Airlie Beach sailors count in Australian Census

by Cap'n Blarcom on 8 Aug 2011 Special arrangements will ensure visiting sailors are counted as the national Census coincides with the build up to Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week

‘You count with Meridien’ was a phrase that came up during talks this week with Meridien Airlie Beach manager Richard Barrett, marina staff and Census Collectors.

'We are extremely busy with Race Week and a record fleet will have assembled by the end of the week so we working with Census Collectors will ensure all goes smoothly for the early arrivers,' Richard said.

Head of the Population Census program, Paul Lowe says, 'It is vital that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) captures an accurate snapshot of Australia on Census night August 9.'

Mr Lowe says ships and boats moored in Australian ports and marinas will be visited by accredited Census Collectors leading up to Census night.

'People staying on their boats in ports or marinas on Census night will have the option of completing the Census in two ways. They can complete the traditional paper form or complete the Census online using eCensus.'

Staff and passengers on international cruise ships and other ships in Australian waters will also be counted on Census night.

Abel Point and the new Port of Airlie marinas will have a special census collector to help with this simple chore.

Sailors should consider completing the census form before leaving home however; the easy online eCensus form takes just a few minutes and may be finished anytime.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expecting at least 30 per cent of the population will choose the easier eCensus option.

The eCensus should be completed on Census night, August 9; however, the eCensus website is open now until September 5.