Blisters in the sun at the orchard for $9

One particular block of apples was close-planted in one direction so it could only be cultivated during summer one way which left tall dry grass up and down the tree line.

My brother and I in the summer holidays accepted dad’s offer to hoe around the base of each tree to clear the dry grass away. At a pay rate of one cent per tree we worked for the majority of our school holidays as we had a plan for our ‘payday'.

After many blisters and sunburn we retired as we had each hoed around 900 trees.

This gave us our first paycheck of a whopping $9 each.

We now had enough to buy our first transistor radio each, which we treasured for many years.

The job taught me a lot; firstly to not recommend it as a career for anyone, but I guess it also taught me how a good work ethic will reap rewards.

We still get a bit of mileage out of the memory when we have family catch-ups.

Looking back on those days I now realise they stood me in good stead for my working life.