As soon as I was old enough to make a mess, which was nearly seventy years ago, I began painting. Unfortunately for all concerned, I was then sent to school. In eleven wasted years my only achievement of note was my exam results after studying the French language for three years. In 1963, the exam marks for the subject of French in the state wide Junior Examinations (Year 10) ranged from 5% to 95%. With my mark of 5%, I have happily claimed to be a State champion of sorts ever since.
As an indication of my farming career, the following should suffice: I began farming in my own right in 1974 with around 2000 acres (800 hectares) in the South West of W.A. This became 200 acres (80 hectares) on the State’s south coast. I now live on 10 acres (4 hectares) and could be described as an Armadale (W.A.) fringe dweller. This last address description would impress neither real estate agents nor the W.A. Police.
A mistaken diversion was when my wife and I bought a furniture and bedding franchise store. The franchisor, unbeknown to the franchisees, arrange an independent and anonymous assessment of the 26 franchisees across the State. The incognito assessor of our store judged my salesmanship as being 3 out of 10. A score frequently and proudly repeated. (I told the truth).
The mining boom in W.A. however, provided me with employment, memories and ridiculously high wages.
You may note there are no images of me to be seen here. Vincent Van Gogh apparently painted at least 43 self portraits, but he only sold one painting in his lifetime it is said. Surely there is a lesson here? Van Gogh was not a pretty sight. Neither am I, and at the time of writing, have yet to sell a painting. Consider this if you will: my late wife, without much provocation, would announce publicly, that, “my husband is closely related to the monkeys, and that is said not just because of his bodily hair”.
The foregoing ramblings could be construed as just another collection of complaints. They are not. I have had an interesting and often amusing life. I was lucky in marriage and I have a son. I am a fortunate man.