5th_australian_generation_and_beyond

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
5th_australian_generation_and_beyond [2020/07/05 17:34] – [Richard John M-P] judith5th_australian_generation_and_beyond [2020/08/10 17:04] (current) – [Richard John M-P] judith
Line 24: Line 24:
 {{:richard_flying.jpg?300|}}  Richard where he loved to be, an undated photo.\\ {{:richard_flying.jpg?300|}}  Richard where he loved to be, an undated photo.\\
  \\  \\
-Amagraze operated prawn trawlers and they contracted Richard to fly in the Gulf of Carpentaria to find the prawns and notify the trawlers where the ‘prawn boils’ were to be found. A ‘prawn boil’ is a discolouration of the water caused by the prawns emerging from mud. Richard and a friend formed a company, purchased a Twin Comanche long range aircraft, and formed Outback Air. Over the next 28 years, Richard took the skill of finding prawns from a chance operation to a highly-skilled and technical process. He was able, using water temperature, phases of the moon, and previous wet season rain falls to predict where boats should be positioned for optimum catches. Richard was recognised as the best ‘prawn spotter’ in the Gulf. Typical of Richard, he was happy to teach the younger pilots and spotters his skills.\\ +Amagraze operated prawn trawlers and they contracted Richard to fly in the Gulf of Carpentaria to find the prawns and notify the trawlers where the ‘prawn boils’ were to be found. A ‘prawn boil’ is a discolouration of the water caused by the prawns emerging from mud. Richard and a friend formed a company, purchased a Twin Comanche long range aircraft, and formed Outback Air. Over the next 28 years, Richard took the skill of finding prawns from a chance operation to a highly-skilled and technical process. He was able, using water temperature, phases of the moon, and previous wet season rain falls to predict where boats should be positioned for optimum catches. Richard was recognised as the best ‘prawn spotter’ in the Gulf. Typical of Richard, he was happy to teach the younger pilots and spotters his skills. One means by which he did this was to write 'Aerial spotting for prawns in the Gulf', published in //Australian Fisheries//, 36:6 (June 1977) - you can read it here [[https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-745239182/view?sectionId=nla.obj-745982819&partId=nla.obj-745248145#page/n13/mode/1up| prawn spotting]]. \\ 
 \\ \\
 After a few years, Richard and Ilma bought out their partners who were keen to move south. Ilma gave up teaching to take on the day-to-day running of the company. By this time, Outback Air leased five aircraft and had its own engineering set-up. Richard inspired their pilots. This was demonstrated when QANTAS’s recruiting department congratulated him on the fact they employed more pilots from his small family company than any other single charter operation. On the home front, in the mid-1970s, Richard and Ilma had a daughter.\\ After a few years, Richard and Ilma bought out their partners who were keen to move south. Ilma gave up teaching to take on the day-to-day running of the company. By this time, Outback Air leased five aircraft and had its own engineering set-up. Richard inspired their pilots. This was demonstrated when QANTAS’s recruiting department congratulated him on the fact they employed more pilots from his small family company than any other single charter operation. On the home front, in the mid-1970s, Richard and Ilma had a daughter.\\
Line 53: Line 53:
  
  
-{{:richard_in_formal_wear.jpg?200|}} Richard the //bon vivant//{{:richard_face.jpg?200|}} An older Richard. {{:richard_m-p_cchristening2.jpg?200|}}Proud grandfather Richard with one of his four grandchildren.+{{:richard_in_formal_wear.jpg?200|}}Richard the //bon vivant//  {{:richard_face.jpg?250|}}  An older Richard. \\ 
 +{{:richard_m-p_cchristening2.jpg?250|}}Proud grandfather Richard with one of his four grandchildren.
  
  • 5th_australian_generation_and_beyond.1593934442.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2020/07/05 17:34
  • by judith