My Re-flectionz

This posting is taken from an email by Bro Rahmat Bayudi (rbayudi@gmail.com). It is written mixed in English and Malay.

Just remembered I could rekindle old stories


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rahmat Bayudi <rbayudi@gmail.com>
Date: 09-May-2005 12:22


Khas untuk peserta program Derma 'Sayur' [I think subsidi tak berapa sesuai].

Pantun pembuka:

Pisang emas dibawak berterab(e)r
Masak sebiji boleh buat kek nanti
Kalau janji nak ke Camberwell dan Fawkner
Tentu Tuan (Puan) akan mengerti

Weekend yang baru sudah, giliran saya (dan beloved wife - who insisted
on tagging along) to help kak Sal and Abg Tio (our Greek brother)
collect, transfer and upload vegetables and fruits into his Van and
our wagon. It was the first time we did it as family, and it was kinda
fun. We arrived about 4.40 just in time, after having a late lunch at
Habib's Cafe (not Jewel) Coburg. (Good for takeaway but not
recommended to eat it - from experience). Abg Tio was waiting at the
entrance.

Nevertheless, Abg Tio, for the first time, talked to me in longer
words and sentences (biasanya hello how are you je), saying they have
been in this operation for more than seven years. He described the
Camberwell fresh food market. Most of the operators there were
Muslims, therefore the arrangement. Otherwise, like in other markets,
these food goes to waste. There is also a Christian Lebanese who
donated their stuff to a nunnery nearby. So all and all, the kindest
of intention. The market is really clean, far removed from other
markets I have seen (never mind Pasar Section 17 PJ or Pasar
Selayang).

He also told me that their son who used to work at the market, no
longer do so because of the nearing VCE exams. Perhaps the more reason
that they need help with the task. I think they are generally happy
with the assistance we are providing.

Yes they spent the WHOLE of Saturday afternoon, in the last SEVEN
years or so, in Camberwell market. (definitely longer than Kak Sab or
Dr Lin stint in the Sunday version of Camberwell market). Later of
course, they will be at home receiving visitors who will take these
food home and redistributed accordingly.

One of us will probably spend ONE Saturday afternoon at the market
every TWO months. That's not too bad. So, keep volunteering!

So we went about the task of collecting and transferring of the
products. Everyone we met gave SALAM to us, it was vey nice. Their
little girl, Nor (something) was also there helping out with opening
van doors and collectiong fruits. Kak Sal seems to know everyone in
the market, talking and greeting them.

By about 5.20pm, we were done. Ka Sal sent in for the last time to
thank her friends in the market. Off we went.

On the way back, we would normally took the Burke St, Manningham St,
Lower Heidelberg, Banksia St and Bell St. That was the route I took in
my previous trip (with Azhar, Istas and Arief I think, .. help can't
remember the other one, sorry!). This time I followed Abg Tio using
Maroondah Hwy (Whitehorse Road), into Heidelberg, and into Albert St,
before turning into Bell St. My old route was probably faster, less
traffic light, just as scenic. We had to do that last time because
their old VAN had an accident, couldn't be used. Now they have a brand
new Toyota Hiace Van.

We arrived at Kak Sal's house by 6.00pm and unloaded the boxes. Arief
(& family incl. children) arrived, as he promised, few minutes later
(I did expect him to 'terpacak' at Percy St by 6pm though - like his
hockey stick.) Nik (& family incl. children) arrived slightly later,
was probably still finding his ways around Fawkner.

There were also other visitors who arrived to pick up the goodies.
Mostly Din's friends. Those who arrived early may benefit if there is
not enough things to go around - they get to choose! So seronoklah..
Those on 'duty' jugak may have the privilege to get things that will
othewise be difficult to distribute without 'kerat-mengerat').

Distribution was done swiftly and loaded into the distributing cars.
(Our wagon, Arief's sedan and Nik's wagon - copycat of ours, only
different colour.. he he).

Kak Sal sempat masak a 'pasta pie thing', with mozarella cheese, siap
dengan Parmesan cheese garnish (yang bau macam setokin tu).

We ate, talked and left around 8pm.

Technical (for those on duty):
Collection in Camberwell.
Out trip: From Coburg to Camberwell, 45km; Camberwell to Fawkner:
55km. Fawkner to Coburg, 15km.
Arrive before 430pm is highly recommended. Get best parking spot,
right in front of the entry way.
After arriving at Kak Sal's, help with distribution.

Distributor [from Fawkner]
Arrive at Kak Sal's place 6pm. Help downloading (not pirated software
- vegetable!) Start distributing immediately into organised boxes
(this is still an issue!!) **
By 645pm should complete, unless stay for socialising and makan-makan.
If you bring children, bring warm clothing etc (winter time).

Key concept (for distributors)
We help inform our friends who receive these donations that we thank
Allah and appreciate the effort taken by Kak Sal and family to
organise all these, as well as people helping them out in
distribution, al least by thanks, doa and well wishes.

Recommendation:
The next trip, perhaps we would take photographs, kenang-kenangan.
Those funny experience yang Fuzan kabo tu, boleh kita tahu jugak kan.
Masuk album, amacam Arief?
Pakai kasut yang sesuai untuk ke Market - not high heels for ladies
(and gents). Prepare kena sembur dengan air (unintentionally) when the
floor is being cleaned. But don't wear raincoat, nanti 'overdressed'
pulak.
Leave your handbag in the car, hidden sensibly (from experience).

** Boxes: Amacam geng, kita beli plastic box yang stacks up to.
Ceritanya macam ni. Availability of cardbox box tu bergantung kepada
market situation. Yang recyclebale definitely styrofoam box. For our
prupose, these are difficult to clean. I still think an identifiable
box per family is a good idea (since kotak suratkhabar idea tu tak
berapa 'berkat'!! he he).

I suggets we collect an amount of money from those receiving donation
of vegies, to buy these boxes, containers. To be fair, those who help
out (in the rota system) can be excepted or given discount, since they
(including me la) had also contributed financially interms of fuel and
other hidden expenditures. Amacam?

Note:
Special thanks to Dr Lin (Dr Azman's) and family for minding our
children (Raed and Raiman) during our recent trip to Camberwell and
Fawkner. Thank you.

Pantun penutup:

Nasi Lemak si kacang goreng
Sayang selasih hamba tak makan
Petang petang Sabtu dok mengiring
Sampai rumah seronok kerjakan


[Sorry, panjang message ni. Tengah berlatih indegenous ethnography
within hermenautical research approach. ]

--
Rahmat Bayudi
PhD Candidate, Sustainable Environments, University Melbourne
Visiting Researcher, Centre for Design, RMIT University, Melbourne
Lecturer DS45, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur [on leave]

~Re-flectionz of my mind~

Recently, I met a few postgrad students and doctors who had just came to Melbourne either for studies or specialist training and heard of the problem of getting the right information in Malaysia prior coming to Melbourne. It was a surprise because currently there are more that 30 postgrads, either with their families or not, presently studying in Melbourne.

Most of them are government sponsored students supervised by the Public Services Dept (JPA). As such, JPA should have at least some contact information to be given to the candidates coming to Melbourne so that they can get the right information from existing students in Melbourne. Through this networking, future students would be able to access latest information about living in Melbourne, how to rent a house, which school, child care services, how much is the school fees (for paying students' dependants) etc.

In view of this, here are some tips for those coming to Melbourne for the first time:

• Information sourcing.

1. Surf the Victoria Malaysian Postgraduate Group (VMPG) at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vmpg/
   
2. Email to vmpg-owner@yahoogroups.com, the group owner will do their best to provide the right information
3. Surf your uni website
4. Surf http://www.msdaustralia.org.au/ which is the Malaysian Students Department in Australia.
   
5. You can email me as well at ariefamron@gmail.com

• Accommodation - temporary and permanent

1. For temporary accomodation you can try the Malaysian Hall. Surf http://www.msdaustralia.org.au/ and search for the hall's link. Email the hall officer early to book a place. There are peak and non peak season so there's no guarantee that you'll get place.
2. If you fail to get a place at the hall, do email the VMPG owner for assistance.
3. The process to acquire an accomodation in Melbourne can be a nightmare but not hopeless totally. Lucky ones managed to get a place within just 3 days of arriving in Melbourne. But others, such as in my case took over 40 days to get a flat here.
4. Rates in the city is very expensive and may start as low as AUD 1000 per month. Students bringing their family and kids must understand that a 1 bedroom house/flat/unit is not suitable for you. So, a 2 bedroom accomodation is acceptable.
5. Do not rush in getting the accommodation.
6. To get a flavour of the real estate environment, please surf http://www.realestate.com.au/
7. Monthly rents is = [ Weekly rate x 52 weeks ] / 12
8. Virtual map of Melbourne here

• Driving and mobile phones

1. Malaysian students can drive in Victoria indefinitely as long as they are international student. Providing that they have the English translation of their licenses and their licenses are still valid. So, those coming for their Phd, it is recommended that you renew your licence to more than 3 years.

2. Mobile phones from Malaysia is compatible in Australia and there are many options to choose from. In Australia, there are benefits if you are using the same service provider with your friends such as free calls and sms. So, do not rush. You can email the VMPG owner or myself for further advice.

• Food

1. Halal food is abundance in various parts of Melbourne such as Coburg, Brunswick, Dandenong, Fawkner and Footscray.

• Schooling (will continue...if you want further information please email me at ariefamron@gmail.com)