Flying Bushman: An Australian story of life above the land

Growing up on the family property, Curbur, in outback Western Australia, Greg Keynes's childhood seemed idyllic. He began his own aerial mustering business and fell in love with Kim, but a routine muster went horribly wrong. The Flying Bushman is a story of memories in the outback, a reminder of the true Australian Spirit with resilience, courage, and wild hearts that survive the harsh terrains.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2020
Publisher: Rockpool Publishing

Growing up on the family property, Curbur, in outback Western Australia, Murchison country, Greg Keynes' childhood seemed idyllic. Poignant memories of exploring with his dogs; hunting, working, and joking with the local Yamatji people. Breaking free from family ties as a young man, Greg began his own aerial mustering business and fell in love with Kim, a girl from Perth. Together, their life was sweet, until one day, a routine muster in the rocky gorges of the Hamersley Range went horribly wrong.

Along the majestic blue ranges and scouring river beds of the Pilbara, The Flying Bushman is more than a story of memories in the outback; it's a collective reminder of the true Australian Spirit with our resilience, courage, and wild hearts that survive the harsh and at times unforgiving terrains that ultimately make us who we are. The Flying Bushman is liberally illustrated with original photographs from Greg's working life as a chopper pilot.

Greg's early years were spent on the family property, Curbur, in outback Western Australia, Murchison country. He recalls fondly the times spent exploring the land with his dogs, hunting, working, and joking with the local Yamatji people. As a young man, Greg felt the urge to break free from the constraints of family life and pursue his own dreams. He started his own aerial mustering business, which allowed him to fly over the vast expanses of the Pilbara and gather livestock from remote areas.

During his work, Greg met Kim, a girl from Perth who had come to the Pilbara to work as a nurse. They fell in love and started a life together, living in a small cabin on the family property. Their life was filled with happiness and adventure, as they explored the rugged beauty of the outback and enjoyed the company of their friends and family.

However, their happiness was short-lived. One day, Greg was called to perform a routine muster in the rocky gorges of the Hamersley Range. The job was supposed to be a simple one, but things quickly went wrong. Greg's helicopter crashed in the rugged terrain, and he was trapped inside the cockpit, injured and alone.

For days, Greg struggled to survive in the harsh outback environment. He relied on his survival skills and the help of the local Yamatji people, who came to his aid and provided him with food and shelter. Despite the difficult circumstances, Greg never lost hope. He knew that he had to keep fighting to survive and to return home to his loved ones.

After several days of struggle, Greg was finally rescued by a search and rescue team. He was taken to a hospital in Perth, where he underwent extensive treatment for his injuries. It was a long and difficult road to recovery, but Greg was determined to return to the outback and continue his work as a chopper pilot.

Greg's experience in the outback taught him valuable lessons about resilience, courage, and the importance of community. He realized that the outback was not a place to be feared, but a place of beauty and wonder. He also learned that the true Australian Spirit was not about toughness or bravado, but about compassion, kindness, and a willingness to help others.

Since his accident, Greg has become a passionate advocate for the conservation of the Pilbara and the protection of its unique wildlife and ecosystems. He has worked closely with the local Yamatji people to develop sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the community and the environment.

Greg's story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It reminds us that even in the most challenging circumstances, we can find hope and strength to overcome our obstacles and achieve our dreams. The Flying Bushman is not just a story of memories in the outback; it's a collective reminder of the true Australian Spirit and the resilience of the human heart.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781925924558