Ken Thompson has shifted 180 degrees in his life. Growing up on a sheep farm in Bourke and ending up selling computers in South Lismore is a testament to how a life can change, given the choices you make. Maive McKenzie sat down with Ken to fill in all the details in between.

I grew up on a sheep station about 100 kilometres north of Bourke. Life out there was quite different from what most people would experience today. We were surrounded by a large amount of open land, and the farm was a place full of adventure.

There was always something to do, whether it was working with the animals or simply roaming around the property. It felt vast and remote, but that sense of isolation also brought a certain freedom.

I grew up with three younger brothers, and we all shared the same experience of growing up on a sheep station. Two of my brothers still run sheep properties today, while the other retired after years of doing the same.

One of the things that stands out the most about my childhood was how different the culture was back then. Growing up on a farm meant being around things that would probably raise eyebrows now, like guns. But back then, it was all just part of life. We used them to manage the animals and keep the farm running smoothly, and it wasn’t anything unusual for us.

When I got older, I went to boarding school in Sydney, which was a complete change of scenery. Going from the wide-open spaces of the farm to the city was a real adjustment. Life on the station had been full of fresh air, hard work, and a lot of independence, and suddenly I found myself in a structured environment that felt worlds apart from what I was used to.

When I was younger, I was fascinated by electronics. I loved getting my hands on electronic kits and building little projects. Whether it was model aeroplanes or other gadgets, I was always tinkering with something, figuring out how things worked, and putting them together piece by piece. There was something about the process that drew me in—the challenge of assembling different parts and seeing a finished project come to life.

Looking back, it’s easy to see how those early interests hinted at the path I’d eventually follow. The curiosity I had for building and creating things as a kid stuck with me. It wasn’t just about the fun of making model aeroplanes—it was about understanding how things worked and being able to bring an idea to reality. I suppose that hands-on approach and love for figuring things out has carried over into other areas of my life too. 

When I was younger, I really didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do. Back then, computers didn’t even exist, so I wouldn’t have known that I would end up doing what I am now and I also wasn’t one of those people who had a clear vision of their future from an early age. I was interested in a lot of different things, but nothing really stood out as a specific path or career. It was more about exploring whatever was in front of me at the time. I was always curious and liked figuring things out, but I didn’t have a set direction. 

My first job was at the National Bank. I stayed there for a few years, but after a while, I realised that working for a big corporation wasn’t really for me. It wasn’t a bad experience, though, and I actually stayed longer than I expected. It was a solid start, but nothing too out of the ordinary—until the day we got held up.

That day, I was the first teller on duty, and we got robbed. It was the only really exciting thing that happened during my time there. Strangely enough, I wasn’t afraid at all. A lot of people expect you’d have trauma or something after something like that, but I didn’t feel much of anything. They caught the guy not long after, and that was that. This was back around 1974, and I was about 21 at the time.

After that, I travelled around Europe for nine months, which was an eye-opening experience. Meeting different people and seeing how others lived gave me a whole new perspective. It wasn’t just about the places I visited; it was the way people approached life, and the ideas they had were incredibly interesting.

When I came back, I had all these new ideas about how things could be done differently. There were so many things I saw over there that we didn’t do in Australia at the time, and it got me thinking about how we could adopt some of those approaches. That trip really shifted my mindset, giving me a broader way of looking at things and a fresh outlook on what’s possible.

After my time in Europe, I went back to work on a sheep property. It was a return to a familiar way of life, but this time, I ended up learning something completely new—mustering sheep by plane. We got an aeroplane for the property, and I decided to learn how to fly it. I went through the whole process and eventually got my license.

After that, I got a job at the local Pastoral Protection Board, which I stuck with for about three years. The main focus of the job was eradicating pigs and managing poisons—figuring out the logic behind how to catch them and control their numbers. It was actually pretty enjoyable work, especially because I had a 4-wheel drive and a lot of independence. I had my own schedule and could pretty much do things the way I liked.

The area I worked in stretched about 200 kilometres from the Queensland border down, though not quite as wide, which gave me the chance to meet a lot of property owners and really learn about the bush. It was a hands-on, practical job, and I learned a lot about the land and the people living on it.

Then, a big drought hit the area, and after a while, I thought I’d take a break and visit somewhere that actually gets some rain, and that’s how I ended up in the Northern Rivers. 

After that, I took on a job at a shop on Keen Street, where I sold stereo systems. It was a great gig, and I also did a bit of cash delivery on the side. Back then, everyone was paid in cash, so delivering it to various locations was a regular part of the job. 

To handle the cash deliveries, I needed to get a gun license. We covered a wide area, from our base to places like Ballina and beyond. Often, we’d be transporting significant sums of money—sometimes millions of dollars—making our rounds to places like Kmart and other businesses. 

In the 1980s, I found myself deeply involved in the world of computing, a time when technology was still in its nascent stages. I started with a Dick Smith computer, a piece of technology from an era before Microsoft had established its dominance. My initial interest was in experimenting with these early systems, but it quickly became apparent that sourcing the necessary components was a significant challenge.

As the demand for computer parts grew, I began sourcing them for others. What started as a personal project soon developed into a business. At that time, there was no global distribution network for complete computers, so enthusiasts and hobbyists had to assemble their systems from various parts. I saw an opportunity and stepped in to fill the gap.

The introduction of the Microbee, an Australian-made computer, marked a significant shift. Schools adopted these systems rapidly, and I found myself supplying them to institutions like Casino High and Woodlawn. As the Microbees became available as pre-built units from a factory in Gosford, the nature of the work changed. 

Beyond sourcing parts, we faced additional challenges, such as finding monitors. With screens in short supply, we bought 14-inch black-and-white TVs from Kmart, modified them to work with computers, and even tackled the complexities of converting to colour screens—though not without a few mishaps, including a TV that went up in smoke during one of our attempts.

We also participated in exhibitions where we set up and demonstrated our systems. While these events didn’t always lead to sales, they provided valuable exposure and helped us connect with the technology community.

Staying on top of a rapidly evolving industry required constant engagement. We couldn’t cover every aspect of the market, so we focused on what we could offer and selected products from reliable brands, essential given our regional location and the challenges with service and warranty. This approach allowed us to adapt and remain relevant as technology continued to advance.

In 2022, we faced significant challenges when our business was hit by severe floods. The damage was extensive, requiring a complete overhaul of everything from the ceiling down. Fortunately, we had an excellent landlord who took charge of the rebuilding process, handling everything from repainting to rewiring.

When we were finally able to resume operations, we encountered a surge in demand for replacement computers. We took on the task of repairing and refurbishing machines that had been damaged by the flood. 

The space may not be as sleek as it once was, and some of the equipment is second-hand, but we’re grateful to be back up and running, and this year, we're marking our 42nd anniversary of the business. 

One of the biggest challenges we've consistently faced at work is supply. Even now, it's an ongoing issue. Some manufacturers restrict the supply of certain models, which can be quite frustrating, but we still strive to tailor our product offerings to meet the specific needs of each individual customer.

The core issue of supply—finding and securing the right components—remains much the same as it was in the early days of the business. We've managed to navigate these difficulties over the years, but the fundamental challenge of sourcing reliable parts and products continues to be a significant factor in our operations.

One of the most significant advantages today is the internet. It has streamlined many processes and made accessing information and services much easier. However, this advancement comes with its own set of challenges. Traditional businesses like ours face more competition from online entities and bear a heavier tax burden compared to purely online operations.

However, before the internet, even simple tasks could be cumbersome. For instance, updating software for printers often involved waiting for a manufacturer to send a disk, which could take weeks of follow-up. Nowadays, people expect quick solutions, often within minutes. This shift has both simplified and complicated aspects of running a traditional business.

Outside of work, I enjoy shooting, though finding time for it is a bit challenging with my busy schedule. I also have a small acreage where I like to spend time working around the property. One of the quirks of having this land is dealing with a large group of kangaroos. They tend to be quite bothersome since they don’t graze as much as one might hope, which means I’m still out there mowing the grass regularly.

Throughout my career, I've gained a wealth of knowledge, particularly about people and the nuances of working with them. I've learned countless small lessons that add up over time, as well as a great deal about computers and the evolution of technology. Understanding how these changes have impacted both the industry and our approach has been a significant part of the journey.

One of the things I find most rewarding is getting a computer system set up just right and helping people make the most of their tech. It’s amazing how many folks only use a fraction of what their computers can do, kind of like how people often don’t fully use their cars. It’s great to see them really get their money’s worth. After the flood, it was also incredibly touching to see the community step up with donations and support. It really made a difference during those tough times.

Looking back on my career, what I’m most proud of is surviving the ups and downs and finally paying off the mortgage this year. It’s a big milestone. But beyond that, I take great pride in being able to help a lot of people, especially those who are my age, and find new technology challenging. It’s really satisfying to help them get everything sorted out.

When I first started here, I didn’t have a clear picture of where it would all go. I’ve never really had a day off from work here. Running a small business has its challenges, but after the flood, it’s been great to see so many businesses bounce back in Lismore. It’s amazing to see the town come alive again especially when remembering when there were hardly any places to eat out.

Looking to the future, we’re just happy to keep going. We really appreciate all the customers who’ve stuck by us and supported us through thick and thin. For now, we’re excited to keep doing what we do and watch Lismore continue to grow.