The best job I ever had was a long time ago, in the good old days. Looking back things seemed a little simpler. Not that easy but definitely better. I was in the final year of my electrical apprenticeship back in 1987 when I hear that the company I was working for had won the contract for installing 40 odd lifts into the New Parliament House building in Canberra.
Straight away I was asking if I could go down and work on the project. At the time I was based in Brisbane, my Boss said no, they did not need any apprentices. As time went by the project got behind and they needed more people, they started flying tradesmen down on rotating rosters. Eventually they asked me if I still wanted to go.
Hearing back from all the other workers, I hatched a bit of a plan. Instead of flying down and staying at the company motel. I packed my car and drove, then organised my own accommodation in a share house not far from the work site so I could even walk to work.
I just got paid all the extra money for flights and accommodation and just lived as cheaply as I could. I ended up being there for nine months straight, worked as much overtime as they would let me. Not only did I learn lots about my chosen Industry, but I saved enough money for a deposit on a two bedroomed unit back home.
We revisited New Parliament House a couple of years ago and I tried to snap a photo in the same spot that I was over 30 years ago.
