Being employed as a ‘fly-in, fly-out’ (or FIFO) worker is not for everyone. The workload in these kinds of roles is usually pretty hard going, and by definition the job means long spells away from friends and family. But for those who can handle all that, the lucrative pay rates make it a very attractive employment option.
Michael Pietrariu did 20 years of FIFO work in the oil and gas industry in Western Australia. The financial rewards of such a long FIFO stint allowed him to indulge his passion for old cars – and 1970s Holdens in particular.
He ended up owning several old Monaros and Toranas, and other cars, some of which he gradually restored himself during rare moments at home.
The plan always was to give up FIFO work when he and his wife started a family. Michael would then get a ‘regular’ job, and tinker away at his collection of cars in his spare time.
But it didn’t work out quite
