The journey, The story

After more than a decade as a mechanic and interstate driver, including 18 months on an island repairing buses, cars and the occasional boat, I met my boss, Pete (Wal), and his wife, Bron, on my very first day there. What started as a working relationship quickly grew into something much more. Along with their sons, Mitch and Brock, they became like family to me. Over the years they opened their home to me, and even welcomed Mum and Dad when they were travelling through Western Australia while Pete and Bron were working on stations throughout the state. Pete also introduced me to the mining industry around Blackwater, setting me on a path that would ultimately shape the rest of my career.

After a few years working throughout the Bowen Basin, my journey continued across Australia and through a wide range of industries. I worked on off-highway trucks and heavy equipment, repairing everything from dozers and excavators to graders and dump trucks.

Looking for a change, I later headed to Albany, Western Australia, where I returned to working on—and driving—road trains throughout the region. While I enjoyed the work, the cooler climate was not for me at all.

From there, I made my way north to the warmer climate of Mossman in North Queensland for the cane season, repairing and driving trucks transporting cane to the mill.

After a short stint at a mineral sands mine near Pooncarie NSW, I moved to a gold mine closer to home, where I first began working on drill rigs.

To be honest, I never expected to make it past my probationary period, let alone build a long-term career. But wanting to stay closer to my son during his early years, I stuck with it—and before long I found myself embracing the unique challenges that came with drill rigs.

I then moved into east-west FIFO work and, in 2018, took six months off to travel Australia—an experience that only strengthened my passion for life on the road and exploring this incredible country.

Later, I spent four years living in Western Australia’s Murray region. It sounded a lot like home back in the Riverina, so it had to be good, right? And it was. I met some incredible people there and made lifelong friends. During that time, my son even transferred with Cummins and joined me in WA, spending two years working as a FIFO field service fitter.

During that chapter of my life, there was some wonderful years on a small property and animals before setting off to travel Australia. Those travels created memories and experiences that further fuelled my passion for life on the road. I’m grateful for the memories that were made, the adventures that were shared and the role that chapter played in my journey.

But the desire to keep exploring Australia never left. Today, while continuing my FIFO career working on drill rigs in Western Australia, I’m still travelling this incredible country. The breakdowns, roadside repairs, caravan dramas and unexpected detours are all part of the adventure—and ultimately the inspiration behind FIFO Traveller.

FIFO Traveller isn’t just another clothing brand. It’s just a collection of stories, lessons, laughs and experiences gathered over decades on the road, in workshops, mine sites, trucks and around campfires across Australia. Every design has a story behind it, and I hope they spark some conversations, bring memories to light or simply put a smile on your face.

There’s a hell of a lot more between those chapters—but they’re stories best told around a campfire… or on the back of a shirt.