I grew up on a mixed farm in the Great Southern of WA, near Borden at the Base of the Stirling Ranges. The rotation included wheat, barley, lupins and some clover seed.
My dad and uncle farmed just under 2000ha of sheep and cropping country, with annual rainfall of 400mm. We were predominately merino’s, but we did try goats.
The country is mainly sand over gravel. My dad and uncle also established a caravan park, which by the 90’s had 30 plus powered sites, 20 plus accommodations units, plus well over 100 camping sites all of which were full during Easter and spring. It was great fun and a busy time with lots to do.
My favourite time of year was shearing as the smell, noise, activity and team work was a joy to watch and be a part of. Playing in a wool shed full of wool is great fun and has provided many great memories.
Mulesing I enjoyed as I earnt good money and once again required team work. Whilst it wasn’t a pleasant activity dealing with fly blown sheep in summer, it was the most soul-destroying experience.
I now live Horsham, with country at Quantong along the Wimmera River. We run cattle, mainly yearling steers bought at the market at the start of winter and sold during summer. Some of the country was irrigation country but now is dryland.
The marketing strategy is to make enough to pay the agent fees and yard fees. Not every year is successful, 2016 however was very kind. 2017 is going back to my usual strategy of buy at the top and sell at the bottom. The amount of times I do this I feel I could write a book, I feel it is a special skill I have!
What are the biggest challenges your farming family have faced over the years?
Growing up on the farm the biggest challenge I felt was distance and isolation. The nearest town was 30km away and the nearest high school was nearly an hour, and that’s only if you went direct with no stops or detours. Boarding school was the only option, which was great fun.
What do you enjoy the most about living in a country town?
I have been advocating for a fair while that Horsham should run with a new slogan – ‘A great place to live and work, just not sure if you want to go there on holiday.’
It is small enough that if you are down the street you are sure to bump into someone you know, but large enough that if you want to not see anyone you can get on with your business and not feel guilty. It has great facilities, is very well serviced and has a mix of people from all walks of life and cultures.
How did you come to be working in Victoria/BCG?
After finishing university, I spent time on the farm, Caravan Park and working for various neighbours. I had applied to become an agriculture exchange student for two years, whilst also applying for a job working for Ag Seed Research (now Nuseed) at about the same time. While being offered both, I took the one where I earnt money rather than spending it. I packed the WB ute and drove across the Nullarbor, and I’ve been here ever since.
What do you enjoy about working at BCG?
Firstly, being part of a great team. Secondly, the ability to make a difference to farmers in the Wimmera and Mallee, and developing ideas, technologies and practices that may benefit them. BCG fast tracks some of these opportunities to ensure local farmers may get to test and adapt the concepts sooner than other farmers.
