The life of a census collector is never dull
Every five years, thousands of recruits get out into the field to go a-knock-knock-knocking on every door in the land - and it’s just amazing what experiences they have and the stories they have to tell. Below are just a few of the stories that have come back from our collectors.
It’s enough to give you the hump!
A Census collector had the honour of visiting a hippie commune on his rounds near rural Parkes. He thought he was experiencing love not war when invited in for a cuppa, however on taking his leave, his faith was quickly shattered. As he walked out of the front door, he was confronted by a rampant bull camel who expressed disdain for the census by spitting all over the collector’s yellow satchel. Yuk!
More animal antics
A hotline Action Advice from a householder in Albany read: “Extra form required. Dog ate form and will continue to if people not home. Advice to the collector: Give dog a bone.”
Case of the vanishing household
A collector in Hervey Bay knocked on a household door and delivered a census form. When he returned to collect the form, it wasn’t there. Neither was the door. Neither was the house. The house had been picked up and moved, leaving only a vacant block. Nothing had been left - not even a forwarding address.
Space-time dimension
In answer to the census question: ‘Length of residence in Australia’, someone filled in: ‘Thirty-two feet, including the verandah’.
Dough!
A teenager opened the door and handed a $20 note to a mystified collector. But I’m your census collector! Oh, sorry, I saw your yellow bag and thought you were delivering our pizza.
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