Michael Thornton on Jackarooing, Creativity and Perserverance

Above, Michael Thornton (left) with members Simon O'Donoghue and Bernie Walshe.

Between the detailed  introduction and wrap up, chairman Bernie Walshe introduced Michael Thornton- journalist-author and current MBA lecturer at the Melbourne Business School.   It was noted that Michael was an ex RYLAH participant when sponsored by the Terang RC in the mid 1970's, and cited by Michael as an important stimulus in his life.

Michael gave us a wonderful cameo of his earlier life and how a stint of jackarooing at the famed property "Habbies Howe" in the southern Strathbogie ranges in the early 1970's somehow shaped his future---at least it gave him the basis for his recent successful book "Jackaroo- A Memoir".    Published by Penguin he explained the difficulties facing a potential author in gaining any publication-hence the reference to "perserverance" in his address.   It was fascinating to hear of world renowned authors who had suffered extensive rejections by potential publishers of works which became classics.   He pointed out "tongue in cheek ?" that under a certain Penguin listing of authors he ranked next to Tolstoy in the said list.  

Michael's self deprecating and humorous address concentrated on his trials during his jackeroo year, indeed this was the basis of his book. He told of how a naïve 17 old (a choir boy)  faced and coped with tasks such as 5am risings, carving up cow carcasses, and unloading 432 bags (83 kg each) of superphosphate all in his first week.   Threatening to leave, alas he could not but was kept on for a year.      Supposedly his endurance of the trials at Habbies Howe enhanced his reputation , but clearly also kindled an interest for he had three subsequent roles as a jackaroo, most notably at the "Nareen" property of ex Prime Minister Fraser.

Whereas the initial placement was designed by his family to give him first hand rural experience prior to entering the family wool-broking business, in reality it encouraged a move to a career in journalism- at first in agriculture.

The address contained a philosophical tone.   He touched on first, the importance of "creativity" and the problems of education systems to impose an implicit conformity on young minds, then his personal "bucket list"-seriously pursued, and lastly of course the overriding need for persistence in progressing a task or achieving a goal.    

The audience enjoyed the entertaining and thought provoking talk.