Features

Hilarious Response To Western Power Electricity Company

March 10, 2018

Western Power manages the electricity network in Western Australia. This is how Brett responded after receiving their infringement notice:

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Brett. Thank you for sending through the infringement notice VF 26529 regarding an overhanging tree branch.

Unfortunately it appears that the photo included is inaccurate, as it looks nothing like my house:

I’m assuming there has been some sort of mix up and I would appreciate you sending through the real photo as soon as possible.

I’ve also included a photo of me skiing in New Zealand with my friend Colin. I had a lot of fun but it was very cold.

Warm regards,

Brett

Hi Brett

Thanks for your email and the photo.

Our inspection and vegetation management staff generally do not take photos of people’s house. They simply measure the clearances of trees from the powerlines.

More information on the process is available from

http://www.westernpower.com.au/safety/treespowerlines/index.html

Please let us know if you have any other questions and have a great week.

Thanks

Owen

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Phone: 13 10 87

safe reliable efficient

Hi Owen,

Thanks for getting back to me.

Sorry about any confusion, I feel a bit silly now. I forgot to mention that it’s me on the left, and my friend Colin on the right in that photo. I hope that clears everything up, but just to make sure, I’ve included a photo of my dad rollerskating:

My friend Colin didn’t feel the cold as much as I did when we were in New Zealand, but maybe that’s because he used to live in Melbourne, where the temperatures are a bit lower than sunny Perth, so he’s more used to it.

Even with it being so cold, I’d still love to go back there someday, but really want to see Europe first, as it’s supposed to be somewhere everyone should visit while they’re still young right?

I’m still waiting on that photo, so just send it through as soon as you can.

Warm regards,

Brett

Hi Brett

Sorry that we cannot assist with a photo of your house.

Have a great week.

Thanks

Owen

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Phone: 13 10 87

safe reliable efficient

Hi Owen,

Thanks for your reply, and don’t worry, I got your hint. I’ve just bought a brand new camera, and as you can see from the photo below, it takes some pretty spectacular shots:

This is an apple I was eating earlier. It was very juicy!

To recoup the cost of the Camera, I’ll be able to take photos of other houses you’re unable to get to, so that you don’t need to send through that very confusing, and may I say, almost fake looking photograph to other Western Power users.

If you could please provide me with a list of addresses you’d like me to photograph, I’d be happy to do so for a reasonable fee.

I would also appreciate you sending through an Official Western Power Identification Card or Badge, so that if anyone complains that I’m in their backyard taking photos, I can do an LAPD style “Freeze, Official Western Power Business” type disarming of the situation. Do you think I should also get a hat?

Warm Regards,

Brett

Official Western Power Photographer

Hi Brett

Thanks for your reply.

If you are interested in becoming an employee of Western Power please see our Recruitment page; http://www.highlychargedcareers.com.au/index.html

Our suppliers application is for established businesses who want to be a supplier of goods. This may apply to your situation.

http://www.westernpower.com.au/aboutus/supplierstenders.html

Thanks

Owen

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Phone: 13 10 87

safe reliable efficient

Hi Owen,

Thank you for your reply.

I’ve visited the links you supplied, and must say I found the term ‘highly charged careers’ particularly clever, as it indicates a lively working experience, while also being a reference to the electrical power that is central to the career. I believe this is known as a ‘play on words’, and I’d like you to please send my compliments to your clearly outstanding marketing department for this effort.

I’ve had a look through the ‘current opportunities’ section for your available positions, and couldn’t find ‘Chief Photographer’ there, so if this isn’t available, I think I’ll have to just take ‘Senior Engineer’.

Also, when I receive my Official Western Power ID/Badge, will I be able to commandeer any vehicle in the event of important Western Power business, or can I only commandeer hybrids given that Western Power deals primarily with electricity?

Warm Regards,

Brett

Senior Engineer

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Hi Brett

Our customer charter is attached.

It sets out type of values and behaviour our staff display. We do not take control of other people’s vehicles. This would be a police matter if we did.

http://www.westernpower.com.au/customerservice/customercharter/index.html

Thanks

Owen

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Phone: 13 10 87

safe reliable efficient

Hi Owen,

Thanks once again for your reply.

I’m a little confused. Do Western Power staff not outrank the police?

Anyway. If we really can’t commandeer vehicles for important Western Power business, I assume you must provide vehicles for your employees.

I’ve included a design for an appropriate work vehicle for your new Senior Engineer:

Could you please tell me approximately how long it will be before I can pick up my new vehicle? Or if you are dropping it off, I’ll need some notice to make sure I’m home at the time.

Warm Regards,

Brett

Senior Engineer

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Hi Brett

Thanks for your emails.

The attached safety manual from page 37 are the guidelines for how staff must drive and engage with other drivers.

http://www.westernpower.com.au/documents/networkcontractors/safetyManual.pdf

Our fleet services determines which registered staff get a vehicle based on their position description, confirmed after you successfully apply for a job at Western Power.

Human Resources screen applicants and run the interviews. Please contact them as needed once you have selected a suitable position which you would like to apply for.

If you have any other general questions please do not hesitate to contact us here.

Have a great week.

Thanks

Owen

Customer Service Officer

Customer Service Centre

Western Power, Locked Bag 2511, PERTH, WA, 6001

Phone: 13 10 87

safe reliable efficient

Dear Owen,

I have just completed examining the linked safety manual. It was a thoroughly entertaining read, which I have given 4 and a half stars on my safety manual reviewing blog. You know it’s going to be good when at page 8 you’re still getting through the ‘contents’ section.

I’m afraid I have decided to decline your offer to take up the Senior Engineering post at Western Power.

In light of the information in the manual, it just doesn’t seem as though my career would be as ‘highly charged’ as I’d hoped.

I really hope you don’t take this decision personally, and find some solace in the fact the you have played a significant role in pushing me towards my true passion; photography.

To show my appreciation for all your help, you will be the first to see the photo of my friend Colin and I (below) which I’m about to enter in the Sundance Film Festival. This will hopefully catapult my career in the photography industry. I’m aware that previous winners of the Sundance Film Festival have entered films rather than still photographs, but in my view, this will only make my triumph all the more impressive.