When Munro Hardy said he wanted to be a pilot, his year 11 careers advisor shut down the idea pretty quickly. So, Munro filed the idea in the back of his mind and started thinking about other options. Once he finished school, he set off on a gap year that would turn into the adventure […]
In our last episode, Danny Hayes shredd yarns from his childhood on cattle stations and some of the things he’s learned from his 30 year career as a mustering pilot. In this episode, Danny recounts some of the hairy situations he’s found himself in while flying – situations that only experience and nothing short of […]
You can’t live and work in the Northern Territory and not have a story or two to tell. So, imagine how many stories Danny Hayes must have, having flown as a helicopter mustering pilot for over 30 years. I think it’s safe to say that he has seen and done a lot of things, and […]
A young Peter Ritter stood in the paddock of his family farm in Moree, and watched as a gigantic Hercules aircraft roared overhead. It was locked in war training exercises — oblivious to the kid standing underneath in awe – a kid whose obsession with aircraft had begun. It took a stint in a Territory […]
Most stations have a plane or a helicopter, and at some point you’re going to get offered a flight. Here’s how to totally ruin your chances of ever having a second go. 6am and we’re just pulling up to the airstrip – a wide gravel road a short way from the homestead. Inside the old […]
Host: De Grey Station Written by Mark Bettini, Owner – De Grey Station Mustering pilots get to see many funny things – bike riders are always good for a laugh. When they stack it they quickly look around to see if anyone saw them. Once you have determined if the rider is ok I think […]
Host: Meda Station Written by Troy Haslet, Manager – Meda Station (This is part 1 of a 3-part series – click on the link above to find more stories from Meda Station). I have been racking my brain on what to write about and I have heard from a few people that when they search […]
Host: Barrygowan Station Written by Tannas Godfrey, co-manager. I want to start this article by saying that I will put up my hand and say that I am not a person with a natural sense of direction. When I went away to the Royal Military College in Duntroon, it became apparent very early on I […]
Host: Kilcowera Station Written by Toni Sherwin, Station Owner Kilcowera is a working cattle station that offers accommodation, camping and guided tours. Now this is a job that not too many people ever really give a second thought to. But never the less it is a never ending job and crucial to the safe operation […]
Host: Kadiaitcha Pastoral Company Written by Sam Chisholm – Owner, Kadiaitcha Pastoral Company. One day an old man was walking through the bush when he came across a frustrated jackaroo. The Jackaroo was trying to cut down a Mulga tree, to build a yard, and was swearing and cursing as he laboured in vain. “What’s […]
Host: Dampier Downs Station Written by Anne Marie Huey – Owner, Dampier Downs Station. A lot happened in 2015. Our infrastructure development plan is well and truly underway with the completion of many new paddocks that will allow us to implement better herd management strategies. New bores are pumping and additional pipe-lines have enabled us […]
Host: Miss Hollywood I’m hosting as a ghost writer this week . . . coming from the sparkling lights of Hollywood to the remote West Australian outback after twenty years in the film biz, the last six living and working in LA. A far cry from phone reception, fast cars, five star restaurants, valet parking […]
Host: Yougawalla Pastoral Co. Written by Angus Campbell – Pilot, Yougawalla Pastoral Co. Learning to fly a helicopter has been one of the most mentally challenging things that I have ever done. I have always wanted to fly ever since I was a young fella watching the super planes flying at treetop height over home. […]
Host: Wooroona Grazing Co. Written by Claire Dunne – Owner, Wooroona Grazing Co. The following is an article from the Graziher blog. Claire Dunne of Wooroona Grazing Co. created the Graziher blog before developing it into a magazine, which is available here. Talia (Tay) Sheppard has a high flying job. She is the Chief Pilot […]
Host: Miss Jodie Written by Miss Jodie – Jill of All Trades, Northern Australia. Ladies and Gents, Today we have something a little different. I would like to introduce you to my husband. A man of many talents. He is an excellent horseman, a patient cattleman, and a wonderfully supportive husband. There is potential that I […]
Host: Fortescue Helicopters Written by Weldon Percy – Owner and Chief Pilot, Fortescue Helicopters. Last year I wrote a post about wanting to be a helicopter pilot. This year, I have now had almost two years of being Chief Pilot and a shareholder of an aerial mustering company; I thought I’d share some of my […]
Host: Fortescue Helicopters Written by Weldon Percy – Owner and Chief Pilot, Fortescue Helicopters. On the 29th of July 2015 the pastoral and helicopter industry alike lost an iconic figure. Mr Ross McDowell from Rossy Rotor Aviation, a fellow mustering pilot and company in the Pilbara, was reported missing and later found to have passed […]
Host: Fortescue Helicopters Written by Weldon Percy – Owner and Chief Pilot, Fortescue Helicopters. I often find that I get asked what we do outside of mustering season, some people asking as if they think we can’t or wouldn’t do anything else. Well, really the only answer to the question, “what do we do” is […]
Host: Fortescue Helicopters Written by Weldon Percy – Owner and Chief Pilot, Fortescue Helicopters. G’Day and welcome back to Fortescue Helicopters for our first post as hosts for 2015. A lake system at Mulga Downs Station which is near the dry stretch of the Fortescue River. Photo: Weldon Percy. Thank you to all our loyal […]
Host: Yeeda Pastoral Written by Luke McEwan – Station Hand, Yeeda Pastoral. Hi my name is Luke McEwan and I am another Kiwi that has jumped the ditch. Not permanently might I add and still strongly backing anybody from New Zealand that takes on an Australian. The reason I find myself in the lion’s den […]
