A WHARFEDALE man who emigrated to Australia has spoken of his life Down Under - and the role he played during the Sydney Olympics.

Michael Dobson grew up in the Newall area of Otley with his brother Brian and parents, Isabel and Jack Dobson.

Being a bricklayer and feeling he could do a lot better with his trade if he left England, Jack started to look around for better job opportunities in other countries.

"There was a choice between Australia and Canada, it was a hard choice because my parents didn't know enough about either country, but when it came down to it the Australian Government gave them the most information," says Michael, 63.

So in 1951 the Dobson family arrived at the immigration camp in a town called Wollongong just south of Sydney on the coast. They found a house in the town and Michael went to the local school.

"I was teased about my accent and it was very hard on me for a while until I managed to start effecting an Australian accent, then things generally got better.

"I remember I had freckles and red hair and they called me 'ginger'."

They had arrived in Australia in March and not being used to the weather felt the autumn sunshine was the warmest they had experienced.

"So down to the beach we went to swim and have a great time, and there was everyone else in coats thinking we were crazy!" he says laughing.

"Of course the next winter we were standing on the shore wearing coats and laughing at the other new people swimming. It hadn't taken us long to acclimatise to the hot weather."

He met his wife Christine when she was 19 and he was 20 at the local dance hall.

Christine had also come out with her family from Bolton as new immigrants.

"I served my bricklaying apprenticeship with my Dad when I left school, then I went into working for the local council.

"I got the 'overseers' certificate, and that's why we moved up to Sydney, to work at Waverly Council which looks after some of the Eastern suburbs beaches including Bondi beach."

In 1975 Sydney had a big storm, it was the biggest storm to ever hit the Sydney beaches. Bondi beach was almost lost into the sea.

"We had to work all night with bulldozers and trucks, but we saved it, it was a big thing to save one Sydney's biggest tourist attractions."

Not long after that Michael started working in the waste disposal area, looking after the Sydney rubbish tips for local government.

That eventually led to looking after the Olympics waste requirements, which required a lot of work and knowledge.

"I'm now in charge of the contracts for Rethmann Ltd, a German waste management company. I'm really enjoying my work and I can't see myself retiring."

Michael and Christine live in Gymea Bay a southern suburb in a brick 3 bedroom air-conditioned bungalow.

They live near their daughter and granddaughter who is a constant delight.

"Although we love it here, when I retire, which is a while yet, we'd like to maybe live up the central coast a few hours north of Sydney, so I'd be able to fish all day."

Michael's mother lives nearby in a retirement home and she still loves and misses England.

"The Queen would be very proud of her, I don't think she'd be proud of me though!" added Michael.

Michael is quick to point out that although he loves Australia he also loves to visit home and thinks of himself as an Englishman who lives in Australia.