Holly – From a ‘pen pusher’ to a station hand
Host: Yarrie Station
So let’s cut to the chase – I’m a ‘Pom’ and two years ago I left my mundane job back where the sun certainly doesn’t shine and came over to Oz as the typical ‘backpacker’. I was seeking the original sun and fun fuelled working holiday with the intention of doing a quick three month rural stint to get a second year visa. What I didn’t expect was to feel the passion I do now and to have spent pretty much my duration here in between studs, farms, and the station getting involved with anything I can get my hands onto! What I’m leaving with is much more than a tan, a few souvenirs, and good memories but, a feeling of achievement, a real sense of community, an understanding of the way this industry works, and the utmost respect for the great teams here who quite literally work through blood, sweat, and tears.
My time at Yarrie was short due to the fact I got ‘bushed’ back to the UK shortly but these past couple of months proved invaluable and just a small insight into the bigger picture from the station is more than I could of asked for.
THE WORK – not for the faint hearted! You certainly get a good work out whether it’s in the yards or out on a muster! The yards are a buzz of activity from the back pens, to the draft, to the crush, with everyone delegated their roles and aim set for the day it’s all go . . . until smoko when the billy is boiled and you manage to pause and yarn for a moment whist enjoying a cuppa and some homemade biccys from Sally!
The cattle are great at keeping you on your toes, especially in the back pens where the odd temperamental bull makes a go for you or a mad spay cow that decides she’s going to have a hormonal spat so it’s great for a bit of adrenaline! It makes for a productive day when you have a good system in place with cattle flowing through the yards and communication is key in this . . . although not every day goes to plan. As you can imagine, EVERYONE has a bad day once in a while – whether it’s getting bogged in the ute, falling off your horse, running out of fuel, drafting the wrong cattle through, towing caravans not realising you’ve got a flat and the odd trip to A&E . . . the list is endless and usually a few cartons are owed from which those mistakes are forgiven! NOTHING beats the end of the day though when you have the feeling of satisfaction and achievement from a hard day’s work.
Stock handling course/Tailing weaners.
THE WORKERS are an AMAZING TEAM! Getting to work alongside the likes of well-seasoned stockwomen Annabelle, Jenelle, and Kelsie, who are all so passionate and knowledgeable really gives you a positive attitude towards your work whilst teaching you skills and making the experience even more worthwhile. The whole of the team are a mixed bunch from some with a lifetime of experience to others with next to none, but the determined mind-set of each individual is equal. Helping one another out without hesitation continually is what makes the Yarrie team so special (well along with the considerable amount of extroverts and witty sense of humours).
Majority of the crew at Marble bar races! We don’t scrub up too bad.
Having been to the #hadagutful rally previously, it was great to meet Annabelle and Blythe who are so actively involved in the whole live export industry, with such drive and dedication having been to the countries themselves and experiencing first hand the real environments. I developed a deeper understanding of the issue and how important it is that live export continues in Australia.
I feel privileged to have had the chance to work within the agricultural industry alongside such inspirational people and wish Yarrie and the team all the best for the future. Happy Mustering guys!