Life on the Land

We celebrate the winners of the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in this special series of Graziher's Life on the Land podcast. In this episode you'll meet Mandy Walker, the 2024 Western Australian winner who is supporting regional businesses to diversify and flourish, in conversation with Sammie O'Brien. The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women in the business, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer. The award recognises the women having a positive impact in rural industries, businesses and communities and inspires the next generation of female leaders across all aspects of regional, rural and remote Australia. Mandy Walker co-owns Walkers Diesel Services in Wongan Hills, a town 185 kilometres north-east of Perth in Western Australia. She's a passionate advocate for family business in regional areas and has developed a game-changing business model for other engineering enterprises in the Wheatbelt.

Leila McDougall… There’s not a lot she hasn’t done. In her own words, she’s had ‘a very elaborate career path’. Fashion designer, school teacher, showgirl, and now film maker; the latter, possibly her greatest role yet.   Just a Farmer is an independent film, set in rural Victoria, exploring ‘generational trauma, love, loss, and the undeniable resilience of a farming community in the face of tragedy’. It’s a must watch, a difficult watch at times, but brilliant none the less.    Growing up on a property in Walcha, in the New England area of New South Wales, Leila was driven to not only produce but star in the film through her own personal experiences with mental health. Despite having no prior experience, Leila is completely incredible in her starring role in the film, and beautifully depicts the challenges of rural life.  This episode is brought to you thanks to the support of Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association. Are you ready for a winter escape? Welcome to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales' premier wine region. Picture this: crisp winter air, beautiful shiraz and cozy fireside lounges. It’s the perfect getaway. Enjoy wine tastings at award-winning wineries and savour gourmet food crafted from local produce. Need some adventure? Try hot air ballooning over vineyards or unwind with a spa day at luxurious retreats. So, pack your bags and discover the magic of Hunter Valley this winter. Visit winecountry.com.au/winter [winecountry.com.au/winter] to plan your trip today. Here's to the good life!

Steph Trethewey is no stranger to Graziher’s Life on the Land subscribers. The accomplished journalist was awarded the AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year in 2022 and she was also crowned the 2024 Tasmanian of the Year. Her online community Motherland has been a tremendous support for hundreds of Australian women and she’s told countless stories through her popular podcast of the same name. Following her recent involvement on a panel discussion at Graziher’s Up Early event at Beef 2024, Steph talks to host Sammie O’Brien about how life has changed following her successes.

Julie McDonald is one of Australia’s most impressive beef industry leaders. Wonderfully down to earth and wildly intelligent, Julie’s humble and optimistic personality is captivating. She is the CFO of one of Australia's largest privately owned beef enterprises, McDonald Holdings, and is a brilliant advocate for encouraging the next generation to excel in the agricultural industry. In this episode, she’s in conversation with Sammie O’Brien about what makes her tick, her hopes for her four daughters and what she thinks the future looks like for the beef industry.

Alison Lester’s books have become iconic staples for many Australian children, making her a household name right across the country. Not only are her timeless tales eagerly awaited as a bedtime story, her words and illustrations are woven into the fabric of so many families’ lives. She’s the cherished author whose stories and illustrations, such as ‘Magic Beach’ and ‘Kissed by the Moon’ filled our childhoods, and now, adorn the bookshelves of our children, evoking waves of nostalgia from our own youthful days. Originally from a picturesque property near Foster in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, where the undulating hills converge with the vast expanse of the sea, Alison now calls Nar Nar Goon North, her home. An hour out of Melbourne in West Gippsland, she, her husband and their horses, revel in the serenity of their sprawling 10-acre property as told to Sammie O’Brien.