Carol and I married on February 26th 1966 and after a honeymoon with Pops caravan in the South West we moved into our first house in Moora.
In 1967, I applied for the position of Stock Inspector in Mora and was duly appointed to that position. This entailed carrying out the inspection of sheep for lice and monitoring farming properties under quarantine for various animal related health problems.
In late 1968 the Commonwealth Government ceded responsibility for plant and animal quarantine to the state Department of Agriculture. I was successful in securing one of the resultant positions on offer and moved to 93 Grantham Street, Floreat.
Dick Standing has just been promoted to Officer in Charge of the SEC in Bunbury. We stayed in Floreat while our house was being built in Crystalbrook Street, Dianella.
I commenced duties in the stock office located on the south wharf at Fremantle on 18th November 1968. Our first born – Stuart George arrived on the 29th August, 1969. We then moved into Dianella on Mother’s Day 1970.
We soon settled into life in Dianella. The Animal Quarantine position was arduous and not conducive to a regular routine. Initially there were only three officers involved that had to attend Perth International Airport on a 24 hour, 365 days a year roster.
In addition, we oversaw the arrival of all passenger ships to Fremantle Harbour. Plus, the clearance of all cargo, personal effects imported into Western Australia and exported livestock.
It was not unusual for us to attend the airport, then travel to Fremantle to clear a passenger ship and or cargo. Some of these shifts extended to 16 hours straight with no stand down provisions.
When one of our officers was stabbed in a domestic with his wife we were required to cover all the duties with just two officers.
On the home front we welcomed the arrival of Kristine Paula on the 20th February, 1971.
In January 1973, I was offered a job at Port Hedland managing all three quarantine (animal, plant, human) duties. The previous officer had been offered increased salary plus a guaranteed return time (two years) to Perth.