document resume ed 399 458 ce 072 599 author edwards ... · document resume. ed 399 458. ce 072...

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 399 458 CE 072 599

AUTHOR Edwards, Hazel

TITLE Workdays. A Day in the Life of...a Fruiterer andTruck Driver.

REPORT NO ISBN-1-875759-09-3PUB DATE 95

NOTEAVAILABLE FROM

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29p.; For related documents, see CE 072 594-603.Draw Publications, P.O. Box 643, Kew, Victoria 3101,Australia ($7 plus $3.50 postage and handling).Books (010) Guides Classroom Use InstructionalMaterials (For Learner) (051)

MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.Adult Basic Education; *Adult Literacy; Adult ReadingPrograms; *Career Education; Career Exploration;Entrepreneurship; Foreign Countries; High InterestLow Vocabulary Books; *Literacy Education;*Occupational Information; *Quality of Working Life;Reading Instruction; Small Businesses

IDENTIFIERS Australia; *Heavy Equipment Operators; *TruckDrivers

ABSTRACTOne of a series of work-based interviews about

occupations in Australia, this booklet presents a personal interviewwith a man who has had a fruit shop and then his own heavy equipmentearth-moving business. The following questions are answered: what thefruiterer and heavy-equipment operator does, why the person chose thefield of employment, how the person found out about the job, what hedoes and doesn't like about it, what kind of training was needed,what the fruiterer and heavy-equipment operator does during a workingweek, and the hours. Cartoons are used to enliven the material, andglossaries listing 9 words for the fruiterer occupation and 12 wordsfor the heavy-equipment operator are included. Although designed tobe used in literacy classes with adult new readers, the booklets arealso appropriate for use with elementary and secondary students incareer exploration and career education. (KC)

************************************************************************ Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

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Hazel Edwards'

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Olhce'ef Educabonal Research and ImprovementED DONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

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Workdaysa day in the life of ...

ROSS PLOUGHMAN

EXCAVATIONS73 HOLLAND ROAD

BLACKBURN SOUTH

878.0684018.350125

PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE ANDDISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL

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a Fruiterer and Truck Driver2. BEST COPY AVAI BLE.


a Fruiterer andTruck Driver

Name Ross Ploughman

Aged 29

Workdays

Workdaysa day in the life of...a Fruiterer and Truck Driver

Copyright Hazel Edwards 1995

Draw PublicationsP.O. Box 643 Kew Victoria 3101AUSTRALIA

ISBN 1 875759 09 3

Illustrations by Will GoodwinDesign and layout by Draw PublicationsPrinted by Surrey PrintingPublished and distributed by DrawPublications

24

Workdays

WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS IS ROSSIN?

Ross is self employed as a fruiterer. He hashis own small shop in an eastern suburb ofMelbourne.

WHAT IS THE LOCATION LIKE?

The shop is on a busy road with about nineother shops. It is called a shopping strip.

ARE THERE SPECIAL PROBLEMSWITH A BUSINESS IN THE AREA?

Parking is sometimes a problem for hiscustomers. Luckily, there are severalschools and factories in the area. Thesebring people to the shops most days.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE AND WHY?

Older people often walk to the local shops.So do young mothers with children. Theylike the service at small shops.

Workdays

WHY CHOOSE THIS WORK?

Ross bought the business when he was in hisearly twenties. He's a hard worker andenjoys being his own boss.

WHAT WOULD ROSS DO IN ATYPICAL WEEK?

He works six days a week. And his daystarts very early. Lots of different skills areneeded to run the shop. He has to drive thefruit and vegetable truck. He goes to themarket early in the morning. Loading andunloading is heavy work.

WHAT KIND OF SKILLS DOES ROSSNEED?

He needs to know how to pick the bestquality fruit and vegetables.

6

4

Workdays

WHAT DOES HE DO IN THE SHOP?

In the shop, he sets out the fruit andvegetables. He serves customers and has tobe good at talking to people.

HAS A GOOD CUSTOMERRELATIONSHIP HELPED THEBUSINESS?

Ross is popular with his customers and hasbuilt up the business.

WHAT KIND OF SERVICE DOES ROSSOFFER?

It's hard for a small shop to compete withthe big supermarkets, so Ross pays specialattention to his customers.

IN WHAT WAY?

He makes sure all his food is fresh and willmake an effort to get special fruit for acustomer.

5 7

Workdays

Owe

Goopwiv

OK. You say potato, I say potarto.

6 8

Workdays

WHAT ELSE HAS TO BE DONE INTHE BUSINESS?

He does his books and has to keep goodrecords of where the money comes from andwhere it goes.

HOW CAN ROSS WORK SUCH LONGHOURS?

Luckily, lifting at work keeps him fit. Hedoesn't have time to play sport or go.outmuch. The business is more than a fulltimejob.

7

Workdays

WHAT HAPPENS IN A WORKINGDAY?

3.45am The alarm rings. Ross gets outof bed.

4.10am The truck starts, first time.

4.30am The road is quiet. There isonly a newspaper van, a policecar and other fruiterers headingfor the market.

4.40am

4.45am

This is Footscray Road. Thisis the Wholesale Fruit andVegetable Market. The trucksqueue outside the market. Thesecurity guard checks Ross'sparking permit. He also looksat his identification. It is stilldark.

Quickly, Ross parks in hisusual lane. 400-500 trucks areparked in the market. Growerstravel from the country duringthe night. Others are agents.They sell fruit or vegetables.

8 10

Workdays

4.50am

4.55am

5.00am

Some are fruiterers like Ross.He buys for his own smallshop. Others buy for the bigsupermarket chains. Rosswears a heavy, leather apron.This protects his clothes. Onthe inside apron pocket, hecarries his money. At themarket, everybody pays cash.

Inside, Ross checks the 'greens'first. He orders, 'two decks ofcaulies'. At another stall, heorders lettuce, boxes of celeryand bunches of silver beet. Hechecks the quality carefully.These will be paid for andcollected after 5am. That'swhen the market startsofficially.

Ross jumps out of the way.Fork-lift drivers move fast.They move the heavy loads outto the trucks.

The siren goes. The lightscome on. Buyers bargain.Then they pay for their fruit

9

5.15am

5.30am

5.45am

6.00am

6.30am

Workdays

and vegetables. Trolleys arepiled high with boxes. It isnoisy. Scooters nip betweenthe trolleys. Fork-lift driverszip in and out.

Ross loads his trolley for thefirst time. Thursday is hisheaviest morning of the week.

The flowers smell beautiful.Ross buys some daffodils.Sometimes he buys a bunch ofroses for his mother.

The second trolley load hasbeen taken to the truck. Theseare onions, tomatoes andapples.

Unusual fruits are bought 'for achange'. Ross buys sometamarillos. 'These are halfwaybetween an orange and amandarin'.

Time for a quick cappuccino atthe market cafe. Thick steakand onion sandwiches are eaten

10 12

Workdays

7.00am

7.35am

8.15am

8.45am

by truck drivers. They havedriven a long way. Ross returnshis trolley to the bay.

Ross leaves with a loadedtruck. Once his truck brokedown on busy Swan Street. Aprime mover was used to towhim. Luckily the vegetablesdidn't fall off!

Time for a quick shave andbreakfast. Then Ross unloadshis stock at the shop.

Some cabbages go into the coolroom. Bananas and oranges goon display. The shop is open.

'Is it fresh?' asks a customer,poking at a lettuce. 'Straightfrom the market this morning',says Ross.

9.00am The school canteen is pleasedwith the crisp red apples.

11 13

1.00pm

6.00pm

6.30pm

8.30pm

Workdays

Ross fixes his stock. He servesthe customers. He has asandwich for lunch.

He pulls down the big rollerdoor. This closes 'The FruitShop'.

At home, he counts the money.He does his books. Then hehas dinner.

Ross falls asleep in the chair.Then he wakes up. He sets hisalarm for 3.45am. Then hegoes to bed. Sunday is theonly morning he can sleep in!

1412

Workdays

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For the holidays, I'm takin' the family on atrip to the Big Banana!

13

GLOSSARY

Workdays

identification official card or paperwhich says who theperson is

greens Australian slang/jargonfor green leaf vegetables

decks layers, tierscaulies Australian slang/jargon

for cauliflower, avegetable

quality goodness and freshnessofficially correct or proper timecappuccino white coffee with milkfrothprime mover a large truck used to tow

trailer and vehicles

1614

Workdays

WHY DID YOU CHANGE YOUROCCUPATION?

The long hours. I used to start at quarter tofour in the morning and get home at six atnight. There was no time for anythingoutside the shop.

WAS THERE A SPECIAL REASON TOCHANGE?

My fiancee, Susan returned from overseas. I

didn't want to start a marriage with suchearly working hours.

WOULD YOU HAVE ENLARGED 'THEFRUIT SHOP' BUSINESS?

Although I'd built up a well run business, Icouldn't see much more potential.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

I did go for a few job interviews.

15 17

Workdays

WHAT OTHER JOBS DID YOU TRY?

I sold fire extinguishers. I was offered a jobas an insurance agent.

WHAT OTHER KIND OF WORK DIDYOU LOOK AT?

Meanwhile we looked at some earthmovingequipment. I offered him (the previousowner) a ridiculous price and he accepted it.

WHY DID YOU TRY EARTHMOVINGEQUIPMENT?

I like being outside. I have an affinity withmachinery. It's really pushing dirt around allday...but it's very expensive equipment.

DID SUSAN HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Susan did ask me if I'd find it mentallystimulating enough.

18

16

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Workdays

Basically it's about moving dirt from oneplace to another.

IS THE DIRT MOVED FOR AREASON?

I dig out foundations for houses. I tap intosewers. On a new house, I do a site clean. I

do landscaping work. I drill stump holes.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WEEK AS ASELF EMPLOYED EARTHMOVINGOPERATOR.

Monday I drilled some stump holes.

Tuesday I didn't work because it rained.

Wednesday I removed soil from landexcavated for foundations.

Thursday I removed more dirt from anotherblock of land.

17 19

Workdays

DO YOU WORK A LONG WAY FROMHOME?

Usually I work within a hundred kilometreradius.

WHAT KIND OF EARTHMOVINGMACHINERY DID YOU BUY?

My first machine and truck were out ofDad's Army.

IS IT STILL THE SAME MACHINERY?

Now I have good machinery....but I like tospend money to make it functional, make itlook pretty and make a dollar out of it.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN - MAKE ITLOOK PRETTY?

Presentation matters to me. I like to haveeverything looking spick and span. I'llspend money on keeping my equipment

2018

Workdays

looking good. It's not the money. All myequipment is very expensive to replace.

WHAT KIND OF MACHINERY DOYOU HAVE NOW?

'The outfit' weighs just under 11 ton. There'sa tip truck or tipper. The bob cat weighstwo and a quarter ton. This has four wheeldrive traction. On the trailer is a back hoeattachment and a post hole borer attachment.

IS IT DIFFICULT EQUIPMENT TOUSE?

I've always been able to operate anythingI've sat in.

IS IT EASY TO FIND WORK?

I work for a plant hire agency. Goodreputation is very important.

19 21

Workdays

HOW DOES THE AGENCY PAY YOU?

They give me work on a commission basisand take 10%. I carry a lot of theircustomers.

WHAT SORT OF MONEY DO YOUEARN?

My hourly rate is $54 per hour.

WHAT SATISFACTION DOES YOURWORK OFFER?

It's nice to feel your service is appreciatedover other people. If you haven't gotdemand, you haven't got the pressure ofkeeping yourself going. It's the thrill of thehunt.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST?

Waiting for something to fall off or goboom. Then there's the weather.

2220

Workdays

WHAT ABOUT.THE WEATHER?

I don't like it when it's freezing at 6am in themorning, or boiling in the afternoon heat.

IS IT DEMANDING WORK?

Physically, it's very demanding.

WHY?

You bounce around in a machine all day.

HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF WORK FORA LONG PERIOD?

One low spot was when I worked only 19days in three months. Usually I'mconstantly working, if you 'turn the wheels'you're making money.

21 23

Workdays

CAN THERE BE ANY PROBLEMS ONTHE SITE?

The type of ground can influence whetherthe machine gets bogged down (only in thewinter months) or can keep going.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO GET THEMACHINE OUT?

A winch truck costs $200 to pull you out ifyou get bogged.

WHEN ARE YOUR QUIET TIMES?

Winter and Spring can be quiet times.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

I like working for myself. I enjoy the longhours, probably because I'm hyperactive.

24

22

Workdays

ARE YOU ALWAYS ALONE?

The dog is company. She's the first thingout the door in the morning. Hyperactivedog....we're a bloody good pair. I likeworking for myself.

2523

Workdays

24 26

GLOSSARY

Workdays

potential able to become or growaffinity natural likingstimulating excitingexcavated dug outradius areafunctional operational or

performing wellpresentation how something looks or

appearsthe outfit Australian slang/jargon

for all the excavationequipment

traction gripping pull of avehicle

reputation opinion of a personappreciated well pleasedhyperactive always busy

25 27

Hazel Edwards'


A collection of simply written, work-based interviews, togive an insight into others' workstyles for beginningadult readers. The subjects were chosen to cover a rangeof occupations and workplace situations in Australiaincluding the self-employed, franchisee, professional,trade and semi-skilled.

'A day in the life of ...' series focuses on twenty people invaried occupations by profiling them through thetechnique of interview.

Mail Orders: Draw Publications,P.O. Box 643, Kew, Victoria, 3101 AustraliaPhone: 61+3+715 1552

Quantity Price($A12nd SeriesPolice Constables 7.00Customs Officer 7.00Family Garage Owner 7.00Fruiterer/Truck Driver 7.00Plumber 7.00

Set of Five 30.001st SeriesGardener : franchisee 6.00The Chef 6.00Vet Nurse 6.00Computer Salesman 6.00Offshore Platform Worker 6.00Set of Five 25.00

Australian orders :- allow $A6.00 Postage & HandlingOverseas orders :- allow $Al2.00 Postage & Handling

28

Workdays is based on real people in realjobs. The aim of the series is to providesimply written, interesting and relevantmaterial for new readers.

Author Hazel Edwards' method ofresearching is by interview and visiting theworkplace.

Her previous one hundred books haveincluded adult literacy, scripts, non-fiction,crime and childrens books. Currently she isresearching other workplaces for morebooks in the ' day in a life of ' series.

Gardner : franchiseethe ChefVet NurseComputer SalesmanOffshore Platform Worker Plumber(current series) (in production)

PoliceCustoms OfficerFamily Garage OwnerFruiterer

Drawlegions

x 3e

29

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