Graphic: Frank with his daughter
Flying Doctor Podcast #67:
In a recent interview, Greg Keynes, a seasoned storyteller of the bush, shares memories of his childhood on the Curbur station in Western Australia.
The Curbur station was his family's home since the 1950s, and it was where he was born and raised. He describes how different the world was back then, with no modern amenities in their home, but instead, they had a shade house to cool off in the heat of the day. He fondly remembers the peace and quiet of the shade house, where birds came to drink, and where one could rest during the hot summer months.
His childhood was filled with outdoor activities like playing on his pony, climbing trees, and digging for Bardi grubs with Aboriginal kids. He had a magnificent lifestyle growing up on the Curbur station. They played with their shadows, learned about life and nature, and enjoyed a tremendous sense of freedom. From a young age, he was involved in practical tasks such as fixing a generator or repairing poly pipes, which gave him a better understanding of how things worked.
His memories of his childhood are a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of life that we often overlook in our modern world. His upbringing taught him to take responsibility and explore the world around him, and he recognizes how fortunate he was to have such a unique and beautiful upbringing. He notes that this kind of childhood is less common today and that many children lack practical experience and knowledge about the world.
Greg is a pioneer in using helicopters for mustering in the 1980s. However, not everything went as planned, and he found himself in a perilous situation at the bottom of a remote Western Australian gorge due to engine failure. Despite this setback, Greg has continued to share his stories and experiences with others, highlighting the importance of storytelling as a way to educate, entertain and explain the world around us.
Listen to the podcast below to hear this story full of inspiration and adventure -
