Blog Archive
9 Steps to raising a Poddy Calf*
Host: Donal Sullivan *Please do not try this at home without additional research or the help of a professional poddy feeder. Raising poddy calves can be both rewarding and heartbreaking, and is not for the faint hearted. Poddy: a term to describe an orphaned calf. Equally rewarding and soul destroying, raising poddy calves is a […]
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Infertility in the bush
Host: Umbearra Station Every year we conduct two rounds of mustering. These two rounds of mustering, depending on season conditions, can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to complete. We muster our cattle via trapping and mustering with planes and helicopters. Trapping the cattle at watering points is our preferred option due to lower […]
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It comes at a cost
Host: Horses for Courses for Bush Kids Written by Tiani Cook, Suplejack Station, Northern Territory Hi there, my name is Tiani Cook and I’m the founding director of Horses for Courses for Bush Kids. I’m an enthusiastic advocate raising awareness of the many issues rural and remote families face. I’m also passionate about finding solutions […]
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The importance of mateship in remote Australia
Host: Horses for Courses for Bush Kids Written by Tiani Cook, Suplejack Station, Northern Territory As you may have figured out from my previous two blogs, Horses for Courses for Bush Kids (H4C) uses the platform of horses to raise awareness of the issues facing rural and remote children and their families, but the annual […]
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Episode 1: Tom and Annabel Curtain
On June 15 the Central Station podcast was launched through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Episode 1 featured Tom & Annabel Curtain from Katherine Outback Experience. The story of how Katherine Outback Experience came to be is once of devastation and resilience. Left without work after the live cattle export ban of 2011, Tom started singing four times […]
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The challenges faced by bush kids
Host: Horses for Courses for Bush Kids Written by Tiani Cook, Suplejack Station, Northern Territory At the beginning of October last year I saddled up with ‘Horses for Courses for Bush Kids’ and took it to Central Australia to continue raising awareness of the issues facing Aussie Bush Kids and their families. Riding along the […]
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Katherine Rural College cleans up!
The 2019 Katherine show was an extremely successful show. It was attended by Taminmin College, Charles Darwin University, Bunda Station and Stud, DoE Tennant Creek and Alice Springs (with Coodardie Brahmans cattle). With more than 60 head of led cattle, the competition was strong! The steward was Tiffany Baker and Mathew Noakes was the judge. All […]
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2020 Calendar pre-orders are now open!
Whether you’re on a station, in the big smoke, or even in the ‘burbs, this is the calendar for you! 13 stunning images showcasing different aspects of life on a remote cattle station – from the breathtaking views in the rugged Kimberley (even when hanging out the washing!), chasing rogue cattle that have broken from […]
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Horses for courses
Host: Horses for Courses for Bush Kids Written by Tiani Cook, Suplejack Station, Northern Territory Hi there, my name is Tiani Cook and I founded ‘Horses for Courses for Bush Kids’ back in 2017. Along with a childhood friend Natuccia Walker, we rode horses 1,000kms across the Northern Territory finishing up in Darwin over a […]
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4 cousins, 1 classroom
Written by Talya Kirkham, Governess – Moorarie Station, Meekatharra, Western Australia It was midnight in October 2015 after a 22-hour flight from Europe when I landed in Perth, jumped in my little blue Holden Cruze and drove 10 hours to Moorarie Station Meekatharra. I got to my aunties station at around 10.30am to head to […]
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Go North
Host: Donal Sullivan Name a more iconic duo. Every year I say goodbye to people who have decided to leave the Territory and move back ‘down south’. It seems that in many cases, and across many industries, the Territory is not seen as a viable place to build a life or pursue a career. Rather, […]
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Gap Year in the Pilbara
Host: De Grey Station Written by Steph Rose, 1st year Stationhand – De Grey Station Ever since I graduated from Harvey Agricultural College, I’d wanted to head north and have a go at working on a station. Little did I know that my 2019 New Years Resolution to do this, would come to life within a month. […]
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The wet season that never came
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor Drought isn’t a new concept to Australian farmers. Much of the east coast has been in drought for the last 7 years, or even longer. However, over here in northern WA we’ve been pretty bloody lucky. There’s been a few dry times, but nothing as prolonged and gut […]
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Cyclone Veronica comes to visit
Host: Mallina Station Written by Lindsay Newland I can safely say that I had a pretty extreme introduction to my first cyclone experience. From all reports Cyclone Veronica was the biggest and slowest moving cyclone that WA had seen in over a decade and from the earliest reports it was heading straight for Mallina homestead. […]
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The “Office Lady”
Host: De Grey Station Written by Hayley Goad, Office Manager – De Grey Station There are days when that term “Office Lady”, bloody annoys me. If you’ve read my previous blog, you’d know by now that I haven’t spent my career in an office. I’ve built up (hopefully) a respectable career in the agricultural industry […]
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Art vs Life
Host: Mallina Station Written by Lindsay Newland I have always loved art. Back in the years following school I went to TAFE to study art not only because I enjoyed it but also because I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. After several years of studying, working and struggling […]
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We shouldn’t be here
Host: Challa Station Written by Debbie Dowden We shouldn’t be running cattle here, it’s sheep country. Challa Station has some of the best saltbush flats in the district and was carefully selected in the 1880s by the astute George Chandler Dowden and his sons. They had driven their mob of sheep across from Burra, SA […]
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Living the dream
Host: Umbearra Station Well here we go; I have never been one to put ourselves out there but with encouragement from Steph Coombes and my husband Angus I am giving this a red-hot crack. So, hang in there and hopefully we will produce some good reading! A little about ourselves… My name is Kimberley, and […]
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Charlotte looking for Charlotte
Host: Mallina Station Written by Charlotte Wilson, Stationhand – Mallina Station It always makes me smile when think about how I ended up working here on Mallina Station. It’s all because Charlotte went looking for Charlotte. My name is Charlotte Wilson, I’m a sparky by trade and I moved up to the Pilbara in 2017 […]
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Shepherd to Ringer
Host: De Grey Station Written by David Corpe, 2nd year Stationhand – De Grey Station It’s not surprising how many Kiwis come over to north Western Australia to muster cattle for a living. The adrenalin, the long days, the heat and dust of the red dirt coursing through your veins. Its vastly different to home, rolling […]
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Just keep breedin’ (The story behind our parody video)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor If you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve seen a parody video called “Breedin’” set to the song “Breathin’” by pop princess Ariana Grande. If not, hold your horses, and watch the video first by clicking here. The song, sung from a cow’s point of view, makes mention […]
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The seven year itch
Host: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Written by Alana Moller – Star of Hope Station, Central Queensland. You’ve heard from me before, I am Alana and I live at Star of Hope Station in Queensland with my husband Scott and our three daughters Mykenzie (when she is home from boarding school), Zarah and Addison. I like to […]
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In conclusion (Agriculture vs the Public – Part 11)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate […]
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2019 Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale Catalogue!
I would like to welcome both Vendors & Buyers to this years Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale. The sale continues to go from strength to strength – this is off the back of committed vendors supplying year in year out good quality functional bulls that are breed to succeed in pastoral conditions. 2019 has been a challenging season right […]
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Podcast Episode 6: Jane Sale, Yougawalla Station – East Kimberley, Western Australia
Jane Sale is a station manager, business owner, wife, mother, and the brains behind the original concept for the Central Station website. From starting off with an undeveloped 850,000 acre block of land on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert with just 800 head of cattle, today Jane and her husband Haydn manage over […]
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Waddles and glares
Host: Mulyie Homestead (De Grey Station) Written by Alex Blood, Luke Ready and Callana Toyne Recently a Stress-Free Stock Handling course run by Bruce Mainard was conducted at DeGrey station, the following is an account by a few of the staff members who attended. Alex Blood, WA, second year ringer Poly and stockwhips to waddles […]
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Podcast Episode 5: Episode 5: Boyd Holden, International Livestock Consultant
Boyd Holden is a livestock handling and animal welfare consultant based on the Northern Rivers of NSW. His knowledge, skills and expertise in animal handling begins at the farm gate and extends all the way along the process to the point of slaughter. Boyd’s extensive experience includes the transport of livestock, saleyards, feedlots, quarantine depots, abattoirs and live […]
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The 2 wheel bandit
Host: De Grey Station Written by Jemma Kitton, 1st year station hand – De Grey Station After having a taste of life in the north late last year, there was a need for me to go north again to experience a whole season as a ringer. Coming from a family cropping enterprise in Mullewa, WA, […]
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Schooling anywhere and everywhere
Host: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Written by Jo Kanny, Wagga Wagga Station, Yalgoo, Western Australia. I am regularly asked “don’t you get bored out there?” but anyone who has experienced and lived station life knows that there is very little risk of this ever happening! Jakob & Josh 2017 School Photos. I was born and raised […]
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My two cents (Agriculture vs the Public – Part 10)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate “agvocate” […]
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It’s only a word
Written by Nic Kentish, Resource Consulting Services Bad habits generally creep in slowly. My friend who happens to also be my livestock selling agent has developed a bad habit over his career. He sometimes says to me, “I can get rid of those cows for you.” Or, “I will quit those lambs for you.” I […]
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The highs and lows of mustering
Host: Mulyie Homestead (De Grey Station) Written by Duggie Brownlie, Overseer It had been a long day, mustering in a mob of cattle that didn’t really want to be mustered that day. It was mostly through river country and while the horse crew had done their best, us fools on motorbikes had spent a lot […]
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The results are in! (Agriculture vs the Public – Part 9)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate “agvocate” […]
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How rough are ringers?
Host: De Grey Station Written by Trent Walk, Mechanic – De Grey Station My girlfriend and I decided that we should pack up our lives in NSW to try our hand at the station life in WA, her as a ringer and me as the mechanic. I’ve always been mechanically minded. I enjoy figuring out […]
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Govie life
Host: Mallina Station Written by Tully, Governess – Mallina Station On the 10th of August 2018 I started my journey as a governess. A governess is someone who helps out in the schoolroom and supervises the children’s learning. The kids have teachers who are based at the School of the Air for that area but as […]
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On the other side of the desk
Host: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Written by Frances Frahn, Holowiliena Station, Flinders Ranges SA Families who school their kids through distance education usually either employ a governess for day-to-day supervision in the schoolroom, or the Mum teaches her own kids. I’ve got a bit of experience in both situations now – here’s some of my story. […]
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Watch what you say (Agriculture vs the Public – Part 8)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate “agvocate” […]
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The Minister for War and Finance
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor I had a boss once who had spent a fair part of his career working in the Defence Force and was still heavily involved in the Army Reserves. He’d often mention how he had to go and pick up the Minister for War and Finance or go meet […]
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Office live versus station life
Host: Mulyie Homestead (De Grey Station) Written by Duggie Brownlie, Overseer Office Life Station Life 5 AM Still in bed Waking up to the splendours of pre-dawn 5:30 AM Still in bed Home cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast 6 AM Still in bed Team meeting, discussing the days plans and preparing work vehicle, Be […]
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From Ireland to isolation (not a backpacker story!)
Host: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Written by Olivia O’Neill, Derwent Station, Northern Territory My name is Olivia O’Neill and I live at Derwent Station with my husband, Padraic and we have 3 children, Patrick (8), Kathleen (6) and Ashling (4). My husband and I are from Ireland and on 11th March 2011, we flew into our […]
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“Social license” – more than a buzz word? (Agriculture vs the Public – Part 7)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate “agvocate” […]
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From Perth to the Pilbara
Host: De Grey Station Written by Hayley Goad, Office Manager – De Grey Station So, how did I go from the Perth Hills to the Pilbara… well let me tell you my story thus far. I had a taste of agriculture as a child and whilst in high school. It was an escape route for […]
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Working with your children
Host: Mallina Station Written by Lindsay Newland I count myself fortunate that we live on a property that is ok with my children coming with me to work. When I had my first child we were managing a station that didn’t allow this and I really struggled with being house bound as well as the […]
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A day in the life of a Kimberley Governess
Host: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Written by Tayla Clark, Governess – Blina Station Me: “Hey Siri, what’s the definition of a Governess”? Siri: “(especially in former times) a woman employed to teach children in a private household”. That was me early December (2017), trying to figure out what a governess was, and what the position would […]
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Public behaviors relating to farm animal welfare (Agriculture vs the public – Part 6)
Written by Steph Coombes, Central Station editor In 2015 and 2016 I attended Kansas State University, studying a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication. As a part of my degree, I was required to undertake a research thesis. It wasn’t difficult for me to choose a research topic. I’ve been a passionate “agvocate” […]
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Staffing on a station
Host: Mulyie Homestead (De Grey Station) Written by Duggie Brownlie, Overseer Ah yes, staff… they can make a bad season easy and a good season seem like the end of the world would be a good thing. They come in many different shapes and sizes, breeds and races, and more personalities than you can poke […]
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Have you listened to our first 3 podcast episodes yet?
On June 15 the Central Station podcast was launched through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can find the podcast on the Apple Podcast app by clicking here (https://podcasts.apple.com/…/central-station-s…/id1467605720) and on the Spotify app by clicking here (https://open.spotify.com/show/0RWVauWr3S6Ht5zb7qCx78…) Episode 1: Tom & Annabel Curtain, Katherine Outback Experience The story of how Katherine Outback Experience came to […]
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Ringers Western EOFY Sale!!
RINGERS WESTERN EOFY SALE . With up to 70% off SITEWIDE – this is Ringers Western’s biggest sale of the year yet! Sale finishes at 11:59PM Saturday 29th June. Head to www.ringerswestern.com because this isn’t a sale you want to miss!
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Kiralee Thompson – Scholarship winner update!
My name is Kiralee Thompson, and I am the recipient of the inaugural Central Station Katherine Rural Campus pre-employment scholarship. The scholarship supports a person wanting to undertake a 10 week training course to develop the skills to work on a cattle station. I must have said something good in my application, because here I […]
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100 years of feeding Australian livestock
Written by Dean Maughan Milne Feeds has been around for over 100 years but has been owned by the Laitt family for the last 40 odd years. With the company’s close involvement over time with chicken, cattle, sheep and pig production, Milne Feeds has become a feed mill that is not just interested in producing […]
