It's A Dirty Job But...

Sun Herald

Sunday March 13, 2005

Paul Denham

What is the worst job in Australia? Paul Denham asked around and most people nominated a sewerage worker. But how does a sewerage worker feel about that and what would he hate to do for a living?

And so began the chain.

1The sewerage worker

Russell Turner, 45, closed-circuit-TV pipeline surveyor, Sydney

"My job involves inspecting pipelines that carry waste. I work for councils and water-service divisions on sewer pipes, mineshafts and boreholes. If you have an orifice to inspect, I can put a camera in it.

I do a lot of waste-watching but we try to avoid going into the pipes. It's technical as I use remote cameras to inspect the pipes, much like the one used on Mars. We're working in a confined space and dealing with all sorts of gases. Methane is a hazard that results from rotting waste. But a mother deals with other people's crap as soon as her baby is born, doesn't she?

People think it's low-paid and the job only focuses on one element, the sewerage. I do this for the money. I earn nearly six figures and it's a global industry with great career prospects. I have to keep my skills accredited with the latest technology and procedures.

My worst nightmare would be a toll collector - stuck in one place, copping abuse and sucking in fumes."

2 The toll collector

Linda Sadlowski, 39, toll-plaza attendant, M5 South-West Motorway, Sydney

"I've been working in this job for four years.

I collect money or go out 'on assist' where we help people who have dropped money, organise the NRMA and move people who have stopped.

Drivers think we are dull and they often ask silly questions, like how do I get out of the booth. We deal with the public and have to be diplomatic. I also have to be quick and accurate with money and be fit; I'm often walking 300 stairs with bags of coins. There are lots of checks and balances with the money and you have to be focused all the time and aware of your environment. Drivers are always trying to get out of their cars, which isn't allowed.

I realised years ago how awful nine-to-five jobs are.

I have eight horses on a farm to tend to and I get to shop and do banking during the day. And I may do 20 or 50 hours in one week.

I couldn't be a pipeline surveyor. I imagine it would be technical but I wouldn't want to wake up in the morning to do that. He thinks I'm copping shit? My worst job would be working in a knackery. I couldn't work anywhere that involved killing animals."

3 The knacker

Roly Rivett, 53, manager, Jacka the Knacker, Camperdown, Victoria

"Pet food is a fast-growing industry - so much so that we don't use the term 'knackery' any more; we are 'pet-meat processing facilities'. We deal with tens of thousands of calves and large stock a year. Meat is the highest earner but selling the hide is still a part of the business. The stock arrives dead and is processed by us.

We also remove dead and injured animals from farms. Imagine what would happen if we weren't around to offer this service. They would be just left to rot, attracting diseases.

I've been doing this for eight years. Before, I was a wool, sheepskin and hide buyer and a farmer before that. We are regulated by three government bodies and are constantly required to update skills. The admin is huge and you are required seven days a week.

One of the worst jobs would have to be a politician. They have to crawl up to everyone and you know how that is. On top of that, they lie; they promise the world and don't deliver."

4 The politician

Pauline Hanson, 50, One Nation founder, Queensland

"There's not much to like about being a politician. I got into it to represent the public. You see a lot of corruption and the 'big boys' control politics. The average Joe Blow does not get a say.

I had a total loss of private life and was imprisoned for my beliefs. I cannot believe what my kids have had to go through. But what I did enjoy was raising issues that changed people's lives. I found forums to bring issues into the public domain and tried to make the government listen and act.

A knackery owner? Life can take you down strange paths. As long as you put effort into it and enjoy it. I could not perform an autopsy but I admire medical practitioners a lot more than politicians."

5 The forensic pathologist

Dr Jo Duflou, 46, forensic pathologist, department of forensic medicine, Sydney

South West Area Health Service

"Being a forensic pathologist is the most magnificent job. It's varied and dynamic and involves research and travel, going to court and looking down a microscope. Essentially, we assist the coroner with the investigation into a death: the cause of death, manner of death, when, where and who they are.

It can be tough. You need to dissociate yourself from death. You cannot think about the misery and I think this is why people would find this job hard. A lawyer might also rip your findings to shreds in court, which is not nice, but you can't take it personally. It's worth it when you can prevent further deaths by researching death.

I wouldn't be a politician in a million years. They are a necessary evil but having to deal with constituents, people seeking favour and political infighting - absolutely not.

I think the most horrible job would be working on a production line. Day in, day out, doing the same thing..."

6 The factory worker

Loui Del Borgo, 65, team leader, Metal Finish Bodyshop, Toyota, Melbourne

"In July, I will have been at Toyota for 50 years. I repair any damaged cars on the production line and then put them back into production. I'm very good at what I do and have had lots of training all my life.

There's nothing I don't like about my job. I'm now teaching the younger people and I pass on what I have learned. But this is not for everybody. I think people don't understand how technical it is. There is no room for lazy people who give in too easily. Panel-beating takes a lot of skills and I teach them properly with the metal finishing. They go on and do well.

I wouldn't want to be a forensic pathologist. Anything but that job.

A job I hated was concreting. The concrete was so heavy. I work hard but they work really hard. When I filled up the wheelbarrow with concrete and pushed it through the soil, it tipped over and took me with it."

7 The concreter

Leigh Monckton, 25, self-employed concreter, Pakenham, Victoria

"I started concreting with my grandfather. I've been doing it since I could move. It's in my blood. I love working outside and dealing with different people, working on different things - houses, driveways and factories. There is always new machinery and technology to learn about.

We call production-line workers 'white ants'. They wear little white hats and white coats and stand in a line watching stuff go past them. I couldn't think of anything worse! Unless you are in telesales - you would cop a lot of abuse from the public. Going to the same office every day and selling the same thing and saying the same thing all day would drive me crazy."

8 The telemarketer

Georgina Paxinos, 29, telesales consultant, Optus, Sydney

"My work involves connecting phones and pay TV and working out the best plan to meet the customers' needs. I do 40-hour weeks but the shifts are flexible. I don't have to structure my life around nine-to-five hours and that gives me freedom. I get to do my washing in the morning!

I reckon people perceive this as a boring job but you can make a career out of this and make a lot of money doing it. There's a lot of technical training, too, and lots of opportunities.

I couldn't be a concreter. It's a tough job and very dirty. An even worse job would be a fishmonger. It is the stinkiest job I can think of. Plus you have to get up really early."

9 The fishmonger

George Costi, 51, director, De Costi Seafoods, Sydney

"I started my own business in '75. My dad had a fish-and-chip shop so seafood was in my veins.

I get up at 4am and start getting phone calls at 4.30am. I have a couple of guys who go to the auction and bid for me on the catches of the day. It's a very time-consuming business but I never have the chance to be bored.

I can see why people would not want to do it. It's not glamorous and in winter your hands are in ice. You're dealing with slimy fish - and the smells! But it pays well. It's hard to break into if you haven't grown up with it and it's not the easiest game. You need contacts and you are dealing with highly perishable stock at huge prices.

I would hate all the rebuttals and being rebuked all the time in telesales. People wouldn't give you the time of day and you just sit behind a desk all day. That's as bad as being an accountant. How could number-crunching enlighten you? You are just balancing figures. What's exciting about that?"

10 The accountant

Chris Vedelago, 25, commercial operations supervisor, Sydney

"I run a team of five people and we take care of the day-to-day operations of a law firm. I manage women and being the only guy is hilarious. I also love the challenge of creating a positive team environment and having fun while we work.

The constant study is tough as it is on top of your workload. And I hate the stigma of being a number-cruncher in a plaid suit.

I've always been good with numbers and it comes as naturally to me as holding a beer and a cigarette. I can drink as much as a fishmonger but their hygiene must be questionable. But I couldn't be happy if I was a preschool teacher. How many finger paintings can you do in one day?"

11 The preschool teacher

Geraldine Woolnough, 56, preschool teacher, Watsonia Pre-School, Melbourne

"Being a preschool teacher is much more than playing with kids. We write weekly programs for the children and this takes into consideration our observations of their motor skills and concentration, among other things. We want to stimulate the children so they want to learn more about themselves and their environment.

The greatest reward is the stories they share with you, their openness and honesty. Their expressions of love with the gifts they bring are amazing. It's wonderful to see each child develop throughout the year.

The long hours are terrible as most meetings are after school. The lack of resources and the isolation that brings are a problem. We must complete lengthy reporting for the parents. Our accountability is enormous. I think we make it look too easy!" ?

Like George Costi, Geraldine Woolnough nominated accountancy as the worst job. And so it goes on... What do you think is the worst job in Australia? Please send your suggestions to sundaylifemail@fairfax.com.au.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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