Jack of All Trades, Master of None: From would be shearer to nurse

This is the story of a typical country boy, Michael Fahey – resident of Port Pirie. From a large family living in Hallett, in the Mid-North of South Australia, Michael talks about his life growing up with his four sisters and brother, and about going to school, which he ‘hated with a passion’. Michael reflects on his working life and shearing career, and talks about his travels across the countryside; meeting interesting characters along the way. He shares his adventures and mis-adventures with work, holidays, sport, women, marriage, and fatherhood. Michael Fahey also reflects on his more difficult life experiences, including divorce, depression and loneliness, and becoming estranged from his two sons. This is a book about hitting rock bottom, soul-searching, and reinventing yourself. This is the story of a bloke who has battled adversity all his life, but has now found happiness and a sense of belonging. Michael Fahey is a Jack of all trades, master of none. He is a shearer and a nurse, but he is also a son, brother, father, husband, nephew, uncle, and friend to many across the Mid-North and beyond.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. 1 1 - The Beginning and Growing Up. 5 2 - School Days and Youthful Exploits. 24 3 - The Shops and the Boys in Blue. 44 4 - My Sporting Life. 50 5 - Working on the Land. 60 6 - Click go the Shears, blood, sweat, and tears. 73 7 - Uncharted Territory. 124 8 - The End of an Era. 143 9 - Starting Again - Reinvention. 148 10 - Age Care. 150 11 – Study – Part 1. 152 12 - Testing times. 154 13 - Out for the Count 156 14 - Study Part 2. 159 15 - Nurse Fahey. 168 16 - Once bitten but never shy. 179 17 - Wedding Bells. 181 18 - Loss and Grief 186 19 - Toughen up Princess. 193 20 - Sixty - Not Out 196 21 – Dad. 203 22 - Life Goes 0n. 212 23 - My Bucket List 226 24 - My Nursing Mates. 229 25 - Reflections and Regrets. 234 26 - The Funny Side of Life. 239 Acknowledgements. 244 About the Author 248

About the Author :
Michael Fahey was born in the Mid-North town of Jamestown, South Australia in 1962. He lived in nearby Hallett, renowned for stud sheep and cropping. Upon leaving school he worked on a local farming property before embarking on a 27-year shearing career, following in the footsteps of his father and his uncles who were all brilliant shearers. Shearing took Michael all around Australia. In his late-40s, Michael changed careers and worked in aged care then after further studies became and Enrolled Nurse. He moved back to Hallett, and despite serious head-injury completed a Diploma in 2014, aged 52. Michael has always enjoyed writing and during his sporting days, compiled the weekly sporting column in the Hallett Newsletter during the cricket and golf season. In 2001 he started writing a diary, which inspired him to complete this memoir, dedicated to his two sons Declan and Rohan. Michael has lived a very interesting life and hopes there will be many more tales to tell. He also hopes you enjoy reading the story of his life.