Well been a bit of a hectic couple of years for me. I left my job at Cadia gold mine in Orange in 2014. Started a new job as a mill operator at a tiny mine just down the road from home. Two years there and then it was closed down when it got to the end of its lifespan. I was happy as I wanted to go back farming full time anyway. We set up a 400 head feedlot on our farm (my wife and myself). 2016 was the best year I have had in farming. Terrific rainfall and fantastic stock prices. Then 2017 have us no rain, no harvest and cattle prices dropped. Hmm. Mining here I come again. Did a week at Boggabri, back on big trucks but in coal this time. I left there and went back to Cadia as the roster didn’t allow me enough time at home. Loved going back to Cadia. Lots of old mates and a great roster of 7 and 7, all days. But away from home is tough. Just landed a new job in coal at Mudgee today. Home everyday and a nice pay rise.
Farming is a curse. I love it but the lows are so low. Especially when you are tied to 98 years on the same block of ground. Can’t leave as you really feel part of the landscape.