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Facilitating Change Program Press Release ~ 19 February 2001 |
From udders to rudders - Cohuna dairyfarmer takes to the sky
Jim Robins always knew he wanted to be a pilot, but he grew up on a dairyfarm near Cohuna and by his early twenties he was milking cows for a living.
Jim and his brother went on to run the family farm, milking 300 head between them. When his brother married recently and moved on, Jim was left with a real dilemma. For a single man the farm was a solitary and constant job. He couldn't keep milking so many cows, but he also couldn't downsize without losing the economic viability of the business. "Selling up and leaving the farm was a difficult decision to make. My parents and grandparents worked hard on the farm, I had a lot of friends in the area and at the time I was President of the Macorna Football Club." Jim's thoughts turned to flying again and how he could turn his love of the open skies into a career. He found out it would cost around $45,000 in lessons and plane hire to obtain his commercial pilots licence - a considerable investment. Jim applied for a Retraining and Resettlement grant from Loddon Murray 2000 plus and was successful. It gave him an extra $15,000 to put towards his tuition and his move to Swan Hill to be near the flying club. "I have to admit it was pretty unsettling. I made these decisions before I had even flown a light plane. But once I got into the cockpit it all fell into place and I knew this was what I wanted to do and that I was capable of doing it." In just seven months Jim has gone from being a complete novice to gaining his commercial pilots licence. His goal is to work for one of the big international airlines like Qantas. To get the required flying hours and instrument ratings his next move will be to the outback to work as a joyflight and charter pilot. "The Retraining and Resettlement Grant has meant that I've been able to move quickly and really apply myself to the task. IÕve done a bit of casual milking to make ends meet, but mainly I've been able to fly and complete my aviation training full-time." Woorinen South grape grower and Loddon Murray 2000 plus Chairperson, Myles Treseder, said the Retraining and Resettlement Grants help to prepare farmers for employment outside farming, or to assist with resettlement. "The grants help farmers with the costs of attending training and re-skilling courses. Leaving the farm is a major life change. The greater the planning and preparation the greater the chance of making a successful go of it," he said. Media enquiries to Mal Brown, Scarlet Consulting Australasia, on (03) 5442 5355. 
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Talkin' Technical Communications |
Updated: May 2001
Contact LM2000 plus: Kelly.McKnight@nre.vic.gov.au |