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FIND KNOX | JULY 2022
www.findknox.com.au
Will we see record snowfalls in 2022? By Warren Strybosch
The ski season started off with high expectations and predications are that 2022 would be the season for record snow falls. We saw Victoria’s ski fields covered in early-season snow that broke 22-year records but was that an early prediction of what is yet to come or just mother nature teasing us once again. A great ski season may still become a reality but so far, the season has been a mixed one, with high snow falls one week and then rain the next turning all the snow into mush. As at time of writing this article, Falls Creek had 80 out of 90 trails open, Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Resort only had 2 out of 17 open, Mt. Buller had 14 out of 61 open, Mt. Hotham only had 63 of its 100 trails open. Currently, most of the snow can be found at Mt. Buller. Personally, I am hoping that the best of the season is yet to come as I am heading up to Falls with the family in September. “In terms of getting snow this early and before Queen’s Birthday, it has only
Open Dinner Plain 3 days ago
Falls Creek Alpine Resort 3 days ago
Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Resort 3 days ago
Snowfall
Base Depth
1"
1-3"
Jun 30
Powder
0"
24-29"
Jul 08
Machine Groomed
4"
12-12"
Jul 08
Powder
Mt. Buller
3"
19-19"
3 days ago
Jul 08
Packed Powder
3"
20-29"
Jul 08
Wet Snow
Mt. Hotham 3 days ago
happened twice in the last 50 years [on record].” Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Matthew Thomas said the strong snowfalls were a result of a burst of cold air pushing over south-east Australia and high precipitation. With Victorian ski resorts been hit hard over the past 2 years due to Covidrestrictions leading to shortened seasons,
Open Trails
Open Lifts
1/1
1/1
N.A.
3/14
2/17
3/7
14/61
18/22
63/100
10/13
many ski business operators are really hoping that this year will be a great year for their businesses and those who love going to the snow. Many business owners are feeling optimistic for the remaining season. If you happen to be up at Falls Creek and see a guy with a ‘Find’ cap on having a coffee, feel free to stop and have a chat. Happy skiing everyone.
Pilots pressured to fly while tired: union “The (survey) results show workers continue to bear the brunt of aviation’s peaks and troughs while profit-fanatic executives draw bonuses and exorbitant salaries.
By Liv Casben (Australian Associated Press)
Australian pilots are being pressured to fly while tired and work around “unstable” rosters, according to a union survey.
“We need a commission to rebalance aviation, support good jobs, and ensure Australians can always rely on safe and secure skies.”
The survey by the newly-merged Transport Workers Union and Virgin Independent Pilots’ Association has highlighted concerns about job security after thousands of aviation workers were stood down earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 150 respondents from multiple companies, more than half said roster uncertainty was pressuring pilots to work while tired or unfit to fly. The vast majority expressed concerns about fatigue management and believed there was a growing trend towards insecure work. Workers will meet in Perth on Tuesday for the official launch of the TWU’s pilots division after the merger was recently approved by the Fair Work Commission.
Rex pilots, represented by the Australian Federation of Air Pilots, last month voted to take protected industrial action after years-long wage negotiations stalled. One respondent to the TWU survey said industry morale was at an “all-time low”, with the pandemic used as an excuse to erode wages and conditions. “Bringing pilots into the TWU means all aviation workers benefit from the might of collectivism, from the ground and baggage room right through to the flight deck,” TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said.
“Very few pilots would view this as a sustainable career in the long term anymore,” another respondent said. “We have no job security, are asked to work more for less and have no control of our lives due to rostering practices.”
