Biography
Winner
2008 Oracles of the Bush - Written Competition - Bush Verse Section
Finalist
2008 Oracles of the Bush - Traditional/Contemporary Section
2nd Place
2007 QLD Bush Poetry Championships
- Original Humorous Section
Winner
2007 Oracles of the Bush
- Traditional Presentation Section
2nd Place
2006 NSW Bush Poetry Championships
- Traditional Presentation Section
Finalist
2006 Oracles of the Bush
- Original Presentation Section
3rd Place
2005 QLD Bush Poetry Championships
- Traditional Presentation Section
Finalist
2005 Oracles of the Bush
- Traditional and Original Presentation Sections
Finalist
2004 Oracles of the Bush
- Original Presentation Section
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I grew up and worked in the Australian bush, and still consider it "home." Over the years, my camera and I have covered most of this great country. I have never ceased to wonder at the incredible capacity of country people to take whatever the seasonal conditions brought to them, make the most of what they had, and smile at the end of whatever came their way.
Left school early to save up for a car. My mate "Rowdy" reckoned girls loved blokes with cars!!
Worked hard. Saved some money. Bought a brand new Holden in 1964.
A beautiful wife of forty years, four lovely kids and now five absolutely wonderful grandkids later, I have everything I could hope for. Tell you what though, I can't afford a new car!!
In 1948 my Dad took me to a sheep sale. Even though I was only five years old, the sights, sounds and smells of that experience live with me still. When I finished school, it was an easy and natural move for me into the world of livestock marketing, then into meat processing in the livestock area at Oakey, in southern Queensland.
My University of hard knocks began in the Agency business, took me into the Livestock side of the Meat Industry where, over the next 40 years, I was involved in every aspect of those colourful and vibrant industries.
An offer to join the large Pastoral group, Australian Agricultural Co Ltd as their Marketing Manager in 1992, took our family to Brisbane, and saw me spending most of my time in the northern pastoral belt of Australia on AACo Stations and in feedlots, abattoirs and boning rooms all through Australia and Asia.
When AACo was acquired by the Elders group in 1997, I continued to market AACo cattle, but from an Elders office, from where I retired in 2003 as Queensland Livestock Manager.
A most interesting and satisfying working life, spent among a number of very genuine, hard working and often very colorful people. From dusty paddocks and saleyards, to executive offices and Board rooms, my old Akubra and RMW's boots came with me on a fascinating journey.
So, you see, I have encountered the "Bush Heart" of Australia from a very close and personal base. I have lived and worked with bush people all my life. There are none better, anywhere in the world.
When I retired in 2003, the creative side of me took flight, and music re-entered my life. Then the words, in a rough form of rhythm and rhyme, of some of my memories of people and experiences over the years of my life.
Joining the Redlands Poets Society and encouraged by the enthusiasm and hearts of that wonderful group of people, got me properly into an expression of my life's experiences. That joy and encouragement has been further shared with like minded people in many parts of the world, in an expression of thanks for all those wonderful blessings which have come to my family and I through the years.
So come with me now - into "About the Book" - for a glimpse of what I saw and experienced.