Postcards from the Bush with Robin McConchie Podcast: Recent Episodes
Robin McConchie
Robin McConchie is a professional story teller and a well known voice on the ABC across rural Australia. Postcards is about the nuts and bolts of life in the bush. Life can be tough but farmers and regional businesses are resilient and entrepreneurial. They care for their livestock, the land and their community. what lesson and insights can we gain from bush business and their communities.
Congratulations to young Spanish illustrator and artist Constanca Duarte, @a_inconstancia for completing her street-art collection painted on electrical boxes in Porto. Artists are brightening up the streets of Porto with their work.
Constanca fears the character of Porto is being lost due to pressures from tourism and her art is her way of keeping Portuguese tradition alive.
It’s tough making a living as an artist, no less so in Porto, good luck Constanca! #ainconstancia
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtHexMeMMf7/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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- Dick and Nicola from Holland are walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino with their best mates, four dogs. They started the 270km pilgrimage with three pooches but adopted the fourth after it was hit by a car and left for dead. Walking the Camino with dogs takes planning and patience, this team has both and the rewards are life changing
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Walking the Portuguese Camino gives you plenty of time to think, get fit and chat with people from all over the world. It was rainy and we were dodging a bit of traffic on the narrow roads when I met Patricia an Occupational Therapist from Lisbon. She works with dementia and Alziemer’s disease clients. She provides hope for patient and carers. Her advice- help is available, so don’t hide
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Sandee Peterson is walking the Camino Portuguese, a 270km trek from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Sandee and her partner are keen volunteers and one project that has taken them around the world is the Fuller Centre for Housing, providing a hand-Up not a hand-out to those in need. Volunteers build simple, decent places to live for those who don’t qualify for traditional funding. We chatted on the road to Santiago.
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Sheep and wool production are part of Portugal’s tradition. Burel is keeping the tradition alive, training and supporting young people to work in the industry. Burel wool fashion, bedding, home decor and even shoes are known worldwide for quality and elegance.
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Wandering the Baixa in Lisbon we were on the hunt for a famous music shop, and found it! Pianos, guitars and any other instrument you want are available in the shop founded by Carolina’s grandfather in 1968. Carolina was happy to chat about the Portuguese guitar, Fado and music tradition in Portugal
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Fishing is big business in Portugal. Over the centuries it has been a mainstay of the economy. Today the Comur company, based in Lisbon is preserving the tradition, and pulling the crowds with its range of tinned fish. You can buy all sorts of flavours of sardine, shrimp, tuna, mackerel and many more. Rob is taking a ‘ramble’ through Portugal and Spain in ‘23, join her as she makes her way along the Camino and across northern Spain.
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Co-founder of Back Box Co Emma Black says cattle producers can make better decisions and run their farms more profitably and sustainably if they take the mystery out of cattle statistics. The Black Box cloud-based service ingests data collected along the supply chain, analyses it and delivers producers practical insights, making it easier than ever to make informed genetic, management and marketing decisions.
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Qld AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Finalist Kate Lamason founded Little Tuna, which produces Australia's only canned tuna made from 100 per cent Aussie wild-caught tuna and olive oil. Kate is passionate about the seafood industry and keen to support Australian seafood's value-adding.
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Louise Noble, a Qld Agrifutures Rural Women's Award finalist, founded the Mulberry Project. Based in Toowoomba. The Mulberry Project is a social enterprise project that creates industry partnerships that upskill and connect disadvantaged job seekers to agricultural employment.
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The 2023 Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women's Award winner is Emma-Louise Gibbons. Ms Gibbons founded Huds and Toke, a Sunshine Coast-based company that manufactures premium-class pet treats. Emma is an innovator, and her latest project revolutionises dog treat production using insect protein farmed in Australia. Dogs love the treats, and the process utilises food waste. In the $ 4 billion pet food market, Emma has created a sustainable and novel product which will go down a treat with pooches.
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This is a story of discovery. I discovered a dress I love and the woman who created the artwork for the dress. I am not known for wearing dresses, but when I saw my wattle dress at an exhibition of outback artists in Brisbane, I had to have it. Friends commented on how great the dress looked on me, and one woman said her auntie Jean Barr-Crombie from Birdsville was the artist.
On a 6000km trip in outback Qld, I visited the Red Ridge Gallery in Blackall. Red Ridge the Label shines a spotlight on central western Qld Aboriginal artists expressing their work beautifully in fashion.
Jean Barr-Crombie and her sister Joyce Crombie have a deep connection with Red Ridge the Label. Their artwork was the basis of the first two fashion collections Red Ridge the Label produced. The collections were recognised internationally with invitations to display dresses on the catwalks of the US and Europe.
In Blackall, I bought a painting of the channel country in flood by Anpanuwa 'Joyce' Crombie. So now, with a dress and a picture created by the sisters, I wanted to know more.
In Birdsville, I was lucky to meet Jean and talk about art, culture and language.
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A moment in history.
That’s how the general manager of the Outback Way, Helen Lewis described Labor’s $678 million budget commitment to the Outback Way project.
The funding honours the promise made by former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce in February.
The additional funding will see the sealing of the 2800km stretch of road between Winton in Qld, Alice Springs in the NT and Laverton in WA completed, creating ‘the Longest Short Cut’ and the third trans-Australian Highway.
It’s a billion-dollar project, first pitched in 1997, and Helen Lewis says it’s a game changer for transport, indigenous communities and tourism in the outback.
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Birdsville in the Australian Outback will become a golfing mecca if President of nation’s newest 18 hole golf course has her way. Nell Brook has dreamed of having a golf course at Birdsville for 26 years, ever since she moved from South Africa to marry cattleman David Brook and live in the channel country in remote SW Queensland.The dream has come true after decades of planning and community hard work. The Birdsville Dunes Golf Club Club celebrated its first event with 200 golfers playing in the Outback Queensland Masters Golf.Travellers can now add golf to their bucket list of things to do in Birdsville along with crossing the Simpson Desert, visiting Lake Eyre, placing a bet at the Birdsville Races or enjoying camping under the big sky at the Big Red Bash.
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Margie McElligott grew up in outback Australia. As a youngster she ran free on a million acre cattle property at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. She helped out at the family butcher shop in Camooweal, ran the pub in Middleton and now ‘runs’ the Mt Isa Golf Club in outback Queensland. Margie has three children, a red cattle dog called Luna and a pet steer called Richard. Luna is a fixture at the Club and Richard is … well, Richard is unique, he is fond of campers, cigarette butts and fire.
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Molly the Kelpie-coolie cross is quiet and composed as she lies under the caravan, but mention her name and she is out like a shot looking for her faithful owners Rudie and Edwina Christen. Molly and the Christen’s are on the Outback Queensland Masters Golf tour, travelling thousands of kilometres to play golf each weekend for six weeks, hoping to win the prized orange jacket or a million dollars for a hole-in-one at Birdsville. Of the trio only Rudie plays golf, Edwina thinks ‘golf is for the birds’ and Molly is dreaming of chasing birds. The trio are veterans of the tour and Edwina loves it even though she can’t see the point of hitting a little ball around a paddock.. it’s a waste of a good dog walk.
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The newest of Heart of Australia’s five massive roadtrain mobile health clinics rolled into Winton over the Opal Festival weekend and tested more than 30 people for respiratory conditions associated with mining. The Heart of Australia provides access to specialist medical care for those living in rural, regional and remote Australia. Since it was founded in 2014 by Brisbane Cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes, the Heart of Australia teams have seen more than 12,000 patients and saved an estimated 500 lives in outback Queensland
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Les, the ‘ant man’ loves fossicking for gems and crafting his signature ants from garnets he found around Winton. Les spends winter in Winton because it is warm, friendly and tourists love his ants. The ants are fun and a great gift. Les has been around the traps for a good while and is a fountain of knowledge about opals and selecting the best stone for you.
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Golfers love to shop, check out new gear and simply chat with a professional about their game. There is always ‘next time’ for golfers and Townsville professional Kevin Carruthers is a good listener. He travels over 25,000 km a year covering most events on the outback sand green circuit and special events like the Outback Queensland Masters. Kev reckons golf is on the up and events like the Outback Queensland Masters are great for the communities in the outback.
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The streets of Tambo and Blackall will become alive with the sound of circus in August ‘22 as the towns celebrate their connection to the first circus in Australia. The community is painting, practising and crafting animals, bunting and acts to share their circus story. Red Ridge project manager Gretchen Hayman is covered in paint as she chats about the circus festival.
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Red Ridge is building stronger communities in the Central Western region of Qld, Red Ridge The Label wants to see aboriginal inspired design recognised on the international stage and seen on catwalks in the USA and Europe. The concept of this social/ economic enterprise promoting, arts, culture and well being was conceived by Louise Campbell nearly 20 years ago.
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betterinblackall: When Lindy Hardie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the early 2000s her doctor suggested she focus on something she loved doing. Lindy had always loved painting and she hit the easel with a passion. Lindy and fellow artists established the Bushman’s Gallery in Blackall in western Queensland. It is a must stopover for any visitor.
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Mardi Noonan is a strong believer, that if you cater to the demographic of your client, you will keep them happy. For hungry golfers at the Outback Qld Masters Golf that means lambs fry and bacon for breakfast. Mardi founded Marmaladies Catering in Blackall, central western Queensland after a career in nursing. These days she travels the region catering for weddings, parties and anything! Her enthusiasm is infectious and the golfers love Mardi and her team of volunteers.
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President of the Tambo Golf Club Grant Johnson says it is the team of volunteers that make hosting the Outback Qld Masters Golf such a great event for the community. Born and bred in the district Grant has been a truckie, a football player, a wool classier and a property owner amongst many occupations. After breaking his neck in a footy accident he turned to golf and can proudly boast a hole-in-one, but warns that you have to shout the bar
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Tambo Teddies are survivors, each has a number and a recorded history of who purchased the little bear. Since the first bear was made by Tambo local Mary Sutherland in the early 90s, 57,000 have been sown and stuffed by the Tambo Teddy team and can be found in homes across the world. The teddies brought income and tourism to the region at a time of drought and falling sheep numbers. It is a delight to chat with the wonderful Mary Sutherland.
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Her heart is in the Northern Territory but Jessica Townsend set up Dusty Creek a thriving boutique and online business in Roma, Queensland. The online business thrived during The Covid-19 pandemic, and the boutique which followed is full of Aussie designed country fashion. Jess wears many hats, she’s a single mum, a photographer, a brand designer and a very successful business owner. Her message to young people is to dream big and give it a go.
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She is energetic, enthusiastic and understands the challenges a shortage of rural doctors presents rural, regional and remote Australia.
Today we talk with the National Rural Health Commissioner Ruth Stewart, who is committed to developing policy advice that will address the problems facing the one-in-four Australian who live outside the metropolitan areas.
In her first annual report Ruth Stewart wrote:
“Too often our discussions of rural health status and rural health care focus on deficiencies therein. If we only focus on the problems, we will not create a better system. We need to draw upon the strengths of rural communities and the characteristics that have enabled these communities to persist against the odds.
"In short, we must take a strengths-based approach to find the solutions. As my term progresses, I am becoming more and more convinced that solutions to the challenges inherent to provision of health care in rural and remote communities will be found in the creation of multidisciplinary primary health care teams that are place based and co-designed by the communities they serve.
"Funding should directly support the multidisciplinary primary health care teams that will keep Australians healthy.”
Annual report 2020–21 – National Rural Health Commissioner
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Dalby’s Jilly Tyler was a finalist in the 2022 Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award. Her start-up Busy Beef will offer value added, ready to serve beef meals for time poor consumers. The Awards celebrate the innovation, inspiration and contribution rural women make to agriculture and rural and remote communities. Jilly says being part of the Awards has been valuable and she looks forward to being past of the Rural Womens Award Alumni.
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The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award celebrates the role women play in agriculture.Queensland photographer, author, drone operator and educator Fiona Lake was a finalist in the 2022 awards. Fiona says AgTech is a male dominated field, with tech designed by men, for men. She believes to get the full benefit of AgTech women need training and her video series on practical tips and tricks will support women wanting to understand and use the technology.
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A Brisbane deli owner says farmers have dug deep to support a Baked Relief Go Fund Me Campaign to provide meals and groceries for those affected by the floods in Brisbane. Wendy Cox from Graceville Fine Food and Deli says she and her chef have been cooking up a storm and local businesses have helped deliver the meals to many cleaning out flood-affected homes. Wendy says the floods, while devastating, have brought the community together.
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Farmers hate paperwork and Innisfail based Jennifer Mckee has developed an Application to save them time and money. Compliance audits are time-consuming but necessary and Covid audits were a nightmare for producers with lots of staff. Jennifer says starting her own business has been challenging but has given her a lifestyle that enables her to spend more time with her children. She was a finalist in the 2022 Queensland Agrifutures rural Women's Award.
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Rebecca Bradshaw is the winner of the 2022 Queensland Agrifutures Rural Women's Award. Rebecca is a Child Health nurse living in the bush, and she knows the challenges facing mothers with a new baby, especially when they live remotely hours away from support. The award comes with a $15,000 bursary, and Rebecca will use this to develop Queensland's first Child Health, Nurse-led Online Service. She was joined with finalists Dalby businesswoman Jilly Tyler, Innisfail Agtech entrepreneur Jennifer McKee and Townsville photographer and Agtech champion Fiona Lake
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One of six in a family of girls born on a cattle property in Richmond, western Queensland, Lindy Hardy was given two options, go to painting class or join the family at the picnic races. The races won, but nowadays art is the winner. Lindy is one of six outback artists who brought their works to a pop-up exhibition in Brisbane, organised by red Ridge Interiors. As you enter the show, what hits you is a "riot" of colour and a sense of space. Yet, it's the isolation and the colour that inspire many artists. Lindy says painting stimulates her mind and stops the shake from Parkinson's disease. Painting gives her freedom! Lindy says art is alive and well in the bush, and she can't wait for the next artists retreat in Blackall. https://www.redridgeinteriorqueensland.com/outbackartpop-upexhibition
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Born in the 1940s at Casino in NSW, Geoff Lehman has cattle trading in his blood and by 17 was the youngest auctioneer in NSW. At 79 Geoff recalls a lifetime buying and selling cattle, property deals and standing up to the odd bank manager who didn't give him a fair deal. He loved working stock and recalls the days mustering cattle in the Northern Territory with aboriginal stockmen. Geoff drove a massive 135,000 miles a year and one year bought and sold 25,000 head, the most of any sole agent in the country. Geoff established feedlots, bought cattle for the Japanese market and helped cattlemen faced with foreclosure turn their business around, An altercation with a rogue bull ended his days in the agency business and Geoff and wife Gillian entered the motel business
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Annabel Tully is a breast cancer survivor, mother, nurse, farmer and artist. Painting helped Amanda get through the trials and tribulations of cancer treatment 1000 kilometres from her home and young family in Western Queensland. She sees beauty in the landscape, even in drought and her paintings and textiles are rich with the colours of the outback. For Annabel, resilience is more than stoicism; it's about adaptability. But she decries the lack of mental health services in the bush! Listen to Annabel's story; it is truly inspirational.
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Succession planning is one of the biggest challenges facing any farming family. It is hard work, but a poor plan or no plan can divide families and even see the business go to the wall. In 'the good old days, the farm went to the eldest son and daughters were expected to marry a farmer. Nikki Mahony (nee Joyce) and her three siblings grew up on Gyranda cattle station and Santa Gertrudis stud in Central Queensland. Nikki and her husband Peter saw the need for succession planning and believe the years of discussion between parents, partners and siblings have been worthwhile.
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Homeschooling during COVID 19 school lockdowns has tested families across the country. For some, it has been wonderful for others it's been a huge challenge. How did your family cope? The Isolated Children's Parents Association has been lobbying for equitable access to education for all students for 50 years. Federal Councillor Nikki Mahony says COVID19 presented many challenges for families in the bush but has also seen some big wins and not just for children in rural areas but those living in the city as well.
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Growing up in the bush taught Elisha Parker to be independent; where else can you learn to drive at the age of five and get out of school by lunchtime! Elisha is a strong advocate for the farm sector, a lawyer, mum and co-founder of cattlesales.com.au. She is the 2020 Queensland Agrifutures Rural Women's Award and will use the $10,000 bursary to upgrade the cattlesales website using the latest online technology. Postcards caught up with Elisha Parker and Agrifutures Rural Women's Award board member Emma Robinson.
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Donna and her dorpers at Rising Sun Farm near Stanthorpe in SE Queensland. They love apples!! Donna Gabbott and partner Brad run dorpers, rare English pigs, alpacas and chickens. They practise regenerative agriculture with the aim of rebuilding soil health naturally and producing nutritious and delicious lamb, pork and bacon. Like every farmer, they are challenged by the weather but are thrilled by the recovery of native bushland after finally getting rain after the worst drought in decades.
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’We need a governess’, came the cry and Lyn Barnes headed west to Quilpie. So began a love affair with South West Queensland. While Lyn says she was not a good governess, she loved the life and said the 70’s were a great time to be working on properties in the region, ‘the social life was fantastic’.Lyn always drew but it was the establishment of the Quilpie Cultural Society that got her painting and teaching art across the region. And guess what, she really does know the Betoota Advocate boys and painted a great picture of the now thriving Betoota pub.
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A ticket to the Bilby Show in Charleville is hot property, the show is so popular. The tiny, nocturnal endangered marsupial became famous when one of the Australian chocolate makers started making Easter Bilbies. The Save the Bilby Fund is alive and well after three decades band the bilbies were in mating mode when I caught up with Danielle Lancaster at Charleville in SW Queensland.
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Each year the Bar-tailed Godwit flies 11,000 km in nine days from Alaska to arrive at Kinka Beach in Central Queensland. The Godwit is just one species that makes the annual return flight from the shores of Australia and New Zealand to their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The remarkable annual circuit is called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and passes through 23 countries. The Bar-tailed Godwit was the inspiration for multi-media artist Nanette Balchin’s print for the Overwintering Project. The project aims to raise awareness about migratory shorebirds, and the need to protect their habitat.
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Head to Monto in the North Burnett for a weekend at Bloodwood Cabin farm stay. You won’t regret the four hour drive from Brisbane.The sunken bath, the stars and the silence are guaranteed to revive your spirits. Your host is Carly Baker-Burnham who is fourth generation born and bred in the area. Carly wants to help build a strong community, a place to visit and a place where young people want to stay. The region has a rich history in dairying, timber, cattle and mining. It is the home of a beautiful old theatre, the Rex. Built in the 1930’s, the Rex was the cultural heart of the region. But it’s glory days were long past until Carly and her community decided to revive the Rex, create an arts hub and rebuild pride in the town. Monto now boasts an art trail, street murals, a community art centre and shop, a couple of old-time pubs, real butcher shops, fabulous scenery good coffee.
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Birdsville in the Australian outback has a new golf course and will host the Outback Queensland Masters Million Dollar Hole in 2022. Nell Brook has dreamed of building a golf course at Birdsville and after 25 years the dream is being fulfilled. A keen golfer Nell has a course design that will make outback travellers pack their kit, hitch up the caravan and head to Australia’s Channel Country.
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What do you get when you have two golf nuts and an event manager, The answer is the Outback Queensland Masters Golf Tournament. The three amigos -Theresa Famularo, Darren Weatherall and Luke Bates have pulled off a golfers dream to travel and play golf in the Australian outback. With the support of tourism, golf and regional sponsors.the three amigos have made a roving golfing tour, with good food, good entertainment and plenty of sand greens work. 2022 watch out we are heading to Birdsville vis Roma, Tambo, Winton and Mt Isa
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Sorry Dave Pennell, I couldn’t put a photo of you winning $10,000 for a hole-in-one at the Outback Queensland Masters at Quilpie when I had the option of a photo of a golfer and his dog… or maybe I could????? Whatever, what about this - Murrumbidgee golfer on his way to millions and The golfer’s friend-Minnie the sausage dog.
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Golfers in the Outback Queensland Masters sang and danced the night away to the performance by the newly formed trio The Jillaroos. Brought together for the event in Hughenden Marcia Penman, Ashleigh Denning and Heidi Enchelmaier captivated the audience with a performance that had the ‘lady’ golfers dancing in the aisles, and the ‘blokes’ enthralled. It is hard to build a career in the performing arts in Australia and these girls all have multiple jobs, have performed with the seven sopranos, ABBA tribute bands and in opera.
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Jill Blenkey was adopted as a baby, she had a wonderful childhood and excelled at waterskiing, speed boat racing and golf. She is the winner of dozens of sporting titles, and Lady President of the Newcastle Golf Club. Despite a stellar career, a more modest champion would be hard to find. But it was a chance DNA test that led to the discovery of four brothers and sisters and her family story. Jill hopes COVID restrictions will ease and allow all her family to gather in NZ and even travel to India where her Anglo-Indian father grew up.Meanwhile Jill is on the road with a new caravan and enjoying the Outback Queensland Masters Golf Tournament.
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Bush wedding photographer Edwina Robertson is a keen golfer who reckons the Outback Queensland Masters Golf Tournament is one of the best and most economic ways to see and experience outback Queensland. Six weeks, six tournaments, entertainment and food each weekend and a the chance at ‘the million dollar hole-in-one in Longreach. But there is more to life than golf, as a wedding photographer Edwina had to pivot during COVID. Together with her beloved pooch Jordie, Edwina is determined to focus on making the most of her own life story, including becoming a foster carer. .
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Heard the expression, ‘beyond the black stump’, well Blackall in Queensland’s Central West is the home of the Black Stump, everything west of Blackall is beyond the black stump. Hosting the fourth round of the Outback Queensland Masters Golf tournament is a team effort for the Blackall Golf Club. Club president Grahame Schluter says the volunteers put in a huge effort to get the course in good condition and the caterers have been preparing for 160 golfers and their partners for weeks. As the local baker for the past 45 years Grahame knows all about feeding hungry travellers and is proud to to introduce Blackall to the world.There is loads of history, art and even an artesian fed swimming pool.
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Weekends are busy for Jaime-Lee Prow and her kids, they often travel hundreds of kilometres to compete in the western Queensland Barrel Racing Circuit. Her daughter Charlie-Rose, at just ten has won 11 buckles and wants to become a jockey like her pop Charlie Prow. Charlie has been called the Bart Cummings of the bush. He trained and rode Miss Petty to 22 wins, a record only beaten by Black Caviar and Winks. Jaimee-Lee Prow is a proud fourth generation Blackallite, loves her young family, horses and is passionate about community development.
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Pat and his dog Duke are playing in the Outback Queensland Masters Golf tournament. 160 golfers are playing at six clubs in western Queensland over six weeks culminating in the Million Dollar Hole in One in Longreach at the end of July. Duke is a three year old Smithfield, who has been on the golf course with Pat since he was just a pup. Bred as a yard dog and excellent with bulls, Duke knows the etiquette of golf and never chases golf bulls and wouldn’t dream of barking while Pat is putting. Pat loves the land an grew up on a soldier settler block in NSW, granted to his dad, who was a POW in Changi. Pat says Duke is a bit like his dad, a calming influence!
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There is nothing better than a hot coffee on an icey cold morning before golf at the #outbackqueenslandmasters golf. At Quilpie, the Unstable Coffee team, Robina and Mary served us from their mobile coffee van, a renovated horse float. It was service with a smile and a great opportunity to find out what makes this great little town tick. Robin Meehan says Quilpie is a town that supports young people to develop their talents, is open to new ideas and values new business. Robina embraces the shire’s values of fun and community. She is a doer.
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Way out west is where you find old friends! In SW Queensland you can almost touch the stars, emus gather at dawn by waterholes in Currawinya National Park and the soil is so red. I am on my own bush odyssey playing in the #outbackqueenslandmasters golf tournament. Next stop is Quilpie and more by accident than design I turn into Kilcowera station half way between Hungerford and Thargomindah. Kilcowera is a 50,000 ha cattle property which also offers camping, I discover overnight rain has closed the road to Thargomindah, so I decide to stay. There are a dozen or so caravans set up around a well grassed play area, shearer’s quarters and camping near a lagoon. I register and the caretaker says, ‘ I went to school with you, my name is Elsa Herath.’ it is 50 years since we last met and it seems like yesterday we were at school in Melbourne. I meet Elsa’s husband Mal and we catch up on her story, we celebrate with yabbies and a beautiful sunset.
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Arts in the regions are alive and thriving as I found when I dropped into the Mulga Lands Art Gallery in Charleville. The Flying Arts Alliance has supported artists in the bush for 50 years and this year’s awards exhibition was opened over the weekend. The 2020 theme was ‘decadence’ explored in the artists medium- both in the times of plenty and in times of shortage. The awards are highly respected and the winning works will tour the Qld regional galleries. Chanel Lucas, formerly of Women in Docs, guided me through the gallery and this years touring exhibition.
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Ben Castles blitzed the field on Day One of the Outback Queensland Masters in Charleville. Ben knows the course inside out. He started playing at Charleville in 1974 and is the oldest member of the club. He reckons the secret is a good chip and run to the sand green, and a firm straight putt. The Outback Queensland Masters has attracted over 150 golfers who will play at Bioela, Charleville, Quilpie, Blackall, Hughenden and Longreach over a six weeks. Ben reckons it is great for Charleville and the region.
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Want to know where the fish are biting in the Warrego River at Charleville? Ask Jude Aiken, aka ‘Rue Jude’, she runs the best fishing and camping shop in town. If you hanker after a feed of Golden perch (better known as yellowbelly) or Murray Cod, Jude has all the local knowledge because she was born and bred in the area. Her passion for fishing saw her behind the establishment of the local fishing club and a restocking program. Her wit and humour are legendary.
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Pest control is a costly part of farming, farmers are wasting chemical and using a precise tool as a blunt instrument. Entomologist and founder of RapidAim Dr Nancy Shellhorn says farmers must explore new ways to protect crops or risk losing access to the chemicals. RapidAim uses digital technology to provide farmers with real-time information about where and when they should apply pest control.
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Victoria Carey is the new editor of Graziher, the magazine about rural women written for rural women. Victoria wanted to be a horse strapper but her journalist dad wouldn't have a bar of that and thank goodness because she may not have embarked on a career in journalism. Over the years she has worked in the toughest newsrooms, for international mastheads, and most recently was editor in chief of Country Style and Vogue Living.
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Buy From The Bush Queensland is back in town. Small businesses in rural, regional, and remote Queensland have stocked the #buyfromthebushqld shop in New Farm with preserves, pickles, cheeses, and fudge that will tempt your taste buds. There is plenty of clothing, scarves, cosmetics, and jewelry you will want to buy. A highlight is the Cyprus-pine front counter and cheese boards. Dave from Tambo cuts the Cyprus pine into slabs, lays it in a mold, and impregnates it with colorful epoxy resin. Founder of the Facebook group #buyfromthebushqld Kerri Brennan invites you to support the bush, share a story or two and connect with the country. Shop- 866 Brunswick st, New Farm
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Laughter yoga is no joke; with practice, it can help reduce stress and improve your wellbeing. Heather Joy Campbell is the principal of The Happydemic and Queensland's lead facilitator of laughter wellbeing. Join HJ as we explore laughter yoga and the science of happiness. She has club around Brisbane and has worked with company, councils, carers and dementia patients. Heather would love to see rural and regional councils embrace laughter yoga in their communities.
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Larger than life, usually wearing an Akubra, with a huge smile and a joyous laugh Katrina Goldsworthy loves the bush and is an artist with flare. Her leather paintings of bulls are warm and sensuous, and the rodeo riders and industry leaders talk to you. Katrina describes her paintings as an engineering feat, involving months of work. They truly bring the bush alive and bring the city and country closer together.
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I first rode a camel in Africa, but I never tasted camel milk gelato or camel milk cheese until I visited Summer Land Camels on Queensland's Scenic Rim. Camel milk is becoming increasingly popular with people who are cow's milk intolerant. Paul Martin is a cattleman, who has become a camel convert. He farms 800 head at Summer Land Camels and produces a range of camel milk, skincare products as well as cheeses, gelato and milk. I just love this picture I took at Summer Land Camels, where the kids can take a ride, see the camels being milked and top it off with delicious camel milk treats!
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David Rugby Robinson August 1927- March 2020 attended Geelong Grammar School during WW2. It was in the thick of WW2 and cadet training was real, many students faced call-up and David remembers the headmaster James Darling struggling to read through the list of former students who had been killed. But he also has great memories of the friends he made, the sport he played, and diet of pumpkin, bacon, bread and fresh milk. It was hard to get home, so trips back to the farm in NSW were rare and David remembers that life was tough for those on the land.
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Buy from the Bush Queensland is coming to Brisbane for Christmas. It's an ideal opportunity to stock up with Xmas gifts and support small rural Queensland businesses. Taste wines from the South Burnett, jams, chutneys and nuts from the hinterland. Find amazing, quality handmade soaps and candles, and reusable makeup wipes and pouches from the Darling Downs and Charleville. Browse children’s books and stunning artwork. Try on ladies fashions designed on the Southern Downs and mix it with a scarf or porcelain jewellery. Pick up some gorgeous handbags, jewellery and neck scarves from Longreach. Take home the best beef jerky from Augathella. #buyfromthebushQLD founder Kerri Brennan says the FB group supports small business and provides a link between city and country. But Kerri says it is about more than sales, it connects women and provides support when times are tough. #buyfromthebushQLD So put it in your diary 29 Nov -12 Dec. 866 Brunswick st Newfarm.
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Niki Ford is on a mission, she wants truth in labeling in the organics industry. Niki believes a change to an organic diet and plenty of exercise helped her overcome the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a debilitating disease that causes chronic pain and fatigue. The change in lifestyle led her on a new career path and today Niki is CEO of Australian Organics Limited and a graduate of the National Farmers Federation Diversity in Leadership Program. Niki Ford says the demand for organic produce skyrocketed over the COVID19 pandemic and the indsutry is forecast to double in value over the next three years.
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A Queensland high school student has found her connection to farm animals has helped her through the anxiety she's felt during the coronavirus lockdown. Bella Schilf is a finalist in the Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women's Network Strong Women's Leaders Award. Despite the lockdown and time away from school Bella is determined to become a vet and a spokesperson for agriculture. She is one of 48 award nominees and finalists announced on October 15, the UN's International Day of Rural Women.
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Ricky Adams is driven by a desire to build a community hub in her town.The Darling Heights state school in Toowoomba, is Queensland's most ethnically diverse primary school. Students from refugee and migrant families speak forty-one languages and many of the parents speak no English and are illiterate in their own tongue.In response the school and the local community have developed a unique support system for the families, including a breakfast club, a men's shed, English, gardening, sewing and parenting classes. Parent and student engagement officer Ricky Adams is tireless in her support for the families and has many wonderful stories to tell about life at Darling Heights.
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Children writing for children, supporting children. Children's author Emma Mactaggart is an educator, and founder of the Child Writes Fund. Children love picture books, so what better way to empower them than to publish their story. We join Emma as she works with children at Queensland's most ethnically diverse state school, Darling Heights in Toowoomba. We chat as the team write and illustrate their story about harmony in the 'garden city'. It’s a tale of adventure and challenges for a small group of friends from around the world. Funded by the local Zonta group in Toowoomba and the Child Writes Fund, Boogie Books will publish and release the picture book on Harmony Day 2021.
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When your child is in agony you will do anything to relieve the pain! Natasha Roebig's daughter was born with eczema and the steroid treatment thinned her skin and her hair started falling out. On the advice of her doctor and a naturopath Natasha trialled a raw honey and bees wax balm on her daughter's skin. The treatment dramatically reduced the pain and suffering. Natasha and her husband Jason were so impressed they started beekeeping. The adventure has progressed into a business and Natasha won the 2019 Queensland Agrifutures Rural Woman of the Year Award. Natasha has plans to expand the business and provide training opportunities for would-be apiarists.
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The coronavirus pandemic has dashed overseas travel plans of Queensland 2019 Churchill Fellow Jane Milburn. But her passionate battle against the war on waste in the fashion industry continues. As an agricultural scientist and journalist as well as dextrous designer and sewer Jane abhors the use of synthetics and decries the amount of clothing thrown into landfill each year. Her crusade, through Textile Beat against waste has seen her write books, publish articles, take to the rostrum and run workshops around the country. Jane believes sewing and upcyling improve well being and are part of a more sustainable and holistic approach to life
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Be brave and be bold is the message to womenin the bush from Charleville based Karen Tully. Passionate about good governance and rural Australia Karen Tully is on many boards and just prior to the Covid19 pandemic was appointed Chair of the SW Queensland Hospital and Health Services Karen Tully which covers a vast area of the sunshine stae. Karen believes women are more than capable to take on board directorships and deserve recognition for the role they play in their community. Her advice is to begin slowly, get training and don't be afraid to take on a new challenge. Karen reflects that at times she has used both a good argument and a bit of dust on her stilettos to make the politicians listen.
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The 2019 Floods in NW Queensland caused immense devastation, 500,000 cattle perished in what was described as a humanitarian disaster. The floods caused millions of dollars in damage to roads, fences and other infrastructure, A small group The Sisters of the North started a GoFundMe campaign to provide community support, there was a global response raising over a million dollars in 16 weeks. SOTN Susan Dowling says they were able to provide a Ping of Hope for the community.
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Not many cows produce 15 calves, but today we hear the story of a cow called No Name who has just done just that! No Name has survived the worst of droughts but she is built for mothering. Queensland cattle producer Jenny Underwood describes No Name as the Dolly Parton of the bovine world, 'she's just all Udder', says Jenny who shares smoko with her cattle on a daily basis. A proud droughtmaster beef cattle breeder Jenny says No Name is one special girl and she even has a fan club on social media.
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Nothing beats a good blog, and Bush Babe of Oz aka Amanda Salisbury is one of the best when it comes to telling stories about life on the land. Amanda is a photojournalist by trade but when an opportunity to buy into the family business arose she and husband Mark jumped at the opportunity. Bush Babe of Oz is not a flag burner but nor is she afraid of a 'rant' when there's an issue that affects the lives of farmers.
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Native bee honey is liquid gold. Native bees don't produce much honey but it is delicious. Jason and Natasha Roebig are bee keepers and Jason has developed a reputation as the go-to man if you have an unwanted swarm of bees in or near your house. The couple is passionate about bees and the products they can produce from bees wax to honey and soothing raw honey and bees wax balm. Australia has 1700 species of native bee, some are stingless, some are solitary and they all play a role in pollinating plants.
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