Boy Kuripot tip of the day: Claim rebate from VIC Government scheme (VIC residents only)

You may be able to claim back up to $100 Victorian Government Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme.


All residents in the state of Victoria that have purchased Televisions, Fridges or Clothes Dryers in 2014 are eligible to claim a rebate or cash back as part of the Victorian Government Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme.

Process
----------------------

1. Keep the receipt

Keep your purchase receipt

2. Get a copy of the receipt

Scan your receipt or take a photo with your phone

3. Send it to Easy Rebates

Attach the receipt and complete the simple form on our website

----------------------

 

 

Check their website (www.easyrebates.com.au) for eligibility. You may contact them or visit their website for more details.


Phone: (03) 9999 7965
Email: info@easyrebates.com.au
Website: www.easyrebates.com.au

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sydney and Manila

You would need around 97,159.34₱ (2,397.95A$) in Manila to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 7,100.00A$ in Sydney (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Consumer Prices Including Rent Index.

Indices Difference
Consumer Prices in Manila are 58.96% lower than in Sydney
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Manila are 66.23% lower than in Sydney
Rent Prices in Manila are 77.45% lower than in Sydney
Restaurant Prices in Manila are 71.94% lower than in Sydney
Groceries Prices in Manila are 57.31% lower than in Sydney
Local Purchasing Power in Manila is 66.38% lower than in Sydney

	Sydney	Manila	Difference
Restaurants
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	15.00 A$	3.70 A$	-75.32 %
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	80.00 A$	18.30 A$	-77.12 %
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar	8.75 A$	3.46 A$	-60.51 %
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)	6.00 A$	0.99 A$	-83.55 %
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)	7.50 A$	2.22 A$	-70.38 %
Cappuccino (regular)	3.69 A$	2.53 A$	-31.34 %
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)	2.94 A$	0.65 A$	-78.06 %
Water (0.33 liter bottle)	2.49 A$	0.41 A$	-83.57 %
Markets
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	1.46 A$	1.82 A$	+25.05 %
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	3.34 A$	1.26 A$	-62.26 %
Rice (white), (1kg)	2.95 A$	0.96 A$	-67.44 %
Eggs (12)	4.22 A$	1.66 A$	-60.68 %
Local Cheese (1kg)	11.34 A$	7.00 A$	-38.23 %
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg)	10.70 A$	4.06 A$	-62.04 %
Apples (1kg)	4.25 A$	3.00 A$	-29.48 %
Oranges (1kg)	3.67 A$	2.98 A$	-18.94 %
Tomato (1kg)	5.21 A$	1.33 A$	-74.43 %
Potato (1kg)	3.21 A$	1.74 A$	-45.81 %
Lettuce (1 head)	2.48 A$	1.26 A$	-49.02 %
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	2.55 A$	0.92 A$	-63.89 %
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	16.00 A$	7.40 A$	-53.72 %
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	5.02 A$	0.91 A$	-81.88 %
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)	5.51 A$	2.04 A$	-63.04 %
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro)	19.00 A$	1.26 A$	-93.38 %
Transportation
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	4.00 A$	0.35 A$	-91.36 %
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	124.00 A$	12.34 A$	-90.05 %
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	3.50 A$	0.99 A$	-71.79 %
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	3.00 A$	0.34 A$	-88.81 %
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	55.00 A$	2.78 A$	-94.95 %
Gasoline (1 liter)	1.51 A$	1.30 A$	-13.85 %
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	26,000.00 A$	21,348.73 A$	-17.89 %
Utilities (Monthly)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	242.56 A$	120.35 A$	-50.39 %
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	1.03 A$	0.18 A$	-82.72 %
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	64.37 A$	61.65 A$	-4.24 %
Sports And Leisure
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	81.97 A$	60.69 A$	-25.96 %
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	23.20 A$	8.89 A$	-61.70 %
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	18.00 A$	4.94 A$	-72.58 %
Clothing And Shoes
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	108.48 A$	63.08 A$	-41.85 %
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	78.04 A$	45.35 A$	-41.89 %
1 Pair of Nike Shoes	143.97 A$	109.58 A$	-23.88 %
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes	144.07 A$	77.74 A$	-46.04 %
Rent Per Month
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	2,233.24 A$	508.23 A$	-77.24 %
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	1,603.79 A$	217.10 A$	-86.46 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	4,422.81 A$	1,283.85 A$	-70.97 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	2,907.75 A$	511.24 A$	-82.42 %
Buy Apartment Price
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre	9,587.00 A$	1,933.83 A$	-79.83 %
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	6,492.43 A$	726.69 A$	-88.81 %
Salaries And Financing
Average Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax)	4,741.18 A$	538.41 A$	-88.64 %
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly	5.71	8.33	+45.99 %
Last update	September, 2014	September, 2014

* Information taken from numbeo.com

Crown Casino ongoing construction at Barangaroo Sydney

Ongoing Crown Resort construction at  Barangaroo NSW / Sept_2014




  


 

Crown Resort Sydney

Visas for Visiting Australia

http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/visas/1.0.htm

Visiting for tourism or medical treatment

	Applicant in Australia at time application is lodged		Applicant outside Australia at time application is lodged
	Low Risk*	High Risk	Low Risk*	High Risk
Sponsored Visitors	n/a	n/a	n/a	1.5 months
Non-Sponsored Visitors	1 working day	1 week	1 working day	1 month
Medical Treatment Visas	1 week	1 month	1 week	1 month

The standard processing times are applicable provided all documents are submitted with the application form. The process may be delayed if additional information is required, including health examination and character checks.
See: Visiting Australia

Note: Low risk applies to nationals from countries which issue Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor eligible passports. A list of these can be found on the department's website. High risk countries are those which are not ETA or eVisitor eligible.

Glimpse of NSW Beaches

 

Bondi Beach

 

Manly Beach

Silver Beach

 

Stanwell Park Beach

 

Jibbon Beach

 

 Maroubra

 

Cronulla

La Perouse NSW

 

La Perouse's 19th century Customs tower, used to combat smugglers

About Sydney City Parking / Parking Meters

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/ParkingAndTransport/CityParking/

Big Screen Cinemas

 

MOONLIGHT CINEMA (moonlight.com.au)

Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, entry via Woollahra Gate, off Oxford St, Paddington;

December 9-March 20

Gates open 7pm

Mmovie starts about 8.30pm

$14-$36

 

 

 

STARLIGHT CINEMA  (starlightcinema.com.au)

North Sydney Oval, Miller St, North Sydney

January 19-March 5

Gates open 7pm

Movie starts about 8.30pm

$8-$20

Contact:  9949 3137

 

 

 

DIVE IN MOVIES (willoughbylesiure.com.au)

Willoughby Leisure Centre, Small St, Willoughby

December 17, January 14 and 28, February 18 and March 18, 7.30pm

$6.50

Bookings essential

Contact:  9958 5799

 

 

 

ST.GEORGE OPENAIR CINEMA (stgeorge.com.au/openair)

St.George OpenAir Cinema, Mrs Macquaries Point, adjacent to Royal Botanic Gardens; January 12-February 19 (excludes January 15, 22 and 29)

Gates, bar and restaurant open from 6.15pm, films at 8.30pm

Tickets on sale from December 16, $26-$30

 

 

 

MOVIES BY THE BOULEVARD (sydneyolympicpark.com.au) FREE

Movies By The Boulevard, Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park

January 8-9, 12-16, 19-23

Free kids' activities and food and beverages from 6pm, films at 8.30pm

Contact: 9714 7888

 

 

AUS Passport

Cost: $208

 

AUS Passport

AUS Passport Application Timeline

! Dates are made up but the timeline is accurate

Completed in 14 days
------------------------------------------------------------------

16-June-2010: Book for an interview for passport application online
- Go to your nearest Post office to get the Passport Applciation form or you can fill up the application form online (print it out and bring it on the day of your interview).

http://auspost.com.au/
http://auspost.com.au/personal/applying-for-new-australian-passport.html
- Make an appointment for your passport interview at your chosen Australia Post retail outlet
http://auspost.com.au/locator

- Prepare for your interview. Collect all evidence required and make sure you bring all photocopies of the original with you.

- Fill up the form and make sure gurantor fill up the form



16-Feb-2010: Passport photo
- Kodak center or at the Post Office

17-Feb-2010: Guarantor fill up the application form and sign passport photo at the same time/date

18-Feb-2010: Application date/interview at the Post Office
- Interview/application takes only about 5-10 minutes

Payment can be made by:
* cash
* EFTPOS
* Mastercard or Visa.

Note: Keep the receipt and the Passport Application Form number. (Used to claim your passport and to access the passport tracking website)

The Australian Passport Office is committed to issuing passports within 10 working days of receiving all the correct information and documents. This timeframe doesn't include the time that Australia Post needs to forward your application to the Australian Passport Office

25-Feb-2010:  DFA Process completion (verified online)
- Check the progress of your passport application online
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Newppt/index.aspx

- You can also check your application's progress by calling the Australian Passport Information Service on 13 12 32.

28-Feb-2010: Post Office notification via mail recieved
-  Postman left a letter on the mailbox that the passport is ready for pick up at the Post Office.

29-Feb-2010: Pick up in Post office
- Pick up passport from the Post Office
- Bring ID and proof of address
------------------------------------------------------------------

COST:
Passport ID : $12-$15 (Kodak shops) / $14.95 (Post Office)
Passport Standard (32 pages) /  Cost:  A$208 (adult) / A$104 (child)

TIPS:
- Remember to photocopy both the front and back of your Citizenship Certificate. Photocopy at the post office cost about 20 cents each.
- Some post office does not require booking. It would be better to give them a call and ask if you can just walk-in for an interview before you made bookings over the phone or internet.
- Sign the applciation with the same date as the Guarantor sign your application and passport photo.
- Be on time for the interview.
- Use official photography center or better get your photo taken from the same Post Office.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Track the progress of your passport application

You can track the progress of your passport application online

- it will tell you the expected time of completion and its progress. Immigration commitment is 10 working days to process your application.

- Once completed, they will send you an email noticifcation that it was already redispatch to your local postoffice.



Note:  Make sure you have all photocopies of the original documents with you specially the front and back of your citizenship certificate as Post Office will charge you for all photocopies required.

Link:

- https://www.passports.gov.au

- https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Newppt/index.aspx

Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest

The Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest™ is the place to take in the atmosphere of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. From June 11 to July 12, Sydney's Darling Harbour

 

Korea vs Greece

Something new: Need to register personal details to active Pre-Paid SIM

Here in Australia, I notice that you need to register your personal details in activating your pre-paid SIM card/number.

In Phils, you don't need to register pre-paid SIM.

I just notice this week that even if you are using pre-paid SIM, you can still track your calls for the past seven days (with Vodafone).

Australia - Historical Inflation Rates

Year	Mar	Jun	Sep	Dec	Annual
2009	2.4661%	1.4581%	1.2613%	2.1084%	1.8201%
2008	4.2416%	4.5079%	4.9811%	3.6852%	4.3526%
2007	2.4358%	2.0739%	1.8626%	2.9582%	2.3324%
2006	2.9831%	3.9757%	3.9386%	3.2537%	3.5385%
2005	2.3595%	2.4862%	3.0261%	2.7986%	2.6687%
2004	1.9816%	2.4770%	2.3223%	2.5910%	2.3436%
2003	3.4407%	2.6890%	2.5993%	2.3656%	2.7707%
2002	2.9390%	2.8401%	3.2042%	3.0281%	3.0032%
2001	5.9904%	6.0222%	2.5210%	3.1226%	4.3808%

Reference: http://www.rateinflation.com

St Andrew's Cross Spider in our window

St Andrew's Cross Spider

I search google and found out that this spider is harmless compareto the previous spider I found in our hall way (Redback spider).

Refernce:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_%28spider%29

Redback spider in the building

I took this photo along the hallway where we live.
Not sure if it was poisonous or not but it looks scary, huge and very much different from the spiders I used to play with when I was still in the Philippines. I took a photo of the spider then I spray insecticide in the hallway before it cause any harm.

I look at the internet of its description and found out that it is one of Australia's poisonous spider (The Redback spider).

Rereference: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redback_spider)
--------------------------
The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is a potentially dangerous spider native to Australia that resembles a Black widow spider. It is a member of the genus Latrodectus or the widow family of spiders, which are found throughout the world. The female is easily recognisable by its black body with prominent red stripe on its abdomen. Females have a body length of about a centimetre while the male is smaller, being only 3 to 4 millimetres long. The Redback spider is one of few animals which display sexual cannibalism while mating.

Redbacks are considered one of the most dangerous spiders in Australia.[1] The Redback spider has a neurotoxic venom which is toxic to humans with bites causing severe pain. There is an antivenom for Redback bites which is commercially available.
--------------------------

41 degrees in Sydney. Flood in Melbourne

Oz second best place to live on Earth

Reference:

http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Annual United Nations human development latest index released.
This year's index was based on data from 2007 and does not take into account the impact of the global economic crisis.

Very high Human Development

1. Norway


2. Australia


3. Iceland


4. Canada


5. Ireland


6. Netherlands


7. Sweden


8. France


9. Switzerland


10. Japan

Medium Human Development

84. Armenia
85. Ukraine
86. Azerbaijan
87. Thailand
88. Iran (Islamic Republic of)
89. Georgia
90. Dominican Republic
91. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
92. China
93. Belize
94. Samoa
95. Maldives
96. Jordan
97. Suriname
98. Tunisia
99. Tonga
100. Jamaica
101. Paraguay
102. Sri Lanka
103. Gabon
104. Algeria
105. Philippines

Sydney sky turns RED

I woke up this morning and notice that it was bright red outside and it is only 6am. It feels like I was in Mars like in the movie Total Recall.

I was coughing all the way to the station. Seats on the train was also covered with red dust. View is almost zero visibility when the train cross the Harbour Bridge on the way to work at around 7:15am. Reminds me of Mt Pinatubo eruption.

Photo taken around 6:30am on my way to the train station.

Photo taken around 7:15am on the way to work while train crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

FOUR Season

March to April and October to November is the most suitable time to visit Sydney. The temperature is around 25° C.

FOUR Season

Spring: September to November
Temperature from 13° C(night)  to 22° C (day).

Summer: December to February
The hottest period. Temperature from  21° C to as high as 35-40° C.

Autumn: March to May
Average temperature of 25° C.

Winter: June to August
Temperature from 5° C to 20° C.