Monthly Archives: December 2020

Coffs Harbour

Surf & Blueberries An Australian tourism icon, the Big Banana, sits prominently beside the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour on the Northern NSW coast.  Built in 1964 to attract attention to a farmer’s roadside stall, it lays claim to being Australia’s first ‘big thing’ and was indicative of the dominance of the banana industry in […]

Summer Horticulture Work Opportunities

As we move into the Australian summer period, horticulture activity, particularly in the southern states starts to rapidly increase. Travel across most state border is now freely allowed but check relevant State Health Department websites as the situation can change rapidly due to COVID19 outbreaks or developing hotspots. If farm work or horticulture work is […]

Worker Profile – Victoria Leov

There is a saying in business circles that every crisis provides an opportunity. Victoria Leov has never been one to sit at home wondering.  When she lost her hospitality job as a qualified pastry chef from the first COVID lockdown she set about turning a negative situation into a positive experience. As border closures and […]

Coffs Harbour

Where blue is the new black Most Australians will know of the Big Banana sitting prominently beside the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour on the Northern NSW coast.  Built in 1964 to attract attention to a grower’s roadside stall, it lays claim to being Australia’s first ‘big thing’ and was indicative of the dominance of […]

Fair Work Commision – Wage Increase

Fair Work Commission – 1.75% increase to minimum wages The Fair Work Commission recently announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages. This applies to all award wages. Increases to awards start on 3 different dates for different groups of awards. Essential services workers were the first to receive the increase, however, the Commission has staged […]

Grower Profile – Ryan & Hugh (Dicky Bill Australia)

Ryan McLeod & Hugh Reardon (Dicky Bill Australia) How did you get into the horticultural industry? From the humble beginnings of a small 40 acre market garden in Stanthorpe in the mid 1990’s, Dicky Bill Australia has enjoyed consistent stewardship from the current two families that own and operate the salad production company now for […]

Heat Related Illness

With summer coming, have you checked your WHS around heat-related illness? Working in hot and/or humid environments can cause heat-related illness and in some cases this can be fatal1. There is no recommended temperature limit at which work should cease. Setting a safe or unsafe limit just based on the air temperature is not adequate […]