> <li><strong>Helen Mirren</strong> – She may have played the Queen, but Mirren’s first job wasn’t exactly the most royal role in the world. As a child, she worked as a promoter for the Kursaal amusement park in the UK.</li> <li><strong>Harrison Ford</strong> – Before saving the world as Indiana Jones, Ford was just a regular tradie. Before hitting the big time, the actor was a carpenter. In fact, he was renowned as one of Los Angeles’ best cabinetmakers.</li> <li><strong>Jim Carrey</strong> – The Hollywood funnyman worked as a cleaner in a factory before finding fame as a comedic actor. He took up the janitorial job after quitting school at 15 to help provide for his financially struggling family.</li> <li><strong>George Clooney</strong> – Heartthrob Clooney had many jobs before becoming a successful actor, including as a door-to-door insurance salesman, tobacco cutter and ladies shoe store sales assistant.</li> <li><strong>Nicole Kidman</strong> – She’s one of Australia’s most well-known exports, but prior to breaking into the film industry, Kidman worked as a masseuse! She took up the job at 17 to support her mother, who had been diagnoses with breast cancer.</li> <li><strong>Christopher Walken</strong> – The acclaimed actor’s career almost went in a very different direction, after he took up the position of lion tamer in a travelling circus. “I used to go in and have this lion do tricks,” he told <em><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/09/christopher-walken-seven-psychopaths-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vanity Fair</strong></a></em>. “It was a female named Sheba, and she was very sweet.”</li> </ol> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Movies

"I did it”: 59-year-old grandma finally scores dream Qantas job

<p>A 59-year-old grandmother has gotten her big gig with Qantas after dreaming of being a flight attendant for about 40 years.</p> <p>Jackie Cookson is one of the airline’s latest recruits, having graduated on May 29, with her first flight scheduled for June 3.</p> <p>Cookson can now add flight attendant to her versatile resume, with her previously working as a travel agent, a receptionist on an oncology ward and a newspaper sales rep.</p> <p>The 59-year-old, who calls herself “crazy nana” has shared her journey on TikTok since her first interview with Qantas, through all the assessments and training and to her upcoming graduation.</p> <p>In January 2023, she posted her first video ahead of her first in-person interview with Qantas, which attracted more than half a million views, saying people might think she was crazy to apply given her age, but she was finally following her dreams.</p> <p>The grandmother-of-two revealed she had an interview at another airline when she was 20 years old but never went as she ended up getting married.</p> <p>“In my eyes then if you were married you couldn’t be cabin crew. How bloody stupid was that,” she said.</p> <p>She got the job and relocated from Perth to Sydney for her training.</p> <p>“Crazy nana is going to be a cabin crew, watch out!” she told her followers.</p> <p>Four months on saw Cookson standing proudly in her Qantas uniform, with her certificate in hand.</p> <p>“Can you believe it? Crazy nana’s gone and bloody done it, hasn’t she? I’ve passed, today I’ve graduated. I did it,” an elated Cookson said.</p> <p>“If I can do it, anyone else can do it. Follow your dreams. Don’t give up. Don’t be thinking ‘I’m too old’ or this or that. Look at me, I’ve got my wings.”</p> <p>Cookson, who is originally from England but has been living in Australia for about 30 years, told <em>news.com.au </em>that the older she got, the more she thought she may have missed her chance.</p> <p>“After Covid I took a year off and travelled the world, went back to see my 91-year-old dad in Yorkshire, and I applied while I was on holiday,” she said.</p> <p>“I haven’t studied for a long time, so it’s definitely been a challenge, but I put everything I’ve got into it and I’m thrilled to have gotten my wings.</p> <p>“I fly on my first flight to LA on Saturday. I’m nervous, like any first day on the job, but I know I’ll settle into it, but I’m mostly just really excited. I love people and I’m looking forward to working with our customers.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

International Travel

“A letter that someone will never forget”: Charles’ $43,000 job offer

<p dir="ltr">Charles and Camilla have put out a call for help with their royal duties, searching for a passionate wordsmith to pen responses to the thousands of letters they receive each year. </p> <p dir="ltr">Their request comes in the form of a one-year contract <a href="https://theroyalhousehold.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/appcentre-1/brand-3/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/4/opp/2849-Assistant-Correspondence-Officer/en-GB">posted to the palace’s official website</a>, for an individual to “support the important work of The King and The Royal Family”. Coincidentally, the position advertises a start date of May 2023 - the same month in which King Charles III’s coronation will take place. </p> <p dir="ltr">The royals are offering a wage slightly above the United Kingdom’s minimum wage of 10.42 GBP (~19.45 AUD) per hour, with prospective writers looking at an hourly rate of 11.79 (~22.01) on top of the advertised “benefits”.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the job listing, the ideal candidate is someone who dreams of “drafting a letter that someone will never forget” as part of a like minded team committed to supporting the royal family and engaging with the public. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Thousands of letters addressed to The Monarch and Royal Family are received every year,” the ad explains. “Working as part of the Correspondence team, your challenge will be to ensure that each one receives a timely and well composed response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Every day you will respond to letters sent by the public regarding social, community and national matters, drafting bespoke responses to answer varying and often unique queries.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Reportedly, the letters sent in one year to the late Queen Elizabeth II amounted to around 70,000, so it’s no small surprise that the family have opted to call in reinforcements to make sure each one receives a thoughtfully crafted response. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It's working in a team with a shared and unique purpose,” the website notes, “engaging with the public whilst supporting The King's role. This is what makes working for The Royal Household so exceptional … Recording and monitoring all correspondence, you'll be proud of the number of letters you handle and this will drive you to deliver consistently high standards.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In this way, you will help to support the important work of The King and The Royal Family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Unsurprisingly, the ad calls for someone who is confident in their ability to process large volumes of work according to strict deadlines, and who preferably has previous experience in administrative duties. “Excellent written and verbal communication skills” are, of course, a given. </p> <p dir="ltr">The listing hints at a digital sidekick, noting that applications should “have strong IT skills” that they can apply to “bespoke systems”, as well as a “keen eye for detail” to deliver their work quickly and accurately. </p> <p dir="ltr">Most of all, however, enjoyment in a team-based environment is crucial, while an interest in current affairs couldn’t hurt - especially in such a “truly unique environment”. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

Hilarious hiring sign tells it like it is

<p>A restaurant scorched by unreliable employees has bluntly advertised what they’re searching for with an ad that reads, “Now hiring: non-stupid people.”</p> <p>Santino’s Pizzeria hung the all-caps banner outside its Columbus, Ohio, storefront in jest, according to local news outlet WSYX, but it’s just now come to the attention of the public after a customer posted a photo of it on social media.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/03/PIZZA-SIGN-FULL-HERO.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Jayden Dunigan, whose family owns the pizzeria, told WSYX that the sign was meant to be a joke, explaining the struggle of spending the time and money to train new employees only for them not to turn up.</p> <p>“A lot of the people we’ve hired just don’t want to work,” Dunigan said. “There is no work ethic behind them, so that’s the meaning behind the ‘non-stupid’.”</p> <p>The sign was backed by the online community, with the restaurant receiving plenty of support after the sign went viral on social media.</p> <p>“They are 100 per cent correct,” one person commented. “In addition they should add non-lazy, also!”</p> <p>Another comment read, “Honest hiring practices are always best.”</p> <p>There were a few users who did not see the humour in the sign.</p> <p>“If that’s the first impression you choose to make as a business owner, don’t complain when your employees leave,” one person wrote on Twitter.</p> <p>The restaurant has faced some costly backlash, with the Pizzeria getting calls and pranks. Dunigan told the news outlet than someone called the restaurant to place a fake. Order that was over $100 in response to the sign.</p> <p>“It was about 10 pizzas. We made the order, he called back, he talked down to one of our employees. He said our pizza sucks, and he’s cancelling the order,” Dunigan said about the prankster.</p> <p>Instead of letting the food go to waste, Dunigan said they donated it.</p> <p>“Since we don’t enjoy wasting food here, we always think that someone else in need can enjoy the food,” Dunigan said.</p> <p>Another manager at Santino’s, Heather Stockton, told WBNS, “Instead of judging our signs, why don’t you come judge our pizzas? Our pizzas are really good.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

Money & Banking

"We're offering plenty": Kiwis targeted for job no Aussies want

<p>A Perth mining company has resorted to looking for workers from New Zealand after Aussies have continued to turn down roles that offer up to an enticing $300,000 salary per year – and that's for roughly six months of work in any standard 12 months.</p> <p>As a result, Mineral Resources has launched a brand new advertising campaign, geared up to attract Kiwi tradies, guaranteeing “a great pay packet”.</p> <p>“We’re offering plenty,” Mineral Resources CEO Mike Grey told NZ programme AM.</p> <p>“The incentives are amazing, and I have no doubt that our salaries double [New Zealand salaries]; in some examples, they triple.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClX7JZZv16i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClX7JZZv16i/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mineral Resources (@mineral_resources)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The mining business is on the hunt for new workers to fill a range of roles including: construction, mining, operations, unskilled labour and administration.</p> <p>The firm is also recruiting higher-paying roles such as mining engineers.</p> <p>One of the highest paying jobs on offer is for construction supervisors and superintendents who can earn up to $300,000 a year.</p> <p>Workers will be required to work on a fly-in, fly-out basis. They would be flying out of New Zealand to work the mines in Perth, with roughly half of the workforce only working for six months per year.</p> <p>It’s not the first time Australian mines have struggled to find workers for highly-paid roles. Earlier in 2022, mining services firm Thiess offered new staff members a $10,000 sign-on bonus and a $5000 bonus for a successful referral.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

A job with a $500K salary and free house has no takers

<p dir="ltr">Healthcare can be hard to access in rural areas, but even one Aussie town’s tantalising offer of a hefty salary and free home has yet to successfully attract any doctors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Julia Creek’s McKinlay Shire Council, located 600km west of Townsville, Queensland, has put together an enticing package for a GP looking to go bush and help their tight-knit community.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite offering a salary of up to $513,620 ($NZD 572,056) and a rent-free house on a decent piece of land, the council have had no takers so far.</p> <p dir="ltr">Currently, temporary doctors fly into the community for two days each week to support local hospital staff - with residents needing care on the other five days of the week forced to travel two hours or 200km to Mount Isa.</p> <p dir="ltr">Deputy Mayor Janene Fegan told NCA NewsWire that the package was first offered three months ago, but their search for a permanent GP in the community has been ongoing for the past 18 months.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not only about the money, it’s also about the lifestyle,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Fegan first moved to the area for a temporary posting to work as a nurse, but three months has since become three decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s just a nice, easy, simple lifestyle,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have plenty of room, plenty of space.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-cbd9db93-7fff-6c3b-d448-e7d71e705311"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With a tight-knit community of 500 residents, Ms Fegan said Julia Creek boasts warm sunny days, a gym that will only set you back $30 a month, and a pool that costs just $2 to use.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEFjiShND8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEFjiShND8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by McKinlay Shire Council (@mckinlay_shire_council)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">While the council has received two applications so far, both have requested a fly-in, fly-out arrangement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Residents are desperate for the return to having a permanent doctor, which will result in greater stability and access to urgent care when needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you had a sick child in the middle of the night, they might have to send you on,” Ms Fegan said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And some things aren’t quite serious enough to need an ambulance, but serious enough that you want care quickly.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that they had survived so far through the good will of neighbours helping each other out.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess that’s why we’ve survived so long without the doctor, because we are such a tight-knit community and someone will also help someone else out,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The council has also said it will provide the new GP’s partner with employment if needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We would definitely make all our effort to find something suitable,” Ms Fegan said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And also with the internet, you don’t need to work in the city anymore.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-90122888-7fff-9859-7f6f-add831717807"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @mckinlayshirecouncil</em></p>

Money & Banking

"Put it up properly!" PM criticised for public flag blunder

<p dir="ltr">Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come under fire after the Aboriginal flag was hung upside down on the first day of the Jobs and Skills Summit at Parliament House - made worse by the fact that no one in attendance seemed to notice the error either.</p> <p dir="ltr">The incorrectly-hung Indigenous flag was in the background displayed alongside the Australia and Torres Strait Islander flags as Mr Albanese addressed the 140 government and business leaders and was spotted in various selfies and photos taken on the day.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6a78ef78-7fff-2c33-67d8-b5d595a52513">When correctly flown, the black half of the flag, <a href="https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/aboriginal-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">representing</a> First Nations Australians, is meant to be at the top, with the red half, signifying the earth, at the bottom.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Loved joining this powerhouse of women speakers on the opening panel at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jobssummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jobssummit</a>. Equity for women can’t wait ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/SenKatyG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenKatyG</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/sammostyn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sammostyn</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/emmafulu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@emmafulu</a> ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/June_Oscar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@June_Oscar</a>⁩⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/leonora_risse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@leonora_risse</a>⁩<br />⁩ <a href="https://t.co/eVd6kDATfJ">pic.twitter.com/eVd6kDATfJ</a></p> <p>— Michele O'Neil (@MicheleONeilAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicheleONeilAU/status/1565152042347180034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">It hung upside down until delegates left for the lunch break and was correctly displayed when they returned.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prominent Indigenous leaders called out the faux pas, including Coalition Senator Jacinta Price and Warren Mundine, a business leader and former Labor Party president.</p> <p dir="ltr">Senator Price, who has previously criticised Mr Albanese’s flying of the flag as empty symbolism, said it was ironic that the government went out of its way to show symbolic respect for Indigenous Australians, yet still made such an error.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With all the virtuous expression of respect for Aboriginal Australians... and all the carry on with strategically placing the flag prominently to express this deep virtue you’d think that this Albanese Government could actually hang it the right way up?” she said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac92a209-7fff-5a3a-fd3d-4d50441b5373"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Especially at such a significant and groundbreaking event such as the job summit.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/albo-flag1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Various speakers were photographed in front of the incorrectly-hung Indigenous flag, which was corrected during the event’s lunch break. Images: @AlboMP (Twitter)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Mundine said he was shocked when the saw the flag on TV, describing the mistake as “ignorant” and “pathetic”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How ignorant and pathetic is it that our national flag is treated this way… put it up properly!” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Parliamentary Services Department, which was responsible for the error, later said the flag being upside down was the result of “an unfortunate human error”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The incorrect mounting of the Aboriginal flag was due to an unfortunate human error. Once the error was identified, it was immediately corrected,” it said.</p> <p dir="ltr">While a flag flying upside down can signal that someone is in distress in the US and is sometimes used by protestors at rallies, the act is banned under all circumstances by the Australian flag protocols.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Albanese has been displaying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in parliament and at government events since becoming PM following the May election, with Indigenous MPs and leaders praising it as a long-overdue acknowledgement of First Nations culture and Australia’s history before British colonisation. </p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-34d56c2f-7fff-7b7e-e9a5-06a678a4de7f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @AlboMP (Twitter)</em></p>

News

Why employers should be hiring over-60s

<p>This age group is loyal, experienced and the fastest growing labour market in Australia, so why aren’t more employers hiring workers in their 50s and 60s? Here’s why they should.</p> <p>There has never been a better time for jobseekers in their 60s to jump back into the workforce, with the government announcing it will chip in $10,000 to business owners who employ workers over the age of 50. The decision to expand the senior employment incentive payment scheme was announced in Australia's 2019 budget.</p> <p>This will see business owners receive $3000 followed by a second $3000 payment if they keep a mature worker in employment for 12 months. A further $2000 will be given to those who keep over-50s employed in the workplace for 18 months until a final payment of $2000 is provided if they employ the person for over two years.</p> <p>Heidi Holmes, managing director of jobs board for jobseekers over-45 <a href="http://adage.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adage.com.au</a>, says mature age workers offer a number of benefits to business owners. “Mature age workers offer a great return on investment for employers as they will reward employers with loyalty, increased productivity and also take less sick days,” she reveals. “Research has shown a mature age worker will stay with an organisation up to 2.5 times longer than a young employee.”</p> <p>Sydney-based retirement coach <a href="http://www.peterblackcoaching.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peter Black</a> agrees, adding that these workers are motivated to work because they’d like to continue learning and engaging with other people, as well as to boost their retirement savings.</p> <p><strong>A growing talent pool</strong> <br />It’s no secret that Australia’s population is ageing, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics predicting that by 2041 one in five people will be over 65 and seven per cent of the population will be over 80.</p> <p>Ms Holmes says employers can no longer afford to neglect this talent pool as the 45-plus market represents the fastest growing labour market segment in Australia. “Often employers haven’t considered the mature age workforce as a separate talent pool they need to target directly,” she explains.</p> <p>“Unconscious bias against mature age workers may also be playing a part in mature applicants being screened out of the application process. Hiring managers and recruiters need to be educated on the benefits mature age workers bring to the table in order to tackle any negative bias that may exist.”</p> <p>While illegal, age discrimination continues in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman welcomed a court ruling in April this year when two Thai restaurants on the Gold Coast were fined nearly $30,000 for telling a worker that he would be terminated on his 65th birthday. The worker had a good employment record at the restaurant over a number of years.</p> <p>Mr Black says age discrimination continues, as does misperceptions about the motivation of mature workers. “Younger managers and human resources professionals don’t appear to value experience. However, companies like Bunnings and the banks are recognising the value of older workers in communicating with front-line customers,” he explains.</p> <p>“Also, a declining pool of total workers due to baby boomers retiring over coming years will necessitate employers to relook mature workers to accommodate their growth needs.”</p> <p>Michael O’Neill, chief executive of consumer lobby group <a href="http://nationalseniors.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Seniors Australia</a>, is another industry representative who has been vocal in encouraging the government and the corporate sector to tackle community attitudes towards workers in their 50s and 60s, as well as promoting workplace flexibility.</p> <p>Currently, older job seekers are unemployed for an average of 71 weeks compared to younger workers with an average of 41 weeks. If there was just a five per cent increase in paid employment of Australians over age 55 it would add $48 billion to the economy a year, according to research by the Human Rights Commission.</p> <p><strong>More support is needed</strong><br />Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan says the government needs to do more to ensure older Australians will have the same opportunities as everyone else to access paid work. While the staggered $10,000 incentive for employers to hire a person over 50 is encouraging, it doesn’t shift the entrenched cultural attitudes and structural barriers that exclude older workers from the workforce.</p> <p>Training and development of older workers is important if people in their 50s and 60s are to have a chance of either remaining or returning to the workforce. On top of this, employers need to realise the benefits of maintaining their older workers for more years in the job.</p> <p>“This might require workplace flexibility and some retraining,” Commissioner Ryan explains. “Government has a role in supporting a more positive and productive approach to longer working lives.”</p> <p>It’s a win-win for both businesses and those looking for work. Unlike some workers in the younger generations, people over 50 place a higher value on job security and are motivated to perform to the best of their ability. This offers a great return on investment for employers, especially small businesses, who would not only benefit the most from the cash incentive but also from an employee who research shows stays in a job longer.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

Lady Louise Windsor has surprising new job

<p dir="ltr">Lady Louise Windsor, one of Queen Elizabeth’s numerous grandchildren, has joined the thousands of young people in a tradition as old as time itself: getting a summer job.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though she might be a royal, the 18-year-old’s new job is quite ordinary, with reports that she is earning £6.83 ($AU 11.68 or $NZ 13.03) at a garden centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <em>The Sun</em>, Lady Louise was spotted by a shopper, pruning and potting plants, as well as greeting customers and serving them behind the till.</p> <p dir="ltr">The shopper described the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, as “modest”, “sweet” and “polite”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I couldn’t believe it was Lady Louise – I had to look twice,” the shopper told the newspaper.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She is a really modest and sweet young woman who is polite and attentive to customers. She seemed to be loving the job.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’d never imagine the Queen’s granddaughter would take on a role working behind a till.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s believed Lady Louise is working at the garden centre several days a week, with the news coming after a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed she would be studying English at the University of St Andrew’s after finishing her A-levels in June.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though she is 16th in line for the throne, Lady Louise and her brother, James, don’t use an HRH title, nor are they expected to carry out duties when they’re older.</p> <p dir="ltr">As unexpected as the royal’s job appears, it seems to have delighted fans of the monarchy, with one fan telling <em>The Sun</em>: “It’s not every day you buy begonias off a royal.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-40e9b517-7fff-cd84-bd70-3ee69a7e173c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

Ash Barty's bizarre new job title

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has traded her tennis whites for a corporate outfit after announcing she is the new Chief of Inspiration for Optus.</p> <p dir="ltr">The retired tennis star shared the news that she had joined the telecommunications giant in an Instagram post, saying she is excited to work with her new team.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Saying ‘yes’ to your goals, dreams and ambitions is something I’m pretty passionate about!” her post began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m excited to join the @optus family as their Chief of Inspiration, a role with a purpose to help people go after their personal fulfillment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m humbled by this opportunity and hope to be a voice that might inspire future generations to say ‘yes’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Also pretty keen to work alongside @danielricciardo and the rest of the Optus ambassador family. #itstartswithyes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The post included a funny clip with F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, who is encouraging Ash as she plays a bit of golf.</p> <p dir="ltr">Using Optus’ slogan “it starts with yes”, Ricciardo asks Ash to share another moment when she said yes.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChWWYs8BcMX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChWWYs8BcMX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“When I said yes to my gut, and my heart, and trust myself in that I was making the right decision in retiring for me,” she responded as the clip ends.</p> <p dir="ltr">The exciting announcement comes just weeks after the tennis player "said yes" and <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/game-set-and-match-ash-barty-ties-the-knot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied the knot</a> with long-term partner Garry Kissick in an intimate wedding in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash, 26, and Garry, 29, announced their engagement in November 2021 and the professional tennis player was unsure of whether or not she should share the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">So when the pair married in a secret wedding, Ash shared an image wearing the wedding dress and Garry in a suit with the simple caption, “Husband & Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash was also vocal about having an intimate wedding with close family and friends, and so further details of the special day have yet to be revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it is believed that Ash’s incredible wedding dress was designed by Suzanne Harward, who has been creating wedding dresses since 1975.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dress sits around the $10,000 price point.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair then jetsetted to Queenstown in New Zealand for their honeymoon with Garry regularly sharing <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/adorable-honeymoon-photos-of-ash-barty-and-husband-garry-kissick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adorable couple photos</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

“Healing from grief is an inside job”: Why Ashley Judd found and met with her abuser

<p dir="ltr">Content warning: This article includes mentions of sexual assault, rape and child sexual abuse (CSA).</p> <p dir="ltr">Ashley Judd has opened up about the conversation she had with the man who raped her more than two decades ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Double Jeopardy </em>star spoke about confronting the man who assaulted her in 1999 during an appearance on the podcast <em>Healing With David Kessler</em>, telling host David Kessler that they had a “restorative-justice conversation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To make a long story short, we ended up in rocking chairs sitting by a creek together,” Judd said. “And I said, ‘I’m very interested in hearing the story you’ve carried all these years’. And we had a restorative-justice conversation about that.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I wanted to share that story because there are many ways of healing from grief, and it's important to remind listeners that I didn't need anything from him and it was just gravy that he made his amends and expressed his deep remorse because healing from grief is an inside job."</p> <p dir="ltr">The 54-year-old added that she didn’t need closure from the man, whose identity is still unknown, or “his cooperation” or “for him to make amends” to continue healing, and that she was just “very interested in hearing” his side of the story.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Because I had the opportunity to do my trauma work, to do my grief work, to do my healing work, to have all these shifts in my own consciousness and to bond in these female coalition spaces with other survivors," Judd said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Recalling the incident, Judd described it as “crazy-making” and “unconscionable”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I was very clear, my boundaries were intact. I was already an empowered, adult feminist woman," she recalled. </p> <p dir="ltr">"And that this could happen under these circumstances was unconscionable, unforeseen, and yet I have had a restorative-justice process with this person out of how replete my soul is today."</p> <p dir="ltr">Judd has publicly spoken about being a three-time rape survivor in the past and shared her story for the first time in her 2011 memoir, <em>All That Is Bitter & Sweet</em>, and again in an <a href="https://www.mic.com/articles/113226/forget-your-team-your-online-violence-toward-girls-and-women-is-what-can-kiss-my-ass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">op-ed</a> she wrote for <em>Mic.com</em>’s ‘Pass the Mic’ series.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I am a survivor of sexual assault, rape and incest," she wrote at the time. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The summer of 1984 was tough for me. I experienced two rapes by an adult and systematic molestation from another adult, who also had another man in the room watching … This January, I read three different things that freshly triggered an additional, very specific memory from age 15 – an attempted oral rape by yet another adult man."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><em>If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse and need support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their <a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, or contact <a href="https://blueknot.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BlueKnot</a> on 1300 657 380.</em></strong></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-9fcf9217-7fff-3f43-fab5-e53785cce460"></span></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

Mortuary worker reveals secrets of the job you've always wanted to know

<p>A woman who works in a mortuary has shared some little known facts about her morbid job. </p> <p>Emma Yates, an anatomical pathology technician from London, also debunked some of the myths about death on her TikTok page, which has left many people amazed. </p> <p>According to Emma, one of the most common myths about death is that dead bodies are always stiff, however she revealed that this only occurs for around 36 hours after death before bodies return to being limp. </p> <p>Another common myth about death suggests that a body's nails and hair can still grow after death. </p> <p>Emma says this is not true but more of an optical illusion, as the skin tends to shrink from dehydration, giving the impression these parts are still growing. </p> <p>Her video titled "Mr Dibbs (Emma's cat) and I bust your myths about dead bodies" racked up nearly 15,000 views and thousands of comments from curious viewers wanting to know more. </p> <p>She also revealed that people tend to think there is no blood in the body because it's dead, but that isn't the case. </p> <p>She explained, "When you do post-mortems, the blood will pull to the base of the body so if you're lying on your back it will pull to the back of your body."</p> <p>Another common misconception is that dead bodies can randomly sit up but Emma assured that "dead bodies do not sit up on the post-mortem table."</p> <p>She said, "Sometimes there is gas left in the body so the muscles will twitch a little bit but you'll need a lot of muscle to sit up and dead bodies don't have that."</p> <p>One person commented, "I work in a hospital and I always hope the dead are treated with respect, but humour must be essential in a mortuary."</p> <p>Emma replied to the healthcare worker, "We always treat them with respect just as you would a living patient. Humour helps you get through the worst days."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok / Getty Images</em></p>

Body

Queen's job description gets rewritten for the first time in 10 years

<p>For the first time in a decade, Queen Elizabeth has had her official job description rewritten. </p> <p>In Buckingham Palace's annual report, the 96-year-old monarch's "official duties" have been edited to accommodate her recent health issues. </p> <p>The report has removed events such as the State Opening of Parliament from the Queen’s official roles.</p> <p>Previously the Queen’s presence at the event was considered confirmed due to “constitutional convention”, according to Britain’s <em>Daily Express</em>.</p> <p>Now, the annual report places greater emphasis on the support of the wider Royal Family, stating that, “The Queen is greatly assisted by other members of the Royal Family who undertake official duties on behalf of Her Majesty”.</p> <p>According to the <em>Express</em>, a Palace source said the change to the job description was not “drastic” but rather a small update.</p> <p>The change comes after senior members of the royal family have attended events in the place of the Queen for several months amid rumours of her ailing health. </p> <p>In recent months, the Queen's presence at an event has not been confirmed until the day of the engagement to allow for last minute changes to her condition.</p> <p>The changes in Her Majesty's official job description also include the editing of the “formal constitutional concept” of Head of State, which previously had a 13-point list of duties the queen “must” undertake, including the State Opening of Parliament, paying and receiving state visits, and the appointment of the Prime Minister.</p> <p>However, the new version offers a more loose definition, simply noting the queen’s role “encompasses a range of parliamentary and diplomatic duties” and noting only that she “receives” other visiting heads of state. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Antarctic Heritage Trust offers up dream jobs

<p dir="ltr">If your dream job involves living in one of the most remote places on Earth and waking up to count penguins, then the Antarctic Heritage Trust has your back. </p> <p dir="ltr">The UK branch of the trust is hiring a base leader, shop manager and general assistant for their Port Lockroy location in Antarctica. </p> <p dir="ltr">The roles of the job are to help protect the heritage, conserve its environment and share its rich history with about 18,000 visitors each season.</p> <p dir="ltr">The successful applicants will spend five months from November to March at Base ‘A’ – an historic British base situated on the tiny Goudier Island off the Antarctic Peninsula.</p> <p dir="ltr">The main tasks of the job include managing a gift shop and British Antarctic Territory Post Office on the site, as well as overseeing the annual maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and artefacts and wildlife observations for the British Antarctic Survey.</p> <p dir="ltr">While this unique opportunity may be a dream job for some, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust said Antarctica is a physically and mentally challenging workplace for many reasons.</p> <p dir="ltr">During summer months, temperatures vary between -5C and 10C, with overcast days and windchill often making it feel much colder. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s also worth noting that there is no running water on the island. </p> <p dir="ltr">Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships, which will also offer showers every few days.</p> <p dir="ltr">There is also no flushing toilet at the base, with the basic living quarters involving a singular shared bedroom for all staff. </p> <p dir="ltr">The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s flagship historic site was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station until it closed in 1962. </p> <p dir="ltr">In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a living museum, and has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

Want a job where you get paid to watch TV?

<p dir="ltr">Could you imagine if you ever got paid just to sit there and watch TV?</p> <p dir="ltr">Well stop imagining because it could soon be a reality!</p> <p dir="ltr">MagellanTV launched its “Third Annual True Crime Watch Dream Job'' to watch 24 hours worth of documentaries and report the experience. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Our ideal candidate lives for true crime -- they can handle the most menacing serial killer, the goriest details, and don't flinch at the chilling paranormal,” MagellanTV said on its website.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Along with watching, they’ll be documenting their True Crime all-nighter on social media so everyone will see if they can hack it… or not.</p> <p dir="ltr">Some of the documentaries to show include: <em>Murder Maps, Lady Killers, 10 Steps to Murder, Nurses Who Kill, Murder on the Internet</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The lucky winner will receive a sum of $2,400 (US) but if you watch documentaries for another 24 hours (total 48) you will receive a year’s free subscription. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

5 household jobs to do over summer

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Christmas may be over, many still on holidays have a chance to not only spend time together, but to finally tackle some of those niggly jobs around the house that you have been meaning to get done.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether the pool is looking a bit murky or you’re looking to make some small improvements, here are five odd jobs around the house to tick off your to-do list this summer.</span></p> <p><strong>1. Treat your garden to a little TLC</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While mowing the lawn and edging the driveway are done on a more regular basis, the summer holidays are a perfect chance to tidy up your garden and show some love to your plants with some pruning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In particular, the start of the year is a good time to prune gardenias and other plants that have finished flowering, cut back herbs that have run to seed, and inspect plants for mildew, petal blight, or signs of being eaten.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For help with your garden, Stuart Tucker, the Chief Customer Officer at hipages, recommends using the Yates My Garden app.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Consider it your ‘personal trainer’ of the garden world. The app gives you access to qualified horticulturalists that can talk you through anything that’s happening in your garden,” he told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bhg.com.au/summer-household-jobs?category=garden" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Better Homes and Gardens</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can take a picture and share via the live chat and the team will help ID and provide further details on what you need to do.”</span></p> <p><strong>2. Refresh your interiors with paint</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a cost-effective way to change the look of your home, a fresh coat of paint can refresh your interiors and make your walls look cleaner without costing an arm and a leg.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it’s recommended that you put the paintbrushes down on especially </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://trimaco.com/blog/5-tips-for-interior-painting-in-the-winter/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">humid days</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as the heat can affect how the paint dries.</span></p> <p><strong>3. Get your pool in tip-top shape</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maintaining a pool during winter months can seem like an unrewarding task, so the summer break can be a perfect time to give it some of the attention it may have missed during the rest of the year - especially so you can finally enjoy it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If your pool filter or equipment needs attention, see to it now before your friends and family start commenting on the murky pool water,” Stuart said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re in need of a helping hand, Stuart said there’s an app for that too.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Try using an app like Blue Connect - Pool Care to track and analyse your pool water by measuring the temperature, pH, the disinfectant concentration and salinity,” he explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The app will also notify you in case of any problems.”</span></p> <p><strong>4. Service your air-con unit</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A must for staying cool when the mercury rises, air-conditioning units often work their hardest during summer - meaning it;s important to check that they’re still in good shape.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you have an internal unit, clear any dust to prevent it (from) performing poorly,” Stuart said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“External units need to be cleared of leaves and other debris.”</span></p> <p><strong>5. Tidy up</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With many of us visiting and receiving family during most of the holidays, it can be tricky to keep our homes clean. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, giving your home a deep clean can make maintaining it that much easier - though you don’t have to do it all on your own.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Before you welcome any visitors, consider hiring a local on-demand cleaner who can give your home a deep clean from top to bottom, including all floors, surfaces and windows,” Stuart said.</span></p>

Home & Garden

Perfect revenge on a toxic boss

<div> <div class="reply-list-component"> <div class="reply-component"> <div class="reply-body-component"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply-body-wrapper"> <div class="reply-body-inner"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p><em>Image: Reddit</em></p> <p>After leaving a toxic job, a woman has gotten the perfect revenge on her boss via a witty resignation letter.</p> <p>The electrician named Amber claims she was treated poorly by her “a—hole” boss, so she wrote a letter of resignation on a bereavement card that read “sorry for your loss.”</p> <p>In a thread posted on Reddit, Amber shared the post writing, “You ever worked for a company that just treated you like s----? I received a job offer today for a dollar more than I asked for, my own van, and they’ll sponsor me for school. I can’t wait to give this to my boss tomorrow.”</p> <p>Amber then revealed the text within the card, which was kept simple and straight to the point – “It’s me, I leave in two weeks.”</p> <p>In the comments, Amber predicts that her boss would ask her to resign immediately. She continued to explain that she had been underpaid and overworked.</p> <p>In a follow-up post, the electrician revealed her bosses response to the letter saying, “He said it aloud, gave a stank face, and just said ‘ok’. He didn’t tell me to leave so that means he wants me to work out my two weeks. He also didn’t ask why I’m leaving.”</p> <p>Many users were quick to praise Amber’s hilarious letter with one person writing “Congratulations on your new job! And this is the best resignation letter I’ve ever seen.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="new-reply-component"></div> </div>

Money & Banking

One in ten Australian jobs at risk of automation

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the Australian economy begins its recovery efforts in tandem with the coronavirus pandemic slowing, a worrying statistic has been released about Aussie jobs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The study, which was conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), warns that one in every 10 jobs is at risk of being automated. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The research concluded that the employment disruption will be felt unevenly across Australia, as cities and regional towns will be hit the hardest. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In comparison, wealthier and affluent urban areas face the least risk of jobs being automated.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The OECD believe that plant and machinery operators, as well as food preparation workers are among the employment sectors most at risk. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The report also says the demographics that will be hit hardest are young people, men and Indigenous people, as they are more likely to have declining job opportunities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The regional towns where automation is said to hit have roots in the coal mining industries, as 40 percent of jobs in the New South Wales Hunter Region face some disruption while in Queensland's Mackay region it was about 41 per cent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In comparison, Canberra and Sydney's eastern suburbs face the lowest risk of jobs lost through automation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Teaching and health services are likely to remain safe from automation technology, as the pandemic saw a drastic increase in jobs in these areas over the last 12 months. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In order to protect existing jobs, the OECD says some workers will have their duties upskilled in order to save as many jobs as possible from the mundane tasks that automation can be utilised for. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Technology

Weatherman's ruff day on the job

<p>Many people around the world have settled into a schedule of working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. </p> <p>However, things don't always run smoothly as one weatherman discovered during his latest live broadcast.</p> <p>Canadian <span>weatherman Anthony Farnell was presenting the day's weather forecast live on air when an unexpected visitor crashed the show. </span></p> <p><span>Anthony's Goldendoodle named "Storm the Weather Dog" wandered into his live report on Canada's Global News TV station and started searching for treats in front of the green screen. </span><span></span></p> <p><span>Despite Anthony's best efforts to get his pup off screen, Storm kept surveying the area looking for something to eat.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>the weatherman walked off screen in an attempt to lure Storm out of the live broadcast, but to no avail. </span></p> <p><span>Anthony eventually gave in and grabbed a snack for his demanding pooch before continuing with the weather forecast. </span></p> <p><span>Since working from home, Storm has become somewhat of a regular during Anthony's broadcasts, from barking loudly to crashing the scenes. </span></p> <p><span>The dog's most recent appearance has left viewers in stitches, with the video racking up over 200,000 views. </span></p> <p><span>"My new favourite WFH problem. I don't know why, it just gets funnier," wrote one person on Twitter, resharing the video.</span></p> <p><span>Storm has become an online sensation, with an Instagram account that boasts over 3,000 followers. </span></p> <p><span>Check out the hilarious video below.</span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yp6qeLTM3iU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credit: Global News</em></p>

Family & Pets

Queen under fire over abysmal job salary

<p>The royal family have come under fire after a job advertisement has been described as "disastrously" out of touch. </p> <p>The latest vacancy at Buckingham Palace is for the position of Personnel Security Adviser for the royal family, which requires applicants to have <span>a degree in security, experience and the confidence to "deliver vital work".</span></p> <p>The ad tells applications of the job that they will <span>"make important decisions every day" and will be "helping to protect a world-famous institution."</span></p> <p>The position oversees tasks at Buckingham <span>Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral, with the potential applicant working five days a week.</span></p> <p><span>Despite the importance and high-ranking position of this job, the pay rate has been labelled a "meagre" rate of only $24 an hour.</span></p> <p><span>The salary amounts to roughly $48,000 per year, and has been blasted by </span>royal critics who have described the rate as next to nothing compared to <span>the royal family's "incomprehensible" wealth.</span></p> <p>A reporter for The Mirror said the Queen's wealth is <span>"double-edged sword" and said the advertisement was "disastrous", considering the family costs the UK public approximately $128 million a year.</span></p> <p><span>"Everyone knows the monarchy brings money into the country — but is it an excuse to offer such low pay in comparison to their own wealth?" he said.</span></p> <p><span>The pitiful wage has coped global </span>scrutiny, given the opulent and exclusive lifestyle ledgy the royal family, particularly in terms of weddings.</p> <p>Reports show that the cost of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding expenses was around $61million, while the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton cost roughly $48million. </p> <p>These royal events also feed money back into the country's economy through global tourism opportunities, with reports of Harry and Meghan's wedding made the UK over $1.8billion in tourism revenue. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

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