On July 25, 2024, a tragic helicopter mustering accident claimed the lives of Peter Ritter and Gavin U’Ren.

It was a privilege it was to not just know them and work alongside them, but call them mates.

Gav, Ritter – you two were bloody good blokes, and funny buggers. The absence of you’re presence will be felt immensely, but I have no doubt you will live on through our memories, which will be traded over cold beers, and around campfires for years to come.

Since getting the call about the accident, I’ve started listening to this episode a couple of times, but I couldn’t bring myself to finish it until today. I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to record this conversation. It was such a privilege to hear all of Ritters yarns, told in true Ritter style – the ones that made it into this episode, and the ones we thought best to keep off-air.

Anyway that’s enough from me, I’m going to pass it over to you now Ritter – you always did spin a good yarn.

This episode was recorded in January 2022, and originally published in March 2022.

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Welcome back to our fourth episode with Garry Riggs from Lakefield Station in the Territory. When we last left Garry, he had just wrapped up his time in the stock camp at Blina Station. But the end of one chapter marked the beginning of another. Garry found himself working in mining exploration, and trust us, the adventures only got wilder from there.

In this episode, Garry takes us through another round of jaw-dropping stories from teaming up with a Dutch mercenary to the unexpected experience of accidentally smoking weed and being abandoned out bush. And if that’s not enough, he recounts the harrowing day he survived both a helicopter crash and a light aircraft engine failure.

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In this episode, Steph travels to the centre of South Australia to Billa Kalina Station, which has been in the Greenfield family since 1938.

Pastoralist Col Greenfield shares what it's like running a cattle station that is inside the Woomera Prohibited Area, and outside the dog fence.

*This episode was first released in 2021

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Picture this – a stockman riding a horse behind a mob of 1000 brahman cattle in the iconic Kimberley region of Western Australia.

You’re probably picturing a young man in his twenties, footloose and fancy free, living one heck of an adventure.

The first time Dean Maughan drove 2000km to the Kimberley to work on a cattle station, he was 45 years old, with a wife, three children, a mortgage and working full-time in the dairy industry.

In this episode, Dean shares the story of how his dream to be a ringer on a cattle station took almost 30 years to become reality, and how you just never know where life will take you.

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/when-it-all-goes-wrong-call-the-flying-doctors/ 

This episode is brought to you by Murranji Water Drilling, a family owned and operated team of fully licensed, insured and experienced drillers in the construction, mining and water services. They are licensed to drill and service in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. They ensure all water bores are installed correctly and professionally first time, every time! Quality bores tested and guaranteed! Learn more at murranjiwaterdrilling.com.au or find them on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

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Listeners are advised that this episode discusses suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences.

The first year out of school is equally exciting and terrifying – you’re considered an adult by society, and with that comes both freedoms and responsibilities.

With her high school experience not being the best, and her first job on a station getting off to a rocky start, Pip Bain felt like she had finally found her feet only to learn that her mother had passed away by suicide.

The profound loss of her mother was only amplified by the shock, as Pip learnt she had been sheltered from her mother’s mental health struggles.

In this episode Pip shares her story of how the next decade of her life would be shaped by losing her mother, and how it led her to take the long away around to find her place in this world.

Head back to Episode 35 to hear our first episode with Pip, where she discusses her early life growing up on a cattle station in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.

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Why would a young woman who was raised on sheep and cattle stations, go off to ag college before entering the workforce? Surely, she already had a lifetime of experience, and the station work courses were designed for people who had never set foot on a station before.

Well, the answer is, that no matter who you are, where you’ve been, and what you know – there’s always more to be learnt.

This is the essence of today’s episode with our guest Kristie dePledge. Kristie and her husband Rory own the Koordarrie Station, situated on the Pilbara coast in Western Australia. Kristie was one of the original contributors to the Central Station website, and you can find some of her stories in our book too.

In this episode, Kristie shares parts of her story, including working away from home, meeting her husband, raising a family, and building a cattle station from scratch.

Central Station is supported by ThinkWater Broome, your local water experts for irrigation projects big and small. Their fully stocked retail store sells the latest irrigation products, including fittings, pipe, filtration and solar supplies. Covering the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia, their knowledgeable and passionate team are experts in the design and implementation of the most water efficient irrigation and water management programs across all sectors.

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/the-dream-that-took-a-while/ 

This episode is supported by Milne Feeds. Milne feeds has been the leading provider of livestock feed in WA for over 100 years, and is now proudly servicing the NT too. Their early weaner product is a nutritionally balanced pellet for feeding to pastoral calves and young weaners, and has been developed with their hyfibre technology to reduce the risk of acidosis. Milne feeds also have a range of products available for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and horses. Find out more at milne.com.au 

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On today’s episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and former colleague, Clare Atkins.

In this episode we chat about Clare’s role as a Stock Inspector and what that actually is -  because, really, who knows what that means or what they do. Clare discusses the responsibility of upholding WA’s biosecurity laws, and also the unexpected adventures that came with it.

The team you know and love from Landmark Broome are now operating as Northern Rural Supplies. Its business as usual with the same team, same phone number and same location - the only thing they’ve changed is the colour of their shirts (which is blue, if you were wondering!) Northern Rural Supplies proudly service the Kimberley and Pilbara regions specializing in livestock sales, real estate, animal health and management, fencing, fertilizer, water and all other requirements. They stock your everyday needs to feed your dogs, cats, horses, chooks, camels and even goats. The whole team is based in Broome so make sure you give them a call for all of your agricultural and semi-rural needs.

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

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Matt Wood started managing Blina Station in the West Kimberley at the ripe old age of 23. In the past 13 years he has met his wife, become a father, and grown as a manager, friend, and member of the Kimberley community.

Matt and Connie recently said a fond farewell to Blina Station, where they have called home for the past 13 and 9 years, respectively, as they make the move to manage the historic Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory.

In this episode, Matt and Connie reflect on their time at Blina – the good, the bad, and the bloody funny.

This episode is brought to you by Murranji Water Drilling, a family owned and operated team of fully licensed, insured and experienced drillers in the construction, mining and water services. They are licensed to drill and service in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. They ensure all water bores are installed correctly and professionally first time, every time! Quality bores tested and guaranteed! Learn more at murranjiwaterdrilling.com.au or find them on Facebook.

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

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At just 11 years old, Imogen Cadzow is the youngest child of Steve and Rebecca Cadzow from Mt Riddock Station, north-east of Alice Springs.

In this bonus episode, Immi shares stories about what it’s been like growing up on a cattle station, and how it prepared her to move interstate to attend boarding school.

This episode is supported by Direct Drilling. Direct Drilling is a locally owned family drilling company based in Kununurra, servicing the Kimberley and Northern Territory. All Drillers are nationally licensed with the Australian Drilling Industry Association ensuring best practice, the protection of water resources, and guaranteeing the life of the bore. Find out more at directdrill.com.au

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating a co-worker can be tough.

But, what about when you’re dating the boss?

And the boss is a station manager, and you’re a jillaroo in the stock camp.

Ok, before your imagination starts running wild – this is not a tale of some forbidden love affair!

When Connie Wood started dating her future husband Matt, he was managing Blina Station and she was graduating university before going to work on a different station on the other side of the Kimberley.

While separated by vast geographical distances, their relationship grew, and they made the decision for Connie to move to Blina.

Connie went to work in the stockcamp, but also live in the manager’s house. It was a tricky and at times very challenging dynamic, and today she shares her story.

This episode is supported by Milne Feeds. Milne feeds has been the leading provider of livestock feed in WA for over 100 years, and is now proudly servicing the NT too. Their early weaner product is a nutritionally balanced pellet for feeding to pastoral calves and young weaners, and has been developed with their hyfibre technology to reduce the risk of acidosis. Milne feeds also have a range of products available for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and horses. Find out more at milne.com.au 

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of year again - to catch up on what our podcast host, Steph Coombes, has been up to since leaving her job and hitting the road full-time, visiting cattle stations for the last 18 months!

Unlike her last episode (#54) which she recorded solo, in this episode Steph is joined by Pip Bain from Episode 35, as Pip "attempts" to interview Steph. Turns out that Steph belongs on one side of the microphone only!

This episode is supported by Direct Drilling. Direct Drilling is a locally owned family drilling company based in Kununurra, servicing the Kimberley and Northern Territory. All Drillers are nationally licensed with the Australian Drilling Industry Association ensuring best practice, the protection of water resources, and guaranteeing the life of the bore. Find out more at directdrill.com.au

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felicity Brown is a milliner whose work has been featured at New York Fashion Week not once, but three times.

Twenty years before the bright lights of the big apple called her name, Flic was working in a stock camp in the Northern Territory.

In this episode Flic reflects on her time working on cattle stations, even though it was never a part of her plan...

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/my-poddy-calf-is-an-asshole/ 

This episode is brought to you by GME. Since 1959 GME has been an Australian owned family company and remains the only Australian manufacturer of UHF CB radios, with their products designed, engineered, and manufactured in Sydney’s North West.

GME’s products cover a range of recreational activities from fishing to 4WDing and touring, in addition to catering for heavy vehicles and agriculture.

GME have released limited-edition range of pink products to raise money for the McGrath Foundation to assist in their tireless efforts of funding regional Breast Care Nurses and supporting families in communities across regional Australia. You can find out more by finding them on Facebook, Instagram, or at gme.net.au

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I lived in the United States, I learnt the saying 'ride for the brand'.  It means to be loyal to the ranch and rancher that you work for.

It means taking great deal of pride, and giving your all for the brand. Cowboys would ride the extra mile and fight, if necessary, for the brand.

I suppose you could say that the ranch hands on the tv series Yellowstone are a prime example of riding for the brand, even if it is a little far-fetched.

But, down here in Australia, it’s not something I’ve ever heard anyone say – until I met Linda Evans.

Linda manages Napier Downs Station alongside her husband Boof. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because she was a guest on episode 108.

Linda has been taught to ride for the brand since she was a child, and it’s at the core of how her and Boof have managed themselves, and their stockcamp, for over 20 years.

In this episode I sat down with Linda to learn a little more about her story, and why she is so fiercely passionate about riding for the Napier Downs brand, and why she thinks they have the best team in Australia.

This episode is brought to you by GME. Since 1959 GME has been an Australian owned family company and remains the only Australian manufacturer of UHF CB radios, with their products designed, engineered, and manufactured in Sydney’s North West.

GME’s products cover a range of recreational activities from fishing to 4WDing and touring, in addition to catering for heavy vehicles and agriculture.

GME have released limited-edition range of pink products to raise money for the McGrath Foundation to assist in their tireless efforts of funding regional Breast Care Nurses and supporting families in communities across regional Australia. You can find out more by finding them on Facebook, Instagram, or at gme.net.au

This podcast is brought to you by Ariat Australia: the perfect choice for the tough jobs. Ariat boots and clothing work hard, look good and are so comfortable there’s never a need to slow down. Visit ariat.com.au today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lamboo Station is unlike any of the other cattle station’s we’ve spoken about on this podcast.

Located just south of Halls Creek in the Kimberley region, Lamboo is owned by the Ngunjiwirri Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) on behalf of the Jaru people. The property was purchased in 1994 by the (then) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) through the WA Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) and handed over to the local people in the same year.

At the time of the purchase of Lamboo Station, the primary focus of the WA Government was to provide land for the Jaru people on which to live, rather than as a business enterprise. Little attention was paid to the standard of infrastructure or the number and quality of the cattle that were included in the sale.

For almost 30 years the Ngunjiwirri Aboriginal Corporation has been trying to turn Lamboo into a viable pastoral enterprise, and it hasn’t been smooth sailing.

In today’s episode I am speaking with Darrylin Gordon, who, quite frankly, is one of the most admirable, inspiring people that I know. Every time I catch up with Darrylin I find myself sitting in awe at her resilient nature, and the strength and conviction with which she speaks.

Darrylin is a Jaru woman who grew up on Lamboo and is the current station manager. Darrylin came on the podcast to share some of her personal story, the story of Lamboo, and the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/lost/

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Dave Morrell is a Kimberley icon. Now, he won’t like me saying that, but it’s true. 

Dave grew up on cattle stations between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek in the 1960’s, and returned to the Kimberley to set up the first vet practice in Broome. From operating on animals on his kitchen table under the light of a torch, to treating exotic animals from across the globe - there there isn’t much he hasn’t seen or done. He has been an instrumental part of the pastoral industry for over 40 years.

As if being an extremely handy veterinarian is enough – Dave is a Brilliant bush poet. He recently released his first, and long awaited book, titled Johnny James and other verses.

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A young man heads north straight out of school and works in the stockcamp. Over the years he progresses to head stockman, and then manager. This story is fairly common and the norm in the cattle industry. 

However, that is not the story of Haydn Sale. In this episode Haydn shares his journey from growing up in Melbourne to running one of the largest aggregates of cattle stations in Western Australia. Haydn speaks candidly about overcoming both personal and financial losses, the importance of mentors, having a different approach to business, and what is truly important to him.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this episode contains names and discussions of deceased persons.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/rain-man/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John & Annette Henwood owned the iconic Kimberley cattle station Fossil Downs for over 50 years. In this episode, John shares some family history, memories of his childhood growing up on Noonkanbah Station and meeting his wife.

John also speaks about how an experience in the early 1980’s led him to change his management style, and become the first pastoralist to develop a rotational grazing system in the Kimberley – and take the pathway to practicing regenerative agriculture.

We were joined in this episode by a mutual friend Jardine McDonald, so you will hear him pop up occasionally in the conversation!

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Ben Smith and Archie Pollard work on Murray Downs Station, just south of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. I recently took the 120km detour off the main highway to pop in for a cup of tea, and within minutes of my arrival Ben made a massive faux pas. So, of course I used it to guilt him into recording a podcast episode because there isn’t much I wont do to bring you a new episode each week.

I can honestly say that this is the most impromptu recording I’ve ever done – and its packed full of yarns and even a few nuggets of wisdom.

I would like to note that this episode was intended to be a bit of light-hearted fun, and you’ll be able to tell that none of us are taking ourselves too seriously during the recording. Ben and Archie are honest and smart young blokes, and I could have crafted a much more serious discussion to show a different side of them, but that wasn’t what we wanted this episode to be – so please keep that in mind when listening.

You can check out Archie's music here: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/spa-avenue.html 

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/commuting/ 

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Wayne Bean spent his adult life working towards one goal - managing a cattle station. So, when he resigned from his job as the manager at Flora Valley Station after 14 years, for the first time in his life, he didn’t have a plan.

This episode is the third and final part of our chat with Wayne, where he discusses how he navigated his first major career change at the age of 42.

And, as many listeners have been patiently waiting for, we also discuss Wayne’s journey to becoming an accomplished horseman and campdraft competitor. From a time when he almost walked away from the sport, to how he approaches the mental side of competition, and his future goals, there is something we can all learn from Wayne in this episode.

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John Kirby started catching wild bulls in the East Kimberley in 1969 and by the time he stopped in 1983 he had caught approximately 10,000. However, when he caught his first bull, John had never worked with cattle before. As in, ever.

This is the story of a young lad from the city who headed north seeking opportunity and adventure, and boy, did he find it.

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Jessie Evans grew up on a cattle station on the Gibb River Road – infamous for being the most rough and rugged stretch of country in the Kimberley region.

The days were long, hot, and gruelling at times – but like many bush kids, Jessie loved the adventure and challenges that station life offered.

Little did she know, the fortitude and resilience she developed during her younger years would be tested years later, across the other side of the country, a literal and figurative world away from her childhood home.

Learn more about SMA at https://smaaustralia.org.au 

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Danyelle Haigh spends 10 months of the year living out of sea container on the back of a roadtrain with her husband and children. Together they travel to remote parts of the Northern Territory to drill water bores. In addition to administering the business, and assisiting with drilling, Danyelle also became qualified to drive the company’s road trains.  

While Danyelle is the first to say she loves her life, and she truly does, it wasn’t anything she’d ever dreamed of. So, instead of thinking about what she didn’t have, and what could have been, this incredible woman decided to carve out time to pursue one of her greatest passions.

If you haven’t already, make sure you catch Danyelle’s first appearance on our podcast in Episode 58.

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If you travel a couple of hours north-east of Alice Springs, along the Plenty Highway, you’ll pass one of the most spectacular parcels of land – Mt Riddock Station. With high quality Hereford cattle and an abundance of pasture, you would never think that when the Cadzow family purchased it over 30 years ago, the land was in poor condition, and home to a motley crew of cattle and feral animals.

In this episode Steve shares the story of how his family came to be at Mt Riddock, and why how they chose to do things differently to bring the property to where it is today.

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When faced with the choice of pursuing a career in Professional Women’s Cricket or teaching, Kylie Jones’ passion for education won.

Not one to do things in the traditional order, Kylie waited until after university and the start of her teaching career to take a gap year, taking on the role of a Governess on Helens Springs Station in the Northern Territory. Little did she know, that as it does for so many others, that choice would change the trajectory of her life.

In this episode, Kylie shares the story of how after her time as a Governess she came to realise that the structure of mainstream schooling wasn’t the right fit for her, and found herself back in the outback, launching a not-for-profit organization from scratch.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/baby-can-you-handle-the-heat/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Christian’s childhood couldn’t have been further from that of his cousin, Sams. While Sam was growing up on a cattle station in Central Australia, mustering cattle, James lived 2000km away on the beaches of Sydney, preparing to compete in the Sydney to Hobart sailing race.

However, as fate would have it, a spur of the moment trip to visit the rellies in the bush would seal James’s fate and he hasn’t been able to leave since, cementing his commitment to the industry by purchasing his own mob of cattle in partnership with his cousin.

James always brings a unique perspective to discussions about rural Australia and the cattle industry, so we hope you enjoy hearing his story and point of view.

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In the far north of South Australia you’ll find a number of cattle stations belonging to the William’s family, where the second, third and fourth generation work side-by-side.

Cam Williams is a 3rd generation pastoralist and manager of Peake Station. With his wife Kirsty, who featured on our podcast back in Episode 87, and their four kids – Cam is living his dream and there isn’t anywhere else he wants to be.

When I was visiting the William’s earlier this year, I pretty much forced Cam to come on the podcast and share an insight into his life, what he gets up to in the desert, and also a few yarns about the entertaining encounters he’s had on the rare occasion that he swaps the desert for the ocean.

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

This episode features an excerpt from the book Beyond Alice, read by the author Tanya Heaslip. Tanya has published Alice to Prague (2019), An Alice Girl (2020), and Beyond Alice (2021) is her third memoir. 

Tanya's memoir is a humorous and inspiring story of strength, resilience and the realities of Australian outback life. 

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The cycle of life and death amongst flora and fauna is par for the course for life in the outback.

But what happens when we are faced with our own mortality, and that of the ones we love?

Today’s story is just that, and so much more. It’s a story of trauma, courage, resilience, and vulnerability. It’s the story of Jane and Haydn Sale, who’s lives were changed irrevocably one July morning in 2010, and the road to recovery they walked together.

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This episode is part 2 of our chat with Wayne Bean – if you haven’t listened to Part 1, you know the drill, go on, go back and listen to it first.

In this episode Wayne recalls the 18 years he spent working for Heytesbury Pastoral, where he progressed from an overseer on the Barkly, to junior manager in the Victoria River District, and finally, his goal of senior manager in the Kimberley. 

Throughout those years he saw the end of BTEC, gained his pilots licence, and had a front row seat to the positive changes the Heytesbury Pastoral boss, Janet Holmes à Court, put in place – not least of all the introduction of paid positions for managers wives. 

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The Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale is truly a one-of-a-kind event.

While Bulls Sales are a dime a dozen in the Eastern States, the Fitzroy Crossing Sale is the only bull sale in Northern Western Australia.

This is because the majority of cattle in the pastoral regions of Western Australia are commercial cattle, bred to go direct to market. There are very few cattle studs in the pastoral region, so when pastoralists want to improve their herd genetics, they often have to source herd bulls from the Eastern States – mostly Queelsand, which runs similar breeds in similar environments to northern WA. This means that pastoralists often have to travel to Queensland and inspect bulls on various properties, and then have the bulls trucked back to WA. As you can imagine, there are a huge number of cattle studs on the East Coast – how would you even know where to start?

The Fitzroy Crossing Bull Sale began over a decade ago, with the aim of bringing quality bulls directly to pastoralists in the Kimberley region of WA. The bulls are selected by an impressive team of people, including livestock agents who live and breathe the Kimberley cattle industry, and know exacrtly what their clients are looking for, and a great man by the name of Jimmy Edwards who spent many years flying in the Kimberley and Pilbara, as well as running his own stations, and also knows what type of cattle will do well in the regions.

Each year the event continues to grow, and this year was no different, with total sales exceeding one million dollars. This year also boasted the highest number of registered bidders, including a number from the Northern Territory and Queensland, and a record price of $20,000.

I attended the event and had a quick chat to Jim Edwards, who started the sale all those years ago, Andrew Stewart – one of the livestock agents and auctioneers who runs the event each year, and Rusty Cook, one of the many buyers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/new-tricks/ 

Central Station is supported by ThinkWater Broome, your local water experts for irrigation projects big and small. Their fully stocked retail store sells the latest irrigation products, including fittings, pipe, filtration and solar supplies. Covering the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia, their knowledgeable and passionate team are experts in the design and implementation of the most water efficient irrigation and water management programs across all sectors.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raised on an isolated cattle station north of Alice Springs during the 1960s and 70s, Tanya learnt about the outside world through the Correspondence School and School of the Air. Tanya has published Alice to Prague (2019), An Alice Girl (2020), and Beyond Alice (2021) is her third memoir. 

In this episode, we discuss the Book Beyond Alice, which takes place when at the age of 12 years old, Tanya was sent sixteen hundred kilometres away from her outback home to boarding school, a traumatic and life changing experience – not just for her, but her family also.

Tanya's memoir is a humorous and inspiring story of strength, resilience and the realities of Australian outback life. 

And, to be honest, it’s hard to believe that some of what she lived through is a true story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Edwards has been a fixture of the pastoral industry in Western Australia for decades. From growing up on a station near Marble Bar, to being a mustering pilot and station owner - there’s not a lot Jim hasn’t seen or done. At one point, he literally swapped his Pilbara cattle station for a farm in Queensland – talk about a tree change! But, as you’ll learn in this episode, while you can take the man out of Western Australia … there’s something that keeps pulling him back across, even after all these years.

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The Ezijak has a jack, air compressor, and rattle gun!

The air compressor plugs into your 12 volt outlet or it can hook up to your battery and you can pump up the tyre if you have a small leak and drive to your closest Tyre Repair shop, or if you’re out whoop whoop you can slowly make your way back to the nearest homestead!

The Jack will lift your vehicle off the ground with a simple press of a button and lifts up to 3 ton, so easily lifts a 200 series Landcruiser – not that I can afford one of those, but it’s nice to know if I ever upgrade I’ll still be able to use my Ezijak.

And the Rattle Gun will loosen the tightest of wheel nuts with no effort at all – meaning I no longer have to carry a piece of pipe to put over my wheel brace and jump up and down on to loosen and tighten nuts, and then be paranoid that I haven’t tightened them properly as I drive off.

The Ezijak is super easy to use, and if I can do it, then I think we all know that anyone can do it. 

The Ezijak has been tested, approved and improved to Australian standards, and you should be careful of imitations. Just like you, the Ezijak team want to keep your family safe on the road.

Learn more at ezijak.com.au

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/the-other-east/ 

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In today’s episode I’m chatting with the Keogh boys: Clem- 5, Lachy- 8, and Jacob- 10.

These brothers live on Durham Downs Station in South West Queensland, and while they all love station life, they’re chalk and cheese. Jacob is the creative up and coming movie director, Lachy is the cattleman, and Clem, well - Clem is Clem!

Keep your ears peeled for some absolute pearlers in this episode – because we all know that no one can tell a story like a kid!

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Having grown up on an island and spending her childhood with the local surf life savers club, Tannas Godfrey could never have predicted what her future held for her: a career in the Australian Military, falling in love with a bloke from the bush, going through the heartache of unsuccessful succession planning, and having to start over.

It’s so rare that we hear someone speak so candidly about their experience with succession planning, even though its something that every Australian farming family experiences at one point. So, to Tannas, I say thank you for being willing to share your story.

Find the Nuffield Scholarship report on Succession Planning by Alison Larard here: https://www.nuffield.com.au/alison-larard-2018

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/dont-dwell-on-the-small-things/ 

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According to the dictionary, adapability is: "the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions".

In today’s episode, I sit down with one of the most adaptable people I have ever met – Sally Jolly.

Sally’s family has a long and rich history in the Pilbara pastoral industry, and it’s no surprise that cattle and red dirt run through her veins.

But, just because she started her life on a Pilbara cattle station, it doesn't mean that it was where she was going to stay.

From the wide open spaces of the WA rangelands, to an intensive horticultural farming region in Qld, with many other steps in-between, Sally has shown that her upbringing in the outback has set her up to adapt to any environment.

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Do you remember the old nursey rhyme from primary school that goes along the lines of “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage”.

Well, that was the order of things for Hayley Price – in just over 12 months, she met and married the man of her dreams, falling pregnant just before their wedding.

But during her pregnancy, Hayley was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, and ended up in a hospital 600km from home for over 6 omnths. That wasn't a part of the plan of all.

In this episode, Hayley shares the story of the best and worst year of her life, and what she’s learnt from it.

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For the longest time, Wayne Bean just wanted to get ahead. To achieve his career goal of managing a cattle station, to have his own land, and the time to pursue his passion for horses.

And, spoiler alert, he has, by all definitions, gotten ahead. After two decades of managing stations for Heytesbury Pastoral, these days he spends his time on his own property, breeding and training horses for the sport of campdrafting, (of which he is a formidable competitor).

So, when you see him, it’s easy to focus on the flash horse trailer, beautiful horses, and impressive scores in the campdraft arena.

What you don’t see is the 30 plus years of hard work, patience and sacrifice Wayne has put in alongside his wife, Rachel, to get to where he is today.

This episode is Part 1 of our chat with Wayne – where he shares stories from the early years of being a stockman with a young family, just trying to get ahead in life.

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Central Station [SHORT STORY] episodes bring the stories from our website to life through the authors themselves. 

Find the story from this episode here: https://www.centralstation.net.au/little-people-huge-hearts/ 

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The name Edwina Robertson is synonymous with incredible imagery of people in rural Australia. In amongst being the country’s most sought after Outback wedding photographer, Eddie has had a number of adventures, including traveling across the country without spending a dollar, and trying her hand at jillarooing at the ripe old age of 34.

I recently caught up with Eddie to discuss her incredible adventures, and we ended up having a very candid discussion about how her experience as a jillaroo was far from picture perfect.

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Kirsty Williams lives on Peake Station near Oodnadatta in South Australia. In amongst working on the station, working in town as a teacher, sharing her home with staff, and juggling four kids under the age of 6 (and the endless baskets of dirty laundry that come with it all) – Kirsty certainly didn’t think there was anything interesting about her life to share in a podcast episode.

But what you’ll learn in this episode is that that couldn’t be farther from the truth. To start the episode, I asked Kirsty to tell me about the summer of 2018, when her return back to the station with her 4th child didn’t go exactly as planned...

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