Mika4Life13 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Kelz!!!!!!!!! How are you doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 hello all! how are you today? are things getting better? i didn't have a chance to check the news today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelzy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Kelz!!!!!!!!! How are you doing? Hey Honey Pie!! MSN?? hello all! how are you today?are things getting better? i didn't have a chance to check the news today Hey G! How are you? I haven't had a chance either. Been really busy here. But I'll check quickly now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika4Life13 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hey Honey Pie!! MSN?? Hey G! How are you? I haven't had a chance either. Been really busy here. But I'll check quickly now. Yeah but I have to go soon - I haz work tomorrow at 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelzy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 One week on fire fighters still battling One week after Victoria's deadly bushfires began thousands of fire fighters continue to fight the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Mild conditions with light winds today are expected to assist fire fighters tackling the deadly bushfires which have claimed at least 181 lives destroyed 18-hundred homes and burned 400-thousand ha. Six main fires are still burning uncontrolled including blazes at Kinglake, Yea-Murrindindi, Maroondah-Yarra, Bunyip, Churchill and Beechworth-Murmungee. Fire authorities say blazes around Mount Riddell and Mount Juliet east of Melbourne are not expected to threaten nearby residents but ash may fall around Healesville. Controlled burning will continue around Toolangi and Healesville in an attempt to strengthen fire control lines. Thousands of Victorian and interstate fire fighters will be joined by 52 officers from New Zealand on Saturday and a further 60 from the United States on Sunday. Meanwhile a man arrested yesterday has been charged with various crimes including arson and possessing child pornography remains in custody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 One week on fire fighters still battling One week after Victoria's deadly bushfires began thousands of fire fighters continue to fight the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Mild conditions with light winds today are expected to assist fire fighters tackling the deadly bushfires which have claimed at least 181 lives destroyed 18-hundred homes and burned 400-thousand ha. Six main fires are still burning uncontrolled including blazes at Kinglake, Yea-Murrindindi, Maroondah-Yarra, Bunyip, Churchill and Beechworth-Murmungee. Fire authorities say blazes around Mount Riddell and Mount Juliet east of Melbourne are not expected to threaten nearby residents but ash may fall around Healesville. Controlled burning will continue around Toolangi and Healesville in an attempt to strengthen fire control lines. Thousands of Victorian and interstate fire fighters will be joined by 52 officers from New Zealand on Saturday and a further 60 from the United States on Sunday. Meanwhile a man arrested yesterday has been charged with various crimes including arson and possessing child pornography remains in custody. incredible... such a tragedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakie Doke Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I wouldn't strictly class where I live as suburbia - the area itself is suburban but the area is surrounded by undeveloped land (i.e. just grass and trees) and a few streets away from my house is a footy oval and parks also full of trees. If a fire were to start in the small hills that encircle the area or on the other side where the parks are there are basically only two main roads to exit the area. If a fire were to hedge in the whole area or if people leaving were to bottleneck the roads things could end pretty badly, so they're the kind of situations that you just hope will never happen. And the odds are that they won't ever happen - unless people start things themselves of course. Hm, but are the houses all on small blocks and near each other? The thing with the towns that got burnt down is like, they had a small amount of people/homes spread across a large area, but when it's densly packed houses with no bushland inbetween them, firefighters have a targetted area to keep safe, unlike in the country areas where they have to keep the entire town/area safe. And suburban blocks, where the gardens take up less space than the houses, it's not exactly prime fuel for a fire. I dunno, I'm just saying, where I am now I would just get the **** out as soon as I can, as I would if I lived in a small town, but in a suburb with high density housing I would worry a lot less. There has never been a fire in Karnup in the 15 years I've lived in this area, but there have been 4 in Secret Harbour, directly across the road from me (there's no houses across the road, just very dry fast-burning bushland, my parent's chose that block for the view Secret Harbour is surrounded by bushland on all sides, BUT it's also very close to the ocean so water bombers can get to work quite easily. No one in karnup gives a crap about fire hazards, there is a guy on our street who has a bonfire burning rubbish every single Sunday, i drove past him on my way home from work every week. Our block, with the arrow, is basically the only one in the whole area that has a proper fire break, there are like 4 trees in total on our block, and no where near the house, not that it would make much difference if all the blocks around us caught fire. And fire fighters would have no where to protect, they would just have to try to stop the fire, which it pretty futile, but in Secret Harbour they just stand at the fence and block the fire from making it to the homes and wait for it to burnt out. Students who are receiving Youth Allowance will receive it - the rest, including myself, will not. The reason why they're giving the money to people who are employed is because they're more likely to spend the money which is the point of the stimulus package: feeding the money into the economy to stimulate it. Errrr, what the hell. It makes no sense at all. What about all the people who lost everything in the fires? Are you sure you don't get it? That totally sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinghorse83 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 hello dear neighbours! what is the current situation with the fires/ floods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet-dreams Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Happy Valentines Day everyone! I got a flower.. ..from my dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soangel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Good morning Becs Morning (afternoon) now Hmmm. Maybe. Ok. Is Maybe. Ok similar in anyway to maybeyes? *zhhz* Errrr, what the hell. It makes no sense at all. What about all the people who lost everything in the fires? Are you sure you don't get it? That totally sucks. There's actually a compensation fund set up for them so that regardless of income they get (and should already have) immediate payments through Centrelink, regardless of whether they're on centrelink payments or not. I can't remember the amount but its around 400 per child and I think 950 for adults to help them until the insurance comes in, plus some of them are eligible for payments from the stimulus package as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soangel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) I was curious so I googled the Rudd stimulus package (gee that could sound kind of dirty) http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/02/04/1233423265116.html The Federal Government will dole out cash payments to more than 13 million Australians as part of its $42 billion stimulus package designed to stave off a recession and limit job losses. Every one of the estimated 8.7 million Australian workers earning $100,000 or less will receive up to $950 as part of the plan, which also throws $26 billion at road, home and school building projects, the Government said. From early April, anyone earning $80,000 or less will be paid the full $950; people earning between $80,000 and $90,000 will get $650; and those earning between $90,000 and $100,000 will receive $300. You must have lodged a 2007-2008 tax return to receive the cash, to be paid from April. Those who haven't yet lodged a return can do so until the end of June this year and still be eligible for their bonus. Families will benefit, too. An additional $950 will be paid to an estimated 1.5 million single-income families where the main breadwinner earns up to $150,000. Low- and middle-income families will also receive $950 for each child aged between four and 18 to help with education costs. About 21,000 farmers or farm-dependent small business owners will be paid a $950 hardship bonus. And students, apprentices and unemployed people who undertake study will be eligible for a $950 training and learning bonus. The plan builds on the $10 billion "economic security" package unveiled in December. In an address to the nation last night, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the Government was prepared to plunge into a "temporary" $22.5 billion budget deficit this year in defence of Australian jobs. "I recognise that a temporary deficit may not be popular," Mr Rudd said. "But that is the global reality we face with virtually all governments now in deficit. I cannot remove the impact of the global recession on Australian jobs but by Government action we can reduce it." On another key front, 2.7 million homes will receive free ceiling insulation and the solar hot water rebate will be increased from $1000 to $1600 and will not be means-tested. The Government says the measures will shave $200 a year off household energy bills and kick along a growing industry. One building in all of the country's 9540 schools will be built or upgraded, 20,000 social housing dwellings will be built and 800 new Defence homes will be constructed. The package also allocates $890 million to local road and national highway projects. And small businesses buying eligible assets will receive a 30 cent-in-the-dollar investment tax break in a measure totalling $2.7 billion. Their not very clear on whether by students they just mean Centrelink students or all students though but I think it is just Centrelink students, which sucks majorly for those who aren't eligible for centrelink Edited February 14, 2009 by soangel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinghorse83 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 i'm watching about it on TV right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTwat Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) One week on fire fighters still battling One week after Victoria's deadly bushfires began thousands of fire fighters continue to fight the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Mild conditions with light winds today are expected to assist fire fighters tackling the deadly bushfires which have claimed at least 181 lives destroyed 18-hundred homes and burned 400-thousand ha. Six main fires are still burning uncontrolled including blazes at Kinglake, Yea-Murrindindi, Maroondah-Yarra, Bunyip, Churchill and Beechworth-Murmungee. Fire authorities say blazes around Mount Riddell and Mount Juliet east of Melbourne are not expected to threaten nearby residents but ash may fall around Healesville. Controlled burning will continue around Toolangi and Healesville in an attempt to strengthen fire control lines. Thousands of Victorian and interstate fire fighters will be joined by 52 officers from New Zealand on Saturday and a further 60 from the United States on Sunday. Meanwhile a man arrested yesterday has been charged with various crimes including arson and possessing child pornography remains in custody. A friend of Dad's has now lost a whole olive farm and his cattle in the Yea fire. But luckily the fire hasn't reached closer than 2km away from their house in Whittlesea, they should be safe as long as the conditions stay stable. Hm, but are the houses all on small blocks and near each other? The thing with the towns that got burnt down is like, they had a small amount of people/homes spread across a large area, but when it's densly packed houses with no bushland inbetween them, firefighters have a targetted area to keep safe, unlike in the country areas where they have to keep the entire town/area safe. And suburban blocks, where the gardens take up less space than the houses, it's not exactly prime fuel for a fire. I dunno, I'm just saying, where I am now I would just get the **** out as soon as I can, as I would if I lived in a small town, but in a suburb with high density housing I would worry a lot less. There has never been a fire in Karnup in the 15 years I've lived in this area, but there have been 4 in Secret Harbour, directly across the road from me (there's no houses across the road, just very dry fast-burning bushland, my parent's chose that block for the view Secret Harbour is surrounded by bushland on all sides, BUT it's also very close to the ocean so water bombers can get to work quite easily. No one in karnup gives a crap about fire hazards, there is a guy on our street who has a bonfire burning rubbish every single Sunday, i drove past him on my way home from work every week. Our block, with the arrow, is basically the only one in the whole area that has a proper fire break, there are like 4 trees in total on our block, and no where near the house, not that it would make much difference if all the blocks around us caught fire. And fire fighters would have no where to protect, they would just have to try to stop the fire, which it pretty futile, but in Secret Harbour they just stand at the fence and block the fire from making it to the homes and wait for it to burnt out. I'll explain more clearly, my suburb is roughly split into two: the older region which is in a flat area (which is where the fire was yesterday), then there's a big stretch of city council land (just grass and trees with the odd official building here and there) separating it from the other half which is the newly developed region (where I live) which is kind of in a valley surrounded by small grass and tree-covered hills on one side and on the other side undeveloped land (i.e. also just grass and trees that haven't been cleared yet, which is where there was a fire last week). In both halves of my suburb the houses are on small blocks that are near each other. However, my house is near the edge of the suburban area - it has an oval and parks a few streets away behind it then a few streets away on the right is the edge of the built-up area. After that is what you're describing: houses far apart on large blocks of land and farms with farmhouses. The suburban areas would be fairly easy to defend, like you've said they haven't much fuel and they're all contained in one reasonably small area. It's the individual houses beyond that area and the parks, undeveloped land and hills that encircle the suburban area that would be hard to contain fires in. But thankfully we've never had any significant fire in those particular areas - there was that fire last week in the undeveloped estate but that was quickly controlled and there was one caused by lightning striking in the park a few months ago but the conditions weren't as dry as they are now so that was also quickly controlled. There really isn't much risk of fire reaching my house - unless a fire is deliberately started in the parks behind or in the hills on the other side or in the undeveloped estate, in which case it could reach pretty quickly. (The fire last week was suspected to have been lit). So in a way I don't have reason to worry because the chance of a fire starting is low, yet in another way I do have reason to worry because in the chance that a fire were to be started it wouldn't take long to reach us. So in the end I've decided to just pack a few things in case of a quick getaway and hope that nothing will happen (and the odds are that nothing will anyway). You must have lodged a 2007-2008 tax return to receive the cash, to be paid from April.Those who haven't yet lodged a return can do so until the end of June this year and still be eligible for their bonus. Wait a second, I paid about $20 in tax during my voluntary placement last year but I never lodged a tax return because it wasn't worth it. But that falls in the 2007-2008 financial year so maybe if I lodge it I'll be eligible for the $950...? EDIT: Nevermind. I'd have to pay a $440 Failure To Lodge On Time Penalty if I filed my return now. Edited February 14, 2009 by SuperTwat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soangel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hmm sucky, it wouldn't be worth the 440 for a chance at getting the 950. Its a shame though In other news, Car City was no help on the car front (why oh why can't I drive a manual, I would have found the car I want a dozen times by now) But we're going a few more places tomorrow, and if no luck then the one I test drove on Thursday will be the one I get, as long as the dealer still has it (meaning I could have a car by Wednesday if the dealer still has it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happikali Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hello All ! Good to see your all still here & OK ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakie Doke Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Happy Valentines Day everyone! I got a flower.. ..from my dad. Hahahahahah! Awwwwwww! There's actually a compensation fund set up for them so that regardless of income they get (and should already have) immediate payments through Centrelink, regardless of whether they're on centrelink payments or not. I can't remember the amount but its around 400 per child and I think 950 for adults to help them until the insurance comes in, plus some of them are eligible for payments from the stimulus package as well. Oh, okay then. But ... I'd say they need more that $950 From early April, anyone earning $80,000 or less will be paid the full $950; people earning between $80,000 and $90,000 will get $650; and those earning between $90,000 and $100,000 will receive $300. You must have lodged a 2007-2008 tax return to receive the cash, to be paid from April. And students, apprentices and unemployed people who undertake study will be eligible for a $950 training and learning bonus. They're not very clear on whether by students they just mean Centrelink students or all students though but I think it is just Centrelink students, which sucks majorly for those who aren't eligible for centrelink Can you be elligible for BOTH? And do students need to have lodged a tax return? It really sounds like ALL students get the $950 to me. But if not, and you only qualify for the first one, and you could find out that you DO qualify, and you WOULD get it if you handed the tax return in late, a free $480 would be worth it, right? I'll explain more clearly, my suburb is roughly split into two: the older region which is in a flat area (which is where the fire was yesterday), then there's a big stretch of city council land (just grass and trees with the odd official building here and there) separating it from the other half which is the newly developed region (where I live) which is kind of in a valley surrounded by small grass and tree-covered hills on one side and on the other side undeveloped land (i.e. also just grass and trees that haven't been cleared yet, which is where there was a fire last week). In both halves of my suburb the houses are on small blocks that are near each other. However, my house is near the edge of the suburban area - it has an oval and parks a few streets away behind it then a few streets away on the right is the edge of the built-up area. After that is what you're describing: houses far apart on large blocks of land and farms with farmhouses. The suburban areas would be fairly easy to defend, like you've said they haven't much fuel and they're all contained in one reasonably small area. It's the individual houses beyond that area and the parks, undeveloped land and hills that encircle the suburban area that would be hard to contain fires in. But thankfully we've never had any significant fire in those particular areas - there was that fire last week in the undeveloped estate but that was quickly controlled and there was one caused by lightning striking in the park a few months ago but the conditions weren't as dry as they are now so that was also quickly controlled. There really isn't much risk of fire reaching my house - unless a fire is deliberately started in the parks behind or in the hills on the other side or in the undeveloped estate, in which case it could reach pretty quickly. (The fire last week was suspected to have been lit). So in a way I don't have reason to worry because the chance of a fire starting is low, yet in another way I do have reason to worry because in the chance that a fire were to be started it wouldn't take long to reach us. So in the end I've decided to just pack a few things in case of a quick getaway and hope that nothing will happen (and the odds are that nothing will anyway). So you are in a valley between bushed hills? Does fire go up or down hills? Logic would say down, but I'm not 100% sure. If it does, yes, that would make it quite a dangerous place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soangel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I think you only get 1 payment, even if you qualify for both. And the centrelink payments to those affected by the fires are only to tide them over until insurance comes through, or the Red Cross can help. The insurance companies have been processing claims as fast as they can to also help out. I think there are more options of help also availble to those affected as well And fires go both up and down hills. Height and steepness don't matter, its all about the wind direction and the fuel in that direction. *feels like she is being a bit of a know it all today* *zhhz* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happikali Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I think you only get 1 payment, even if you qualify for both. And the centrelink payments to those affected by the fires are only to tide them over until insurance comes through, or the Red Cross can help. The insurance companies have been processing claims as fast as they can to also help out. I think there are more options of help also availble to those affected as well And fires go both up and down hills. Height and steepness don't matter, its all about the wind direction and the fuel in that direction. *feels like she is being a bit of a know it all today* *zhhz* That's OK Bec !! You are studying to be a teacher & are a good & helpful researcher !! *pbs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzaboy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 That's OK Bec !! You are studying to be a teacher & are a good & helpful researcher !! *pbs* Absolutely! there's nothing wrong with being knowledgeable. =] Must go feed my ponies now, but will be back later. (That was a quick visit! =\) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTwat Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I just had a scare, the CFA site listed a fire not two minutes away in the undeveloped estate. We could hear the fire engines and several ambulances go by. The site now lists it as a false alarm. Thank God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzaboy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I just had a scare, the CFA site listed a fire not two minutes away in the undeveloped estate. We could hear the fire engines and several ambulances go by. The site now lists it as a false alarm. Thank God. Wow, that was lucky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nico_collard Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 But like - he died just from touching it?? Sheesh, what was an 8 year old doing with a quad bike? Hmm, if I had a minute to spare, I guess I could swipe my entire music shelf into a bag, and my other autographs folder is on the shelf below. But in an extreme emergency I'd rather get the **** out of there than have autographs. Did you pay for them? Or did you pay for the subscription? Yeah... Like I said, I don't know what exactly happened, but somehow he touched the fence, and he died... He lived on a farm and the parents had quad bikes... apparently the older brother was supposed to be watching him, but he didn't... from what Zoe has said, the parents blame him a bit because of what happened... I don't remember cause I was only about 6 at the time... If I had only a minute or two, I'd grab the laptop and the albums... the rest is replaceable or I could live without it... I got the t shirt and cd with the subscription... I also get a 25% voucher for the U2 shop... Oh how much did that cost you? $45... no shipping was listed... The subscription was $40 US... Teegs. Love the siggy. And just wondering how much it is to join u2.com?? though I guess I should just go look. Thank ye... I found the Adam thing... though I had a go at making one... I'll go get it... *points up for prices* Hhhmmm ... I'm still unclear exactly who the $950 is for ?? I mean ... I am a low income person ... does anyone know ?? Depends on how low income you're talking about... I think (and I may be wrong here) that if you earn under $10000 you don't qualify... I'm probably wrong though... all I know is that I'm actually eligible for it! Hey Teegs... let me know when you get your cd and t-shirt... when you do I think I might subscribe (I just want to be sure about the freebies first) Fair enough.... I'm not expecting them for about 3 weeks... apparently they send it out within 48 hours of getting the payment for the subscription... And I was completely unsure about sizing... I don't know. But my mum said people earning 100k and under. BUT not the unemployed?? I don't get it at all. People earnign tht much do NOT need extra money, and unemployed people DO. But she said students get it, so ... yay! The unemployed got the last one... Happy Valentines Day everyone! I got a flower.. ..from my dad. Awwwwwww... Zoe got one from the apprentice hairdresser... i'm watching about it on TV right now. It seems to be slowly getting under control... I just had a scare, the CFA site listed a fire not two minutes away in the undeveloped estate. We could hear the fire engines and several ambulances go by. The site now lists it as a false alarm. Thank God. OG ... good thing you're okay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nico_collard Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I just found "the" video... Even after two years I still find it incredibly chickeny... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTwat Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 The CFA site now lists four 'false alarms' in four different locations in my suburb. Wtf is going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happikali Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I just had a scare, the CFA site listed a fire not two minutes away in the undeveloped estate. We could hear the fire engines and several ambulances go by. The site now lists it as a false alarm. Thank God. The CFA site now lists four 'false alarms' in four different locations in my suburb. Wtf is going on. That is weird ... I'm glad you're still ok tho' ... have you phoned anyone for info ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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