Work Available - Pine Cone Collectors

[Sokerol]

WORK AVAILABLE - Collecting Pine Cones from the State Forest for Sokerol Australia 

Sokerol Australia requires pine cone collectors. Sokerol Australia is located in Tin Can Bay Qld and will pay for pine cones. Cones may be collected all year round but best in the dry months May to January.
 The job is piece work similar to fruit & vegetable picking.
•   If you have own vehicle and trailer we pay $25.00 / cubic metre.
•   If you do not have own vehicle we arrange supervision, transport etc you receive $20.00 per cubic meter.
•   You are paid by what you collect you may work as long as you like, if supervised by Sokerol Australia you generally start 0500hrs 
        and return by 1200hrs.
•   Every picker works at own rate but generally you will collect 1 cubic metre / hour
•   As with all jobs it will take 2-3 days to get the process correct.
•   Sokerol Australia will provide permits and full briefing prior to commencement.
•   For back packers there are several hostels in the region and some temporary camping may be permitted at factory site. 
•   The work is outside so is influenced by the weather both heat and cold.
•   The work is simple manual work requiring little skill it will take 2-3 days to come accustomed to the work but does allow ample
        opportunity to make money while seeing and interesting part of Australia.
 
For further questions please call on 0419 238255 or email us at john@sokerol.com.au
Also, see here for detailed information about our products - what your pine cones will be used for! http://www.sokerol.com

Thank you! 

[helen88]

Fantastic job in all seasons, only issue we had was now in winter, were the rain  makes the cones close. in dry weather you can clean up and make a really good wage!! We made enough to cover us for 6 months!! The boss is great and always mucks in!! Always in need of workers, will be back in august for more coning!!!
helen and robbie

[Sokerol]

Sokerol would like to thank those who have enquired about work and apologies to any we did not get back to (there were many enquiries we may have failed to respond to some.)
This year has not been good picking as it has been too wet so we have only had very spasmodic work for a couple of workers.
It has now started to dry out and there will be fairly constant work until Christmas - with warmer weather the rain only stops work for 1-2 days.
This is our 1st year using backpackers so we have had a bit to learn.
We were unsure what new pickers could earn but to date after about 3 days the majority have been earning between $100 and $150 / day while a small group have earned slightly more.
Currently working from 0730 to about 1500hrs (3 o’clock)
It is also apparent that it is best if those seeking work have their own transport if only to get to factory each day and Tin Can Bay is a small town so most young people would go to Rainbow Beach on the weekends (about 20min drive). We may assist some without transport but you should check 1st as more than 4 would be difficult.
Again we apologize if we did not return call to every on but if you are interested in work please call 0419238255 for more info.
Our address is Lot 2 Scullet Drive Tin Can Bay which is about 150kl north of Brisbane QLD.

[PR]

Thank you, Sokerol, for coming back and giving us an update.   As this is something which many job ad posters do not do, your message is especially appreciated.  I'll bet you make a great employer for these young people!

Karma for you.

[Sokerol]

Work available Back Packers wanted!
•   Sokerol Australia requires pickers and will commence work again 10 January 2011.
•   Sokerol Australia is located in Tin Can Bay QLD approx 90 minute north of Brisbane and 40 minutes north of Noosa.
•   The work qualifies for Visa extension
•   Sokerol pays weekly - Thursday.
•   There is generally work for 8-12 back packers all year round.
•   The work is piece work (picking) paid by the bag collected.
•   The average income is still between $80 and $120 / 6 hour day, some have earned considerably more – some less.
•   Traditionally we do not work in the wet however this year we will be - so work all year round.
•   The wet material is heavier so the work is physically harder but it is also quicker so people generally make more per day when wet.
•   It is harder for women when wet due to weight however generally couples earn the most as there are advantages with team work.
•   Currently picking starts at 0530 and finishes 1200 add 1 hour for admin so generally left factory by 1300hrs.
•   You may choose to pick longer hours if you desire but we generally do not allow this when the raw material is wet as physically more demanding.
•   Accommodation may be found at either:
o    Rainbow Beach – more backpackers a bit more expensive and a 20 min drive to factory.
o   Tin Can Bay caravan park (approx $7.00/day/site) 2 minute drive
•   You are best to have own transport and camping gear. Mobile phone is useful (Vodafone out of range here).
•   You need $25.00 deposit for gloves helmet and vest you receive $20.00 back when return the vest and helmet.

Summary
We have had a large number through this our first year and most have stayed for more than 4 weeks. Several have stayed 8-10 weeks to accumulate funds and days (for Visa extensions). However we feel it is best to consider it a 3-4 week job - work hard get some money and travel if you then want more work simply come back later. Those who have stayed (to get days up) find it very hard going in the last weeks and the income they earn / day has dropped off.
The work is unskilled labour so some will find it easy and stay others will not like it and leave. This is not an issue however if you are coming we advise you give it a full 5 days as it becomes physically easier and income increases with experience.
If interested please call Sokerol on 0419 238 255   

[Sokerol]

We've had a lot of rain but a small team worked for a week or so last month. The forest is still wet, so the work has been a bit harder than usual. Nevertheless, we need to get started for 2011 so 8 to 10 pickers are needed to begin work in the next few days. Call the factory on 0419 238 255 or email us on john@sokerol.com.au to let us know you are ready to work with us.

Thank you! 

[Sokerol]

We seem to get a lot of calls from people who do not have their own vehicles (1), or who turn up broke (2) hoping to get work immediately. We are also sometimes asked if people can camp at our factory (3). So to give you a clear picture:

(1) 
If you do not have your own transport, you may find it difficult to move around this area. Public transport is very limited and the recommended caravan parks/ camping grounds are three kilometres from the factory. We can only transport five passengers to and from the forest in our team vehicle, so we hope those with cars/ campervans can offer lifts to the pedestrians. Otherwise we cannot offer work to more than five people who do not have their own transport. This does not mean we say 'no' to everyone - but we do strongly recommend that a vehicle is an advantage.

Owners of cars and campervans have been able to drive to most work areas (in the forest) without problems. We work in different pars of the forest, between 4 and 25 kilometres from the factory, so you need to take snacks and drinks with you. The work area is a pine forest - not a recreational park, so there are no public toilets.

Tin Can Bay is a nice little area next to sheltered waters opposite Fraser Island but there is not very much here for young people in the way of entertainment. Most of our workers have chosen to spend their days off (and stayed overnight) at Rainbow Beach, which is about 30 kilometres away. Some groups have even parked their vans down there and shared transport all the way up to our factory each day.

(2) 
If you already own a hard hat, a 'hi-viz' shirt and heavy gloves (like gardening gloves or better), you should bring them with you: Forest management rules state that these items are compulsory for all forest workers. We can supply:

- ONE pair of gloves (free). You can buy more from local shops fairly cheaply - a pair usually wears out within two weeks.
- Hard hat ($15 deposit CASH - $10 refund when returned - that makes a $5 hire charge)
- 'Hi-viz' shirt ($10 deposit CASH - $5 refund when returned - also a $5 hire charge)

The CASH deposit (1 hard hat, 1 shirt, 1 pair of gloves = $25) must be paid before you start working for us and shirts should be washed before you return them when you leave us. Please do not ask if the deposit can be taken out of your first day's pay, as we (the factory) do not pay you but we do pay for these items: You will be paid by our Group Management, who are in Brisbane and the UK.

(3) 
We run a factory here, not a tourist facility. It can be very dusty and dirty here at times, especially when we are milling raw materials. There is very little lighting at night-time and moving around our machinery in the dark can therefore be hazardous. So our policy is generally to NOT offer camping (free or otherwise). With average daily earnings of $100-plus, we believe it's reasonable for people to pay $9 or $10 per night for proper facilities, as offered by several tourist parks nearby.

*  Some additional work is available for selected workers at the factory, which can add to earnings or can make up for lost 'forest time' because of bad weather. This work can include: Helping in the mill; moving raw materials through the drying/ sorting process; helping with product packaging and other small tasks as required.

Hope this information helps you to decide whether our situation and expectations suit you!

Cheers 

[Sokerol]

Contact Update: 

Call on 0419 238255

OR

Email on factory@sokerol.com.au

[Sokerol]

Hello again

We've been busy all year, except for a few weeks when wet conditions stopped us. On average, we've had 8 to 10 backpackers working for us, earning $600 to $1,000 each week.

Our numbers have dropped during the past week and people who had been waiting to start have found jobs elsewhere - so our list is now very short. As we are handling large orders, we still need fit, enthusiastic workers until (almost) Christmas and will only stop picking when conditions in the forest become too wet.

So anybody looking for a few week's work - give us a call or send an email - the first 6 people to contact us will be able to start straight away!

Cheers

[PR]

Good to see you back again, Sokerol!

We really appreciate the time, effort and care that you've taken to explain everything to potential employees, as well as your continued ads here.  Top stuff!

Cheers,
PR 

[Sokerol]

Hey PR, you're very kind. 
We're very happy to keep coming back, as most of those who've come to work with us found us right here!

Over the past year we've had young people (mostly under 30 years, from such places as Japan, Korea, China, New Zealand, USA, Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Nederlands and ... ah yes, Australia.

One special person, who uses the shorter English name of Summer, came from Mongolia to pick with her Aussie fiance, so they could take a nice honeymoon before settling in Mt Isa! Her Mongolian name has about fifty letters, so I'm sure her new friends in The Isa will appreciate the name 'Summer' - it certainly suits her nature. 

Since our last post we've recruited an English couple who will start work next Monday - that leaves 4 or 5 places on our team...

Thanks again and all the best! 

[Sokerol]

Hi All
We are picking through to 22 Dec and still have a copule of spaces so if interested in 3-4 week before Christmass and have own transport we would like to hear from you. All relevant info below

[Sokerol]

Depending on the weather, we hope to start our 2012 picking season on 9th January.

We're organizing vehicles which will allow us to collect more raw materials each day than before, so this will mean more pickers will be needed - up to 20 people.

Rain, heat and humidity will make the work a bit harder, so you need to be fit and prepared to look after your health (plenty of water, fruit etc). A 6-hour day still applies until late-February.

We already have 6 - 8 people booked to start in January. If you would like to join us, please contact  via email (see post above) until 5th, then email or 'phone from 5th January. We are closed until then but can reply to email enquiries.

Many thanks - and a Happy New Year to the Forum hosts and all users!

[Sokerol]

Oops! Bad Edit:

"post above" means this one -> http://www.backpackertours.com.au/talk2/index.php/topic,769.msg1871.html#msg1871!

Thanks

[worldtraveller]

Sounds very cool. If I didn't have a job already I'd be there in an instant.
Who would have known pine cones could help save the world 

[Sokerol]

Back again and struggling with the weather to make a good start for 2012  .

We've had nine people working through February and they expect to stay with us until April, May and June. Four more will be joining us next week and they have orders to bring dry weather with them! 

In the meantime, we're now looking for six or seven more people  to fill our team over the next week or two, as we will be processing large export orders this year.
So please contact us by email: factory@sokerol.com.au or phone : 0419 238 255 during business hours if interested.

Own transport/ accommodation is still prefered.

Cheers 

[PR]

Good to see you again, Sokerol.

Yes, it has been a very wet and wild start to the year, especially the last few weeks.  Here's crossing fingers and hoping that the weather improves now!