I left school in year 10 (age 16) and did a day secretarial course, at Forbes TAFE which has turned out to be very useful as typing is what we all do every night on this forum, and I can do it very quickly...lol...

I worked part time for various business's as a secretary, one job was lining up every morning to get a casual job at the abattoirs, (great money for half a days work) packed brains, tongues and other revolting parts of animals...in the offal room
Got promoted to the office of the abattoir (Norwest Beef) and looked after all the payments of the stock they purchased from various stock and station agents throughout NSW.
When the Abattoir closed in 1983 I moved to Parkes and worked at a Farm and Fertilizer shop, called Aftrade, Australian Fertilizers owned the franchise loved that job, met loads of nice farmers....when it closed in 1986 I worked part time for the local paper, and cleaned a pub, and wrapped papers and delivered them...riding my bike to save fuel costs....then had kids, and didn't work as wages didn't cover babysitting,(wanted to care for them myself anyhow) although did some part time work at a physio clinic and took baby with me to work...then minded some children after school to help pay the bills

Rodney did HSC then worked for Vanreid transportable homes as supervisor, and was on tools at times. He did carpentry and joinery, and clerk of works, building inspection course, and scaffolding tickets etc. He worked for people on weekends to get extra money as he had bought a house....we would both go away and do building works for people during holidays etc.
Rodney started his own business as a builder, was on tools for 15 years, then branched into scaffolding in the mine, does building consultancy work, so I type all pre purchase building inspections...manage finances, and help Rodney with all his emails, and quotes etc. we employ 4 men and have a partner...