Jim Crossland -- My Life and Interests
photographed by Doug Worthington
After school Jim underwent a pre-apprenticeship and then apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. In 1962 as a diesel mechanic Jim worked on the government buses for 8 pounds 2 and 6 pence.
Jim had 5 years as an apprentice and 5 year as a tradesperson.
Jim wanted a change and went to Carnarvon as a diesel mechanic at the Tracking Stations. Here Jim met Jackie who was a teacher. Jim also Learnt to fly airplanes. These skills led Jim to fly to the stations to fix and to sell motor bikes. While servicing many bikes Jim never never sold a bike.
In 1975 Jim and Jackie were married at Kings Park. Jim then obtained the job as a Field Technician for tracking dog traps and checking them from an aircraft. This formed part of a Dingo research program.
Here Jim and Jackie met Don who was working at the Research Station in Carnarvon.
Jim through his work meet the people who staffed the Flight Service Centres in Carnarvon. This led to Jim going to Melbourne for a 6 months training course then followed by months of field training in Helensburg Sydney.
This led Jim to experience the operations of search and rescue which was implemented based on the US Coast Guard research and experience. The year 2000 saw the end of Jim's career in Airtraffic Control as the State Centres closed down.
At 53 Jim found himself unemployed. For a while Jim drove a taxi enjoying the company of the passengers. Then Jim gained the job as a Radio Operator on an Oil Rig till until 2013 when Jim retired at 65. A 42,000 deep hole in the Gulf of Mexico is the depth the record for an Oil Rig.
Jim with his long time friend Don obtained a boat to sail around Australia after picking the boat up at Harvey Bay. They also enjoy racing a sailboat on Saturdays.