I was passionate about tilling the earth, even at sixteen months.
My first day at Croppa Creek Public School.
My brother Bill and me, aged five, with my first dog Wally.
All I ever wanted was to be a farmer just like my dad. I’m here with him and his business partner, Peter Jackes (right).
With Mum and Dad just before flying to the United Kingdom on my school rugby tour.
The 1985 TAS 1st XV undefeated rugby team (I’m front row, second from right).
Another never-ending fence line stretches into the distance. In 1986 Dick Smith and I fenced hundreds of kilometres of fence line on the property Connemara, in outback western Queensland.
Me (second from left) at the Tennant Creek Picnic Races in early 1987 with fellow jackaroo at Avon Downs, Steve Hagan (at my left).
Celebrating my twentieth birthday in the spinal unit with chocolate cake served up by Kate while Dad looks on. I was still bedridden with skull tongs and looking at everyone in the curved mirror.
Transferring into the Odyssey, my first big achievement.
Taking out some frustration in the Honda Odyssey, my first form of mobility on the farm.
Me with my ever-supportive parents, photographed on the front verandah of Bardin in 1991. (Photo: Mike Moores)
My great mate John Ryan helping me onto the tractor using my hoist. (Photo: Mike Moores)
Me with my flying instructor Bruce McMullen after my first solo — with my passenger, the bag of sand. (Courtesy Warialda Standard)
Doing a pre-flight check before takeoff in my Quicksilver MX2. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
The ultralight was easy to get into — even for a quadriplegic. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
Snow skiing at Thredbo with my instructor Eddie.
Jenny’s kelpie Winkie jumped up on my car door and licked my arm the first time we met, which Jenny said was very unusual — her dog never normally took to anyone that quickly. I thought, ‘I wish you’d take some bloody lessons from your dog!’
Jenny on our wedding day with Mike and Marg Warden, whose love story inspired me to hope I might find someone one day.
Our wedding day in March 1999. Reverend Bill Howarth and the TAS chapel are in the background.
Me with my sister Kate and brother Bill at his wedding in 2002.
Jenny and me mustering together in 1999. (Photo: Libor Sikora)
‘You’re not going to leave me up here, are you?’ — Jenny helping me into the header. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
Not many get away. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
The slasher attached to the front of my bike. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
With Jenny and Minty — the two girls in my life take a ride on my bike. (Photo: Mike Lowe)
‘Australian Story’ crew: cameraman Anthony Sines, producer Caitlin Shea and editor Roger Carter during a break from filming ‘Small World’ in 2004.
Me with Deb Fleming, executive producer of ‘Australian Story’ in Brisbane in late 2005.