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Humpty Doo Digger! Vale. Ted Egan.

10 Dec, 2025

"I have no great skills in life but I'm a very good observer and I get my pleasure - and my income - from writing books and songs principally about exciting and interesting people..." Ted Egan, aged 90. I must admit Ted Egan's song's didn't get into my top song's playlist for 2025 - but 'Drovers Boy' has always stirred up emotions - it's a classic; many of you may have been lucky enough to hear Ted play it on a beer carton (he called it...

Sarawak Stock Take (1985) – A Rare Look Back at Northern Australia’s Cattle Heritage

26 Nov, 2025

Every now and then, a piece of outback history resurfaces that perfectly captures the spirit, scale and character of cattle station life. Sarawak Stock Take (1985) is one of those gems - a classic documentary featuring the Malaysian-owned Rosewood stockcamp and the very first live exports to Malaysia, paired with breathtaking aerial footage across some of northern Australia’s most iconic country. I first discovered this documentary a...

Govies, Gowns & Ringers Rugby

23 Nov, 2025

It was great to see the cattle station community come together again in mid November - after a long season, it was time for cattle station staff to let their hair down in Katherine, NT... on Friday night it was the Govies Gala celebrating the tireless work of Governess's, Home Tutors and Nanny's where frocks were donned and penguin suits dusted off; then on the Saturday, hamstrings stretched and boots strapped on, it was a day of Ringers...

King of the Outback Skies!

22 Nov, 2025

Many of you will know Kerry Slingsby or at least know of him, as he was indeed once King of the Outback Skies - a legend. The documentary of the same name aired on TV in 1998, but has since been sitting unavailable due to copyright laws on a dusty shelf in Canberra at the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA). So in late 2018, I was determined to get this important historical footage of Outback Australia to the public...

'So It’s Your First Rodeo'

15 Nov, 2025

Darcy McKenzie from Yaralla Droughtmasters near Blackwater, QLD took to the stage in Roma, in front of more than 250 people at the Young Beef Producers Forum in November 2025, sharing his experience in the Advancing Beef Leaders Program. As part of the ABL group, Darcy helped create the booklet “So It’s Your First Rodeo,” designed to support those starting out in the beef industry, on a cattle station in particular....

What To Bring To A Cattle Station: Packing List

13 Nov, 2025

Heading to a cattle station for the first time can feel daunting, especially when it comes to knowing what gear to pack. If you’re wondering what to bring to a cattle station, you’re not alone—many first-timers have the same question. With the help of RFTTE members and a few stations, we’ve put together a list of essential items and recommendations to make life easier. For example, if you’re flying in, you may be limited to one checked...

Top Tips When Applying For a Job

11 Nov, 2025

Take the time to identify your relevant skills, key achievements, and transferable skills that align with the requirements of the job ad. Research the company and business to understand their core activities, mission, and values, so you can tailor your application and interview responses accordingly. When tailoring your cover letter and resume, make sure your application aligns with the organisation's mission and culture to show genuine...

Why some stations don't take dogs

10 Nov, 2025

Here's a succinctly and well written piece telling us why a lot of properties won’t allow you to bring your dogs with you. In a nutshell, some employers do take dogs and some don't... it's a simple case of asking before you go... so there are no surprises! NO DOGS ALLOWED Let's talk about dogs. Everyone loves them, and so do we. The 'no dogs' condition is very common on cattle stations and every time we advertise a position vacant, we...

Bush Mechanics - Ingenious Australians!

02 Nov, 2025

Ellenbrae Station on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley is a beauty… “This photo was shared with us by Allan. He and his family were travelling in the Kimberley in 1986 when their back axle broke near the Gibb River Road. When it happened they sat down, had a cup of tea and came up with the plan you see in the photo. They drove the 110km like this from the corner of the Kalumburu Road all the way back to Derby, even passing a...

Kimberley Cattle Indo Bound... Maitie Webb's Journey North

01 Nov, 2025

I first met Maitland 'Maitie' Webb back in 2018 at the Birdsville Races. She was helping out with her Dad's helicopter business, and even in our brief chat back then, it was clear she was destined to head north. Fast forward seven years, and at just 29, Maitie’s already carved out quite a career - I fired off a few questions while she was Indo-bound on a live export boat... How did you end up on a boat to Indonesia? Maitie: I’d...

Flying High Across the Top End: The Story of ‘The Flying Vet’

31 Oct, 2025

Step back in time with The Flying Vet , a fascinating documentary that follows David Bradley and his wife Susan, operators of the world’s largest veterinary practice. From their tiny Cessna flying out of Kununurra, David served cattle stations across northern Australia, with David being an integral part of the fight against TB in the Top End. The film captures breathtaking aerial shots, raw and authentic stock work, and plenty of...

Christmas Creek Love Story

31 Oct, 2025

Kris Utech these days in his trusty hat Clancy Utech , 24, from the NT contacted RFTTE by Instagram saying: 'I showed my Dad the photos that Lynette Wood shared recently and he loved them! He speaks of life on the stations daily so was excited to take another trip down memory lane. My dad, Kris Utech, was the Head Stockman of Christmas Creek station in the Kimberley from 1985 - 1989. He met my mum, Christine, who was the Govie on...

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