The sky is the limit for Khalanh

Khalanh Orcher at his Air Force graduation 18 November 2020. Photo supplied

On Wednesday, 18th November local Bourke man Khalanh Orcher, turned an ambition into a reality, as he graduated from the Royal Australian Air Force.

Born and bred in Bourke, Khalanh had a desire to join the Air Force from the time he finished high school in 2009.

But the urge to live and work in Bourke and stay close to family meant Khalanh commenced a career in the local cotton industry instead.

Working as a cotton ginner at North Bourke Ginning under the guidance of boss Sam Buster, Khalanh says he loved his job, which gave him the foundation for a good work ethic and the desire to strive hard in life.

“Sam was a great role model in my life. The best boss I ever had. He became like family to me.

“My workmates Phil Kavanagh and Bob Hatch became my mentors and played a big part in my early work life.

“They were good fellas and fun to work with. They made work fun, but they also taught me a lot, particularly to persevere.

“I learned that consistency beats a burst any day, and to keep your eye on the big picture,” Khalanh said.

In 2014 Khalanh moved to Carrathool to take up the position of Head Ginner at Rivcott cotton gin, again under the leadership of Sam Buster.

Khalanh says this was the biggest challenge of this life - living away from home and family.

“I look back now and see that is what set me up for the where I am.

“I had to learn to live with the circumstances, and that helped me strive for my goal at the time of being Head Ginner,” Khalanh said.

Khalanh recalls the time when his passion for ginning started to decline due to the exhaustion of heavy work, long hours, and night shifts, and he started losing his drive.

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!