Farewell from Dampier Downs
Host: Dampier Downs Station
Written by Anne Marie Huey – Station Manager, Dampier Downs.
Well, this is it. Our week at Dampier Downs has come to a close. Over the last week I have tried to share with you some of the stories of when things go wrong (It’s on, There’s one in every mob), when things go right (It’s the small things, Who’s your Daddy?) and the some of the reasons we love what we do (St Trinian’s).
Mike and I are both extremely proud to be involved in the live export industry. We love our animals, whether they are pets like Dougal, working dogs like the Princesses, native animals, or our livestock, but we don’t shy away from the fact that we are in the business of producing food.
We are also very proud of the fact that the food we produce (i.e. our beef) ends up on plates in developing countries like Indonesia and, more recently, Vietnam. We believe that our business is contributing to raising the standard of living in these countries, and with that will come real and lasting improvements in animal welfare.
Of course, we still have a lot to do here – we have big plans for this place starting with more fencing and more water points. This will allow us to make ongoing improvements that will benefit the landscape (through better distribution of grazing pressure), our animals (through better control and more targeted husbandry programs) and our business. This means that we will continue to spend money in our local community, benefiting a range of local businesses and will ensure places like the Kimberley will maintain a thriving pastoral community that contributes so much to the fabric of our nation.
Thank you all for taking the time to read my stories and I can’t wait to see what adventures lie in store next week.
I will leave you with some final images that always make me smile.
Poco cooling off in the trough.
Poco and Fridge working the mob while Dougal lends his support from the other side of the fence.
And finally, just because she’s so damn cute, meet Tassie!
September 1, 2013 @ 2:00 pm
I Really enjoy reading and knowing what you great people do for us.
Most of us have no idea of what is in your day.
It is really amazing.
Thanks
September 5, 2013 @ 10:47 am
Hi Pat,
Thanks for reading. Mike and I love what we do and it is gratifying to know that people from all walks of life are taking an interest in life in the bush. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together and the more we can do to bridge the urban-rural divide the better.
September 1, 2013 @ 2:41 pm
Thankyou for sharing cant wait to get up into this part of aus
Cant happen soon enough you are truely amazing people and animals
Naomi 🙂
September 2, 2013 @ 12:17 pm
Yay – we found you! Great Blog guys, kids (and us) hanging to come up again. Tehy says it’s their favourite place because it just feels right. They’ve been touched by country for sure. If the Dockers win the Grand Final we’ll have to come and hand deliver a shirt for Pete anyway.