Whilst in the early days of flying here in Oz the backbone of aviation was indeed started by independents but it's not the case these days that was a very diff era. Back then there where opportunities, hope & a growing economy where aviation was needed & indeed flourished, the need now is still there that's for sure even more so due population expansion since those early days but that's all as it's a totally diff world we live in now compared to the Don, Max & even the Reg days fore Eg, those guys have long since gone so to speak as well as the opportunities they had.
There's no money in aviation these days here in Oz we are seeing that more so than ever, yes indeed nurse, where's the nurse !
Wmk2