'Mira will always love the land': Reflections on the life of 94 year-old wool classer and farmer Mira Galvin

Catherine Keneley June 26, 2018

By Catherine Keneley

Catherine Keneley is a postgraduate student completing a Master of Cultural Heritage at Deakin University. Catherine has a passion for history and culture. She is currently a volunteer at Melbourne Museum and has been working on the story of Mira Galvin.

For over 60 years Mira Galvin worked as a wool classer and a farmer at her family's property, "Coralya", near Holbrook NSW. In this blog Melbourne Museum volunteer Catherine Keneley reflects on Mira's career as a wool classer, her love of nature and her experiences of living and working on the land.

Ever since I was a kid I have always had a great interest in history, culture and museums. Now as a young woman studying history and cultural heritage I have been able to develop an understanding of the value of history in recording the past, and in influencing beliefs and values in contemporary societies.

Catherine Keneley working at her desk at Melbourne Museum.

Catherine Keneley holding the letter that was posted in to Melbourne Museum from Aileen Spangaro.

I am currently a volunteer at the Melbourne Museum. Through my role with the Invisible Farmer Project with curators Liza Dale-Hallett and Catherine Forge I have discovered a wealth of stories about the lives of women living and working on the land. The everyday experiences of these incredible and resilient women add a human layer to our interpretation of the history of Australian farming and of life on the land. Sharing their stories is so important in highlighting their value as part of our national heritage. These stories also help wider society and people of all ages to understand the vital role women play in Australian farming and agriculture.

6 months ago at Melbourne Museum I received a package filled with a treasure trove of photos and articles that had been posted into the museum by Aileen Spangaro about her sister Mira. This package arrived in an A4 envelope and contained a plethora of images and a beautifully hand-written letter. I soon came to learn it was an incredible story about Mira Galvin and her career as a wool classer and a farmer.

An array of photographs and newspaper clippings that were sent into Melbourne Museum by Aileen Spangaro

As I read the letter that Aileen had written and perused the photos I was amazed by Mira’s story, her role within her family and as a farmer, and the challenges she has experienced living on the land. Written correspondence and phone calls with her sister Aileen, along with researching the physical documents that were sent in to us, has all been part and parcel of this wonderful and inspiring journey of documenting Mira Galvin’s story. Like many other women living and working on the land, Mira has always done what needed to be done and has made extraordinary contributions to her family and to Australian farming.

Mira Galvin at "Coralya", 2003. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro

Mira Galvin was born on August 24, 1923 to Michael Ignatius Galvin and Winnifred Matilda ‘Minnie’ Josephine Galvin (née Parsons) at “Killarney” 20 miles outside of Holbrook (NSW). They moved to their current family home “Coralya” in 1948. The second of nine children Mira helped her mother with household chores and cared for her siblings. She studied by correspondence and had to ride 5 miles every week to post her homework to the school in Sydney.

Growing up Mira was also involved in helping her family in the shearing sheds and out on the farm. As a young woman Mira was no stranger to hard work. Milking cows, looking after livestock, ploughing the fields and planting crops were all part of daily life on the farm.

“She milked cows and did all the usual farm chores that had to be done daily”

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

Mira helping her Dad (Michael Galvin) harvesting oats, 1952. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro

In the 1940s Mira helped her father and her siblings clear scrub land for cropping and grazing pasture. They also produced Eucalyptus oil for 5 years. The Eucalyptus oil would be extracted through a process of passing steam through the Eucalyptus leaves in a sealed tank causing the oil to vaporise. The mixture of oil and steam leaving the tank would become cooled and then liquefied – the oil becoming separated from the water.

Distilling Eucalyptus oil in tanks. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro

A talented horsewoman Mira competed in many equestrian events at the local shows in Holbrook and winning best and fairest awards at polocrosse carnivals.

Mira Galvin (middle) with her Sister Joan (right). Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Mira would always enjoy spending time with her nieces and nephews during school holidays. Going on walks through the bush Mira taught them about the farm and to be “one with nature”. Mira’s nieces and nephews have fond memories of "Coralya" - fishing, horse riding, caring for baby animals and learning about nature and the bush.

Rebecca Spangaro (left) with her sister Gabrielle (right) holding a calf, 1974. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

They would say to their mother Aileen that their favourite memories were of visiting the farm and spending time with their Auntie Mira.

Mira Galvin teaching her niece Rebecca Spangaro how to milk the cow, 1976. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Wool classer

At a young age Mira had her heart set on becoming a wool classer. When Mira was five she would help her father in the shearing sheds picking up wool and putting it into a bale while her father used hand shears to shear the sheep. Later on her father used a machine where Mira would turn the handle around and he would shear the sheep. Mira also swept the floors and was responsible for rolling and baling the fleeces. It was from her father that Mira began to learn about assessing the quality of sheep wool. While women were often not allowed to work in the wool sheds Mira’s father encouraged her to follow her passions.

“Dad always believed that you do what you like and you should be independent”

(Mira Galvin, The Land Magazine, October 30, 2003)

Michael Galvin (Mira's Dad) at "Coralya", 1948. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Attitudes towards women’s role on the farm never affected Mira’s decision about becoming a wool classer. The shearing sheds were a place of welcoming and Mira says that she never felt disrespected by the men she worked with. Mira began her wool classing course in Holbrook after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. She then moved to Henty and to Wagga Wagga where she received her wool classing certificate in 1953.

Mira Galvin receiving award for her wool classing examinations. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

The “only girl w’classer”, Mira was one of 4 other students out of 200 to pass the wool classing examinations with a distinction grade – her achievements were accredited in the local newspaper (“The Observer”). Mira sees this as a very significant achievement in her life. Her sister Aileen remarked that, “right from the start her teacher was proud to have her in his class and the other students accepted her as one of them.” Mira’s determination and her supportive family helped her to pursue her passions and succeed in following a career as a young female wool classer.

Some of the roles that wool classers perform include: assessing the quality of sheep wool based on factors such as the breed of the sheep, grade, the length and strength of the fleece and the spinning capacity of the wool. For almost 60 years Mira Galvin was responsible for classing her family wool clip and ensuring her wool would sell at best market value.

Mira Galvin classing wool at "Coralya", 1980. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Like many other wool classers Mira has held an important role on the farm and has been actively involved in decision-making processes surrounding the management of the family property at "Coralya".

Challenges

Mira has experienced the “best and the worst” of the challenges of living and working on the land.

Mira has experienced first-hand the challenges of gender inequality – one that many women face working on the land. Every year Mira would go to the wool sales in Albury where she would sell wool and complete a refresher wool classing course. The story follows as such:

Mira walked into the room and the teacher said, “Can I help you miss?”

Mira replied, “I am here to do the wool classing refresher course.”

“Well this is no place for a lady”, he said.

She replied, “I will be fine”, and sat down.

When it had finished she went out onto the floor to check the family clip. Almost every man in that class came up and apologised for the teacher’s behaviour and encouraged her to continue classing wool.

Mira Galvin (right), "The Observer", 1953. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

The fluctuating changes of prices for livestock and wool within Australia’s agriculture industry have been difficult issues that have affected Mira’s livelihood and the viability of her farm. The stock piling of wool in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s was a significant crisis for the Australian wool industry. The impact of this ongoing event hit close to home for Mira’s family resulting in the shooting of the family’s merino sheep. It was a tough day for Mira and her Mother (who was in her nineties) to watch the men take their guns and shoot the sheep, they were given a small cash incentive for each beast.

Living on the land Mira has also dealt with the harsh conditions of droughts, bushfires and diseases in livestock. On January 25, 1954 (her Mother’s birthday) Mira and her family experienced the worst fire on record. Mira’s Sister Aileen recalls the devastating impact of the fire that destroyed 100 houses and took 3 lives. The fire approached the property on 2 fronts that was divided by the Jingillie Road. Aileen along with Mira and the rest of their family vividly remember the image of the glowing 100ft wall of fire destroying everything in its path.

“It looked like a bar on an electric heater … destroying everything in its wake the shearing shed yards where the sheep and cattle were all burnt, fences, machinery”.

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

As the fire approached the house there was a “roaring blackness”. Pieces of burning wood sprayed sparks as they went flying through the air. Branches from the willow trees crashed into the creek. Minnie guided Mira's younger siblings up the hill through the darkness and chaos into the house.

As the fire approached the farm house Mira and Joan climbed onto the roof and saturated the house with water. They then ran up the hill beside the house dropping matches to start a fire break burning back to the approaching fire. Mira and Joan then rushed inside to escape the fury of the fire and joined their Mother, Father and 3 brothers and sisters. They held their arms around each other as the house shook and the windows rattled amidst the “roaring blackness pounding the house”. Mira and her family gazed in disbelief at the destruction caused by the fire.

“…the hens were little black balls on the charred ground, stock lay dead and everywhere others staggered about burnt and dying”.

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

At the end of the day Mira’s mother sat the family down and made them all a cup of tea. The family would start over again and life would go on.

A woman of the land

Mira Galvin wears many hats - a farmer, a wool classer, a sister, a daughter, an auntie. Mira has a wealth of experience in farming and the wool industry. She is a well-respected member of her family and her local community.

Mira Galvin, "In a Class of Her Own", The Land, October 2003. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Mira has always been a quiet achiever. Always taking initiative, helping others and doing what needs to be done. In cases of emergencies Mira would be out with the local fire brigade fighting the fire alongside the men; everyone working together as a team and all totally focussed on the job at hand. After which she would rush home and help the other women prepare food and drinks for the men.

Despite the hardships she has experienced throughout her life Mira has always been positive and resilient. She believes,

“you [have to] prepare for the worst and hope for the best”.

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

Mira has always done her best in taking care of her family and the farm. Like many other women on the land Mira was just doing what needed to be done.

Mira Galvin at "Coralya", 1964. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

In 1945 there was a long drought. Mira’s father and her two brothers had gone away to drove sheep as there was no feed for the stock at the farm. It was up to Mira and her sister Joan to make sure the other animals had plenty to eat and water to drink. Mira crushed wheat and with a horse and cart carried the wheat five miles to feed 500 pigs. Mira also had to take care of her six younger siblings and look after the household as her mother went to hospital for the birth of her ninth child.

Another major drought in the 1970s led Mira and her younger brother Nicholas to drove a mob of 5000 sheep from Holbrook to the Queensland border in search of feed for the flock. Times were tough for a lot of farmers trying to get enough feed for their livestock. Each day Mira and her brother would go out and see how far away water was – this determined where they would stop to feed the sheep. They used their own feed reserves and then had to rely on the feed reserves available in the paddocks. When the rains came Mira and her brother returned back to the family property with their livestock.

Mira and her brother Nicholas then ran the family farm together.

Mira Galvin working in the fields, "Coralya", 1965. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

“He ploughed all night while she ploughed all day. They planted the crops, shore the sheep and did all the never ending tasks that farmers do”.

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

In 1970 after 5 years of illness Mira’s Father died at Mercy Hospital in Albury. Mira’s Mother and Sister Joan returned from Albury. Everyone worked hard to look after the family and keep the farm going.

Over the years Mira’s wealth of knowledge, experience and skills have shone through in everything that she has done. Mira was involved in all aspects of life on the farm. She classed the wool, and ploughed and planted the crops. She always checked the paddocks and the livestock for any sign of disease or illness. She assisted with the delivery of the young lambs or calves when necessary.

Mira Galvin (left) with her niece Rachele Spangaro (right) drenching the sheep, "Coralya", 1982. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

At home Mira cooked, cleaned, washed and knitted, croched, smocked and made lovely clothes for her family, including wedding dresses for her nieces. Family members sing her praises for her cheesecakes and the best trifle they have ever eaten. Mira also enjoyed travelling. She walked to the top of Uluru at age 70.

Mira Galvin taking care of an injured kookaburra, "Coralya", 2018. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Now at 94 and retired Mira still enjoys living on the land, inspecting the sheep and shearing sheds and spending time with family and friends. Her family will also take Mira out with them on the farm to check the livestock and crops.

Mira loves living on the land. She enjoys the wide open space and watching the changing seasons.

“Feeling the sun on her back and the wind in her face being surrounded by nature … Mira will always love the land”

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

Mira Galvin at "Coralya", 1975. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Minnie Galvin

Likewise, Mira’s Mother Winnifred "Minnie" Galvin (25-1-1900 – 27-2-2000) is another woman of the land who was important for the success and well-being of her family.

Winnifred "Minnie" Galvin at 95 years of age, 1995. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Minnie was described as the peacekeeper in the family. No shouting or misconduct was tolerated. She was a resourceful and hardworking woman who invested all her efforts into caring for her family and the home against the harsh conditions of the Australian bush and having no access to electricity, water, refrigeration or a telephone. She nursed her children through times of illness and raised her family to live in peace and with dignity.

“She was shy but strong and resourceful, cut from the same fabric as pioneer women”

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

Like her daughter Mira, Minnie Galvin also wore many hats. Minnie was the bookkeeper and oversaw the farm’s financial management. She arranged appointments and always made sure the banker got his reports. At the same time Minnie kept a nice clean house and made sure that everyone was well cared for.

Minnie would make extraordinary meals using only a few simple ingredients. Mira and her siblings were treated to golden syrup dumplings (a family favourite), as well as rice custard and beautiful plum puddings at Christmas time. She loved being in the garden surrounded by the bush and nature and cared for all creatures.

Winnifred "Minnie" Galvin (right) at "Coralya", 1970. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Minnie was the one who listened quietly to all the talk about the day’s work, as the family sat down for their evening meal. She was the “glue” that held everything together on the farm and in the home. She lived to 100 years of age and was always there for her family.

Reflections

The Invisible Farmer Project is an opportunity to share the stories of women of the land and to celebrate their contributions to their families, to their communities and to Australian farming and agriculture.

“Women on the land are the silent ones who make a huge contribution to the success of farming in Australia”

(quoted by Aileen Spangaro)

Mira Galvin classing wool at "Coralya", 1970. Photo: supplied by Aileen Spangaro.

Mira Galvin is an extraordinary woman whose efforts have been greatly important to the success of her family. Her contributions to her family and her community, as well as to the agriculture industry reflects more broadly on the vital role women play for the well-being of their families and for the success of farming in Australia.

On a personal note I would like to thank Mira’s sister for sending this letter and for allowing me to share this incredible story about Mira. It is wonderful to learn about the stories of the amazing women who live and work on the land. I encourage others to share their stories with the Invisible Farmer Project so we can learn more about the role of women on the land and how important they are to the success of Australian farming and agriculture.

A love for the outback: Lisa Shannon reflects on her life on the land

Catherine Keneley March 7, 2018

By Lisa Shannon

Lisa Shannon [nee Stanmore] is a woman of the land - she is a cattle musterer, farmer, stockwoman, businesswoman and mother based near Mundubbera, Queensland. Lisa shared her story with the Invisible Farmer Project in 2017 via a Facebook post. Following on from this Facebook post (which received over 50,000 interactions within the first week), Lisa was invited to speak at a Melbourne Cup Day luncheon in Jandowae. This guest blog post from Lisa is an edited version of the speech that she gave at the Jandowae luncheon. Lisa reflects on her personal experiences in the agriculture industry, along with the highlights and challenges that she has undergone through living and working on the land.

I grew up on “Eurella” Station, near Ivanhoe in NSW. It’s not the type of place that is commonly described as God's own country, unless you come from there. It’s bloody hot in summer. Winter is bloody cold. My Dad’s family has been on the property for over 100 years. That sort of history gets imprinted into your DNA. I no longer live there or call it home, but when I go back I feel a glow of belonging.

Lisa's father Chris Stanmore with his sister Jenny outside the old Eurella homestead, c. 1957, image supplied.

Lisa having a 'Sunday Picnic' at Eurella with her father Chris Stanmore, c. 1988, image supplied.

My Mum and Dad lived on "Eurella" with Dad’s parents all my childhood. My Grandparents were very traditional. Grandma looked after the family and the house. Grandad did the farm stuff; he was an artificer in World War II so there was nothing he could not fix. When Mum and Dad got married times had changed a bit and Mum was more involved on the farm. Mum and Dad encouraged us to be involved on the farm and when we got old enough it did not seem to worry Dad that his free workforce was 3 girls.

Lisa washing her poddy calf "Harry", c. 1990, image supplied.

Lisa mustering with her father Chris Stanmore, c. 2002, image supplied.

In 2001 I finished school. As my friends went off to schoolies and partied in the city, I went to the Hay Races with some mates and then headed home to help out over the holidays as it was very dry and they were about to start carting water for domestic use. Dad had a broken ankle so Mum and I or Grandad and I would cart water for both houses. Grandad taught me to drive our old red Intertruck and some of the first trips were a bit hairy! Mum and Dad totally destocked the entire place and continued to cart water for domestic purposes on and off for 7 years. They still refer to that period as the 10 year drought.

I started at Dalby Agriculture College in 2002 and I loved it. We partied hard and had a whale of a time. I had 2 jobs, one washing dishes from 6-10pm Thursday and Friday nights, then the graveyard shift from 10 through to close on Friday nights at the seediest pub in Dalby. Pouring beers was not my preferred side of the bar, but a price I paid for my social life! We went on a College tour to the Northern Territory in 2003 and for me it was love at first sight; I was hooked! I applied for and was awarded a cadetship with Heytesbury Beef at Anthony Lagoon Station on the Barkley Tablelands and started there in February 2004.

Lisa and her friend Sarah Hawthorn at Anthony Lagoon Station, c. 2004, image supplied.

Our stock camp was made up of 4 girls and 4 boys, which was a pretty common mix. I was determined to learn as much as I could from whoever I could. I guess my eagerness sometimes made me come across a bit pushy! I loved station life and relished the comradery and mateship in our camp.

I learnt to ride a horse when I was growing up, but the sort of riding we were doing in the camp was totally different from anything I was used to. Daylight till dark mustering, which made you feel parts of your body you forgot you had. I learnt what it was like to really work, and how to work with other people - how to work through jobs I didn’t like and how important it is to do a good job. I also learnt how to work when you were that physically tired that all you could focus on was the task at hand and I got a very good understanding of my own physical and mental endurance. I got some pretty handy skills under my belt like how to operate a grader, a loader, a bulldozer and how to weld.

Flood fencing with friend Sarah Hawthorn at Anthony Lagoon Station, c. 2004, (Lisa left), image supplied.

When I went back to Anthony Lagoon in 2005 I took on the position of Leading Hand. Now this is a position I can say is the top of the bottom and the bottom of the top. There were 6 of us in the camp, no head stockman - just assistant manager and manager. I found the position a bit lonely I guess, however I threw myself into learning all I could and was very well supported by the assistant manager. It was from him I learnt the most about cattle! He taught me how to really look at cattle, how to read and interpret what they were going to do. I learnt about what rush and noise were, where to use it and where not to and that position is everything no matter what size the mob. I learnt how to set up a mob for success and how to position the inexperienced ringers so that the more experienced ones could be best supported. The assistant manager's name was Cameron Shannon. He was adored by the camp and showed us all the wonderful gift it is to have a true leader. Cameron and I remained friends after we left, and today he is my husband.

Lisa met Cameron while working with him at Anthony Lagoon station, and they married in 2016 at Boondooma Homestead, image supplied, photographer: Lynette Vicary.

I moved on the next year and went to the Beautiful Kimberly’s to Argyle Downs station. Then to Yarrawonga Weaco, a Santa Gertrudis stud.

In 2007 I applied for and was given the position of Head Stockman at Quinyambie Station north of Broken Hill on the edge of the Strzelecki desert. Quinyambie Station is 1200km squared. It runs 1200 head of cattle. The manager Paul used to say if you couldn't do something you needed to try it the other way. Work it out and use your head, you have one for a reason. All of the stock work was done on motor bikes, which I was extremely inexperienced at. So ask yourself why did Paul Jonas give a 24 year old girl who could not ride a motorbike the position as Head Stockman on Quinyambie station? Because I was the best goddam person for the job! Not the best woman! Not best man! The best person - I had experience, I knew cattle and I was not dumb.

Quinyambie Station, image courtesy Quinyambie Station Facebook page (with permission): https://www.facebook.com/Quinyambie-Station-1429880467055380/

A few girls came and went throughout the year but usually I was the only female. I got the respect from the camp that I deserved. I worked out I did not have to be stronger or tougher. I definitely was not the best motorbike rider, but I equalled their physical endurance and I could out-think them. I led by example. I always did the best I could do and I expected the same from them. My only challenge came from within the corporate sector of the company as at the time I was the only girl Head Stockman, but I chose to ignore it. I was confident in my own ability, I now believe that small mindedness is an incurable disease!

The desert country is so fragile and beautiful that 20 points of rain will see the ever moving sand hills burst into flower. Names of places amused me, lake poverty and lake starvation! Hot artesian bores watered the livestock and at some of the bores there were bathtubs set up at the pump jack. When we were camped out we could have a hot bath at night. We trucked the biggest bullocks I have ever seen there fattened on the seed of protein packed desert herbage. I did not agree with some of the decisions that were being made in the company office and then expected them to be applied on the properties. So I did not go back the following year, instead I followed my heart back to the NT with Cameron who was contract mustering for AACo (the Australian Agricultural Company) on its Barkly properties.

Quinyambie Station, image courtesy Quinyambie Station Facebook page (with permission): https://www.facebook.com/Quinyambie-Station-1429880467055380/

In 2009 Cam’s contract with AACo was revoked un-expectantly and without for warning. As we learnt later on all contractors were put off, collectively referred to as AACo corporate road kill. We had people lined up for jobs and our plant was all up there we were a bit stunned. I don’t like holding grudges as it’s not healthy but the effect that decision had on Cameron was in my mind unforgivable. If our relationship needed a test just add financial and psychological stress to it!

We could have gone and got another contract I guess but life is all about choices. We already had an interest in a big undeveloped block called “Lorella Springs”. It had feral cattle and scrub bulls on it. We formed an agreement with the owner on shares in the cattle, doing up the fences and getting rid of the bulls. This choice changed my life forever! We moved our gear there and built a camp, with the caravan under a tarp and a half 44 gallon drum as an oven. Later on it developed into quite a palace with a concrete floor and real toilet. I had never worked for myself or had to spend days on end with the same infuriating hot tempered stubborn loveable human being! Who I’m pretty sure felt the same about me! Nothing went unsaid!

Lisa and Cameron's camp at Lorella Springs, image supplied.

Lisa welding up end stays while fencing at Lorella Springs, image supplied.

We did a few small contracts for private people yard building and a bit of stock work because running feral cattle and bull catching is not an instant money make. The contract had stopped but the financial commitments were the same! We armoured up a short wheelbase land cruiser with sheet metal, tyres and a rollover. We affectionately referred to her as “the Cherry” and she was the first catcher in a number that we had. The Red Rocket and Turbo also had their hours of fame. Cherry and the Turbo had hydraulic arms on them, which was the most valuable part on them - made the bulls easier to catch and didn’t knock them around too much.

"The Cherry", image supplied.

Bull catching is not for the faint hearted! I got a very quick stiff education in handling feral cattle and bull catching. Cameron would drive and when the bulls were caught in the hydraulic arm I would put a rope on their horns and we would tie them to a tree, then come back in the goose neck when we had a few and load them, take them back to the yard for educating and ready them for sale. We ran portable yards with the help of a chopper to muster the cows, then educated them with our team of dogs and either trucked or walked them home for branding and more education.

Bull catching in "the Cherry", image supplied.

For the adrenaline filled 5-10 minutes it takes to catch a bull and the excitement of running yards, there are hours of hard work before and after. Shifting portable panels, set up wings of hessian, picking up bulls, trucking cows and keeping the fleet of ancient vehicles going.

A truck load of bulls caught at Lorella Springs, image courtesy Lisa Shannon.

Our closest place for stores and supplies was Borroloola. We bought our fuel and stores from there and relied on the unreliable post office to keep our mail. Borroloola has a high Indigenous population. I found some of the social issues very confronting. In a town of 1000 residents there was cause to build the town’s own rental unit. The women’s safe house had 13 beds and every night at least half those beds were filled with kids, and sometimes 2 sibling children per bed. Drugs and alcohol are an ongoing concern for the whole community. The Borroloola Campdraft/Rodeo is the highlight of the year for the locals, it is not on the professional circuit so everyone has the opportunity to compete. The skylarking laid back atmosphere is infectious – a very important weekend on the community calendar.

Lisa's working dogs. Left to right: Clown, Blip, Willie, Dennis and Burr, image supplied.

We had Jessie Jane in the Albury Hospital in 2010 while staying with my sister. Cam and I returned to Lorella Springs when Jess was just 10 weeks old. We were getting our female numbers up and selling the bulls and steers to local buyers who were then selling them onto live export. I found this time a bit tough - a new baby, being a new mum, I felt a bit isolated. My role was now different. I had to make appropriate changes so she was safe but so we could still do what we had to do.

Lisa with her daughter Jess, mage supplied.

Live Export was stopped in June 2011. The ripple effect felt across the whole of northern Australia was unbelievable. We no longer had a market for any of our cattle. This pushed us to look for another opportunity. The property next door to Cam’s parents came up at the end of 2011. So we set out to make that happen.

Beautiful Buckley Shannon was born in April 27, 2012, and on May 20th Cam left for Lorella Springs for a final muster. I stayed behind with my parents and the kids. This was a very hard time for me. I knew what it would be like when Cam got there - flat out. We had very limited finances and the success of our new block rode on the success of the muster.

The muster was a success but Cam’s trip home with the cattle was a nightmare! The cattle were in light condition as there had been very poor wet. He was stopped at Horse Paddock yard Mallapunya with ticks, when he got to Blackall sale yards to sell the steer and Mickeys, the market was bottoming out. I have kept the print out from the sale. We sold 268 head that day with only 24 making over $1/kg the average for our sale was $202 a head. Cam rang from Blackall and both of us struggled through the phone conversations barely holding it together. I have no words to describe that day.

In August 2012 our precious females all walked off the truck after a 3000km journey into their new home foot sore and hungry but every single one of those old girls had what we needed - ovaries! We joined them to some good Hereford and Santa bulls, they formed the basis for our herd today.

Coming home from Lorella Springs was a hard time emotionally and financially. I didn’t want to unpack all my stuff that had come back from Lorella Springs, because that was my other life the one when I was out helping and doing productive things and a part of the show. I am no house keeper and gardening is not really my thing. I guess I missed the freedom. Cam was gone all day for the first 12 months cutting timber so we could try and catch up financially. I worked out if I was going to cope I needed to find ways to be involved.

Lisa and her children working the sheep on the family's current property, 2017, image supplied.

Cam’s Mum was a big help and after I had Bonnie in 2014 I actually started to get someone to come to our home to help me out once a week with the kids. This gave me a very precious invaluable day. Kids are no short term contract. I love being a mum. That one day saved my sanity! I could pull my head out of mummy mode and enjoy helping Cam in the paddock, or catch up in the office knowing that the kids were safe and cared for.

Our property is light forest spotted gum and iron bark country. There were not many improvements on it. We made the commitment early on to explore every opportunity to ensure we made use of every square inch to the maximum of its ability. We split up our paddocks put in more waters and are continuing to control regrowth timber. We manage our native forest as a sustainable enterprise. Most years its' income equals that of the livestock. We got a fencing grant with BMRG and embarked on a high security fencing project so we could diversify into sheep. We bought a guard dog 'Frosty', our ‘Lambassador’ and trained him on a small mob near our house.

Lisa with her children and their dog 'Frosty', 2017, image supplied.

We built a sheep yard instead of going on a honeymoon. Once the sheep arrived in November 2015 we had the driest time since owning our place. Half our cattle went away on agistment and we were feeding our sheep, then when we had a bit of rain. We were tailing the sheep everyday so they could have a feed outside the high security fence.

Working sheep in the 'Honeymoon Yard', 2017, image supplied.

The drought sucked the absolute life out of me. The relentless when will it rain, why won’t it rain, have you checked the weather? I reached my absolute lowest point, and I was only just surviving. I neglected all my relationships with my husband, parents and friends. I put a wall up and no one was allowed in. The only thing that kept me going was running. My body lent itself more to the couch than the racetrack, but the ability it gave me to shut up the constant chatter in my head was a saviour. I did the South Burnette Leadership Programme in March and realised that it all starts with me. If I want a change I have to make it myself.

Lisa planting 'Pangola Grass' after cyclone Debbie, 2017, image supplied.

In all of that I wrote a Facebook post for the ‘Invisible Farmer’ project. I have asked myself a number of times why write it in the first place? Ego? All those likes on Facebook were pretty good. But it was only the fluff I was writing about, me in a snap shot! I have realised now that I was worried that maybe the person I wrote about had gone. That strong independent girl who did cool stuff and worked on stations and caught bulls and rode motorbikes and ran the stock camp... she might have been gone. If she was gone who is left behind?

That was a bit confronting.

Lisa Shannon is my name and I was not left behind; I have just evolved. Who am I? I am a wife and a Mum, a daughter and a daughter in law. I am dedicated to my family. I am a business woman, a bookkeeper and Shannon family PR agent. I am a passionate believer in the continuing prosperity of my industry. I am a lover of horses and a wanderer of nature. I CHOSE this path. I have never wanted any special treatment just because I am a woman.

Lisa, Cameron and their children Jessie Jane, Buckley and Bonnie married in 2016 at Boondooma Homestead, image supplied, photographer: Lynette Vicary.

Women have played such an important part in the history of our Australian agricultural industries over the years, from the role Indigenous women played in providing food and fibre, to the first settlers, to the Australian Woman’s Land Army in WWII. It’s not like we have only just arrived on the farm; it’s just the recognition has not been there! In the early days the government did not want to have a young Australia appear as a country where women worked in the fields! Until 1994 the legal status for farm women was still “sleeping partner, non productive”.

Today I look around and see young women doing great things and planning for a career in agriculture or farming in every field. BUT I still find the board rooms and corporate sector wanting. On average in Australia’s peak state agriculture lobby groups women only represent 20% of the boardroom. Is the government hearing our voices? Is the consideration made that a woman’s perspective may be different?

Lisa at Lorella Springs, image supplied.

Women’s contributions to the farming economy are difficult to calculate specifically! Our roles are so diverse. Apart from direct contributions like labour and administration, we need to calculate the hours of unpaid domestic work, the contribution of off-farm jobs and the value of moral support. Possibly it is we women who undervalue our own contributions too! Maybe we need to own it and start with ourselves and appreciate ourselves for the effort we put in! If women think that they are an unimportant undervalued cog in the wheel of farming then stop doing it all and see what happens!

In the words of Mr Patsy Durack, one of Australia’s early settlers and explorers, “Just where would we be now without the woman folk?’

Lisa riding out in the early morning to muster with her dogs, 2017, Image courtesy Lisa Shannon.

Young Farming Champions: Celebrating and Supporting Young Women Farmers

Catherine Keneley December 10, 2017

By Lynne Strong and Mandy McKeesick

Lynne Strong and Mandy McKeesick are part of the Art4Agricutlure organisation. As National Program Director and Founder of Art4Agriculture, Lynne Strong is passionate about highlighting the important role of Australian farmers and encouraging young people to become involved in the agriculture sector. In this blog Lynne and Mandy reflect on the unique stories and experiences of young women that have partaken in Art4Agriculture's Young Farming Champions (YFC) Program.

Our Young Farm Champions (YFCs) are enthusiastic young women (and men) with a passion for agriculture. Through workshops and mentorships our Young Farmer Champion program develops them into confident public speakers who are media savvy, highly visible and capable of engaging the community on agricultural topics.

Since the program’s inception in 2011 we have trained 75 YFCs, including agronomists, scientists, geneticists, extension officers, wool brokers, accountants and traditional farmers. Nearly three quarters of these (55) have been women.

We’ve asked our female YFCs to identify the issues and biggest challenges they face as young women in what was once considered a male domain, and here are the top four issues they told us about:

Isolation

Isolation appears in many forms. It can take a physical form as is the case for Bessie Thomas. Bessie lives and works with her husband on a 70,000 acre sheep station in western NSW, and has recently expanded her family with the birth of their first child.

Bessie Thomas with her child, 2017, image supplied.

“My daughter choked the other day and my husband didn't answer the UHF and our landline wouldn't dial out. I had to call the RFDS while administering first aid and later it really hit home how vulnerable I am out here by myself when something goes wrong.”

Bessie is also concerned about social isolation.

“This has only become a battle since having a child. I used to be able to work outside all day with my husband and whoever else is working here, or jump in the car and go and see a neighbour for a drink on the weekend, or take part in things like Young Farming Champions and socialise with other young people. Now I feel tethered to the house.”

With 200km to the nearest town social activities such as playgroup are non-existent.

Art4Agriculture founder and director Lynne Strong, 2017, image supplied.

Another form of isolation is the professional one, experienced by Art4Agriculture founder and director Lynne Strong.

“I spent 25 years as a community pharmacist and one of the things I truly valued was working side by side with other professionals as committed as me to providing the community with the knowledge to lead healthy lifestyles. Every day was an opportunity to talk to people and hear their stories and provide advice where needed. In 2000, I came back to the farm. As a sixth generation farmer I was struck by how isolated I felt. I only lived 10 minutes from the nearest town of 20,000 people and the closest city was 45 minutes away yet I struggled to identify my tribe and feel like I was part of a collective.”

Climate Change

Young women like Anika Molesworth feel that global issues such as climate change have a significant impact on their lives and their futures. Home for Anika is an arid sheep station near Broken Hill, yet she spends much of her time in Cambodia and Laos researching a PhD, which is looking at optimising soil fertility in water constrained environments.

Anika Molesworth with horse, 2017, image supplied.

“Knowing the region, I hold dear, the far west of NSW, is going to become hotter and drier with more frequent and intense dust storms drives me to build resilience and sustainability into our farm model. I see climate change as a driver for farmers to equip themselves with the best skills and knowledge to ensure a bright farming future.”

Anika’s actions speak louder than her words. In 2015 she and fellow YFC Joshua Gilbert were crowd-funded to attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change held in Paris. Anika is also the founder of Climate Wise Agriculture and was the 2015 Australian Young Farmer of the Year.

Sexism

Even in these modern times sexism still can make the list of issues facing women working with the land. Bronwyn Roberts has a wealth of experience in the cattle industry. Working beside her father she helped transform 5,500 acres of cropping land into a beef operation by fencing, establishing watering points and building yards. She also worked for years as a grazing project manager officer with the Fitzroy Basin Association – so she knows her stuff and was surprised at the reaction she received when she took on a new role this year.

Bronwyn Roberts, image supplied.

“Since starting as Business Development Manager for Bar H Grazing I've been asked by three different people if I'm the new secretary! It doesn't really matter but I bet a male my age wouldn't be asked if he was secretary for a medium scale agricultural business. It never really affected me as a project manager but it will be interesting to see if others treat me different because I'm a female manager with a fancy new title and not simply a male station manager like they're used to.”

Sexism can also be unintentional and rather a lack of consideration over something as simple as toilet requirements. Dr Jo Newton, a research geneticist working with the dairy industry, has seen it all ranging from clean, lockable toilets complete with a sanitary bin right outside a shearing shed, to having a half hour drive to the nearest facilities.

Dr Jo Newton with calves, 2017, image supplied.

“I'm capable of squatting behind a tree (or finding a handy ute to offer cover when no trees are available), however I do find this an uncomfortable experience when not familiar with my host, especially when I am the only female present.”

Communication

Communication is an issue that many women have identified with in their daily lives. In particular internet availability, cost, and data amounts. There is probably nothing as frustrating as dealing with our city cousins who do not understand that we have run out of data for the month (“How can you run out of data,” they of the unlimited plans ask aghast) or have had to drive fifteen minutes to the top of a hill, crawl onto the roof of our vehicle and hold the phone at a 37 degree angle to get reception.

Reliable internet underpins many of the other issues facing everyone in agriculture. Sufficient internet speed and data would allow Bessie to open up her social world. It allows Lynne to find her tribe and Anika to connect with people all over the world, which is so important to her studies. It allows Bronwyn, who’s alter ego Farmer Bron is popular on social media, to communicate with those interested in agriculture. And it allows YFC Rebecca Thislethwaite, pictured below, to undertake her PhD on breeding wheat varieties, and collaborate with scientists around the world from the vast plains of the Narrabri in western New South Wales.

Rebecca Thislethwaite, image Kieran Shephard, 2015.

At Art4Agriculture we believe partnerships and collaboration are the solution to many of the big challenges in agriculture, an ethos women all over the world share. The challenge is how we connect these women. This was the driving force behind the Young Farming Champions program. What seemed like a straightforward concept at the outset has become a trigger for so much growth and contribution. It lights the fire, then those participants, once sparked, seem to carry their own torch. We are proud of our YFCs – proud of the fact all of them continue to pursue careers in agriculture, proud they advocate on behalf of agriculture and proud of their involvement with the next generation having visited over 210 schools and taken their stories to over 140,000 students.

Likewise the Invisible Farmer Project shines a light on women in agriculture. It’s an opportunity for other women, policy makers and change makers to identify likeminded thinkers and bring them together. Just imagine what we could achieve if we all worked together across sectors, industries and communities to pool resources, pool thinking and pool skills for the benefit of all.