Jim Nicolson

I lived in Kenya, South Africa and Scotland before migrating to Australia when seventeen. As an adult, I studied part-time at Melbourne University and graduated in 1969. I now live in Melbourne, Australia and very much enjoy my relationships with my adult children and my grandchildren.

On returning to Sydney, in the late 1950's, I worked for a large, illegal bookmaker whose premises were in a notorious, red-light district. Following a police raid, I left, joined Caltex and worked, for it, in country New South Wales, before resigning in order to work as a ringer (cowboy) on a cattle ranch.

When I returned to Sydney I got a job with Heinz. After about a year, it transferred me to its then Head Office in Melbourne.

Later on, I purchased a farm about an hour's drive from Melbourne and raised beef cattle. It was there that my kids learnt to ride on their ponies. And, when they were older, we all used to go for long, horseback rides in the nearby sixty-four, square-mile Bunyip State Park. Seeing its abundant wildlife, which included koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brushtail possums, tree goannas, sugar gliders etc., was a great learning experience for the kids. And, as well, seeing all the birdlife, which included parrots, cockatoos and, even, huge wedge-tailed eagles.

Following my retirement, I spent two years, tracing my roots and learning just enough Gaelic, to get by, on Scotland's bilingual and legendary Isle of Skye. I still maintain e-mail correspondence with friends on Skye; and also on Berneray, a small Outer Hebridean island close to Harris, where the famous Harris Tweed--still a cottage industry--is woven.

During my life, I've had many years of experience working with cattle and horses.

My website is www.jimnicolson.com