REAL BUSINESS LESSONS

Drones have come a long way in a very short period of time from first being used in the US military to carry out surveillance in enemy areas to now being used for everyday use around the world.

I discovered drones a few years ago and could see the benefit to enhance and expand my photography business (Cliff Shipton Photography) in the Bega Valley on the NSW far south coast area. Bega valley is in the southernmost part of NSW along the eastern seaboard of Australia, better known as the Sapphire Coast due to its pristine coastal beaches and rich dairy farmland that produces the famous and tasty Bega cheese. I grew up in the Bega Valley with a dairy and beef farming background and although I don’t own or work on farms full time I still manage to get out and help family, cousins and friends regularly to assist with tractor work, farm maintenance, mowing, pruning, cattle handling, solar panel cleaning and anything else that may be required, including photography.

I moved away when I was 18 to join the Australian defence force and to see the world, to learn a new trade and meet new people. I served 6 years in the defence force as a Combat Field engineer at Holsworthy Army base in Sydney. There I learnt and developed many new skills and acquired not just truck licences but all my earthmoving and civil experience from building roads, carparks, bridges, airfields, culverts and demolition tasks. Since being discharged from the Australian defence force in 1992, I have gone on and continued my earthmoving and civil construction career which has led me to the position of Roads Coordinator at Bega Valley Shire Council.