#demands of engineers in Australia

[thestoriesofimmigration]

Looking for a Job Change? These Are 2023’s Most In-Demand Jobs That Have the Highest Salary

Think it's time to change careers? Perhaps you've had a particularly tough week at work and want to see what else is out on the horizon. Maybe your passion has waned too.

Interestingly, research shows that each of us will go through approximately three to seven career changes throughout our lifetime.

Either way, we're happy to report there are plenty of jobs out there for you to choose from for your next chapter - and they're occupations that are very in-demand right now.

The number of occupations with workers in short supply jumped to 332 in 2023 from 286 in 2022, according to Jobs and Skills Australia.

With this in mind, we looked at which industries are looking for lots of employees right now, and we've narrowed it down based on the options with the highest salary. Because in this cost-of-living crisis, we all deserve a decent raise.

Trades - Electricians

Jobs and Skills Australia has identified 38 critical occupations, mainly in trades and technical occupations. Electricians and electrical engineers are critically important across these areas.

These occupations can make you around $130,000 annually according to data. Considering the call-out fee alone at the moment for a good electrician can set you back $300 - these tradespeople are making some good bank.

In Australia, electrical apprenticeships take around four years and they involve both on-the-job and off-the-job training. And another great aspect of being an electrician is that it's an in-demand job across the country.

Health Industry - Anaesthetists

Data shows that the most severe shortages in the Aussie labour market are seen among health professionals, where 82 per cent of occupations lack workers.

This included dentists, radiographers, optometrists and general practitioners. Of course, frontline workers such as nurses and paramedics are also always desperately needed. But the rates of burnout and poor mental health associated with these roles are sadly quite high.

Right now in particular though, there is one major job in the health industry that is in big demand. And it's anaesthetists. According to Seek, the salary for anaesthetists is approximately $222,000.

The downside however, is that the training and studying it takes to be an anaesthetist, while necessary, will set you back years and years. There will also be a hefty tertiary education bill, though the future salary will certainly have you sitting pretty years down the track.

So if the healthcare industry is one you've been considering getting into, and you're up for gaining new skills and qualifications - becoming an anaesthetist might be a good option.

Hospitality - Chefs

If you consider yourself quite the whiz in the kitchen, you could always consider training to become a chef and working in hospitality. The catch though is climbing to the top of the ladder, as that's where the higher salaries come about. We're talking about the executive chefs and food and beverage managers, where the salaries can be around the $150,000 mark.

Just recently chefs were added to the top 10 most in-demand jobs in Australia, as per the Federal Government's latest Skills Priority List.

The work-life balance for this job though is notoriously not fantastic. There's nights and weekend work, and public holidays are often a chef's busiest days of the year.

But when you have a passion for food and cooking and it's one of your greatest skills - this is an industry where you can truly flourish. Plus, a great bonus about working in the hospitality sector is that you are working in an international industry - there is no limit to where you can work in the world.

ICT - Software Engineers

The Australian Financial Review reports that almost 70 per cent of information technology jobs are deemed short of workers, including software engineers, web developers, and cybersecurity specialists.

Software and application programmers remain among the top three most in-demand jobs in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and the most in-demand in the ACT.

Despite the need for these jobs, very few people choose to go down this path - likely due to the high-level results required to enter the university courses. But if you have quite the knack for ICT and digital skills, it's worth it for the salary - often ranging anywhere from $100,000 to $220,000.

Construction - managers.

A LOT of people in construction are doing well financially.

If you're in this industry and you have 'manager' as part of your title, there's a good chance you're making over $140,000.

Some examples include construction managers, contracts managers, health safety and environment managers, safety managers, quality managers, project managers, site managers and more. Simply put - there's a lot on offer. 

It's important to consider though that lately a lot of construction firms have been going into liquidation. It's ironic timing considering construction managers are listed in the top 20 occupations in-demand right now.

Legal - solicitors.

Last but certainly not least, we have a good 'ol solicitor. While these jobs certainly aren't the highest-paid options in law, they still will leave you with a sizeable salary - over $100,000.

This is an occupation that is newly in shortage in 2023. As for why this is, Jobs and Skills Australia estimates it's because of the training gap and how long it takes for applicants to have the necessary skills and qualifications.

The demand is so high right now that Australian law firms recorded a demand growth of 4.9 per cent in the second half of this latest financial year, compared to US firms, where demand dropped by 2.6 per cent.

So if you want to live out your Suits fantasy - the long hours, competitiveness and all - then becoming a solicitor could be on the cards.

Source: Mamamia

[britsyankswheels24]

🇺🇲 Step back in time and experience the roar of the iconic AMC Javelin, a true legend of American muscle cars! Introduced in 1967 by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Javelin was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop automobile manufactured across two generations, spanning from 1968 through 1970 and then from 1971 through 1974 model years. It was designed to compete in the pony car market segment against rivals like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

🚗💨 The AMC Javelin burst onto the scene in 1968, showcasing a sleek design and powerful engines. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin offered a range of trim and engine levels, from economical pony car variants to high-performance muscle car models. Its distinctive appearance, featuring a long hood and aggressive stance, turned heads on the streets and racetracks alike.

🏭 Besides being manufactured in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Javelins were also assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Venezuela, and Australia, showcasing its global reach. American Motors even offered discounts to U.S. military personnel, leading to many Javelins being exported overseas.

🛞 Under the hood, the Javelin packed serious power. It was available with inline-six engines or potent V8s, delivering thrilling acceleration and speed. The AMX variant, equipped with a 6.4-liter V8, boasted over 300 horsepower!

🏆 The AMC Javelin wasn't just about looks—it excelled on the track too. It competed in Trans-Am racing, demonstrating its speed and agility. In fact, the second-generation AMX variant was the first pony car used as a standard vehicle for highway police car duties by an American law enforcement agency. Today, the Javelin's unique style and racing heritage make it a sought-after classic among collectors.

💔 By 1974, the automobile landscape had shifted. While other manufacturers downsized engines in response to changing market demands and fuel shortages, the Javelin's big engine option continued until production ceased in November 1974 amidst the Arab oil embargo and declining interest in high-performance vehicles.

🦅 The AMC Javelin embodies the spirit of American muscle cars, blending style, performance, and affordability. It's a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. Get ready to hit the road and experience the thrill of the AMC Javelin!

[usafphantom2]

A 12 was hit by a small part of a missile. Solid quartz was used for the camera window.

During its 26-year career, the SR-71 Habu gathered intelligence in some of the world’s most hostile environments. One of those was the Soviet Union. It wasn’t necessary to cross the border as we had long-range side, looking cameras that could peer inside Russia. More than 1000 missiles were launched against the SR-71. Some people claim it was 4000 missiles, but that is not true after a while some countries such as Russia gave up. The Vietnamese launched missiles and so did the North Koreans. Not one missile hit an SR 71.

I want people to also remember that before the SR 71 was flying operational the CIA’s A-12 was flying.

The A-12 was the first Blackbird.

However, when A-12 was flying (1967-68) two missiles exploded into each other close behind the A-12 and a little bit of debris. Certainly, not enough to harm the Blackbird was found. Says: “On another October flight, pilot Dennis Sullivan detected radar tracking on his first pass over North Vietnam. Two sites prepared to launch missiles, but neither did. During the second pass, however, at least six missiles were fired at Sullivan’s aircraft, each confirmed on mission photos by missile vapor trails. Sullivan saw these vapor trails and witnessed three missile detonations. Postflight inspection of the aircraft revealed that a piece of metal had penetrated the lower right wing fillet area and lodged against the support structure of the wing tank. The fragment was not a warhead pellet but may have been a part of the debris from one of the missile detonations observed by the pilot.”

The SR-71 was conceived to operate at extreme velocities, altitudes, and temperatures: actually, it was the first aircraft constructed with titanium, as the friction caused by air molecules passing over its surface at Mach 2.6 would melt a conventional aluminum frame.

Its engineering was done with slide rules, computers were in their infancy and were not used in its design. Many years later a computer checked the design of the SR 71 and couldn’t find one flaw.The design was so cutting-edge that even the tools to build the SR-71 needed to be designed from scratch.

The CIA did buy the titanium for the SR-71 using cover companies as customers from Russia it was at that time called the Soviet Union but only at first. When we needed another batch of titanium we went to other sources such as Australia because we did not want to boost the Soviet Union economy.

The estimated temperature of the outside of the cockpit of 600 degrees F.

As reported by The SR-71 Blackbird website, the integrity of the double solid quartz camera window demanded special attention because of the optical distortion caused by the effect of great heat (600 degrees F.) on the outside of the window and a much lower temperature (150 degrees F.) on the inside could keep the cameras from taking usable photographs.

Three years and $2 million later, Corning Glass Works came up with a solution: the window was fused to its metal frame by a novel process using high-frequency sound waves. Isn’t that amazing?

Written by Linda Sheffield April 11, 2025 @c

@Habubrats71 via X

[jarate-pissman]

Silly Doodle of TF2 if they were dogs. I wanted their accessories to resemble their human counterparts, but it can be difficult because putting a dog into human clothes is hard to draw.

Scout: A Boston Terrier. A breed known for being lively and happy, it's friendly and open to strangers. Scout as a guard dog would show you where his owners keep the valuables if you give him even a crumb of attention. Also, they can be bug eyed and derpy at times.

Pyro: A Dalmatian. Duh. With a bag on their head that resembles pyro.

Soldier: Solly is an American Pitbull Terrier. The fact that it's a controversial breed makes it an even better fit! ABPTs were used in combat missions in WWI and II. In WWII they appeared often on war propaganda posters. One of the most well known ABPT was named Sgt Stubby in WWI, and he earned himself numerous medals. Stubby is probably the deciding factor. Soldier has an American flag bandana and his food bowl over his eyes. He smells faintly of rotten bbq ribs.

Heavy: An Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd) while originally the breed hailed from Georgia, the USSR pushed to have the breed standardized. The huge dog breed was originally bred for guarding purposes, and has a serious and protective nature. Perfect for guarding his medic. He greatly treasures his Sandvich, a stuffed squeaky toy from the bargain bin at the pet store.

Demoman: A one-eyed Scottish terrier with a sturdy body and a manly beard. My personal experience with Scotties as a dog groomer is that they are absolute assholes who are wary of strangers squeezing their ass glands. I'm pretty sure Demo would bite me too if I touched his asshole. Demo has a squeaky bouncy ball that resembles a sticky bomb, one eye, and a hat that looks like a beanie.

Engineer: An American Bulldog. Mainly this was influenced by their stocky body and their friendly personality. Bulldogs are also a very intelligent dog breed that possess high endurance, agility, and strength. American Bulldogs were bred with the intention that they would be a farm dog. I would have gone with the Blue Lacy, but it didn't feel very Engie, despite being the only breed outta Texas. Engineer dog has doggles.

Spy: A french bulldog. Both the French Bull Dog and the Boston Terrier both descended from the Bulldog, so in a way they are related. While a poodle would have fit Spy as well, Frenchies are pretty expensive in their own right, and the cost of their medical bills might as well cost 5 poodles. They're like the luxury bulldog, and I feel like the fact that Spy and Scout's breeds resemble each other makes it better. Since dogs don't usually wear balaclavas, Spy-dog got his face stuck in a pair of red/blu underwear and started wearing them ever since.

Medic: What dog is more demanding, bratty, and sadistic than a Pomeranian? Pomeranians are extroverted, lively, alert, and highly intelligent dogs of German origin. They can be aggressive to humans and dogs to try and prove themselves. They don't seem to realize how small they are, and somehow wind up ruling the house anyways, even if there are other dogs. I can just imagine Medic-dog commanding Heavy-dog, and Heavy-dog going along with whatever he says. Medic has tiny glasses and a stray hair curl.

Sniper: A dingo. Aloof, mysterious, and a bit scrawny for his size, he's an excellent hunter who can brave the scorching bush and all Australia has to offer.

[olicitymckono]

Verstappen's Heart

First Max X reader 😊

AN: All mistakes are mine

Warning: Mention of abuse.

ENJOY 😊

Working as Max Verstappen’s Personal Assistant was an opportunity of a life time. Yn was a young American/British woman who had grown up watching Formula 1 with her grandfather during her teens and knew more about the sport than anything else. She had been studying for her masters degree in administration and had been taking a break for the holidays when she had literally ran into Geri Halliwell the former Spice Girl and wife of Christian Horner, team principle for her favourite team Red Bull. The two women had got to talking and some how Yn found herself at dinner with the Horner’s and with a job as Max’s assistant. She had yet to meet the man and as the new season grew closer she found herself more and more nervous about the meeting. That day happened to be the day Max was leaving to join his team for some pre season training. Max had been busy talking to GP his engineer when Christian had introduced her to him. She had quickly realised that she need not have worried because Max was a really nice and genuine guy who made her feel at ease and accepted from the get go. She could definitely see them becoming fast friends. And she had been right.

Max had been quite intrigued by the young blond woman who had entered his life and he could not deny that she was good at her job. In just the space of a few short weeks she had managed to familiarise herself with his schedule and everything else that was important to him. One thing that really surprised him though was the fact that his father Jos seemed to like her as well. That might have to do with the fact that she stood up for herself and never allowed him to intimidate her. That first day when she had called out his father Max had never liked the girl more.

One person however who did not seem to take a liking to YN was Kelly, Max’s girlfriend. The fact that Penelope had taken to Yn didn’t do her any favours. Max was convinced that Kelly was just jealous and had called he out on it a few times but Kelly had been adamant that there was something off with the American/Brit.

Yn was by no means a bad person and was genuine in everything that she did but Kelly had been right at least slightly. Yn had a secret well not so much that she had to keep it hidden, it was just something she didn’t like talking about.

Two days before Qualifying Max had asked her to dinner. He wanted to thank her for the great job she was doing. She couldn’t deny that there was something about him that made her heart flutter. They had both had a lot of fun that night but the next day the media had a field day with pictures of them, all with the same question, “Was Max cheating on Kelly?”

Max and Yn decided to ignore it as it was the 21st century were a man and woman were allowed to be friends and true fans of Max and Formula 1 knew who she was and loved her just as much. Kelly on the other end was not impressed and she had caught the next flight to Jeddah. She had started a huge argument and demanded that Yn should be let go. Max equally pissed at the demands of his girlfriend refused and told Kelly that Yn was not going anywhere. The atmosphere between Kelly and Yn was thick and the fact that Max refused to get rid of the her. Kelly knew she had to do something herself. She hired a private investigator.

2 weeks later:

Max was busy getting ready for media day in Australia when Kelly came walking into his drivers room, a smile on her face. “I need to talk to you.”

“Hi yourself,” Max looked over at her. He was a little surprised she had wanted to come to this race as she usually missed this one due to her work schedule, but yesterday she had called him to say that she was on her way.

“Hey baby.” She kissed him deeply.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Max, I know you like Yn but she isn’t who she says she is.”

Max sighed annoyed. “Kelly please I’m tired of your suspicions and accusations. I don’t know why you don’t like her and that’s fine but she is my co-worker and friend. You don’t have to like her.”

“I wish you could just listen to me for a change. Yn Logan doesn’t exists at least not till 6 years ago.”

“Not everyone posts their lives on social media Kelly.”

“I’m not talking about just social media. I mean she doesn’t exist anywhere. I hired a PI.”

“You what?” he snapped. “Are you out of your mind?”

She reached for him but he pulled away. “I’m trying to help you Max. This girl is dangerous.”

“No, you’re just jealous!”

“I’m not jealous. Oh her? Please.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“Listen she’ll find another job and that will be that. Like you said she’s good at what she does.”

“I’m not firing her Kelly.”

Kelly huffed, “Still? Just how good is she in bed?”

“Excuse me?” he was fuming.

“Well,” she crossed her arms annoyed. “there is no other reason you won’t get rid of her unless you’re sleeping with her.”

“He’s not.”

The couple turned towards where Yn was standing. She had been on her way to go over some possible questions he might have to answer when she had heard them arguing. She was going to turn back to give them some privacy when she had heard her name.

“Of course you would say that. Little slut trying to protect herself.”

“That’s enough Kelly!”

“I think you should ask that investigator for your money back.”

“You heard that?” Max asked looking a her. She nodded. “I’m sorry, Kelly had no right to do that.”

She shook her head, “It’s ok. She was looking out for you.” She turned to the Brazilian. “They didn’t do a good job though.”

“Why?”

“They didn’t look that hard. Up until 6 years ago my name was Yn Alexander when I was legally allowed to change my name. Logan is my grandmothers maiden name.”

“And why would you need to change your name?” Kelly asked sarcastically.

“Because I wanted to get as far away from my family as possible. I wanted to rid myself of any connection.”

“Why?”

“Kelly, stop.” Max could see how uncomfortable Yn was and he didn’t need an answer unless she wanted to share.

“My biological father died when I was 2. Killed in action. My mother remarried her boyfriend less then 8 months after my dad died. Turns out they had been having an affair while my dad was on tour. My step dad had my name changed to his. Which he decided was enough of a reason to take what he wanted. I was 4 when he touched me for the first time and 5 when he raped me for the first time.”

Kelly’s face fell, she had not been thinking anything like that. Max walked over to Yn and put an arm around her shoulders. “Yn I’m so sorry.” Kelly replied.

“My mom never believed me and choose him. So I got rid of that name. But thank you for making me relive all that.” She moved away from Max and hurriedly wiped her eyes. “The media is waiting Max. You need to get out there.” She turned and walked out the room.

“Max,” Kelly started but he simply put up his hand to stop her before leaving the room.

She was quiet during the media and avoided any unnecessary contact with him. Charles who had been in the same group as his friend picked up that something was a miss. “Is Yn okay?”

“No,” Max couldn’t take his eyes off the girl. “Kelly fucked up.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not my story to tell but she violated Yn’s privacy.”

“Why? Is she still acting jealous?”

“Yes.”

Charles nodded softly. “Can I asked you something without you getting mad?”

“Sure.”

“Do you like her?”

Max knew who he was asking about and it would have been easy to say no. But there was something there, he had realised it weeks ago but he had not said or done anything. He did love Kelly. Yn had this way about her, she was warm and caring. Everyone she met instantly connected with her. She never treated him like he was untouchable. She always saw him as just Max. He could be himself with her, something he had recently realised he was not able to be around Kelly anymore. She was too much of a wag and what that entailed that she had forgotten about her boyfriend and even at times her own child. “I do.”

Most of the weekend passed by uneventfully. Kelly, Max had noticed had made herself scarce and avoided Yn at all costs. She felt terrible for what she had done but she didn’t regret it, as she had just been trying to protect Max. But he was more worried about Yn. She didn’t spend anytime alone with him, making sure that she was the first to leave. He was worried he was going to lose her. And he was right.

After the race and celebrations for his win, Christian called him over. “Where’s YN?”

“She quit.”

Several weeks had passed since Australia and she was finally getting settled into a new job and routine back in Texas. She missed the races and the drivers especially Max but she had lived so long in a toxic situation and wouldn’t endure that again. Her feelings for Max was not easy as well. She had felt guilty for days for thinking that she had somehow made Kelly jealous, but soon enough she had realised that she hadn’t done anything wrong. No matter how much she had grown to like Max, she had never done anything inappropriate. Max had tried getting in touch with her over the weeks but she had ultimately decided to move past all of that and had simply sent him a message thanking him for everything and that she would miss him greatly before blocking his number. Charles on the other hand had become quite a good friend and had been keeping her up to date on the red bull driver. Just because she was gone didn’t mean that she had stopped caring about Max.

It was midway through the season and Max was doing well at least from a driving perspective. He was top of the championship and had yet to lose a race but that was because he had been determined to hide how sad and angry he was. Things with Kelly had soured significantly after Yn had left to the point were the two were barely talking to one another. The only thing in his relationship he cared about was Penelope. Most people wouldn’t have noticed the change in Max as he had always been focused and determined but both Charles and Christian knew something was wrong with the Dutchman and it had everything to do with his former PA. A week into the mid season break and Charles took the opportunity to help out his friend, both of them. He knew they had feelings for each other and deserved a chance regardless of what anyone said.

“Hey man, how is everything?” Charles asked one day over the phone. “How’s the break?”

Max sighed and Charles could tell he was tired. “Not great man. Kelly and I....it’s just exhausting.”

“Don’t you think maybe it’s time? You obviously don’t feel the same about her anymore. Why make yourself sick over a relationship that’s over?”

“I want to bit what about P?”

“Max I know you love that little girl but what about you? You’re in love with someone else. Someone who gets you and makes you feel like you matter. Not as a driver or athlete but as Max.”

“She doesn’t care about me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Charles, she blocked me from everything and hasn’t spoken to me since Australia which was months ago.”

“Because she was hurt. She hates her past and what happened to her. They way she had to tell you was not how she would have wanted to. In fact she might not have told anyone if she had the chance. Did you know the abuse lasted till she was 14?”

“What?”

“Yep, once a month for 9 years. Sometimes more. Her stepdad would lie in wait till her mom would be either out of town or too tired to notice. Each time threating her afterwards. She tried telling her mom but the woman refused to listen. It was only after her grandparents visited for the birth of her half brother that anyone helped her. Her grandfather woke up one night for something to drink when he saw her stepfather coming out of her room clothes not quite right. He had waited till the other man was back in his own room before he went into her and found her crying. She told him everything and when he confronted his daughter, you know what she said?”

“No,”

“Yn was a little liar and was trying to ruin her family and was jealous of her baby brother.”

“I would have killed that son of a bitch on the spot.”

“They removed her from the home and she changed her surname as soon as she turned 18. I’m sure you can imagine wanting to forget something like that as best as you can.”

“It’s terrible and I wish she could have gotten the chance to tell me on her own terms.”

“She asks about you all the time.”

“You talk to her?” Max asked now fully invested in the conversation.

“We’re friends.”

“How is she?”

“Aside from missing you for some reason, she’s doing okay. Lives in Austin. You should go see her. After you break up with Kelly. I like Penelope too but you can’t deny your own happiness because of her. She wouldn’t want you to.”

Max nodded before realising his friend couldn’t see him. “Will you help me?”

“What can I do to help?”

 

Yn was a little surprised that Charles had asked if he could come visit her for a week. Just days ago he had asked her to join him and Alexandra in Italy for a break but she had sadly had to decline do to work commitments. Although she was happy to get to see her friend again. He had arranged to met her at her apartment after work and now she was hurriedly trying to pull it together before they got there. She was just putting the last piece of her clothing away when she heard the door bell. “Coming.”

When she opened the door though the smile she had fell. “Hi Schat.”

“Max, what are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?”

“Sure,” she stepped aside allowing him in.

He looked around her apartment at everything that made sense. Her home represented her in every way. Minimalistic but classy and sophisticated. “Looks amazing.”

“Thank you. You still haven’t answered my question. Why are you here? And why do I get the feeling Charles has something to do with this?”

“Because he does. He was never coming. He was helping me.” He looked over her, drinking in the sight of her. He had missed her more than he could express. He walked towards her, stopping right in front of her.

The way he was looking at her cause her stomach to flip and the fact that he was so close to her wasn’t helping. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Why?” he asked reached a hand out and brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. The part of her skin he made contact with felt like it was on fire. “Because.”

“Because why? Are you afraid of me?”

“No,” she responded quickly shaking her head. “You just can’t look at me like you want to kiss me.”

“You’re not wrong there. I do want to kiss you. Have wanted to for weeks even before you left.”

“While as much I want that too you can’t.”

She made to move past him but he grabbed her hand and pulled her flush against his chest, lips mere inches from hers. “See now that’s where you are wrong.” He closed the distance and pressed his lips against hers. At first she wanted to resist but he was a really good kisser and it felt so good. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist he carried her to the couch lips never leaving hers.

Laying in his arms felt right but of course there was the elephant in the room. Kelly. Yn felt guilty that she had slept with a taken man. He could sense something was wrong as he lazily traced patterns down her bare arm. “I broke up with her.”

Yn lifted her head and looked at him, “You broke up with Kelly? Why?”

“Well, things had been weird between us since Australia but the main reason was because I fell in love with someone else.”

“Me?”

“No Danny,” he rolled his eyes playfully. “Of course you. I knew I felt something for a while but I knew for certain that I loved you after you left. Life just sucked.”

“I doubt that, you’re leading the championship.”

“Winning isn’t everything Schat. And truth is the more I won and you weren’t there by my side, the more it lost any appeal. My life is empty without you. Not to mention my cats miss you too.”

“Should have led with that.”

“Oh, so you love them more than me?”

She chuckled, “I didn’t say that.”

“And you didn’t say you didn’t love me too.”

“I do Max. I love you.”

“Come back. Be with me.”

“I want to but I have a contract and an apartment.”

“We’ll rent it out and use it for holidays. And as for your contract, Ill buy you out. I want you with me.”

“What about your new PA Greta?”

“I’m sure Danny will take her off my hands and she’ll be happy with that too.”

“What did you do?” Yn smiled knowingly.

“Nothing....too bad.”

She laughed, “You’re a stubborn man sometimes.”

“Exactly, which means I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“You make a tough offer to turn down. But I have one condition.”

“Let me have it.”

She shifted so that she was on top of him causing him to groan as she touch his sweet spot. “Can we keep this between us? The fact that we’re together, at least for the time being. Its so soon after you and Kelly split and I know how the fans can get.”

“I don’t care abut the fans, but I can do that for you. For a while a least. But we have to tell Charles and Alex. He is the reason we’re together. “

“Okay, we can tell them, and maybe Daniel, he is your best friend.”

“And Christian. I know he’ll be thrilled you’re back, second only to me.”

“Ok. I have one more request.”

“Mmm.”

“Do you think you can do that thing with your tongue again?”

In one swift move he had them turned over with him hovering over her. “Anything for you my liefie.”

Feel free to send in any requests

[verdantwyrm]

YES afterwashing au please!! always a delight to hear peoples's aus

Anonner's I'm so sorry this ask got way buried, and I've been contemplating exactly how I want to go about asking it. So I'd thought I'd just repost my entire list with extra added stuff since I've given the AU more thought.

So to preface, Curly and Swansea used to work on a ship called the Slepnir. Curly was just an intern at the time and Swansea was one of the head engineers in a crew of 230 people. Amongst those 230 people, Anya had temporaily boarded the ship between deliveries as an Intern herself, to be dropped off a stationary to be boarding another frieghter, the Arion.

Curly and Anya met only ever so briefly, but it was the downfall for him. He fell hard. And before he knew it, she was gone again. Curly continued to work until he managed to earn the ranking of Captain, and a year later he brought on his friend, Jimmy. Three years later he earned the ship, Tulpar, and his crew began from there. Swansea was employed on a few months later.

Anya joined half a year later, and then Daisuke joined two years later. The main events of the game still take place right up until the initial crash. When Curly is approaching the cockpit, in a moment of pure panic and hysteria, Jimmy lunged towards Curly, in an attempt to ensure their death, but it backfired horribly.

Jimmy and Curly's skin had ended up fused together by the heat and the insulation foam, which requires an amputation of Curly's arm from the Elbow and Jimmy's arm from the shoulder. Besides serious burns on their feet, shoulders, torso and face, it was a miracle they both survived relatively unharmed. Jimmy ended up with his retna's burnt, making his vision all fuzzy and blurry, and Curly's eye suffering serious damage to the point of blindness, as well as mild deafness.

Outraged by the outcome, Jimmy becomes violent and agressive, physically demanding. With the added stress of taking care of two patients, both pilots being out of commissions, the stress eventually gets to Anya and she miscarries. Now with Anya out of the picture to take care of her patients, Swansea takes up role as temporary Captain and barely manages to convince Anya to not overdose and that he has a plan.

With Daisuke's help, and Jimmy out of the picture, Swansea was actually two of the other cryopods working. Managing to convince Anya to take Curly into one of them with Daisuke, Jimmy realises their actions and decides to attack Swansea in a blind rage out of jealousy with the knife.

Missing him narrowly, Swansea tells the others to get into the pods, swinging at Jimmy and narrowly missing him, he instead hits the cryopod which sets off the temperature, turning the entire utility room into a freezer with the cryogenic atmosphere freezing them all... until a nearby ship comes along.

Pre Crash Curly

- 35 Years old, born December 22nd. Full name is Grant Kirk Curly. Australian British.

- Absolutely a gymrat, bit over the top but he has genuinely the best intentions. He's really big on the aftercare of exercising, hydrating, massages, stretches, it's a fine art to him. A ritual, almost.

- Loves cooking but can only make an assortment of five dishes. Spaghetti, Meatloaf, Risotto, Lasagna and he makes a real mean Stir Fry. It's all very simple food, he doesn't need it to be extravagant. Food is a big love language for him, so when he was forced to go on packet diet for space travel, he cried for six hours.

- Even though he's british, he has roots from Australia. You can still kind of hear it sometimes when he uses his Captain Voice. Daisuke and Anya teased him a little about it.

- He was actually promoted against his will. Originally he was an just apart of the maintenance crew on a larger ship called Sleipnir, it was the second largest delivery freighter right behind Arion which had a crew of three hundred and eighty five people. It was an absolute marvel of machinery, built to deliver other machinery and high tech equipment. When that ship was retired, he was forced into a promotion of Captain, since no one wanted to take the Tulpar and he happened to be around at the time and couldn't bring himself to say no.

- He doesn't have a very distinct taste in music. He will just listen to whatever sounds good. When Anya and Swansea found out they immediately forced him to listen to "real" music and then soon they all made a collaborative playlist which now haunts the Tulpar.

- Curly grew up with a very large family, a middle child of sisters and brothers, he often found himself being told he was lucky to come from such a big, warm family. But the truth is, he found himself ignored alot. His older siblings were well out of school and his younger siblings were too little to stand on their own, so he rarely got any attention and he eventually moved out of home at seventeen to move in with Jimmy, who he became friends with because of their shared loneliness.

- Curly actually had a mullet once, but Swansea forced him to cut it. He said it made him look like a "Hippie" and he couldn't stop laughing. Anya says she liked it, and he regrets cutting it because of that.

- He has met Anya previously on a past delivery years ago, they used to sneak away together to smoke or to complain a little about work. Anya was an intern nurse under the head doctor, Maddie, who was very uptight and constantly cranky. When they met on the Tulpar again, that flame was reignited and it soon developed into a hallway crush that never left the hallway.

- Curly actually knew Swansea for the longest, he was one of the other head mechanics on Slepnir, and they got along really well. Curly is glad to have a familiar face on the ship (Besides Jimmy and Anya) that actually greatly impacted his life and helped him steer towards the topic of his career and his future. He never got to do what he wanted thanks to the sudden promotion, but he's grateful for his teachings nonetheless. Curly wanted to repair and build aircraft for a living, back on earth. He still dreams about it, sometimes.

- Loves Snowboarding, hates Skiing. He also really likes surfing but the hot weather doesn't agree with him.

- To me, he's bisexual but genuinely has no clue. If the circumstances are right he'll sleep with a guy and try really hard to not think too hard about it. It's embarrassing to him especially since he hasn't had much experience sexually or romantically, but he won't say no to a cute guy.

- His relationship with Jimmy has been up and down. When they were teens, Jimmy was just angry and lashed out at people. He had alot of paranoia and used it to fuel his own rage, but he always went on about how guilty he felt and how he hated being angry and how it used to tear him up inside about being exactly like his father. Their relationship was very briefly romantic and then sexual, but that ended quickly after Curly got accepted into pilot academy and started seeing Jimmy less and less. Jimmy resents him for this, Curly isn't even aware of it.

Post Crash Curly

- 39 Years old

- He was rescued from the crypod by a passing ship called Embarr, a small crew of fourty people. It was a medical emergency ship sent out to actually retrieve the dead bodies of another ship, and they happened upon ths Tulpar on a detour due to significant asteroid interference. Jimmy, Anya and Daisuke all miraculously survived, Swansea's body was never found.

- Managed to come out of it pretty unscathed with only the left side of his body being the most damage. He still needed amputations, but only on one arm and his foot.

- He was in a coma for three months as his body was slowly defrosted and pumped with all the necessary fluids. An autopsy was performed on him originally thinking he was dead. He was not. And they thankfully realized the mistake before it became life threatening and took them all back to earth to receive the best medical care possible.

- Vegetarian. After being forced to eat his own flesh, he can't stomach meat now. It's too upsetting.

- Still enjoys working out, even if its extremely limited. The moment he was allowed to do any physiotherapy or even walking again, he would push himself constantly, even if it hurt. He had subconsciously made exercise as a way to distract himself from the depression and psychological issues he had, so that being no longer an option really worn him down.

- Curly took up a permanent residence in the hospital after waking up. The doctors have urged him to go and live his life, but he struggles to understand why he would even want to. Developed a serious bout of agoraphobia that prevents him from leaving.

- As soon as he was able, he immediately told Anya and Daisuke the truth, about who crashed the ship and what had happened. Anya is still struggling to accept and understand the truth, but she's coming around slowly.

- He has denied skin grafting and facial reconstruction surgery multiple times now, mainly because he's worried about whats going to happen if he doesn't look like himself anymore or even like what he sees in the mirror. That he won't be able to recognise who he is anymore. He's slowly warming up to it, but very slowly.

- Has a guide dog named Laika, it helps him see and also helps him go outside and overcome his agoraphobia.

- He's learning how to cook again, after the crash. alot of his tastebuds were destroyed from mouthwash and starvation, so he's had to teach his body how food tastes again. He's developed a new love for custard.

- Still thinks about Anya, hopes to rekindle something with her in the future when she's ready.

Pre Crash Anya

- 34 Years old, born April 4th. Full name is Anya Musume, Czech Romanian.

- Her favourite movie is Bambi, she cries everytime it's on. Curly laughs at that but he bursts into tears while watching Brother Bear.

- She likes to knit, kind of sucks at it but she needs something therapeutic.

- She goes through alot of different hobbies and finds it difficult to stay in one place. She also has an infinite knowledge of completely useless facts she likes to bring up randomly, loves learning new things and is very hard to pry away from a good book.

- Also a gymrat, definitely not as much as Curly is but she enjoys jogging alot. Sometimes when she's getting mad cabin (ship?) fever, she will do some laps around the lounge room or hallway outside of utility. She likes to keep active and its become a way for her to think or concentrate, suffers the most from sitting still for too long. She sometimes does stretches with Curly, and he helps her find new ways to exercise or keep active in such a small place.

- Her favourite food of all time is cheeseburgers. Its her number one guilty pleasure and absolutely orders those ridiculously huge ones with seven different layers of fillings. She has a huge appetite and it lowkey scares people simply because of how much she eats in one sitting. She also enjoys a really good french onion soup from time to time, but the onions make her cry uncontrollably.

- Actually wanted to be a paediatrician once. After being denied a consecutive six times, she decided to just do whatever she would qualify to. Became a little depressed with it all, but still applied a two more times just in case. Shortly after being denied an eighth time, Pony Express approached her and it all went from there.

- Bisexual and knows it, probably has something funky going on with all that gender stuff too but she doesn't care too much. Has absolutely slept with girls before, liked it alot. Her first time was with a butch lesbian on the back of her car. She is very confident sexually and physically, she just enjoys wearing sweaters and jackets.

- Doesn't have a very big family. Her parents are divorced and she was forced to raise herself and her little sister. When her little sister turned 18, she got married immediately and left home to be a housewife. This put Anya in a bit of a spin and made her dive into some questionable relationships with some very lazy people.

- She also had a huge crush on Curly, but she would just bury herself in work to avoid thinking about it. She tried to somehow mix the two and get him to open up and try to get him to relax around her, but it never worked. He was always weirdly tense and rigid, despite being happy and smiling, there was something very deep beneath the surface.

Post Crash Anya

- 38 Years old

- Sort of gave up on her dream to be a nurse. She would absolutely love to, but her mental health has declined too drastically to study or even apply again and she has no money to even continue studying. Right now she's working as a librarian, she enjoys the quiet.

- Being put inside the cryopod basically froze her unborn baby, you're not supposed to operate the pods if you're pregnant and because of that she miscarried. She has alot of very mixed thoughts about it all, but is glad nonetheless. Would love to have children of her own someday.

- Still yearns for Curly, doesn't know how to move on, she's not even sure if she wants to move on.

- Her suicidal tendencies are still very present, and she can no longer be trusted around medication. She has to go to the hospital to take it and says hello to Curly everytime she does.

- Sometimes has sleepovers with Daisuke or Curly just to have someone nearby. She misses the constant, constant noise of the ship, and she knows they do as well. Its hard adjusting to silence.

- Wears her glasses more often now, never realized how badly she needed them until now.

- Has alot of self harm tendencies, scratches and peels at her skin as a nervous tic.

- Has a pet cat named Rosa, its a therapy animal to help her relax and calm down, she has really bad OCD and constantly triple checks everything is locked, turned off or on. She gets really ahead of herself and it can be exhausting.

- Still watches movies, brings over brother bear and has a real good cry with Curly sometimes. She's developed a passion for romance movies, it fills a little part of her soul each time. Her favourite is The Notebook. Definitely into some real cheesy stuff but it makes her happy.

Pre Crash Jimmy

- 37 Years old, born April 2nd. Full name is James "Jimmy" Zare. American Australian.

- He's a chronic self harmer, littered in burns, cuts, bruises and scars. If smoking or alcohol doesn't take the edge off, he has a tendency to mutilate himself or he drifts endlessly. Before joining PE, he used to dissociate alot and it would never end well. After joining PE he got put on some serious stabilisers and anti-psychotics it switched his hazy, passively suicidal behaviour for a very angry and bitter one. Curly isn't sure if it was for the best.

- He didn't come from the greatest family. His parents were devout Christians. He had two younger sisters, and his mother was pregnant with another. After miscarrying, his parents got divorced because his father believed it was a sign of infidelity or shame, and his mother basically turned into a husk. Unable to speak, unable to take care of herself, completely and utterly empty. So with the added stress of his father dissapearing and then also having to raise himself and his sisters, he's developed a very nasty opinion of women and believes them to be weak and a nuisance. Jimmy was always extremely jealous of Curly's family, and never believed him wheb he said it was also really hard growing up.

- He wanted to be an engineer growing up. He actually bonded with Curly over their shared interests in machinery, and soon it branched from there. They met in highschool but got separated when Curly moved. Years later in a drunken stupor, he found himself miraculously at the doorstep of Curly's new life, and ever since then he's never been able to get rid of Curly.

- Jimmy's favourite animal is Hyena

- Has multiple tattoos that are equally trashy as they are shitty, he almost convinced Curly to get a matching one. Plenty of piercings have been ripped out of his body.

- Jimmy only got into weightlifting because Curly said he would pay for his membership. Jimmy isn't as strong as Curly is, its more the adrenaline that kicks in that keeps him ontop.

- Cut his hair to mimic Curly's but it lacks any real volume so it doesn't look like it.

- Closeted homosexual, open homophobe to himself. Alot of his feelings towards Curly are sexual in a way, but because of his upbringing and relationship examples he thinks this is normal and indulges in them quite often. Would never admit it.

Post Crash Jimmy

- 41 Years old

- Got sentenced to life in prison shortly after Curly regained his ability to speak coherently. Even though alot of the details for the legal case were skewered, Anya and Daisuke both showed up with their own cases to prove Curly's argument and they won.

- Before heading to jail, Jimmy actually got arrested three different times for breaking and entering. He was found trying to steal from his old place, which had new tenants and didn't even have his stuff anymore.

- When he killed himself, he managed to just barely miss all of his very important brain functions. He needs a cane to walk but refuses to use one so he limps a bit. He also has seizures and his schizophrenia has gotten significantly worse. He has a large scar on the side of his face now.

- No longer cuts his hair. It's grown past his shoulders now.

- Curly was able to finally sever ties and no longer speaks to Jimmy. He actually has an automated monthly card come in for Jimmy specifically because he knows it pisses him off. Jimmy's youngest sister visits sometimes.

- Goes by just "James" now.

- Sobered up against his will, got put on new medication that no longer makes him as angry, he's just bitter and cold.

- The blow from Swansea into his shoulder was brutal and it almost completely destroyed his arm, he's been learning how to use it again but struggles to commit.

Pre Crash Daisuke

- 25 Years old, born June 5th. Full name is Junpei Daisuke, Filipino Japanese.

- A bit of a perv but an extremely respectable way. He won't harass girls or make them uncomfortable but if you give him verbal consent that he's allowed to stare he isn't gonna hold back.

- Massive mama's boy. Never wants to admit it because he thinks others will tease him for it.

- He actually really dislikes chocolate, and prefers his sugary treats to be that of candy or gummies. Chocolate makes him sick too quickly. He has a bit of a sensitive stomach to coco.

- Has a belly button piercing, he says he was dared to do it but thats not true. He also has a tattoo that he cannot show anyone. (Its a trampstamp)

- Actually had a huge massive crush on Curly when he first met him. It was really embarrassing, but it mostly comes from jealousy. Curly is so much bigger abd stronger and Daisuke hopes to be like that one day. Extremely sexy and handsome.

- His favourite board game is monopoly because Anya always wins that one. He likes seeing her happy.

- Wanted to be an artist but after hearing about his parents financial troubles he gave up and decided to settle for a blue collar job thar had decent pay. Even though it was his idea, she had to push him to take the job.

- Got expelled from college, half way through he got really depressed and burnt out and kept on skipping classes and not putting any effort in. He also got fired from hos part time job and was forced to move back in with his parents.

- He's an only child and his parents absolutely love each other but there some strain and Daisuke can see it clearly, and it seriously depresses him but he tries to not let it get to his head.

- Pansexual, absolutely is trans in some way but he has a job so he dgaf rn.

- When he first arrived on the Tulpar, he noticed just how utterly depressing it was. So he decided to be the exact opposite of that, putting on a brave smile and attitude to ease himself into the crew. He gets along with Anya and Curly the most.

- Has two cats back at home. Pepper and Donatello, named after his favourite TMNT character.

- He's also a bit of a gym freak but he has no idea what he's doing, very new to real equipment found in gyms as he would always just use whatever was closest or available to him. Curly is teaching him proper techniques.

- Major insomniac but doesn't tell anybody this. Anya has to (metaphorically) choke it out of him so she can help, and he's been slowly adjusting to the medication.

- Has a bunch of really bad habits, drinking especially.

Post Crash Daisuke

- 29 Years old

- He's not allowed to leave the house anymore without running it by his mom. Ever since he returned from the Tulpar she's been dreading the worst happening again, keeps him on a really tight leash out of fear.

- Donatello passed away while he was in space, so in his grieving he got another cat and named it Biggie.

- His parents got divorced finally, the news of what happened had drove his father to the edge and it became too stressful. Daisuke doesn't resent him, and they keep in contact.

- Finally decided to let himself pursue art, Anya is his biggest supporter and she buys all of his paintings. He loves drawing animals the most, finds their complexities to be beautiful.

- let his haie grow out longer, often puts it in a ponytail now.

- He doesn't know what Swansea's sacrifice was, he only knows that somehow he ended up in the Cryopod and that his body was nowhere to be found. and nobody else knows what happened. He misses him a ton, so he paints swans alot. Sometimes Swansea's wife, Meredith, buys them, she comes around to talk to Daisuke and make sure he's doing well.

- He has a part time job now as a dog walker. He walks Swansea's dog almost every day now.

- Also a vegetarian, he's actually why Curly decided to become one. They still work out together but now its mostly him teaching Curly new things.

- Still really depressed and aimless, but he's been put on real medication to help him cope and he's doing much better.

Pre Crash Swansea

- 56 Years old, Born August 10th. Full name is Swansea Manning Heartford, Welsh.

- He actually doesn't like sweets all that much, but its much better than his other options. Coffee makes him sick as well, so sugar is his only vice.

- Has four kids, they're well into their adult years now. Swansea used to be able to call them when they were closer to earth, but that eventually stopped. He also has a brother, but they haven't talked in decades.

- A similar situation as Curly, Swansea got promoted to head engineer of the Tulpar because no one else would take it and he just so happened to be around. He was actually planning on retiring early.

- His wife used to always exclaim how jealous she was of him, to see the stars and everything beyond sounds like a dream. He didn't have the heart to tell her it sucks.

- Daisuke reminded him of not only his kids, but himself in a way. Back when he was younger and didn't have much of a care.

- Cannot punish his kids for the life of him, he's always been too soft and could never bring himself to actually be hard on them. He would get angry again them but then immediately do something to make it up to them because he felt guilty. He started to do this subconsciously with Daisuke and didn't notice until Curly pointed it out.

- Also a really big foodie, sort of cried a little with Curly when they were told about the strict food packet diet. Promises when this shipment is over he'll make the biggest gumbo ever and invite everyone around for it.

- Needs glasses but refuses to wear them.

- Gets along pretty well with Anya, they're not best friends but she's definitely more tolerable than Daisuke is. Neither of them talk that much so they both understand how good silence is, sometimes he'll let her complain and rant about absolutely nothing (Although it usually about Jimmy) because he understands how frustrating it can be. He doesn't provide her with anything or gives pep talks, he just lets her complain in circles.

- Girl dad, he has only daughters so to finally have a son in a way has been a new experience. He struggles to admit it but he is proud of Daisuke, he's just never been very open about his feelings or emotions, especially in his older age

- On the brink of a midlife crisis. Wanted to go mountain climbing.

- Probably gay, bisexual? he doesn't know. Doesn't care. College was weird.

- Theres multiple theories by others of what happened, but nobody knows the truth. He was never found. Rumours that his body just crumbled away into thousands of pieces.

[vgprintads]

'Virtual 33'

[MISC] [AUSTRALIA] [MAGAZINE] [1995]

A Hankin & Co was formed in 1955 by Alec Hankin, a pioneering figure in the Australian amusement industry. Alec began his venture by operating amusement games in the Newcastle area, north of Sydney, New South Wales, establishing a foundation that would eventually lead to the creation of one of Australia's most iconic pinball companies. As the business grew, Alec’s sons, Peter and David, joined the company, and by 1965, they had opened their first amusement centre. Over time, Hankin expanded its footprint, establishing centres across Eastern Australia. When Alec passed away in 1974, he left behind a legacy that his sons would carry forward, culminating in the creation of Hankin Pinball. In 1978, David Hankin launched Hankin Pinball with a bold vision of producing high-quality pinball machines that would stand out in both the Australian and international markets. At a time when the pinball industry was dominated by a few major players, Hankin’s entry was ambitious, to say the least. He brought together a team of skilled engineers, designers, and artists—many of whom were local talents, including the son of the local bank manager, who became a major designer for the company. As the founder and driving force of Hankin Pinball, David Hankin was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic Australian-made pinball machines, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of arcade gaming. His vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to quality helped establish Hankin Pinball as a significant player in the global pinball market, even if only for a brief period. (...)Like many companies in the arcade industry, Hankin Pinball Australia faced challenges as the market shifted towards home gaming consoles in the 1980s. The rapid advancement of video game technology and the increasing popularity of home entertainment systems for instance Playstation and Nintendo led to a decline in the demand for traditional arcade machines. Despite producing some of the most memorable pinball machines of the era, Hankin struggled to compete in the changing landscape and eventually ceased production, marking the end of an era. However, the story of Hankin Pinball did not end there. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in pinball, driven by nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for the craftsmanship and gameplay that define these machines. Collectors and enthusiasts have sought out Hankin's machines, restoring them to their former glory and sharing them with new generations of players. This revival has seen Hankin Pinball Australia regain its place in the annals of arcade history, with its machines celebrated as vintage treasures that encapsulate the spirit of a bygone era. ~Stephen Smith, Kineticist ("Australian Pinball: The Hankin Story", 9/18/2024)

Source: Cash Box International, January 1995 || Gaming Alexandria; Dustin Hubbard (via the Internet Archive)

[thoundcarriers]

 tis a very old au of mine about sniper who's lived all his 27 years in New Zealand and never got to be a mercenary. read more insanity under the cut lolol

in this universe, his biological father got inside the capsule instead of little Mun-dee. an hour later, he crashed somewhere in Australia and died. on the next day, some old married couple found his body and buried him on the lonely hill. Mundy and his mother never got to know what happened to him, and the latter did not give a single shit about it.

raised with the weird feeling of being lost and bitter taste of hatred of his mother towards the man who left them in an underwater cage, Mick tries his best to recover the schemes of his biological father, hoping for the opportunity of escaping, too. years later, he finds nothing and gives up. nor that he had any skills for engineering, too.

on the day of his 27th birthday, an unknown ship hovers above the glass dome of the city, and a female voice on the communication lines politely demands him to climb into the cabin this instant.

spy and pauling are happy beyond themselves - they finally found him. the sniper, even though he's clearly not remembering his past self. but they hope that he comes back to his original self eventually.

poor lad is confused and nervous, he's expected to know stuff he never did. he's told that as soon as he gets into it, he'll be back in no time. the problem is that he has never held a sniper rifle in his life, not mentioning about killing someone.

ms p comes up with a wonderful idea - his parents that adopted him must be still alive in that universe. there's no better teacher at shooting stuff than the Mick's papa himself. the only thing left to do is to convince them that Mick is actually their son somewhere in another world. and if they don't agree to help, it'd all be lost to hell. pretty easy!

surprisingly, the gang handle the old couple well after finding their village and introducing themselves. the old man doesn't trust them, always squinting and spitting behind their backs. yet there's the only thing he likes about that lanky guy - he doesn't complain much, spending hours under australian sun and soaking wet with sweat in his weird purple shirt, while learning the grounds of weaponry. miss mundy is on the contrary - really happy to have guests in their village and is pretty supportive of the young man she knows only for a moment.

for a moment, Mick catches the sight of someone's grave in the distance in his lense. for some reason, it fills him with rage he never felt, and it fuels him to train even more. i know i know most of it doesnt even make fucking sense. but let me dream aight. tagged as 'left alone au' on my blog is u wanna look up for some old cringe

[janesurlife]

Addressing media ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz was asked if he experienced any similar issues with his own race engineer, or if his integration into Williams was proving to be significantly different.

“No, no, this is the same. It’s exactly the same, The only difference is that unfortunately for me, I didn’t get to drive such a demanding race from communication’s side in Australia, and I’ve missed that experience to build with my engineer.”

Love a guy who's smart, articulate, doesn't get baited by the media and does not give them their clickbait headlines which they so clearly want.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

New modelling reveals that low-carbon concrete developed at RMIT University can recycle double the amount of coal ash compared to current standards, halve the amount of cement required and perform exceptionally well over time. More than 1.2 billion tonnes of coal ash were produced by coal-fired power plants in 2022. In Australia, it accounts for nearly a fifth of all waste and will remain abundant for decades to come, even as we shift to renewables. Meanwhile, cement production makes up 8% of global carbon emissions and demand for concrete -- which uses cement as a key ingredient -- is growing rapidly. Addressing both challenges head-on, engineers at RMIT have partnered with AGL's Loy Yang Power Station and the Ash Development Association of Australia to substitute 80% of the cement in concrete with coal fly ash.

Read more.

[transport-methodology-101]

Purpose-Built:

The DH.88 was purpose built specifically for the MacRobertson Air Race in mind to provide a competitive British entry. It featured two reliable de Havilland Gipsy Six engines, with long-range 2,927 miles (4,710 km) allowing it to complete the race's demanding distance.

It was a fast and efficient aircraft for it’s time with twin engines calibrated for a maximum speed of 237 mph (381 km/h) and a cruise speed of 220 mph, (354 km/h). The DH.88 Comet became one of the most famous aircraft in aviation history, known for its role in the MacRobertson Air Race. Boeing, Douglas, Lockheed and about 9 more aircrafts participated.

Now about the race itself:

The MacRobertson International Air Race or the Melbourne Centenary Air Race, was a long-distance air race held in 1934 to celebrate Melbourne's 100th anniversary. The race, sponsored by Sir Macpherson Robertson, a wealthy Australian confectionary manufacturer, spanned from RAF Mildenhall in England to Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, a approximately 11,300 miles (18,200 km) from England to Melbourne, Australia with 5 compulsory stops at Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin, and Charleville. The prize was £15,000 which today is equal to roughly £1,371,908.13 to give you an ideal oh how significant this aviation race was and still is.

Plus Robertson provided an exquisite gold trophy, generous cash prizes, and gold medals for all crews and passengers who reached Melbourne

[nandinish27]

Best Courses to Study in Australia for Indian Students with High ROI.

Why Australia is a Top Study Abroad Destination in 2025

Australia continues to rank among the top destinations for Indian students seeking world-class education, global career opportunities, and a multicultural lifestyle. With over 100,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia, the trend is fueled by high employability, quality institutions, and welcoming immigration policies. This blog provides a complete study guide in Australia for Indian students, focusing on the top courses offering the highest return on investment (ROI) in 2025.

Top Reasons to Study in Australia for Indian Students

Globally ranked universities like the University of Melbourne, ANU, and UNSW

Post-study work visas for up to 4 years

Pathways to Permanent Residency (PR)

Industry-relevant, skill-based courses

High graduate employability

Scholarships and financial support for Indian students

High ROI Courses for Indian Students in Australia

1. Information Technology and Computer Science

Why It’s Worth It:

Booming tech industry in cities like Sydney and Melbourne

Strong demand for software developers, AI specialists, and cybersecurity analysts

Excellent PR pathways via the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

Career Opportunities:

Software Developer

Cloud Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 120,000

2. Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Mining)

Why It’s Worth It:

High demand for engineers in infrastructure, renewable energy, and mining

PR-friendly occupations

Hands-on, accredited programs (Engineers Australia recognition)

Career Paths:

Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

Renewable Energy Consultant

Average Salary: AUD 75,000 – 130,000

3. Health Sciences & Nursing

Why It’s Worth It:

Acute shortage of skilled healthcare workers

Strong employment growth projected until 2030

Offers direct PR routes for nursing graduates

Career Opportunities:

Registered Nurse

Public Health Officer

Physiotherapist

Average Salary: AUD 65,000 – 110,000

4. Business Analytics and Data Science

Why It’s Worth It:

High demand across sectors (banking, retail, healthcare)

Versatile career paths with global appeal

STEM classification supports extended post-study work visa

Career Options:

Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Consultant

Data Scientist

Average Salary: AUD 85,000 – 130,000

5. Accounting and Finance

Why It’s Worth It:

Consistent job demand across Australia

Accredited courses (CPA Australia, CA ANZ)

Opens doors to roles in multinational firms

Career Opportunities:

Chartered Accountant

Financial Analyst

Auditor

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 115,000

6. Education and Teaching

Why It’s Worth It:

Australia’s school system seeks qualified teachers, especially in regional areas

Included in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Roles After Graduation:

Primary School Teacher

Early Childhood Educator

Secondary School Teacher

Average Salary: AUD 65,000 – 100,000

7. Architecture and Construction Management

Why It’s Worth It:

Australia’s urban expansion and infrastructure projects

Recognized qualifications with global applicability

Popular Careers:

Architect

Project Manager

Construction Estimator

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 120,000

Cost of Education in Australia (2025)

Course Type

Average Annual Tuition (AUD)

UG Courses

20,000 – 45,000

PG Courses

22,000 – 50,000

MBA

40,000 – 80,000

Scholarships Available for Indian Students

Australia Awards Scholarships – Fully funded by the Australian government

Destination Australia Scholarships – Regional study scholarships worth AUD 15,000

University-Specific Grants – E.g., Monash International Merit Scholarship, University of Sydney International Scholarships

Post-Study Work Rights and PR Pathways

Australia allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during semesters and full-time during breaks. Graduates can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), offering work rights for 2–4 years depending on qualification and location.

PR Pathways via:

General Skilled Migration (GSM)

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Regional Migration Programs

How Eduvisor Can Help You Study in Australia

Navigating the Australian education system, choosing the right course, and applying for visas can be overwhelming. That’s where Eduvisor, a trusted study abroad consultant in India, steps in. Eduvisor offers personalized counseling, university shortlisting, scholarship assistance, SOP writing, and complete visa support — tailored for Indian students planning to study in Australia.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a high-ROI course in Australia is more than just picking a subject — it’s about aligning your passion with global trends. With the right guidance and planning, Australia can be your gateway to a successful international career. Use this study guide in Australia for Indian students as your blueprint for 2025 and beyond.

Ready to begin your journey? Let Eduvisor turn your study abroad dream into reality.

FAQs

Q1. What are the most affordable courses to study in Australia? A: Vocational Education & Training (VET) courses, TAFE programs, and regional university degrees are often more budget-friendly.

Q2. Is PR easy after studying in Australia? A: Courses on the SOL and MLTSSL lists (like IT, Nursing, Engineering) make it easier to qualify for PR.

Q3. How do I find scholarships to study in Australia? A: Government sites, university portals, and expert consultants like Eduvisor can help you explore scholarships based on merit, need, and region.

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Why Choose Tindo Solar for Wholesale Solar?

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As one of the leading solar suppliers, Tindo Solar ensures that all wholesale solar products meet the highest industry standards, providing maximum efficiency and longevity.

The Growing Demand for Solar Wholesalers in Australia

With increasing energy costs and government incentives for solar adoption, businesses and homeowners are turning to solar wholesalers for affordable and sustainable solutions. Choosing a reputable solar wholesaler like Tindo Solar ensures that installers and businesses receive high-quality products that contribute to a greener future.

Conclusion

Partnering with the right solar wholesaler is essential for success in the solar industry. Tindo Solar remains a trusted choice, offering premium wholesale solar solutions backed by innovation and sustainability. Whether you’re an installer or a business, working with Tindo Solar guarantees access to high-performance solar panels designed for Australia’s unique energy needs.

[redwryvernwrites]

TRAINTOBER DAY 11 - Roundhouse

Scotsman feels lonely in Australia, so a couple of R Class's invite her to their roundhouse.

I’ve mentioned this before but Flying Scotsman is Genderfluid in my AU. So if you're confused as to why Scotsman is female here, this is why.

~~~

“That handsome English engine here yet? I heard he was going to be here tonight,” the Victorian R Class 761 teased the other R Class that sat beside her in their roundhouse. It was surprisingly empty today as the other engines were out doing night runs.

“Sadie he’s not that pretty!” The R Class 707, City of Melbourne, scoffed and her sister leered at her, deeply amused by her denial.

“And I suppose that was someone else gushing about him to that J Class hmm?” Sadie teased and 707 turned as red as her paint.

“Shut up Summer!” She shrieked but Sadie just laughed at her.

Her peels of laughter echoed around the empty roundhouse as the loud chuffing of another engine started to ricochet off of the walls. 

Summer began to quiver nervously, but stopped when a familiar tender started to back into the sheds.

“Hey Jodie, how’s it going?” Summer greeted the smaller J Class engine as she gave a yawn and started to settle in for the night.

“Oh you know, so so,” Jodie tiredly responded.

“So have you met the English engine yet? Mr famous Flying Scotsman?” Sadie probed and Jodie looked at the bigger R Class.

“I have, but ‘he’ is currently a ‘she’ and she’s very nice!” Jodie corrected and Summer looked surprised.

“Oh, I was hoping to-” She began but her sister quickly interjected.

“Flirt with her?” She teased and Jodie giggled as Summer threw her a glare.

“I was hoping to invite her back to the roundhouse,” Summer clarified. “But I figured she might feel a bit weird surrounded by females. I heard they're mostly male over there."

“Yeah nah, I don’t think that bothers her all that much,” Jodie pointed out. “From what I gathered she’s a proper ‘lady-like’ engine. You know, all hoity-toity and class. I offered her a berth here but she didn’t take me up on the offer because she thought it might be rude.”

“Oh, those fucking uptight snobbish engines!” Sadie huffed annoyed.

“I don’t think she was trying to be a snob,” Jodie pointed out. “I think she’s just being polite. She’s in a foreign country after all.”

Sadie and Summer looked at each other before starting to build up some steam. Jodie looked confused.

“Where are you going?” The J Class called as the two of them began to roll out of the roundhouse.

“Picking up a rude cunt!” Sadie shouted back to which Jodie just sighed in response.

R Class’s could be such a hassle sometimes.

~~~

They found the foreign green Pacific sitting in a lonely shed near one of the working freight yards, the smell of diesel fuel and the sharp crackle of electricity stun in the air. She was sitting there with her eyes closed a peaceful look up her face.

“Oi you!” A loud voice jolted her out of her sleep and she gasped, looking around wildly before she noticed a large red and black engine hauling tender towards her at speed. Behind her, a similar-looking engine was chasing the first.

“Sadie, please! This isn’t going to help!” The one lagging behind called to her but it was no use as Scotsman found herself, practically nose to nose with a large engine with German smoke deflectors.

“You think you’re better than us Ms. perfectly famous huh?” The engine in her face, Sadie, demanded angrily.

“Most certainly not!” Flying Scotsman put on her best smile to try and placate the engine before her. “I simply do not wish to intrude on your business.”

“Intrude?” The R Class not in her face questioned. “You’re not intruding! We’d love to share a roundhouse with you Flying Scotsman! It would be an honour! If anything you're being a right prick by refusing our hospitality!"

“Oh, right well, of course! I meant no offence by turning down that lovely J Class’s invitation!” Scotsman admitted flustered. “I will happily accept her invitation if you both insist!”

“It's not just that," the other R Class 707 put in. "You look lonely out here by yourself. It reflects badly on us if you're not accommodated."

Scotsman looked at her buffers for a second before looking back up at the two R Class's before her. 

"I am a long way from home," she admitted. "And, I miss my friends, my family. I needed a small moment to myself, away from everything."

"Well if you need space-" 707 started to say but was quickly talked over by 761.

"Then you can make friends here!" 761 exclaimed. "I'm Sadie and this is my sister, Summer."

"Sadie and Summer, what marvellous names!" Scotsman praised. "I'm the Flying Scotsman but everyone here seems to call me Scottie."

"Scottie!" Summer cheered. "Well even if you need space, don't be afraid to come back to our roundhouse. These diesels will keep up all night if you stay here!"

Scotsman smiled at the two R Class's gratefully. 

"I do have quite a run tomorrow, I'd like some sleep," she conceded and the R Class's cheered. 

"So you'll come back with us?"

"Of course! Of course!" Scotsman beamed, her grin wide. "Please, lead the way!"

"Hooray, it's a girls night!" Sadie squealed delighted before moving so that Scotsman could be coupled to her.

~~~

“Sooo do you have a girlfriend, boyfriend, someone to share a berth with?” Sadie bluntly asked as Flying Scotsman settled herself between the 2 R Class’s.

“Sadie!” Summer was flabbergasted at her sister but their visitor just laughed in good humour.

“No, no, it’s quite alright,” she cheerfully assured Summer. "No, I'm not seeing anyone."

"Oh well then-" Summer squeaked but she was abruptly cut off by Scotsman. 

"I'm not looking for anyone either," she clarified and Summer's face fell. 

"Oh."

"It's okay Ms Summer, I'm sure a beautiful engine such as yourself will find someone out there!" Scotsman assured Summer and the R Class blushed a deep red. 

"Our girl Summer here likes them famous," Jodie revealed. "She has a super big crush on 3801 too."

"No, I don't! Shut up, Jo!" Summer hissed at the J Class who just laughed at her. 

Summer rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Scotsman who watched them with a goofy grin on her face. 

"What about you Scottie? Got any crushes back home?" Summer asked her and now it was Scotsman's turn to become bright red. 

"Well I uh…" she mumbled to herself and Jodie stopped laughing and turned her full attention to the English engine. 

"Oh go on, who is it?" Jodie urged. "Your secrets will never leave this roundhouse."

"Ah well it's quite embarrassing really, you see they're not from the same railway as I," Scotsman spluttered incredibly nervous and flustered. 

"Not from the same railway? Who cares?" Sadie flippantly cried. 

"Ah well, it's a bit taboo over in the UK to have a relationship with an engine of a different railway or the same gender or… a lot of things really," Scotsman exclaimed looking downtrodden. 

"That's stupid," Jodie scoffed and Scotsman sighed. "But tell us who it is, maybe it'll take it off your mind."

Scotsman looked unsure for a long time but then smiled.

She was halfway across the world and it was unlikely her secrets would find their way back to the UK.

The City of Truro.

"It's Pendennis Castle!" She exclaimed and instantly cursed herself. 

"Oh, the other UK engine here in Australia! How lucky!" Summer gasped but Sadie snorted in response. 

"Not lucky, more like planned," she mused. "We ask for Mallard, get Scotsman and somehow her honey boo is also here in Australia? Hmmm? Really now?"

"Ha ha you got me," Scotsman laughed awkwardly. "What a cheeky little scamp am I!

"I think it's romantic! Leave Scottie alone!" Summer hissed at her sister. 

As the conversation wore on she regretted more and more for accepting the engine's invitation to their roundhouse. 

Oh, why had she lied? Why couldn't she have just said Truro? 

The Australian Tour was about to get a lot more interesting for her.

~~~

Scotsman accepts all pronouns being genderfluid. It's my take on why a lot of rail fans call the engine her/she but also he/him and they/them. 

They're usually seen as male in Young Iron but can and will change if they feel like it but will always appreciate it if you need to ask.  

Video footage of R Class’s 761 and 707 escorting Flying Scotsman out of the city of Melbourne to head west on their tour.