Your Actions Will Dictate What Jobs You Get...

Each year, prior to a new season commencing, Ben sent his new charges a few words of wisdom which he had developed over the years from his experiences on several cattle stations. He owes much of this advice to lessons learned and knowledge gained from previous managers and staff who have worked for him. Some of the tips may be unique to Kamilaroi, but many can be applied to situations or jobs you will have in life. Personally, I wish I had been sent this list when I first started out on a cattle station. You will do well following them in whatever you choose to do.

Over to you Ben… It’s that time of year when our young leave home to work on stations, those in the north head south and south up north… All of your actions will dictate what jobs you get, how you will advance within the business and ultimately how much you are going to enjoy your experience.

• Always roll your swag tight and neat. A tight swag takes up less space on the cart, stack it with a fold-down so it doesn’t fill with dirt.

• Always sleep with your boots and whip in your swag so the dingos don’t steal them at night.

• Always have a jumper and clean socks in your swag in case of a sudden cold night.

• Never cut in front of the boss with stock, watch and learn.

• Keep a small travel bag to house 2 pairs of jeans, 3 shirts, 3 socks, and 3 jocks.

• Wash socks and jocks every night, change jeans every 3-4 days, and shirts 2-3 days.

• Always have a clean shirt in case you need to visit a neighbour or return to the house for supplies; neither wishes to see a dirty, smelly ringer.

• Maintain a clean and tidy appearance, deodorant and toothbrush. Use your cup to clean your teeth with… well away from the campsite.

• You can perform a full body wash with a cup of water, face, ears, neck, armpits, groin and feet.

• Drink from all cups with your bottom lip in the cup not on the outer.

• Maintain cleanliness in a camp, always wash your hands, boils and diarrhoea go through a camp quickly

• At least one piece of fruit per day is recommended to maintain bowel movement. Bowel movement may not occur for the first 2-3 days as your body will use everything.

• If without paper for bowel movement… wash with water and dry with the back of the shirt. NOTE: Buy shirts with long back tails!

• Black tea will not clog your system like coffee and milk, so learn to drink black sugarless tea.

• Cold tea will taste colder than plain water.

• Teach your body to evacuate once a day, morning or night. Not all camp horses are great to mount while out mustering.

• Talcum powder, if you are prone to chafing.

• Remove your hat when indoors. (never put it on the dining table)

• Refrain from idle gossip; those who gossip with you will gossip also against you.

• Be polite and mindful of those you encounter.

• Always be grateful to the cook and offer assistance when you can; this will place you well for any potential surpluses.

• Never stand idle, grab a broom and sweep the shed, rake leaves, stack tyres, whatever, to show initiative, as this action will keep you on the books when many are moved on.

• Always check your horse for ailments, and grease their mouth every day. Rub them down with your fingers each time the saddle is removed.

• Always greet your horse in the morning and thank it in the evening.

• Check your saddle cloth and girth for burs every time prior to installing.

• Always check the girth again before mounting.

• Always check the bit as part of your daily horse care; a well-fitted bit is essential for safe and effective cattle handling.

• Ride with your legs forward and heels down, heels up and your bum bone rubs, and you won’t last a day.

• You know nothing about horses until the head stockman tells you.

• Show your horse that you are someone who matters, and they will give their all.

• Most companies insist on you supplying a handheld UHF, you will require a lightweight shoulder harness. Must be light in weight and have a strap to prevent the radio from falling out. Some harnesses keep falling off the shoulder, extremely annoying. Don’t go with something that generates a lot of heat… it will be hot enough.

• If you can, drink from the waterhole or dams before the cattle do… first thing they do is lift tail and drain. After a few thousand cattle do this, the water becomes very ‘salty’.

• Remember your parents, though they may state they are happy you are leaving home, they are really yearning for you, so be kind and thoughtful of their situation.

• Be happy in all situations, be generous with assistance, be forthcoming with praise, be diligent with work, be kind and thoughtful to the livestock, be everything you can for your horse as it is the horse that will make or break your venture.

ABOUT BEN…

Ben Reardon was born in 2000 in Kyogle, a small farming town in northern NSW. The school system wasn’t for Ben and he left at 15. Northern Australia seemed to have a better classroom… an outdoor one.

His first opportunity was suggested by Jack Robinson, introducing him to Robin and Robbie White who ran a contact mustering and fencing business, where he worked in 2016 in their 2nd camp for Matt and Alyce Clarke. Throughout that year Ben did contracting work on 10 cattle stations.

It was whilst doing contract mustering at Stanbroke’s Glenore Station that he approached Clint and Wendy Wockner for a full time position the following year. Ben was successful and worked the 2017 season with Clint and Wendy. In 2018 Ben continued to work for Stanbroke under James and Brooke Telford.

Ben led the team at Kamilaroi in 2022 as the Head Stockman under Managers Michael and Rachael Chaplain, highlighting the importance of the manager role in station operations.

February 2024 update: At the end of Mustering Season 2022, Ben departed Stanbroke, at age 22, and returned home to help his Mum and Dad on the family farm near Kyogle in Northern NSW.

Tragically in February 2023 his father took his own life at age 52. Ben’s father was a significant influence in his life and was a devoted father to Ben and his siblings.

Ben and his family—2 brothers, a sister and his Mum—grew up as children on the family farm, experiencing firsthand the role of children in station life and the importance of family in rural communities. They are reeling from the shock, but have picked up the pieces and are moving forward as best they can… Ben is now at Marcus Oldham College to study for the next few years—he says returning to Northern Australia to work on cattle stations again is not out of the question.

You can listen to Sam Fryer’s interview with Ben in October 2023 on his podcast ‘A Place to Call Home’, which is available to the public for listening.