This thread has strayed well from its original subject though the original poster's question does seem to have been answered so I will briefly say something about job agencies.

Back during Paul Keating's recession that "we had to have" I was out of work for a brief period. During that time and despite numerous (certainly more than I was required to do in order to collect the dole) visits to the CES I got the impression that the situation with the economy was so bad that CES staff simply didn't give a damn. I was even asked to attend an interview with a CES case manager once and that also lead to nothing because all that person wanted to do was fill their interview quota for the week and leave it at that. I did more than what was recommended, apply for everything, dress well for interviews, make my resume look like it was printed by Golden Press, etc etc etc.

During the same period government departments at State and Commonwealth levels introduced quotas to get people in minority groups into the workforce. Whilst I don't have a problem with that, it invariably displaced people in my age and colour group and it took a long time to get around that.

Oddly enough, when I decided to shift out of Sydney and live in a rural area I was told by the CES that I risked losing the dole because I was shifting to an area with higher unemployment. It was worth the risk because once I'd settled at my new location I did some door-knocking and got a job within three weeks of the big move. I had to accept a role outside my area of formal training but have since shifted back to Sydney and moved not only back into a role I have formal training in but am now a manager.

I realise the latter part of that story is difficult for older people to achieve because there certainly is discrimination out there and plenty of it, including from government departments who seem to be a law unto themselves. One thing to remember though is this - never, ever lose face. Keep that chin up and stand proud. If we all at least maintain your present positions you will be winning the battle over the next five years because I believe the carbon tax and mining supertax will put more people out of work than the great depression and bubonic plague put together.

One last thought - you guys have something some people don't have. A will to go on and strong resolve. There is a bridge close to where I work called Long Gully Bridge at Cammeray - it was originally a suspension bridge for the Wynyard - Chatswood trams but is now a concrete arch bridge carrying road traffic. It was also the site of numerous suicides during the last global financial crisis. Dozens of millionaires who just couldn't deal with the struggle of living on an average wage used that bridge to end everything and now the Government has installed a wrought iron fence down either side to stop more people jumping. I think our positions and things that may have happened to us all in the past have helped us prepare for the challenges of life and in that regard we are all successful.

Brad I think govvy put up the fence because they were losing to much tax from the Rich as they ended it all lol.
I recall a pub yarn years ago a chap drinking mentioned, it was either a book or a proverb?

He said ''over the bridge ''by Yugo - first '' then his mate ark-ed up and said ---- ive just read The Babies Revenge'' - by ''Nora Tit-off'' ---- I completely cracked up lol!

Ps
Just to finish the thread "" and I know we got off the thread a bit your views on discrimination well founded, il tell you a wee story that we can prove !

I restored a radio for a family here in Perth in 2011 delivered it back to them , this couple they have a daughter whom at that time was employed and answered job inquiries, for a personal company .

When people sent her the resume, she was instructed to view it ( they have plenty of jobs ) she was then told by the owners, that she must fob off anybody past the age of 47 regardless of glowing resume / whatever -- it was / is--- total age discrimination.

She was told that if they were 47 + to tell them the jobs gone !!!! - thats unreal eh , its only the last 4 months she could stand it no more, & she snatched the job.

As she said to her parents ''hey I'm getting paid to tell lies to people ive never met, by saying the jobs no longer available?

She said what did the job seekers ever do wrong to me ???? she was paid to tell lies !

Being an honest woman she said to her dad ( whom is a friend of mine ) she said bugger em, needs to be exposed all this, she rang Today Tonight - all full of courage and ready to spill the beans on the scamming personnel joint!!! - guess what)))))) Today Tonight didn't want to know about it!

Mate more cover ups than a Dooner factory eh ! this supposed to be a free country all squeaky clean and honest -- well it aint, this young bird and her family are now trying to get somebody to listen, and look into it !

But they are running into brick walls everywhere, imagine the law suits and the vilification claims, if it could all be exposed , certainly not the Australia I grew up in ----------land of the fair go eh !!!!

Where Where Where ???????

she rang Today Tonight - all full of courage and ready to spill the beans on the scamming personnel joint!!! - guess what)))))) Today Tonight didn't want to know about it!

That could be because the media want hot blondes and brunettes on the set. When you lived in Sydney you would have remembered weather men like Alan Wilkie and Brian Bury - all the stations had older blokes reading the news and weather.

The last three weather girls on ATN7 were all young lasses in their 20's. That is what seems to 'sell' these days. I think the same can be said of the workforce in general.

Although in my case, I employed three people in the last year to replace retiring staff and one that was dismissed for non-performance. One is 38, one is mid 40's and the other 49 going on 50 in two months. All replacement staff work hard, get to work on time and get along well with other staff. That's all a boss can ask for really. None of them go for the mighty Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs but I guess I can't be too picky.