Australia's Science Forum

Definitely not old, rotten chipboard, which is what we have. Although the DET did come in a couple of years ago and replace sections of one or two labs - not all the benches mind you, just a metre on one side, half a metre on another, and rotting boards in between. Who knows what their mind is like ...

Hey Lou, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I am happy to email any of the stuff I have on computer to you - lots of it I deleted after the Department told me I could not invite any Lab Assistants from the Catholic/private schools around the area!! But, anything I have you are more than welco...

I will have youngest daughter and her two kittens for a visit from Wynnum to Port Macquarie - for her 25th birthday. Also having my Mum fly up from Sydney for 2 weeks. A break from work is a break, even if I were to spend it doing housework!! I hope you all have a safe, happy and relaxing time; and ...

They are probably too old for you, but the local Rotary here collects old books and literary donations all year, then for 3 days every year they hold a massive book fair, with all proceeds going to charity. Many of the older text books from my school end up there, until I found out that some of my S...

I claim all travelling expenses, actually keep a list on my desk and fill in all the klms done, where I went and what I bought. I also claim my black leather shoes (purchased from Rivers) and we can also claim things like hand cream, any gloves you buy yourself, safety glasses (surely you need a new...

Funny how we get side-tracked. Gone from training day, to weather, road-trips both north and south, people with fans, school cars, nuns in charge, and state of origin. I still love this site. Anyhow the day is fully organised, and going ahead. We have about 22 attending, which will be great. The bag...

I am holding a Training & Networking Day for Lab Assistants on day 1, Term 3 - July 21, 2008. Day starts at 8:30am and ends about 3pm in Port Macquarie. We are covering a variety of topics in a friendly, laid-back fashion. Topics include: Microsoft Word shortcuts; Basic First Aid presented by qu...

I didn't copy the first ABSOLUTE ZERO, but I do have part 2 on DVD. However, it is on the same DVD as "Six Billion Dollar Experiment" which goes for 50 minutes, and 5 minutes of a show on Cochlear implants & Soundwaves. If you don't mind the confusion, I can do a copy for you and post ...

So, it now appears that we are really a group of people who have received "specialised" training. Therefore I see that as something that should be paid extra. If training is so essential for our position, then we MUST be worth more money. Sounds really simple to me. Doesn't everyone pay a ...

I thought the floors in Labs had to be "wash & wear" to enable spills to be mopped, cleaned etc quickly and easily. Carpet seems really strange to me. However, I am just a lab assistant!

Just to update everyone - if you are still interested!! I have been emailed from the OH&S person at Port Macquarie Tafe who told me the fume cupboards HAVE been repaired. However, neither the Principal, my HT, or our OH&S person have heard anything. There is no sticker on the fume cupboards,...

I contacted our local Council, spoke to the "garbage" man and was told I could take all our waste (no more than a box for 5 reams of paper size) to the local tip. I just tell the guy at the tip I am from a local high school and that JOE BLOGGS said it was OK, and I only take it all about o...

Hi Maree, We use Longman 1,2,3,4 for years 7-10. Also have copies of Science Now 1,2,3,4 (still used occasionally). Among the Staffroom resources we have Heinemann Interactive Science 1,2,3,4; also Core Science 1,2,3,4; Science Focus 1,2,3,4; and Excel Study Guide Year 7-8; and Year 9-10. Plus of co...

Isn't it wonderful to dream? I also would keep very quiet about it. However, because I buy all the lottery, lotto and powerball tickets for the Science faculty every term (10-week special) the guys here continually worry if I don't turn up to work, especially on Mondays (after the Sat. Night lotto)....

How exciting for them.
Apparently the other winner (approx $20million) is supposedly 23 years old; and if he invests his winnings he could live on $30,000 interest each week!!! So, he would get per week what it takes us almost a year to earn! I cannot even imagine that.

Did anyone else hear that last Tuesday night OZ LOTTO winners were all apparently "LAB TECHNICIANS" ? Has anyone retired recently? Are we all still at work?

Sorry - the other one didn't attach. Here it is. Oops, it is too big to fit - I don't know how to reduce it.

These A4 colourful sheets with "Asian Vegetable" names and descriptions are available to all of you. I saw some wonderful posters on display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show at the Dept of Primary Industries and asked them to send me one of the large Asian Veg.... ones. It is really great, ...

Oh Ian, I would be tearing my hair out. My Mum dreads every time I go to visit her because I clean out a cupboard, her pantry, her garage, whatever. It was 13 years after my dad died that she finally let me get rid of his flannellete pyjamas. He died in 1980, and she still has his work uniform hangi...

A lab Assistant further down the coast contacted me saying that the Departmental testers told her that they never test for "exhaust" just that the fans do work, and if a light is fitted, that the light works. How much do they care about us. As at today 10th April, still nothing has been do...