SurfAid Cup to Raise Funds for Impoverished Surfing Communities

Words Anthony Maguire

Photo Bill Morris

Demand for labour is still at all-time highs.

Easing of Visa Restrictions to Help Businesses Attract and Retain Staff

Good news for local businesses struggling to find staff - the federal government has recently relaxed visa restrictions for non-Australian workers.

Before you say ‘Hey, that’s dudding Aussie workers out of jobs,’ it’s worth noting that many young Australians are reluctant to commit to jobs in hospitality, retail, building and a number of other sectors.

That has certainly been the experience of Bondi Migration agent Brendan Muldoon.

“It seems most of our kids don’t want to make beds, wait tables or work in construction and various other sectors,” he told The Beast.

When COVID came along, the bulk of the foreign-born labour pool had to say adios to Australia because jobs disappeared. That has left a void where numerous businesses in the Eastern Beaches face challenges finding staff post-COVID.

“At a lot of Eastern Suburbs restaurants, the owners are having to double as waiters and chefs,” said Brendan.

“I recently got married and booked a pre-wedding dinner for all my mates, then at the last minute was told we’d only be able to have finger food because there were no kitchen staff.”

But now Canberra has created a number of new visa options which offer incentives for attracting and retaining staff. There’s the 408 Visa, which is a free 12-month working visa for anyone currently working and with a visa expiring before July. And for skilled workers, the 186 Visa opens the prospect of permanent residency to a much broader range of occupations, including café managers, web and graphic designers, marketing and public relations workers.

“Previously only highly-skilled workers could apply for permanent residency,” Mr Muldoon explained.

In addition, the 485 Visa is open to students who’ve completed a two-year diploma (previously bachelor’s degree), making it easier for people to remain in Australia after their studies.

For more information, please visit bondimigration.com.au.

Local residents interested in helping surfing communities in remote parts of Indonesia and the Solomon Islands are invited to get involved in the SurfAid Cup, taking place at Bondi Beach on Friday, May 26.

SurfAid assists vulnerable overseas surfing communities with healthcare, clean water and food. Now in its seventh year, the SurfAid Cup is run by Surfing NSW and this year’s fundraising target is $100,000.

To get involved, surfers can visit surfaidcupbondi.com.au to register their team of four fundraisers.

“The teams can be from local businesses, schools or even groups of friends,” explained spokesperson Claire Stafford.

On the day, the team size is raised to five with the addition of a professional surfer. Past notables who’ve lent their names to the event include Matt ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson and Joel Pilgrim. Participants then plunge into the surf for tag team heats, followed by an awards ceremony and refreshments at event sponsor Salty’s. Fishbowl, Cali Press and Bondi Brewing Co. are also supporting the event.

John Anders Ward's Memory Lives On

Words Nicola Smith

Class of 1971 Reunited at Randwick Girls High School

Many things have changed for pupils at Randwick Girls High in the past half century. Enforcement of dress codes, for example.

“The principal was very concerned about the length of skirts,” said Josephine Anderson, one of the Year 12 students from the Class of 1971 who recently got together for a reunion.

“We had to kneel down on the concrete and a ruler was used to measure the distance between the bottom of the skirt and concrete - it had to be no more than four inches.”

“Of course, we always used to hitch the skirts straight back up again!” recounted Jane Maloney, another former pupil attending the reunion at their alma mater.

In 1971, there were 72 pupils in the final class (in those days called Sixth Form), and two dozen made it to the reunion, some travelling from afar. Jane Maloney, for instance, came down from southern Queens- land for the get-together. Others travelled from Victoria and Tasmania.

Nine of the women at the reunion still live in the Eastern Suburbs and former class captain Linda Zilber resides in Bondi. Linda told of how when they were First Formers, they were the first class to move into the then-brand new school.

“We walked in double file from the old school, which is now Randwick Public School,” she explained.

“For the next six months we were the only class here. The rest of the classes joined us six months later.”

The current principal of Randwick Girls High School, Lucy André (who, rest assured, does not kneel girls on the ground and measure how much thigh is exposed!), said she is happy to host more reunions.

“Whenever I get contacted, I do my best to make them happen,” she told The Beast.

“I love them, I think they bring so much to the school.”

The annual Forever Johnno Raffle and Auction will return to the Sports Bar at the Coogee Bay Hotel from 7pm on Friday, May 26 to raise important funds for sick children.

Organised by Mal Ward in memory of his son, John Anders Ward, the event raises vital funds for the Clancy Ward at Westmead Children’s Hospital. The Clancy Ward, where John received the majority of his treatment, cares for children with liver and kidney problems.

John was only 20 months old when he had his first liver transplant after being diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic liver condition. He had a second transplant when he was eight, which sadly wasn’t successful, and he passed away on August 29, 2008.

Mr Ward started fundraising soon after John’s first diagnosis. Well over $250,000 has been raised so far, supplying extra beds that allow parents to sleep next to their children in the ward, an electrocardiography (ECG) machine, portable TVs, Xboxes and cupboards full of games and books.

To donate to Forever Johnno, please call Mal on 0414 293 396