australiauncovered.com

Noosa International Food and Wine Festival

Vicky Gray — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:02:19 +0000

Noosa International Food & Wine Festival

The Noosa International Food & Wine Festival has emerged as the most highly regarded culinary event in Australia. Over 200 of Australia’s most respected and gifted chefs, winemakers, foodies and media come together to share their talents and style at the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival.

Yummm, Noosa Food and Wine Festival!!!
Last time I was there, I had the best time – ‘Bjorn Again’ were playing…
and I soooo thought I was Agnetha…! (dream on…)

http://australiauncovered.com/blog/australias-frequent-festivals/

Did I mention I have an Amazon Bestseller?

Vicky Gray — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:43:34 +0000

Yes, firmly stuck at number 2 in the Amazon Bestseller chart for this week is….

…and I also managed to work out how to use ‘snippit’ to take the screenshot!

Is there any end to my talents…?

Mother’s Day in Australia – in May… errr again?

Vicky Gray — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:59:25 +0000

I’d just cracked my knuckles and sat down at my desk all ready to deliver a new post dedicated to Mother’s Day.. Yet as I started writing… something seemed strangely familiar…

I soon realised that I’d blogged about Mother’s day being in May in Australia about three years ago – so I went into my archives and retrieved it.

What I didn’t expect – was for me to burst out crying…

Of course, three years ago, I’d written about my own Mother not getting her Mother’s Day gift in March, due to me being in Oz and totally forgetting the whole March/May Uk/Oz thing…

However, the reason I started blubbering all over the keyboard, was because my mum died two years ago.

It made me remember how precious the moments we have with our Mothers are – and it’s for that reason that I’m going to re-post that blog…

… and I hope my Mum knows (wherever she is) that she was an inspiration to me and I love her very much.

May 2009

This weeks blog is dedicated to all the mothers of children who are living over here in Oz….

Please don’t feel rejected by your heartless children on Mothers Day back in March, when your gift or card didn’t arrive… it’s simply because the UK and Australia celebrate this occasion on different days.

So we are sorry that you sat gazing at the letterbox, awaiting the gentle landing of your Mothering Sunday card onto the hall mat…

… or if you watched eagerly as the Inter-flora vans floored it past your house – with no intention of delivering even a wilted gladioli.

It’s not that we didn’t care enough to send you flowers or cards.

Its just that we totally forgot!!

Mother’s Day is celebrated in May in Australia – and it is hyped up to maximum proportions with TV commercials egging everyone to ‘treat mum to a brekkie at McDonalds’ , ‘take mum to KFC for lunch’ and ‘Don’t let mum cook dinner – go and get her a Whopper at Hungry Jacks’

….is it just me, or on Mother’s Day, sitting in a fast food joint with my elbows nestled in the last customers tomato sauce spillage with my feet glued to the floor by various sticky solutions, isn’t my idea of relaxation.

But after being woken excitedly at 5.45am to open three homemade cards with green dried pasta sellotaped furiously into heart shapes; a baked bean tin with a small shrub growing in it and a Dustbuster…

…How could I be so selfish??

So a compromise was met, brekkie at McDonald’s then later in the afternoon, a picnic up in the hills – to watch the sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains.

How romantic…

…it could have been, if I hadn’t been wiping tomato sauce of my children’s elbows and standing in sticky puddles of our own spilt lemonade.

Never mind – it’s more than my own mum got back in March…. OOPS!

Move to Australia – with Australia Uncovered

Vicky Gray — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:53 +0000

Moving to Australia – A few things you need to know.

Vicky Gray — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:05:44 +0000

The road to non-splitting pants…

Vicky Gray — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:22:32 +0000

Following on from last weeks post of “Australia has made me fat”… I was curious to watch a movie I had seen floating around at work, and then again in Woolies by the fruit and veg section – I saw this as a sign, so I popped into Blockbusters and sat down for an evenings viewing of “Fat, Sick and nearly Dead” – (light entertainment?)

It’s a true story about an overweight Aussie chap who had suffered with skin problems for many years, and wanted to get off medication and just become healthier… or he’d die – in a nutshell.

So he starts a whole new way of eating…. or actually not eating, just juicing.
Juicing only fruit and veg for 60 days – and the results were incredible!

So, out I rushed to Harvey Norman to get…. this!

Next I dropped into ‘the fruit factory’ to get this…..

So for a whole week now I’ve been mixing up broccoli, spinach, beetroot, carrot, pear – you name it, I’ve juiced it.

For Breakfast…

Mean, green raw stuff..

Lunch….

Carrot and apple Coolio...

…and dinner.

Beetroot, parsnip and pineapple Boost

I have to say, after the first couple of days of feeling like my throat had been cut, I now feel fantastic – vibrant and alive…!

The only downside to this super-healthy way to live, is that the invites from friends has slowly decreased…
Could it be that it’s because winter has finally kicked in?

Or it could be because my breath is like fermenting compost….?

‘Vicky’ Uncovered…

Vicky Gray — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:31:02 +0000

Now it’s not that I entirely blame Australia for the fact that I’ve gained a few pounds, however over the years it does seem to be the case.

Only last week I bent down at my son’s daycare to remove a sticklebrick that had become wedged between his foot and his thong, when I heard an almighty RRRRRIIIIIPPPPPPPP…

I've spared you from the original photo of when I was in them, which I think you would thank me for.

Luckily the room was full of distracted parents chatting about sleep patterns and vegetables – or whatever good mothers talk about, so I was able to back out of the building with my bag firmly hiding my open seat.

But the point I’m leading to, is that Australia really does have to take some blame – it’s now firmly into autumn and the weather is still so darn good that we are forced to take advantage and have social gatherings every weekend. last week we had an Italian night, tonight we’re off for a barbie and next week is picnic takeaway on the beach… no wonder I’m busting out of my clothes faster than Lou Ferrigno.

Tune in next week…. as I have a cunning plan to banish my barbecue blubber….

Australia and New Zealand Magazine Article

Vicky Gray — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:10:51 +0000

Would you believe, I don’t think I ever posted this…!

How timely, what with Titanic and everything (wha?)

1770 Article by Vicky Gray

I wonder what else I can find in my archives….!

Planning to Work in Australia? Get qualified before leaving home!

Vicky Gray — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:04:03 +0000

Look what plopped into my inbox this morning from those very helpful guys at Australia & New Zealand Magazine...

I thought I’d better share with your guys!…



Planning to work in Australia?		Get qualified before leaving home!

Whether planning a working holiday or relocating permanently, there are mandatory qualifications required with the Australian Construction and Hospitality Industries. After hearing many enquiries from potential students finding it hard to gain employment as they do not have the Australian Qualifications that employers are asking for, Training Stars has made the leap to offer Australian Qualifications in the UK and Ireland. Let Training Stars help you on your journey. Gain nationally recognised Australian qualifications before you leave home! Training Stars Training Solutions Through established partnership arrangements with a number of Registered Training Organisations in Australia Training Stars is able to offer an extensive and diverse range of Australian Nationally Recognised Vocational Qualifications. In addition, Training Stars has been approved by various state government departments to deliver state specific training to give their clients the best opportunities to gain employment possible. Course Overviews White Card CPCCOHS1001A Work Safely in the Construction Industry The White Card is a mandatory introduction to Occupational Health & Safety concepts for the Building & Construction Industry – and is highly desired in across the mining industry. The course relates directly to the general induction training program specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (ASCC 2007). It covers the ability to demonstrate personal awareness of OHS legislative requirements, the basic principles of risk management and prevention of injury and illness in the construction industry. The White Card is the Australian version of the CSCS Card in the UK, or the Safe Pass in Ireland. Unfortunately you cannot transfer your international qualifications – you will need the Australian White Card. Certificate IV in Occupational Health & Safety BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health & Safety (AQF4) This qualification would suit an OHS officer in a full-time or part-time role who works under the supervision of an OHS Coordinator or OHS Manager. This course reflects the role of safety focused individuals who use developed health and safety skills in a wide variety of workplace situations. The course covers an introduction to the Australian OHS Legislation Framework; the principles of risk management and how to apply safety solutions to a range of common workplace problems. The Certificate IV in OH&S is highly regarded in the Construction, Mining and Health Industries – if you are looking for employer sponsorship this qualification on your resume might just be the thing that puts you ahead of the rest! Responsible Service of Alcohol SITHFAB009A Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol The Responsible Service of Alcohol (or RSA) is a legal requirement in Australia throughout the hospitality industry. The Australian and State governments have introduced licensing laws for those involved in selling, supplying and serving alcohol. It is an attempt to educate and train employees in the liquor industry, and help reduce high levels of intoxication and violence that occurs on and around licensed premises. Additional Training Solutions Qualification Conversions There are many UK and Irish vocational qualifications which have “corresponding” Australian qualifications. Training Stars is working with a number of Training Organisations in the UK and Ireland to identify these “matching” qualifications and determine where credit can be given in the related Australian Qualification. These “Conversion Packs” will enable candidates who have completed the UK/Irish qualification an opportunity to be recognised for the work they have already done and complete any additional requirements (ie address any “gaps”) between the two. Examples of projects currently underway are:
	UK/Irish Qualification NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety City & Guild Vocational Training Qualifications – D31 & D32 City & Guild Vocational Assessment/Verification Qualifications – A1 & V1	Australian Qualification BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health & Safety BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health & Safety TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
	Skill Assessments/Recognition of Prior Learning For clients who do not hold qualifications which “convert” to Australian Qualifications, individual Assessments are available to assess the clients qualifications; skills; knowledge and work experience and determine an appropriate personalised training program to address any additional qualification requirements. This process can also be undertaken for those who do not hold any qualifications – but do have sufficient (min 2 years) experience in their field. Areas which are currently being offered under this program are:
	Vocational Trainers/Assessors Health & Safety Officers/Personnel Office/Administration Managers Administration Officers	Vocational Trainers/Assessors Health & Safety Officers/Personnel Office/Administration Managers Administration Officers
	Check out www.trainingstars.co.uk for course dates and to book online

Moving to Australia?

Vicky Gray — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:41:15 +0000

Well, you’re in luck…!
The new edition of Didgeridoos and Didgeridon’ts about to be unveiled in about 2 weeks time…

Fully revised, fully updated…

…and it fully has the ‘Amazon Best Seller’ title added to it!

So watch out – time to hit the media again.. first interview next week (… hmm must get my roots done)