Telstra, You Had Better Hope No-One Dies, While You Can't Provide an Essential Service

This problem has been on going for 50 or more years (I've lived here for 15 years) and the previous owners (widow) had to walk down the road to report her husbands death because the telephone wasn't working AGAIN.

27.11.09 I've Never Been So Scared

13.11.10 How Many Faults and How Many Deaths?

16.11.10 Update on Telstra fault of 13th November 2010

17.11.10 Update No. 2 on Telstra fault of 13th November 2010

That's just the BIG memorable events on the last 3 years.......... There has been days where the phones don't work and I report and it's fixed without Telstra even telling me that it's fixed........ It's even feasible that the phone lines go down and I don't realise, if I get home late and the kids are with me and I have no need to talk to them.

2001 - Our boat was stolen and the police didn't believe me that we hadn't had phones for a one week.

November 2003 - The neighbours house was burgled and we hadn't had phones for two weeks.

January 2004 - I've been forced to go to work WITH my leg in plaster due to a broken leg, due to the bushfire risk (Remembering 2009 Black Saturday Fires were only 10  minutes or less from my front door)

I am FORCED out of my OWN pocket to pay for a separate line on the 'newer' network because Telstra CAN NOT or WILL NOT fix my main line and keep it fixed.

We CAN NOT rely on mobiles as the reception is patchy at the BEST OF TIMES :( it works if you hold one arm in the air, stand on ladder on one leg on top of the roof with your elbow touching the chimney. (joke) but I think you get my message.

We are 40km from the Melbourne CBD, and yet we can't get basic services, (including water) Power is also quite unreliable at times, including being 7 days without power ONCE in 15 years. But often we can lose power for 2-3 days at time, although recently this has improved. We still get many brown-outs

But back to telephones, I've rung 132200 (which is written in BIG letters on the back on phone) I've already unplugged the handsets (yet they STILL instruct me to do so) I repeat it's ALREADY DONE.

I wait 20 minutes and finally get a reference number from Telstra. I request the phone be diverted to the OTHER LINE THAT I PAY FOR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET because of Telstra's inability to provide a basic service.

I have my reference number with an estimated restore date of 4th April 2012. I have my phone diverted.

I THOUGHT I had my phone diverted, I only became aware it was INcorrectly diverted thanks to a Telstra technician, it turns out that the diversion number put in place WAS INCORRECT. Telstra OVERSEAS CALL-CENTRE can't even get THAT RIGHT.

Finally my diversion phone is working THAT I PAY FOR FROM MY OWN POCKET, THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO IF TELSTRA DID THEIR JOB.

Did you know - I am first name basis with the phone technicians?

That's how OFTEN this happens

Telstra pull up your pants........................... because God help you if ANYONE I KNOW and care about dies because of your inability to rectify a 50 YEAR OLD FAULT

Service finally restored 3pm on Monday the 2nd April 2012

My Favourite photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment!

Sunrise over Apollo Bay taken 4th Feburary 2012

Sunrise over Apollo Bay with cray boat taken 4th Feburary 2012

Sunrise over Apollo Bay taken 4th Feburary 2012

Sunrise over Apollo Bay taken 4th Feburary 2012

Please do NOT copy any of the photos on this blog - if you would like to use any photos, please leave a comment with contact details, Photos will be supplied without watermark and at full size. All comments are moderated and won't be shown to the public. Thank-you Please note that no photo has been photoshopped on this blog, cropped yes, photoshopped NO!. Enjoy all of natures beauty!

My Favourite photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment!

Sunrise over Apollo Bay. Taken 4th February 2012

Sunrise at Apollo Bay and a bird skimming the surface of the waves. Taken 4th February 2012

 Sunrise at Apollo Bay and rocks awash in waves. Taken 4th February 2012

Sunrise at Apollo Bay and a bird skimming the surface of the waves. Taken 4th February 2012

Please do NOT copy any of the photos on this blog - if you would like to use any photos, please leave a comment with contact details, Photos will be supplied without watermark and at full size. All comments are moderated and won't be shown to the public. Thank-you

Please note that no photo has been photoshopped on this blog, cropped yes, photoshopped NO!. Enjoy all of natures beauty!

My Favourite photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment!

Artwork on the Apollo Bay Foreshore. Handcarved timber and with some brilliant detailing. Taken 27th January 2012

A family of seals, again handcarved and this time painted, the detail is amazing. Taken 27th January 2012

A view of the Apollo Bay Golf Course, in the distance you can see the ocean. It's a picturesque golf course and one I'd imagine would be a challenging course, so close to the sea. Taken 5th February 2012

A shot of the Apollo Bay Harbour, the water almost still. A calm day. Taken Taken 5th February 2012

Please do NOT copy any of the photos on this blog - if you would like to use any photos, please leave a comment with contact details, Photos will be supplied without watermark and at full size. All comments are moderated and won't be shown to the public. Thank-you

Please note that no photo has been photoshopped on this blog, cropped yes, photoshopped NO!. Enjoy all of natures beauty!

Bad Employee, Bad Employer, Bad Luck or Bullying?

I almost didn't write this blog post, but then figured why the hell not? I've got nothing to lose, already lost my job, what next?

3 weeks ago I was forced to resign from a job that was close to home, with hours perfect for kids pick up and drop off. It was essentially the perfect job.

I didn’t want to resign, but was forced to.

I have thought about taking it ‘further’, but realised the effort of actually pursuing the matter would be emotionally and financially draining. I doubt I would be able to see it through to the end without damaging my state of mind.

The circumstances went something like this. I started in July 2011, working predominantly with one other female in the office. The two owners were mostly onsite and not in the office. My hours were shorter (as offered by management at commencement) and not negotiated by myself. I often got the feeling that many things occurred after I left and I was never informed.

On the job training consisted of about 10 hours and then I was left to my own devices. Knowledge of the business, past experiences, bills paid, not paid and why; were all in the head of the previous employee along with the owners. But none of this was made available to me.

Management weren’t interested in using the account payable reports to pay invoices, they would just willy nilly pay accounts and then curse when they double paid amounts.

General sharing of information was not done, not even in general conversation. I learnt of many things via overheard phone calls and only then was able to determine that I knew something that may have been of benefit to the company.

Requests for stationery, still unfulfilled in February, 5 months after requesting verbally and via email.

When you walk into an office, it is generally considered good manners to say good morning. Well I consider it so.... but it is also customary and polite to return the greeting. Which rarely occurred, especially if I was on the ‘black list’ of my colleague for that day/week/month.

Often, a period of 6-8 hours would pass without one word being spoken, which I found intimidating; when I attempted to make conversation I was completely ignored.

The straw that broke the camels back was when I was in the middle of processing wages and I was asked to do something, I said ‘hang on for a minute, I’m busy’ and within 20sec of me uttering those words, My colleague was on the phone, DOBBING on me...... for failing to following her instructions. Not only did she NOT give me a chance to defend myself, but was talking about me in the third person and being completely slanderous.

I resigned there and then, offering 2 weeks notice. This resignation was not acknowledged until 3 days later and nothing addressed until  5 days later and I was told by management they would consider all options and see what they could do.......... 2 days later I was told to finish up before my resignation period had ended.

What hurts the most is that 24hours after I advised in writing I was resigning,(which is BEFORE any consultation occurred)  a key word job search, throws up the same position now advertised as full-time. It hurts because I busted my gut to do what needed to be done within the timeframes on a part-time basis and suddenly the same position within the same company is being advertised full-time.

The company has a history of bullying, of intimidation, lying and general deception and deceit, management trusted no-one and yet they let many things slide in an attempt to keep employees they think are useful to the company, yet are the worst offenders.

One comment made by management during discussions was “why didn’t you bring this to us earlier?’ my reply was, “The rule of first one in, first one out applies. I come to work to work and not play politics; I figured if I played the adult, my work colleague would snap out of it. Instead I’m forced to resign. I’m happy for you not to accept to resignation, and I’m happy to stay as the position is perfect hours and location.”  Response “I’ll see what I can do.”

Nothing happened......... nothing at all........... Now I’m trying to find work, in a near depression economy.

Why weren’t the issues of bullying addressed as they promised to?

Why was a part-time position made full-time position, even before I had finished and why wasn’t I offered the full-time position?

I don’t believe management even attempted to address the issues I stated, nor did they have any intentions of doing so.

"Are you Disabled?".................

Today I stood in shock as I was abused by a self-righteous Bitch (yes B****) who believes that she is entitled to park in handicapped parking spot because she has parked there for 3 years (So she claims)

Unfortunately I require a stick to walk any sort of distance and crutches for anything over about 500m and especially if the ground is uneven.

This woman (refer female dog) harassed me – repeating the words, ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’ ‘Are you disabled?’

Not once or twice, but multiple times. All I said to her was, “are you aware this is a permit zone?’ meaning handicapped parking and she lays into me like no tomorrow.

Claiming she had been parking there for 3 years (I can guarantee NOT) and getting very abusive in the process. I KNOW she hasn’t been parking there for 3 years, because I’ve been working here off and on for 9 years and have not yet photographed THAT car, parked illegally in the handicapped parking area.

What makes this even harder to understand is; she is a HEALTH CARE WORKER ON HOSPITAL GROUNDS……………….

NOW…….. If the shoe had been on the other foot – i.e. her mother or father, God help ANYONE who got in her way.

More and more frequently I find that people feel they are ‘entitled’ to do whatever they please, whenever they please, to whomever they please, just because they can. I’m not just talking about handicapped parking, I’m talking about lines at supermarkets, disabled toilets,  at doctors clinics, at fuel bowsers and even whilst in the presence of their children! It's happening everywhere that the public are forced to interact with one another.

Please feel free to share you story.

I am completely over the entitled few that are making my world a horrible place to interact in, because you never know when someone will attack you with words, fists or even weapons.

Have you come across similar instances, have you been abused like this? Do you have a story/ies, you’d like to share?

This is todays offender


There are some past offenders, both on and off hospital grounds.

http://www.twitpic.com/63pf0k
http://www.twitpic.com/5jf25s
http://www.twitpic.com/5idq7j The sign I've taken to putting under windscreen wipers
http://www.twitpic.com/5fu2m8
http://www.twitpic.com/5eh7xl
http://www.twitpic.com/5eh79d
http://www.twitpic.com/5eh6xm
http://www.twitpic.com/5eh7kn
http://www.twitpic.com/5cimta
http://www.twitpic.com/55mkty
http://www.twitpic.com/51obhm
http://www.twitpic.com/4zf80p

My Favourite photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment!

These photos are taken on the Apollo Bay - Forrest Road, which is near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. A wonderful drive and beautiful scenery that changes with every corner you take!

All the above photos taken the 5th February 2012.

Please do NOT copy any of the photos on this blog - if you would like to use any photos, please leave a comment with contact details, Photos will be supplied without watermark and at full size. All comments are moderated and won't be shown to the public. Thank-you

 Please note that no photo has been photoshopped on this blog, cropped yes, photoshopped NO!. Enjoy all of natures beauty!