At an age when many are thinking of retiring, former gun shearer Julyan Sumner, 64, has decided to return to school and begin an apprenticeship as a plumber.

After spending 39 years working sheds across the state, and shearing in Europe, the UK and the United States, he realised declining sheep numbers across Australia meant his days in the industry were numbered.

He knew he would have to find something to keep him going until he could no longer work.

"I must admit when I first left school I wasn't interested in being an apprentice because the pay was terrible and being a shedhand it was six or eight dollars a day which sounds terrible but back then it was great," he said.

"Yeah, I looked for the money I didn't think about the future."

But now at the other end of his working life he has made the choice between going on the scrapheap or finding a new direction.

"Look, it's out of necessity that I've done this because my super is not going to keep me," he said.

"But fortunately it's an enjoyable thing that I'm about to undertake

I shagged a woman last night - she  came and came - - I'm 65.  Never underestimate the value of an elder citizen.. (the scent remains)....

Skill beats frill every time......

Now if I could only persuade the two blondies next door.....

More power to ya, Bro!  Stick it to 'em!

Steampipe wrote on Jan 18^th, 2015 at 8:44pm:


boooooom!!!

Silly.  From what I can tell, he's enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship course, with no employer waiting to take him on.  That's going to be the bit that makes it a waste of time - nobody is going to take on an apprenticep who's likely to retire before the 4 years are out.