Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Volunteering

It is not difficult to become a volunteer in Australia. According to my experience, volunteer vacation is available in certain media, like Newspaper, Internet and TV, and yet Volunteer Resource Centre 9VRC) is available in some metropolitan and big cities around Australia. Thus, someone can read those media or come to the VRC office for volunteer opportunity enquiries. So that they can join the organization easily.

Last year I joined two different organization. First is a local NGO that serve migrants and refugee to settle in Bendigo. I volunteered as tutor for Burmese refugee children. I thaught them English and how to use computer and internet. Recently I also teach them mathematic. Second is Bendigo Hospital. I was serving as fundraiser that sell some newspaper, candy, towels etc. to the patients and visitors. I went around hospotal from first floor to the fourth floor. It was tired, but worthed. Unfortunately, I have quit since the time is unsuit my schedule.

Now I am joining Conservation Volunteer Australia. This organization offer quite range of activities but within flexible time. I choose once a week to take part as volunteer in a bush reserve area in Bendigo. I will start it tomorrow, and can't wait for it.

Interestingly, to become a volunteer here we must pass "Police Check". When I applied I have to wait for two weeks until get letter confirmation from Police. The organization also offer some training and induction program which is useful for beginner volunteer. However, most of the volunteer are pensioners and seniors, whereas their age is over 50 years old. It is quiet surprising for me if I compare to my country most of the volunteer are in their 20s or 30s. I realized that most of volunteer here not working, therefore they just join for fun and social activities. Differently, in Indonesia volunteer is a one step to get achievement of working experience, add CV qualification and expand networking. (Based on my experience)

Can't wait to back to Indonesia and serve as volunteer again.

After One Year

Wow, time goes so quick. I did not realize that I have passed half of my study time in Australia. Well, I still have 10 months left to spend then going home.

Alhamdulillah I feel my English going very well. I have good self confident now, not affraid anymore to chat and speak with new people. I can hear OZs speak clearly. I admit that most of them speak so fast and mummble so at the first time I often to ask them to repeat so many times. I am having good friends, whether International Students, local OZs, refugess, Indonesians etc. Altough I did not spend of my time travelling accross Aussie, but lucky I ever experience short distance journey accross Victoria (as far as Geelong).

I really miss my home country. Especially my friends and FOOD. Can't wait to get home, and do something and many things that overload in my head (ambition, planning etc.)

10 Months left, and counting...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Rushworth, ex Gold Rush Town

Situated 45 minutes drive from Bendigo, Rushworth is a classic town of Gold Mining era in 1850s. During that period its population reached to 40,000, while now only less than 1,000. Its historic site including Whroo Heritage Site (old open mining site), Old Buildings and Church and Cemetery (that comprises of European and Chinese Burial).  



















http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Rushworth/2005/02/17/1108500207279.html

Monday, November 3, 2008

Maldon

Last month me with my family went to Maldon in a short trip. This small city is located in Shire of Mount Alexander about 136 km from Melbourne or 38 km from Bendigo. It is well known for its goldrush historic period since 1853 until 1891 with estimated population at that time was 9,000. As the gold miners became dry, the population decreased rapidly which now noted 1,601 people. Maldon's had changed the status now as destination area for tourism, retirement housing and some traditional festivals.

We visited some local stores there and amazed with its old and historic precinct. Most of those old buildings are used as cafe, restaurant, or local stores. There is a Memorial of Vietnam War which is located in the centre of Maldon, adjacent with the Tourist Information Centre. Before left, we spent some times to visit old railway station. During goldrush era, this station served passengers to travel accross Victoria region, such as Melbourne, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Maryborough. Now, it is attracted many tourists to travel (especially kids in school holidays) around goldfields region.






Sources :

http://www.vgr.com.au/
http://www.maldon.org.au/Information/infoPage.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldon,_Victoria

Sunday, September 21, 2008

International Students are Exploited in Australia

Having study overseas could be a great experience and also a dream of many students (or students wanna be) in a lifetime. Australia is one of leading countries (beside US and UK) that has attracted many students to come and study. In 2007, around 450,000 International Students were studying in Australia which increase to 18% from last year figures. This number is predicted to double by 2025. International Students has contributed a sum of $ 11 billion per year to the local economic development and it has replaced tourism as Australia top major income (the third largest after coal and iron-ore). In Victoria, they are the biggest income provider.
However, International Students seems as "money spinner" since they only come here not to build relationship with Australian or sharing knowledge. They were attaracted to come here to pay unreasonable high fees, which is believed as the main source for economic prosperity in Australia. Thus, this problem leads to the exploitation.
Futhermore International Students are less knowledge about their rights. In one case in Victoria, International Students were being underpaid and sexually harassed. Some of them also work overtime than they suppose to have. Others main concern of the issue are; the corrupt provider, lack of affordable accommodation and personal safety.
Federal and State Government supposed to take significant action as they heavily dependent on this industry. Because universities in Australia can not merely depend on local students.

Sources :

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2361735.htm
http://www.theage.com.au/national/stop-exploitation-student-union-tells-tertiary-review-20080805-3qlb.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/international-student-numbers-to-rise-recruiter/2007/09/18/1189881513959.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/taskforce-to-study-overseas-students-20080918-4jek.html?skin=text-only