This episode was recorded as part of a Centralian Land Management Association project - which they have kindly shared with our listeners In this episode, we speak with Col Stanton, a highly respected figure across the outback for his intuitive understanding of diverse landscapes and his unrivaled ability to implement interventions that improve water infiltration and repair erosion damage. Col is in high demand, frequently flown to stations around the country to teach workshops and pass on his knowledge. He carries the wisdom and experience of a lifelong bushman—so you’d be forgiven for thinking he was born and raised on the land. However, as Col explains, his 40-year career—one that would ultimately see him recognized as an expert in his field—began unexpectedly, following a tumultuous and traumatic start to life. If anyone embodies the true meaning of resilience, it’s Col. And it was a true privilege to hear his story. **Trigger warning for sexual assault** Red Centre Reflections is a Centralian Land Management Association project, supported by FRRR through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:31:32
Gary Prior - Red Centre Reflections
*This episode was recorded as part of a Centralian Land Management Association project - which they have kindly shared with our listeners* In this episode, we hear from Gary Prior. Between Gary and his father Bill, the Prior family managed Hamilton Downs Station for 40 years. And as Gary says, moving to the station at the age of 6 was the best thing that ever happened to him. While he’s always called Hamilton Downs home, and working on the station was all he ever wanted to do, Gary’s path turned out to be quite different from his father’s. In this episode, he reflects on his journey on and off the land—how life pulled him in other directions, and how he took it all in stride. He adapted, worked hard wherever he was, and still managed to build a life he’s proud of— all of which would be key to building the resilience that helped him through his biggest challenge. Red Centre Reflections is a Centralian Land Management Association project, supported by FRRR through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:27:50
David Bird - Red Centre Reflections
*This episode was recorded as part of a Centralian Land Management Association project - which they have kindly shared with our listeners* In this episode, we sit down with David Bird of Indiana Station, a fourth-generation pastoralist continuing his family’s legacy on the land in Central Australia. David shares insights into how the experiences and resilience of those who came before him have shaped his outlook and approach to station life. Our conversation explores his deep understanding of the landscape, his grounded, pragmatic response to the highs and lows brought about by Mother Nature, and what it takes to make it in the bush. Red Centre Reflections is a Centralian Land Management Association project, supported by FRRR through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:00:56
Libby Gooch - Sink or Swim [Voices of the Gascoyne]
This episode is part of a mini-series produced for the Gascoyne Catchment’s Group, who have kindly allowed me to share it with you. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it.** n this episode we hear the incredible story of Libby Gooch. The year is 1972 and Libby is a young mother living on Manberry Station with her husband George and their 3 children. In a matter of months, she loses not one, but two of the men in her life. In an instant, her world is changed irrevocably, and Libby finds herself facing the fight of her life to keep the family property. The road is fraught with challenges and sacrifice, as the only woman in the region, and perhaps one of a few in the country, to be at the helm of a pastoral business. As you’re about to hear, Libby’s story is not defined by the tragedies and hard times she has faced. It’s what she chose to do in the wake of them that is her story. A story of resilience, determination, and true grit at a time when the odds have never been stacked so high. Libby, who was 87 at the time of recording, is notoriously private and was very reluctant to share her story, so it is a real privilege to be able to share it with you. To start our conversation, I asked Libby to take me back to where her story in the pastoral industry began. Voices of the Gascoyne is a Gascoyne Catchments Group project, made possible through support from FRRR’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:02:58
Jos & Jenny Percy - From Wandina to Williambury [Voices of the Gascoyne]
**This episode is part of a mini-series produced for the Gascoyne Catchment’s Group, who have kindly allowed me to share it with you. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it.** Jos Percy’s childhood on Yoothapina Station was cut short by drought and war. Instead of making mudcakes and mustering sheep, he changed schools 12 times in 3 years, as the threat of invasion dictated his father’s postings in the army. After the war, the Percy family found their way to Wandina Station in the southern Rangelands - initially as managers, then as owners. It didnt take long for Jos to adapt to station life again, as he worked on properties around the country before coming home as manager. It was during this time he met his future bride, Jenny, and together they embarked upon the management of Williambury Station in the Gascoyne for the next 30 years, before achieving their goal of purchasing the property. At the time of this recording, Jos and Jenny were ages 89 and 82. To start our conversation, I asked Jos to tell me about his earliest memories. Voices of the Gascoyne is a Gascoyne Catchments Group project, made possible through support from FRRR’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
About Central Station - True Stories from Outback Australia
True stories from the Australian Outback, told by the people who live them.
Meet the men and women who live and work on some of Australia’s most remote cattle stations.
There are tales of mustering, stock camps, working dogs, rogue cattle and hard bloody yakka, but also the fun of a bush wedding or kicking back at a rodeo.
There’s the simple wonder of living in an amazing landscape, but also the downside: the ravages of flood, fire and drought.
And always there’s the inherent danger of isolation – times when the Flying Doctor came to the rescue, but also times when lives have been tragically cut short.
These compelling true-life stories show what outback life is really like – and why many wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Australia