Thread: Across Australia by Helicopter.

Gentlemen

Thank you very very much for taking up half my day reading through this whole thread it was most enjoyable and bought back lots of memories.

I thought I would share these 2 photos with you and before you complain about the quality remember they were taken along time ago and they didn't have digital camreas then, so they are just scans of a couple of old photos. I shouldn't really do this as it shows how fu*#ing old I'm getting, but anyway.

This one was taken in late 1969 and shows the Ord dam being built



This one is from almost the same spot 10 years later


It never ceases to amaze me what gems there are hidden in this forum.
Thanks again for the enjoyment.

Tis a great thread....just flipped through half of it again meself....oh the mammories.

Originally Posted by Nawty

Man dies in mustering helicopter crash in Western Australia | News.com.au

The chopper was from a mates business based in Kununurra. Pilot was from Halls Creek.

Hey ootai, thanks for dropping by. I can;t believe how many people here seem to have some kind of connection with my hometown. Were you involved with the construction of the dam?

Originally Posted by MeMock

Hey ootai, thanks for dropping by. I can;t believe how many people here seem to have some kind of connection with my hometown. Were you involved with the construction of the dam?

MeMock
At the time these pictures were taken I was living in a previous life which was when I was a meatworker. The first picture taken in 1970 (I was mistaken with the date on the other post) at that time it was my first trip up that way spent time at the Wyndham meatworks and when that closed went for a trip to Darwin which is when I took the first picture. Somewhere I have some photos of a Darwin which doesn't exist now after Cyclone?? (can't remember Tracy I think).
I spent a few days with a bullcatcher somewhere near the border. Not working for him just visiting, what a crazy way to make a living that is/was.

Later in 1979 I spent a season at the Derby meatworks and when that season closed my wife and I when up to darwin then home via Katherine Gorge, Mataranka, Alice springs and Ayres Rock (old name). My daughter was made in Derby. It is, as shown by the photos here, a most spectacular place the Kimberly region.

Thanks for reviving the memories

I have some bullcatching photos if you really wanna relive memories...

I grew up in the hills east of Perth so I guess that makes me a hillbilly.

Worked in meatworks at Wooroloo, Midland, Katanning, Albany, Wyndham, Derby in WA. Others in Qld and SA as well.

Moved into mining in about 1980 and have worked in the Goldfields of WA, in NSW, Qld, SA and PNG.

So while I haven't "been everywhere man" I have moved around a bit so maybe that's why moving to Thailand doesn't phase me. I call home wherever I happen to be at the time.

You en route to Thailand or already here? Where abouts are you calling 'home' in Thailand?

Ootai....Not Toodyay...if thats how I remember to spell it..

Memock asked
"You en route to Thailand or already here? Where abouts are you calling 'home' in Thailand?"
Not there yet hopefully get there toward the end of July. Will be living in Burinam.

quote Nawty
"Ootai....Not Toodyay...if thats how I remember to spell it.."
No not there butnot far away in a little town called Chidlow used to be on the road from Perth to Northam long long time ago. Also had a major railway station before they moved the railway out through Toodyay.

A nice new heli....sexy

Some nice moves.

Bloody hell Memock I am enjoying this thread a lot mate....I love it ...thanks

Hi all you helicopter enthusiastics!
Am thinking of doing a scenic tour over the Kimberleys next month. Can you recommend any companies? I have come across Frontier Helicopters and they look good - anybody know anything about them? frontierhelicopters.com.au Or do you have any other recommendations?
Many thanks and I love the thread - really got me interested on doing some flying....

Great Thread and awesome pics.

I must say much of were you live looks like Arizona/Utah in the U.S. especially a area called Sedona.

If you ever get a chance to come to the U.S. let me know I would love to show you around the OZ looking part.

Originally Posted by Nawty

Originally Posted by MeMock

Originally Posted by Nawty

MeMok...were you a journilast in that area ?? If so do you remember a white water rafting trip down the Katherine gorge in the wet season that kinda went topsy tervy ?? Somewhere around 93/94

I was a journalist (of sorts) in that area yes but you must have me pegged as an old man! I didnt graduate high school until the end of 1993 and didnt start my media career until the end of 1994 so no I don't remember it sorry. Mind you although we did cover as far across as Katherine to Broome we would only report on pretty major stories or if the had a local influence that far away. Sounds like a good story though!

It was a good story, made front page katherine times and I think from memory nt news at the time.

I had tried to find it online somehow, would love to get a copy of it again somehow for old times sake.

Basics of it was 1 dead, 1 brought back to life and the rest of us airlifted out by Lloyds rescue at tindal airforce base.

Much more to it than that though.

Hi,

Came across this old thread. Just want to let you know that I was one of the two guides on that fateful day. If you've got any old newspapere clippings on that, please let me know. National Parks also videoed the trip on that day, but unfortunately I didn't get a copy of the video. As far as I remember, the video wasn't used as evidence as the inquest, which was held on the 9th Sept, 1994. The accident occurred on the 25th Feb that year. If you were in the helicopter, then, you were on the trip with me.

I'm afraid Nawty had a cry and left the forum.

Try subzerosiam.com nowadays I guess.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

I'm afraid Nawty had a cry and left the forum.

Actually, he was booted for being a complete prick.

So, you're circumcised then?

Originally Posted by expat99

Hi all you helicopter enthusiastics!
Am thinking of doing a scenic tour over the Kimberleys next month. Can you recommend any companies? I have come across Frontier Helicopters and they look good - anybody know anything about them? frontierhelicopters.com.au Or do you have any other recommendations?
Many thanks and I love the thread - really got me interested on doing some flying....

Sorry that I missed this. Too late now but in case anyone else is reading just send me a private message and I can either organise a trip or find someone else who can for you.

I almost had to do another similar trip report for a R66 that my brother had to fly back from Sydney. Same deal but this time he went slightly south and over Lake Eyre and Ayres Rock etc. I was asked to go but ended up giving up my seat for someone else.

Here is a great video showing the original chopper in this thread doing a three day tour around the Kimberley. Amazing the scenery that is out there that can mostly only be explored with a whirly bird.

You will need a password to watch the video. The password is Kimberley

Private Video on Vimeo

Thanks MeMock,

great vid!!

Thanks TizMe. My brother was flying it with a mate along for the ride. A few of those places I have been to but a lot there that I need to get out to some day!

I have not got Vimeo