A load of satisfaction

A seachange and difficulty finding work led Travis Bower to a job he certainly could never have imagined starting more than a decade ago.

A SEACHANGE and difficulty finding work in his field led Travis Bower to a job he certainly could never have imagined starting more than a decade ago.

The former soil tester left the Gold Coast for the lifestyle benefits of the Far North two years ago.

Frustrated by the scarcity of jobs he was qualified for, Mr Bower came across an ad for a Fastway Couriers job and jumped at the chance to become a franchisee.

“The job looked like it would provide a bit of a change and it was something I could do without any experience,” he said.

“This time of year it is pretty busy but for me, the busier it is, the better for the business.”

Couriers in Cairns cover some of the largest distances in the state delivering parcels, flowers or business documents to recipients as far north as Mossman, out to the Tablelands and south to the Cassowary Coast.

Mr Bower, 32, said the freedom his workday provided was one of the job’s best aspects.

“You’re not tied down to one place, which is great,” he said. “I’ve worked in jobs where you are tied down to one office.

“In this job it’s always a race against the clock and before you know it the day’s done.”

But the Far North Queensland heat, wet weather and traffic jams often caused minor frustrations on the job.

Mr Bower said the chance to deliver flowers was always the highlight of his day.

“Flowers always get a good reaction,” he said.

“You see a lot of the same faces each week so you get to know the characters around town. When you deliver something everyone always wants to know what’s in it.

“It’s mysterious – sometimes the smallest boxes are the heaviest.”