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What's It Really Like Being a Governess on a Cattle Station? Holly Gorroick Shares Her Story

15 Jul, 2026

When most people think about working on a cattle station, they picture ringers, helicopters and horses. But behind the scenes there's another role that's just as important. The Governess, or 'Govie' as they're affectionately known. Twenty-year-old Holly Gorroick from Ipswich, Queensland, has spent the past two years working as a Governess on a family-owned cattle station in the Gulf of Carpentaria region of the Northern Territory,...

How to Become a Mustering Pilot in Australia: Donal Sullivan's Story

14 Jul, 2026

At 31, Donal Sullivan has experienced cattle station life from almost every angle. She grew up on a cattle station near Katherine in the Northern Territory, worked on the ground in stock camps and kitchens, flew helicopters as a professional mustering pilot across northern Australia, and has now returned home to work on the family property. Today, mustering pilots are in demand across northern Australia, helping pastoral companies move...

How to Get a Station Hand Job in Australia (2027 Guide)

10 Jul, 2026

How to Get a Station Hand Job in Australia (2027 Guide) Everything you need to know to land your first cattle station job, impress employers and kick-start a career in Australia’s livestock industry. Jump to a Section What is a station hand? Do you need experience? Station hand readiness checklist Licences and qualifications Practical skills employers value How to prepare your résumé Writing your...

The Blokes Under The Brim at Brunette

07 Jul, 2026

How 17-year-old Annie-Maree Martin is capturing the spirit of Australia's ringers, one portrait at a time. Every June, the Brunette Races draw people from every corner of northern Australia to the legendary Brunette Downs Station on the Barkly Tableland. Dating back to 1910, when neighbouring stations Alexandria, Brunette Downs and Creswell Downs established the A.B.C. Amateur Race Club, the races have become one of the Northern...

What Does 'Ringers from the Top End' Mean? History & Modern Jobs Explained

30 Jun, 2026

If you’ve spent any time in the Australian outback or working in agriculture, you’ve probably heard the phrase ' Ringers from the Top End.' But what does it really mean, and where does it come from? In this post, we’ll explore the history, the modern meaning, and the jobs associated with this iconic outback term. What is a “Ringer from the Top End”? A 'ringer from the top end' refers to a highly skilled stock worker, or ringer ,...

From Horses to Herd Data: Chris Morrow's Modern Pilbara Muster

25 Jun, 2026

I've known Chris Morrow for a few years now. The former Kimberley station manager has spent much of his career working cattle across northern Australia and, like many station managers, he's turned his hand to just about everything along the way, from flying helicopters and driving road trains to riding horses and, most importantly, being a husband and dad. Chris driving a road train in 2023. Today, Chris is based in Broome with his...

Three Station Hands, 1,500 Brahmans and a Kimberley Sunset

23 Jun, 2026

Kimberley sunsets and dust always make for a good photo, but this one tells a much bigger story. Pictured above are Station Hands Lucy Shallcross from the Pilbara in Western Australia, Lucy Simpson from Southern NSW and Alyce Robben from Central Queensland after a long day's work at Blina Station in the West Kimberley. The photo was taken following a particularly dusty afternoon in the yards during the station's first-round muster. The...

"If It Helps One Kid Chase Their Dream..."

23 Jun, 2026

It took me a while to convince Ben Young to let me feature him the RFTTEJOBS newsletter. Like many ringers, Ben isn't one for the limelight. But eventually he agreed, telling me: "If this helps one kid to have confidence to leave his or her hometown and head north to chase their dreams, I guess it's worth it." That's a pretty good reason. At just 24 years old, Ben has already packed plenty into his cattle industry journey. Growing up...

The Best Smoko You've Ever Had: Station Cooks & Their Legendary Feeds

23 Jun, 2026

There’s something sacred about smoko on a cattle station. Whether the crew is out in the stock camp, fencing, working cattle in the yards or back at the homestead, smoko is the pause that keeps the day moving. It is not just a tea break. It is a chance to refuel, catch your breath, come up with a nickname for a mate, have a yarn and work out what still needs doing before knock-off - and yes smoko can still include a 'rolly' or...

What Does It Mean to Be a Pastoralist?

18 Jun, 2026

The year 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. It offers a unique opportunity to showcase and celebrate the landscapes and people who shape Central Australia’s rangelands. Covering around 75% of the country, the rangelands are closely associated with the outback and are deeply embedded in Australia’s culture and identity. Recently, Central Australia-based livestock engagement officer Caleb Schwartz from the...

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

29 May, 2026

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...

Going the Distance on Chainsaw the Rodeo Bull

27 May, 2026

Chainsaw: The Legendary Bucking Bull Dave Johnston Rode Into Rodeo Folklore By Brent Langley Chainsaw was not just a bucking bull. He was an Australian rodeo icon. Unpredictable, athletic and almost impossible to ride, Chainsaw became one of the most feared and famous bulls in Australian rodeo history. For years, hundreds of riders tried to conquer him. Only a handful ever lasted the full eight seconds. Then, on 30 May 1987 at...

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