Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:11:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rubber Rider <rubber_rider07@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Farming part 3

Part 3 Farming - Preparing for the big move

Over the next couple of weeks Jim meet with the staff concerned and told
them what was going on. Also passports were obtained; well Jim, John and
Roger fly out to Australia spend a couple of days in Sydney while they get
used to the 16 hour time change, then they are flown by private plane out
to the station located up near the Queensland border. Jim is pointing out
some of the land and it help to give John an idea of the terrain. We land
on a grass strip and meet there by a guy and driven to Jim's home
introduced to the house keeper Nancy who advises Jim his guests have the
adjoining rooms on the back side so it is cooler.

Once John and Roger get there gear sorted out and a change of clothes they
meet up with Jim on the veranda and have a mug of tea. Jim explains how
things are run and the says we will take the jeep and I'm going to show you
some of the other buildings including our school house and hopefully you
will meet some of our employees. Well the tour took in a variety of places;
Roger was looking at the machinery endeavoring to get an idea of its
condition.

The one thing he did see that repairs had been made and there was some
pretty rough welding but that could easily be fixed up. We stopped at a
high spot that allowed you to see a full 360o; Jim said see that big cloud
of dust over there – that is where they are getting field ready for
seeding.

There will be three machines working the field and mostly take 2 – 3
days to complete. John asks how does the crew handle all that dust, Jim
smiles and says all machines have an air condition cab with large dust
filter on the air intake.

Eventually they get back to the house, Jim says we have an outside dirty
shower, the idea being get the worst of the dirt & dust off give your
shorts and shirt a good shake and the dust will come out in quite a cloud
get your shower and go in to your room bare footed.

Have a further wash if required and change into better shorts and shirt. In
the first two weeks at the farm both John and Roger got into the routine
and by this time had meet most of the crew everyone was very friendly. John
like the idea that the kids all wore Hi-Vis shirts in the same way all the
crew did. A few days later Roger said I think you and I should go off
somewhere and sit down and talk privately I agree. Look there is a good
shady area over there or do you want to go further ask John, that fine by
me. Well we had a long and lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of such
a move. One big thing is the fact we will be together, we have both done
this type of work before. We would need to sell both our trucks back home
sort out personal possessions. With regards to clothing we need to find out
what the winter temperature are here. I know they get heavy rain so our
raingear is a must. Other than that I say let move ahead it's a chance in a
life time, we shake hands in agreement; OK we talk to Jim next.

As we get back to the house we see Jim as he came in his truck, Jim can we
all go somewhere private sure thing hop in and pulled in under the shade of
some trees where cattle were resting.

We told Jim of our decision but we wanted to know what was happening to the
present farm manager, oh that easy to answer he wants to retire and is
coming up for 68 years of age and his daughter wants him to move to town
where they already have ground level suite for him in their own home. His
present house is a two bedroom home and one of the ladies comes over and
does housekeeping for him since his wife passed away 3 years ago. I will
introduce you to him before you go back home.

Question wintertime how cool does it get? Some mornings there is some frost
maybe 2 or 3 degrees but the daytime is generally bright and sunny,
November is our wet month and can really rain good and at times the roads
get flooded.

If you are thinking what clothes to bring, your work gear and anything else
you may need. All clothing needs to made of cotton any synthetic will stink
in the warmer to hot weather.

Now I will return with you as you will both need work permits until such
time you take out Australian Citizenship. Once we get to Sydney we will
stay over night and this will allow me to get things rolling with the
immigration department for you both.

Well we got back home, application were made for a five year work permit
which was granted very promptly. Roger and I went about sorting out what we
needed to dispose of the other gear we were advise to you use cardboard
packing containers as all our possession would be sent by air freight a few
days before our departure. We were to travel light with enough for one
change of clothing as we would have to get our possession cleared by
customs using the services of a customs broker and the broker would make
arrangement, for our gear to be delivered to the farm three days after
landing in Australia.

Ken present farm manger had cleared the spare bedroom so that our gear
could all go in there. We were living in Jim place for the present. The
second full day there was a call to the office that the tow hitch on one of
the tractor plough had fractured and would need a welder. Jim was in the
office when this call came in, I said have you got a welding truck yes was
the answer. OK give me a few minutes to get my coveralls and boots
on. Lucky for Roger he had his welding helmet and grabbing that as well
they headed for the truck. Roger does a quick check to see what is on the
truck and is satisfied. Jim I will drive this beast, as you do not know the
way at present.

They get to the breakdown and Roger is looking things over and decides he
needs to jack up the trailer and un-hitch. Once that was done he gets the
grinder out and grinds all the way around where the cracking has taken
place creating a large V-Notch. Then proceeds to weld getting a good root
pass first and cleaning off any slag. After about 2 hours everything is
back and the tractor is back doing its job. Everything is re stowed and
this time Roger is driving back to the office. Once at the office Roger
bangs the dirt and dust off himself and says I need a good mug of tea
please.

Jim says thank you Roger, in the past something like that has taken a day
and half by the time we get someone out here, and as far as I'm concerned
we only had just over three hours downtime from the time the radio call
came in.

Question Jim how often is that truck used or do the contract welder use
there own. Believe or not it has to be at least 2 years since that truck
was out, why do you ask. Well I was looking for the radio good point; I
will get you a good hand held radio that can be carried on your belt with
all our channel plus the police, flying Doctor and the phone exchange.

I asked the farm manager what routines did he have in place for routine
servicing of the farm equipment, the answer no real actual routine. Roger
asks does the equipment have hour meters; yes to the best of my knowledge
the answer is yes thanks for your input you are most welcome.

Therefore, Ken how long have you worked here well I took over after my Dad
retired and that was about 30 years ago, wow that is a long time. I am
sorry I was not there when you that repair but I am told you did a real
good job and what impressed the crew was the fact you ground out as far as
you could go the crack and then rebuilt it. I can see you are going to busy
for some time as I am sure you will find out.

I could see it was getting close to suppertime and left Ken to wash before
supper. Well John and I had lots of discussion about the maintaince
side. Therefore, I asked John what about his side of the job; his first
comment was I have a lot office work to do because I want down on paper
like a flow chart the various jobs that need to be done. I added I want to
see what you come with because I need to do a though inspection of the
equipment and do the servicing so it is ready for use when actually
required.

One thing what office accommodation is there, as I would like to have an
adjoining office with yours as I plan to setup equipment records and such
like. Who is else is in the office John, just June who does the bookkeeping
and payroll and some secretarial work.

Well the time has come for a retirement party to honor Ken and all his
years of service; this formed a party outside during the evening when Jim
arranged for a large BBQ and lots of beer flowing, well the next morning I
believe there were a few sore heads.

Kens daughter was there that night for the party and she said to Jim thank
you so much and wishes those taking over the best of luck. The two of them
departed the next day; Jim said with spending so much of your life here you
would always be welcome to visit.

With Ken's departure John is not making any changes that will upset to crew
who all appear to very sincere and careful on what ever job they do. Three
months later John has, his flow chart made up, Roger has added the
maintenance items to the flow chart. Slowly between them, they got many
items up to peak performance resulting in better operation. The crew all
seem happy because between them they met with all the equipment operators
and explain what and why they doing it.

Some six months later Jim lets John know he is going to visit; his visit
was interesting as he claimed our operating cost had gone down and wanted
to see for him self what we had done.

The result was a pay rise for both of the brothers, them they are asked
have you ever thought of getting a pilots license, they both said no
however says Roger in this country I see, it is a very useful tool to help
with ones work, good for you Roger says Jim. Jim said let me know if either
wish to proceed that way and I will get the require forms etc and find out
the where the nearest flight school is located.

Thank you for your efforts and very impressed at what you have be able to
achieve, John comments was meet frequently with your crew and keep them
informed plus spend some time out in the bush and stay with then using your
swag. Jim asks have you been doing that, well we have both have a number of
times.

Jim's face is priceless as he grinning from ear to ear – thanks guys;
well I'm taking off tomorrow morning and will be visiting the other
stations and explain what you have been doing because I know there was sort
of apprehension by the managers and there assistants especially with
bringing you two out from the Canada to replace Ken on his retirement as he
was well respected by the others.

After Jim left both John and Roger talked about getting a flying license,
however neither had the money to purchase a light three seated plane, but
the farm had two planes both in tip top condition.

We have now been here two years and you must be an Australian Citizen to
get a license. Between us we both agreed we must get that dealt with ASAP
and it will also remove the temporary work permit we are both working
under.

Some time later we got both our Australian Citizenship and pilot's
licenses, Jim heard about this and showed up un-announced came and visited
complete with several bottle of champagne to celebrate our success. That
first evening we had a great meal all done for us at Jim's place, his
housekeeper had excelled herself with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding
vegetable etc. Everything was well wash down with champagne.

Jim then said neither of you have had any holiday since living here and I
know you would both like to be together so I'm arranging for the assistant
manager from one of the other station to take over while you are away. He
will arrive in about one week's time and then you can take off using the
two seated plane to go where ever you wish, so hear are the maps of places
where it is easy to land and the distances plus where fuel stops are
located. The plane has a radio covering all channels that you will plus all
our different farm offices. Thank you so much we will both look forward to
this and we both gave Jim a big hug, take a month off.

About five days later Gavin showed up and was very interested in what we
had done. Then a few days later we had got our gear together and loaded on
the plane we took off into the unknown.