From the Bendigo Advertiser
Bendigo pilot dies in crash
BENDIGO is mourning the loss of local pilot Ross Mill, who died in a helicopter crash in central Western NSW on Monday.
It is believed the helicopter crashed into power lines during locust control work, killing another male and injuring a female passenger. The chopper came down near the Golden Highway at Dunedoo, about 90 km from Dubbo, about 2.30 pm.
Mr Mill, 36, shared his time between work as a pilot in Papua New Guinea and his wife and 11-month son in Bendigo.
After Christmas, he had planned to gain more permanent work in the region so he could settle with his family.
Family and friends gathered in Bendigo yesterday to remember the man they described as a loveable bloke with a great sense of adventure. Mr Mill enjoyed a career as a helicopter pilot, recently clocking up more than 10,000 hours of flying.
WHEN the phone rang on Monday afternoon, it was to deliver the news no one wants to hear. And this wasn't the first time for Jennie Samuel. Earlier in her husband's flying career she had been told he had died in a helicopter crash while en route in Papua New Guinea. Luckily, it had been a mistake.
On Monday, there was no mistake. Ross's helicopter had gone down, killing him instantly. Jennie had lost a husband. David had lost his dad. His family had lost a brother and uncle. His friends, a well-loved mate.
But when the family gathered in Bendigo on Tuesday night, it was the sound of laughter which helped push aside the sadness.
They remembered Ross's stories, chuckled at old photos and marvelled at his adventures as they pulled out his flight log books.
His brother, Chris, recalls his days at school. While he may not have been a studious pupil, it was his entrepreneurial skills that stood him apart from most teenagers.
"He was well known for his wheeling and dealing. He'd sell anything to his mates. He even sold mum's lawn mower once." Even before he had his licence, he went into a car yard business with friend Wayne Hall.
But, it was his passion for flying that would change his life. As long as the family could remember he wanted to be a pilot.
"He would ride his bike down to the airport to get his pilot's licence when he was 17," Chris said. His career in the air took him on many adventures, including some big rescues.
Well-known around PNG as a charter pilot, he was on first name basis with the prime minister Sir Michael Somare. In October, 1999, he met local Papuan girl Jennie Samuel.
Although they lived in Lae, in PNG, Jennie relocated to Australia 18 months ago.
"It was too dangerous over there; because we had money we were a threat and that made us a target," Jennie said.
The couple's son, David, was born in Bendigo 11 months ago.
They had planned to pick up their wedding rings in a couple of weeks.
It would have been their first Christmas together in Australia.
To his friends in PNG he was called `The Reverend'.
Jennie said Ross found he could make a bit of extra money by taking people out to exotic islands and marrying them. "So that's what he did. He studied theology and became a reverend." Cheating death so many times during his career, his family still find it hard to believe he's gone.
For Jennie, the memories will never fade. Every time she looks at her son, he will remind her of Ross.
"I was lucky to have him," she said.
Very sad.