Farming Part 12 -- The big crew and family dinner
Everyone was advised and we said we hope all will attend. Come Saturday we checked with Kim if everything is ok and he said he had all the beer in the cooler plus the wine. The meat was marinating and would be doing it all under his large broilers; the sweet corn will be done on top of the stove; the desert would be jelly with a scoop of ice cream. Sounds fantastic Kim thank; Kim says thank you for that attractive bottle and a little sip before going to bed will very enjoyable.
Saturday afternoon Jim shows up and brings some other goodies for the small kids. We talk about Adam etc and the fact that TAFF will accept him without any problems and as Roger puts it I have my own apprentice and may be half way along we ship him over to one of the other stations to broaden his experience. Jim I like that idea which station do you have in mind either Base or Clara.
If all goes well by the time Keith wants retire we will then have home grown Assistant Manager/ Maintenance man as usual are always thinking ahead and I sure like that. During this time we all had a couple of G&T's then got showered and headed for the cookhouse to welcome all our crew including the little ones.
Both John & Roger were acting as the hosts; they both are asked what is special tonight. The standard answer was that is our secret. Once everyone was sat, we started to dish out the wine, Kim was serving our folks and we sat down to enjoy the food, there was nice talk going on with comments complementing Chef Kim.
Kim with his helper starts clearing the finished dishes and the desert is coming out and the first round of beer. Once folks are almost through there desert John raps oh his glass. Ladies and Gentlemen I know you are wondering what this dinner is all about well let me say this is a first for any of the stations owned by Jim Fielder and he is sitting over there. Hey Jim, please stand up let your face be shown, Jim hello folks its so nice to all our family sitting down to a great meal but this John & Roger show -- Jim sits down.
John asked Roger to continue; evening folks whether you know or not I have both millwright and a welding ticket, after checking with authorities, I can take on an apprentice to teach the trade of a millwright so let me introduce our first apprentice to this company. Adam where are you hiding, are there you are please come up and join us. There is lots of applause; once he was between us John and I presented him with his apprenticeship papers, the whole room erupted in applause. Now the other day you found your coveralls were burning because of the sparks when I was using the burning some metal now here are two sets of Hi-Vis fireproof coveralls were presented completed with some welding gloves.
The guys were calling speech Adam, it appears Adam is over whelmed at what has just happened. One of the crew asked may I say something.
Please go ahead, I have only worked on this station roughly six years and I have never seen a young man so keen to get right in there; another stands saying I don't know who's idea it was to create this apprenticeship but for my point of view this is something other companies should doing because our young folk need that initial push.
Adam stands up the room is totally quiet and he says thank you all for support it sure makes me feel great as a member of a great family, thank you Roger and John. Many of the family come up and hug him. Finally his Mom & Dad show there faces and Simon says you have done both of us proud just keep up the good work son.
There was a second round of beer passed out; the small amount of wine still here was shared between all the ladies, bye this time everyone was mingling when someone said hey everyone I would like to propose a toast to Adam here; here.
Then someone else I also wish to make a toast to John & Roger and although have not been here long they sure improved things on this station to everyone's benefit Cheer John & Roger. John said my brother and I would like to thank everyone to being receptive to our ides and we are always willing to learn from you folk.
Well evening went very well, poor Adam was total embarrassed at first but he took it all in his stride, just before leaving he came over and shook our hands and we said was have a good weekend.
Several of the guys were helping Kim clean up made our departure with Jim and went home. I said I don't know about you two but I'm have a quick cool shower and then get a drink and sit outside, the other two sounds like a good idea.
It was not long before every one was sitting out drying off, we all had a slow drink nothing was said until Jim guys that was the best station party I have been to in a long time and what was so special was that everyone was included it really made it a family affair.
The rest of the weekend was quite, Jim departed to one of the other stations on Sunday afternoon. We two simply relaxed got all our laundry done and made my lunch bucket in case I get called.
Come Monday morning Adam is there all decked out in his new coveralls and hard hat on when comes into the office. Good Morning Adam hope you had a good weekend -- his answer was yes but it was full of surprises so Roger what on today.
Well there is some equipment in the shop that needs attention but first it needs cleaning off and the way I do it is to spray it with Gunk then hose all down and that generally gets all the muck off. For this process we have several pairs of old rain pants the bib type so we wear those that keep the worse of us and you don't get wet either. Once clean we will take the normal photographs, remind me I must show you the camera and how to use it.
Once done we start up the machine and look for any oil leaks and then I will run it around the yard so see how it is performing. We will look for anything bent or out of a lineament. Anything we find wrong mark it on the board over there so that is how Monday went. Everything went well till Thursday morning around 11:00 am when Roger got a call about a broken arm on a harvester. Well that was rough ride to the job site however we made and Adam said dam glad I was wearing my hard had because I hit the top several times.
On examination of the problem the crack appears to be due to fatigue, we checked the opposite arm and you could see a crack developing. The best way here is to cut the opposite side and release it, But I need some clamps 2" strip steel and the pickup. I call my brother John and explain the problem can he deliver, no problem Roger where are you it he provides required info.
John shows up in about 30 minutes with everything, Adam is busy grinding so we can get a good root weld. Hey Adam let John get in there to see the problem please, Adam comes back to me, Adam can you drive I have been driving Dad pickup since I was 11 yrs old. Good then you take John back and return, will do Roger. John comes over to talk about the problem, then his radio trips. Hi Darleen how can I help, you have a visitor to see you in the office, no problem I'll be back in 30 minutes.
Adams driving was good he did not rush and he dropped me off at the office and stopped bye the cookhouse for two ginger ale's then headed back.
John goes into the office and finds Ian there from Tara; this is a surprise Ian so how are you doing real well thanks. I here thought the grapevine you now have an millwright apprentice Well I don't but Roger does and between us we made enquiries and found out this could be done. Anyway I expect you would like to see Roger, well that would be nice; but first would you like to stay the night oh that would be real nice. Darlene please let Kim know one more for dinner and this rough looking guy here is the manager at Tara Station and Darlene over there try's keep everyone in order.
Here Ian borrows this pair of coveralls and here are some safety glasses and hard hat so let's go. I get into my pickup and we head out and finally get to the job site, I pull in alongside the welding truck and neither have seen us we watch from a distance for a short while and then let ourselves be seen. Hey how are you two making out, good says Adam, all being well another hour and half should see the job wrapped up -- thanks. That pass was finish and Adam gets right in there and cleans out any slag; Roger goes to the other side and does the same. Didn't take long and Adam repeats his process after the final weld he wire bushes everything and give a quick coat of paint to prevent any rust should it occur.
Roger starts getting his gear all back loaded on the welding truck and only then realize that someone else is there. Ian comes forward saying G'Day mate how the hell are you doing. Roger says firstly what is the time please 2:30 pm thanks and writes it down on a bit of scrap paper 3.5 hrs not bad as we had to cut it apart and re-weld everything. Sorry to have interrupted you no problem mate, in answer to your question I am doing real good and I hope you will be staying over night, well John has invited me that will give us both time to explain what we have done. Now you have not meet Adam our new apprentice, hi Adam come over here and meet Ian, Adam; Ian is the manager at Tara Station and he took over when we moved here, nice to meet you. Ian says you never know we might meet you at Tara one day as our station is a little different. Roger says let us all get back to the office as time is getting close to quitting time. Adam when you get back please make sure any welding rods we uses and restocked on the truck -- Thanks.
John I suggest you go first, and then Adam and I will the tail end. John and Ian head off I said give them five minutes then you go back and I will do the same this way we do not eat each other's dust.
We are all back so Adam and I are at the shop restocking our welding supplies, once this is all done I said come on we will shower as before and wash our coverall.
While showering Adam starts laughing, I ask what is so funny I went to wash my hair. Therefore, what's it like to have a shaved head, his comment I do not know why I never did long ago, because Dad used to kid me saying one day your head will get shaved and you will do it willingly.
After clean up we both headed to our homes. As Roger came around the back, he sees both Ian and John stretched out there drying, hi guys let me get comfortable and I will join you but first hat would you like to drink Ian. Rum & Ginger please, what about you John I think I will have the same. That was easy so I soon returned with the drinks and I made strong for Ian.
So please tell us how you made out when you first came here, John where is that photo album it will tell you a lot of what was done in the first few weeks. Then Ian says what this picture oh that was a single bedroom house and we realized if we took the bedroom out it would make an ideal schoolhouse so we two did the structural changes just leaving the bathroom and kitchen.
John interrupts saying we had better go for our supper, for you information we eat in the cookhouse. Get some shorts and shirt on and we will head over.
While there Ian is surprised how well everyone mixes. After dinner we return home.
Continuing from where we left off there was no internet on site so we got that installed including a wide angle Camera showing the whole schoolroom, this picture in Alice Springs can see what the kids are doing. Before this, the kids were doing everything by correspondence and from we have learnt there marks were very poor now have up around 80 -- 90%.
Now another thing there were no radios in the equipment so if something broke down they had to drive in and get the old manager who then endeavor to correct the situation on a major breakdown he brought in a tradesman so a number of days were lost. I have a video of the first day of the schoolroom opening and I will go and find that video run the special opening show that the school aired through out there operating area. Ian, Roger come on in I have the disk. After tape went through, Ian asked for it to be run again pause it right here for a moment, my god what a change that is Adam isn't it, let us carry on please at the end. That great video did the organizing Roger answered by saying the kids help by John. Love it thank for showing it. Ian says well I guess bedtime because I know you are like me and will up about 5:30 am. Roger asks would you like a special nightcap before hitting the bunk please make it small thanks. Well night guys and thanks for all the info.
Breakfast is at 6:00am and John says I'll take you around more of the station which is large, night Ian -- night Guys.
I didn't take us to get to sleep only to be woken by the alarm going off, so a quick shower we made sure Ian was up, we went over to the cookhouse had a good breakfast and then returned to the office. Roger was getting his coveralls on, Ian said I see everyone is wearing Hi-Vis shirts we said yes, originally there two or three hold outs but the crew put pressure on them and now we a 100% and assume Tara is still the same. Well don't have one, sorry Ian but you need to set an example. This station no one ever wore these shirts until one of the kids got knocked over when there was a lot of dust about. We went out and got shirts for the kids and the dad of the injured kid had one, the following evening we made gave a brief talk on the accident and said we would like everyone to were there shirts, the first shirt will be free any other you need will be $10 each so tomorrow please give your names into Darlene at the office with your size and how many you need. So go for it anyway a different subject how is Tony making out a real good job, breakdown are nominal thanks to you guys diligence.
Anyway I should make my way home fair enough. Ian it has been great to see you, have a safe run home.
Well things settled down, Adam is doing well with his TAFF marks and his regular school marks are very high. In the mean time Roger has been to both Tara and Base stations see for himself how Tony and Allen are getting regarding maintenance. Both guys are about equal however Tara is nearer.
Roger email Ian and asks his thoughts on having Adam working with Tony for two months during the school vacation as this will expand Adams knowledge on other ways to do a job. Please discuss with Tony and let me know and if Tony wants to come over to see what he is doing here be my guest.
The next day Ian has replied and said they both would be very happy to have Adam over here and he can have the spare room, tell him to bring his swag.
I reply many thanks; Adam is like me we always have our swags with us as at all times the job is not finish so we go Bush.
Adam's two month period seem to fly bye quickly, however bye the time he came back he had been taught to weld and his work look good.
He is now in his last year of school and passes with very high marks, now the hard part Adam has to go to town and some practical exams at TAFF again he got 90% including the welding he had done. After the practical exams the half dozen candidates went into general meeting room where there was Tea & Coffee and it was sort of social affair, when the instructor came into the room and said he would like to see each of us privately.
When it came my turn the instructor ask do you need a job because your trade is in big demand, I said thank you but I already have a job and frankly would not like living in town. I have lived on Stations all my life to date and there is a tremendous range of work involving millwright and also welding it is what I enjoy.
We don't bring the equipment back into the shop we do it on site and more than once it has been an all night so once its dark we sleep out in the bush and then start again as the sun comes up. Doing it this way the down time is greatly reduced and saves money.
As an instructor, I have never been on a station and would really like to see what it is all about; however firstly I must present you with your TQ tickets for millwright and Welding we shook hands and came out of the office, next please.
Hey Adam how come you were in there so long -- well he just wanted to talk and ask questions.
Well I'm going to take off in a few minutes but have to find my pilot, I get my radio out and call High Creek 1 are you there John, sure am Adam hope is it good news tell you all about it once we meet up, OK I'm in the Café across the road so come on over and I will call a taxi to takeout us the landing strip and we can be home for supper -- on my way. I turn and say Bye guys sure nice meeting up with you, where are going Adam. Home is High Creek Station must go -- good luck Adam.
I meet with John just as the taxi is pulling up and we are soon at the landing strip. John does his routine checks and startup and get airborne and head for home. So once the plane is set on Auto pilot John come tell me all about it. Adam gets the envelope out and shows the two TQ tickets to John. My congratulations and did the instructor make any comments, well saw each of us privately and his question do you want a job, I said no and further more I would not like living in town. So I told him a little bit about how we operate. He said he had never been out on a station and some of his idea's dated back over 40 year. If you want to invite him no problem at all we have a spare room do you have his email address yes it is on his card we go for it Mate.
Oh bye the way next week Roger and I and going to introduce you to the way we keep the records of all the equipment so you will be in the office unless there is a breakdown somewhere. Now since it only 4:00pm go and get cleanup and get your coveralls washed after which you might as well go home because have a long day. Once he gets home the first thing he asks can you shave my head please, the comment was well I'm doing Dad's this evening and two is better than one I will do it after dinner.
Anyway how did you make out, real good was his answer -- so you were happy about the results well that good and they hug, Simon walks in on them and says this is the second time I've walked and found you hugging a young guy -- Simon laughing and says I'm going to get a scrub as there was lost of dust today won't be long.
Well they all sit down to dinner and Simon asks Adam how did you make out and with that Adam passes to his dad the envelope, Simon is speechless when he reads the contents; he passes it over to Mother she says nothing but gets up and finds three tall glasses and also a bottle of Champagne they have had for sometime and fills all the glasses. Dad says a toast to Mr. Millwright & Mr. Welder, Mum is calling for a speech Adam thinks for a few minutes and then stands up and says thank you to both of you supporting me and now I like included both John and Roger; Roger taught me well and the trip to Tara -- Tony also taught me a lot and got my welding up to scratch.
Mum is clearing the table now, and Dad is out there as well and I see him take off, so I go and help Mum. Then she says go and find five glasses all the same please and bring them in here as I must make sure they are clean.
A few minutes later Dad, John & Roger come around the back, take a seat please, Simon goes into the house gets the tray with the glasses and large bottle of Scotch. Simon say this family does not normally drink but this a very special occasion, Mum comes out with a bucket of ice Simon says I assume everyone one would like ice and a jug of water -- please. Simon pours four stiff ones and slightly less for his wife. When Simon brings over Adams he has already added some water and ice. Betty; Simons wife says this is such a special night for us and we are so proud of you Adam and we also want to thank Roger especially for imparting his knowledge to Adam and you John for always being available to answer any questions and that you asked how we felt if our son did certain jobs etc, we both respect you for doing that.
Simon does another round including his son and just says that is full strength if you need water just put a dash in it. A good evening was had by all and after the second round had been consumed John and Roger both gave Adam a very tight hug -- congratulations mate, and they both said thank you and departed. On there way home Roger radio trips and he see it is Jim, Hi Jim how are things fantastic Adam came back today with two TQ one for welding the other millwright. Does he have any tools of his own yet, no says Roger ok leave that to me and I will call in briefly Sunday morning.
Next morning neither Simon or Adam were feeling any pain but they look terrible, Mother saw them both and produce two aspirin each with a glass of water they are both sitting in the shade of the veranda with there eyes shut finally Adam asks are you using the ATV today, no why -- well I'm looking at going bush for the day but not staying out over night, there is a nice shady spot up by the radio tower I need to let my mind clear, Would you mind if I came with you no problem that's a good idea as I sort of over did it last night. No problems, I go and get a couple of sandwiches made and two large container of iced water. I the shed there is a great big foam mattress that will roll tight strap it on the ATV.
They head out with Adam driving and he heads right for the trees. It's sort of a slopping site and you can see way over. Dad gets the foam out and makes himself a pillow I use my coveralls and we lay down, my mind is wandering about what went on yesterday and soon falls asleep. About two hours later he wakes up feeling a lot better and has his back propped against a tree and just looking around then spots a group of Roo's just relaxing in part shade when for no reason at all two of them get up and start fighting, eventually one of them just takes off on its own the others decide to move on. By this time Dad has woken up and takes good swig of the water.
Like a sandwich Adam -- please, we munch on our grub I get up and stretch my legs and also have a good pee. On my return Dad goes and does the same and he says when he returns this so peaceful no wonder you like this spot. They sit and talk about all sorts of things, Adam says Dad I think we should head home I see it is 4:00pm; I guess we should must get your mother out here sometime.
Once everything is re-stowed and the ATV in the shed Adam says dad give me your clothes as they will be full of dust and I will do mine as well into the laundry machine and it will all be dry later this evening so Simon strips off right there, and Adam does the same and they head for the shower. His Dad says son I need a good scrubbing of my back please I do Dad's back and he does mine and said well that feels better.
By the time the washing machine has done its job and we have our clothes on the line Mum is about to serve up Dinner. We have a really nice looking lamb roast, dad is looking around the table and asks do we have any mint sauce Mum says sorry no but there is some mint jelly in the frig. We have a really nice meal and we are ask how was our day -- we both said at the same time but we a part of it. The table was cleared and everyone went out side to sit in the shade.
I said excuse me for a few minutes and head for my room and send off an email to the TAFF instructor inviting him when he is free to spend a couple of days with us at High Creek, I then rejoin my folks Dad say would either of you like anything to drink Mum says a glass of my wine would go down well, Adam a beer please.
The family had a nice quiet evening and slept in the next morning till 6:30 am, and they were all having a quiet time we heard a plane come in Simon says who hell is that, I said it sounds like Jim the boss. About tem minutes later Roger is calling out Hi Adam are you about yes I'm here; well come over to the office please with me, just hang on I need something on my feet.
I get in there and Jim gets and shakes my hand and says congratulations on your achievements so what is your next thing you are going to do. Get my pilots license and then pass my driving test so I can legally drive in the government roads. Jim says I will get you the papers for your pilot's license and I'm sure between John and Roger they can soon teach you.
Now out on my plane I have something for you so John is the big truck available ok I think we best use it. We head for the landing strip and I see this very large box and as we slide it out and get it into the truck dam that is heavy. This package is breakable so treat it with care but enjoy. We go back to the office and over to the shop and unload it. Jim says firstly we should put a couple of those pallet stacked and put this on top, the wrapping is taken off and all the cardboard is removed, Jim says oh Adam you will need these and he hands the keys over.
Adam unlocks the box and his eyes cannot believe what he is seeing, a full set of millwright tools towards the bottom his own cutting touch and various nozzles. The next two draws are empty but there is space there for a good size welding helmet. Jim I don't know what say other thank you and he goes to shake Jim's hand but Jim hugs really tightly and say you continue the way you have started and you will go a long way in this organization.
I'm going to have to show my folks this because they won't believe me otherwise. John has been standing in the background all this time, Roger says to brother a shop or full access key give him full access key. So let's go back to the office and John gets out a book please sign this Adam and here is your key and don't loose or lend it to anyone.
Jim says I've done my good deed for the day, oh before I forget I will send you the plans for the new office building to go over, I'll put them in the mail so you get full-size.
Can one of you take me to the air strip -- sure Jim just follow me, we get out to the air strip and after his routine check Jim takes off.
Adam get back home and says to his folks please come with me, I have something to show you and unless you actually see it I'm sure you won't believe me. Mum asks where are we going, I said to the shop, Dads says we will use my truck lets all get in. So once at the shop Adam unlocks the door and said look at that red box over there. That is complete set of millwright tools plus cutting tools, Adam unlocks the box to show his folks so where did this come from Adam it was presented to me by the company after Jim stopped in; Simon said there is a least two thousand dollar worth of gear here they must have ideas for you in the future, all his Mum says its amazing. Adam locks up and they return home to enjoy the rest of Sunday.
Adam has gone to his room and remembers the brown paper bag package, so he slips out and goes to the office and it is sitting on the desk inside two bottles of Champagne. He returns home and puts one bottle in the frig and thinks this will go down well with dinner to-night the other bottle goes into the cool room; the rest of the day is spent quietly with just general chit chat.
Monday morning Adam decked out in his full gear enters the office, he is told the plan for today is going to all office unless they get a callout then it's your job to deal with it, but don't worry I will be there just in case you have a major problem.
John you there please come and explain how you developed the flow chart and it purpose, after a lengthy explanation Adam got the basics with the comment this took a longtime over to you Roger now records of each machine are on this computer, so Adam asks what about backup. Good question at present everything is backup onto a read write cd disk. Now the one thing I want to do is number all the equipment like T1 = tractor one but I want to find out if the tractors all work in specific areas, the reason for all this is the only way of identifying is via the serial number hence the reason for photographing those plates and the side view tell you what the machine is visually. I think it is lunchtime so let's go over to the cookhouse for soup and a sandwich. During lunch tomato soup and a salad sandwich we continue talking, returning to the office and continue until about 4:00 pm when Roger says you have lots to think about, might as well leave your coveralls here and head home, thanks Roger see you in the morning.
Roger and John get home I think a cold one is in order and they both have an early night. About 3:30 am there phone goes John answers, pardon please repeat that Pete, have you let Jim know he is my next call OK tell him I will coming to Clara as soon as its daylight -- Thanks mate says Pete.
Roger asks whets that all about, Keith had a massive heart attack and the flying doc crew was not able to revive him. That's terrible so I'm going up there as soon as its daylight. Phone goes again, Jim hear, thanks I'll see up there late to-day take care John and I will send out a notice to all stations to-night.