Our life was in limbo. An uncomfortable and sad transition from a busy, fulfilling, successful business life of 40 years and now after a stressful demise, we were readjusting to new circumstances forced upon us, where we find ourselves getting back on our feet after financial collapse. Our family and friends have been a great support and as the cliché says “Time heals” but meanwhile knowing full well that every moment of life is precious, instead of stagnating and wallowing in the drowning effects of self pity, my ever positive (in the face of ALL adversities) husband, Terry, extended his beginner computer skills to “surf the net”.
One morning in March, out of the blue and after a session “surfing the net”, he announced … “Let’s go to this outback cattle station in the middle of Queensland”.
He’d come across a plea for help on a cattle station south of Richmond, near Julia Creek – the owner had broken his ankle, his wife was stranded on their Cape York station, the managers had walked off and the cattle and property were in the dire straits of drought. There was no answer possible, except “yes”.
Days later we arrived to a desert-type desolate property, no grass on 40,000 acres, a herd of cattle being hand-fed but shrinking to skin and bone as the days wore on, and the beginning of the dry season, making this a three year drought!
The owner was desperately trying to sell, to de-stock as soon as possible but the prices were incredibly low and very few buyers adding to the intense pressure. We quickly realised we were not going to make a significant difference but any effort was going to be appreciated. We used our “phone a friend” option, however there was no-one who could join forces. Through our network BlazeAid was recommended because of their reputation in helping farmers affected b y natural disasters of fire, flood or cyclone.
BlazeAid President Kevin Butler quickly explained that their constitution could only assist in declared natural disasters i.e., flood, fire, cyclone and did not think declared drought regions were declared natural disaster, yet Barnaby Joyce and some other politicians were “pushing for it”.
Terry approached politicians and “Australia All Over” to get the “pollies” to move. Many fruitless hours were invested in conversations with politicians who although sympathetic resulted in a verbal comment along the lines that although “the Liberal Party want drought to be declared a natural disaster, it would take too long to change the constitutions in all the departments, i.e., fire, police, emergency services etc.” Terry logically thought BlazeAid could be persuaded to make their relevant changes. BlazeAid held an extraordinary meeting and changed their constitution and insurance coverage for their volunteers. This happened within days and a week later the first volunteers arrived and got “stuck into it”.
Communities of Richmond and Julia Creek are so pleased that people have come to help, “without hidden agendas”. It is purely Aussies helping Aussies. A cattle buyer from Gulargambone came to the property I am on and said, “BlazeAid is as Aussie as Anzac and everyone involved should be very proud.” A lot more volunteers are needed and anyone and everyone is invited to join BlazeAid – www.blazeaid.com.au . For the ensuing couple of months, we witnessed a truly great thing – Aussies helping Aussies – it is real “goose-bump material”.
The chapter of us on the cattle station was however outside that of being a member of BlazeAid because BlazeAid has a set of rules and guidelines to ensure their volunteers are covered by insurance and this does not extend to caretaker positions.
We have been privileged to have experienced day to day life on a cattle station with it’s many highs and many lows, meeting and sharing time and effort with the workers, owners and many Aussie characters who are the backbone of our “outback”. There’s much to do and consequently Starts at 60 have welcomed this story and the following opportunity. Please take time to consider the offer and maybe like us the personal benefits will be immense – “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself”.
Volunteer Caretaker Position:
Available for immediate start. Location Central Queensland and/or Cape York Cattle Stations.
Terms of Engagement
Requirements:
i. Maintain homestead and living quarters
ii. Maintain garden/grass/lawn
iii. Maintain bore/water system – repair or report problems
iv. Feed and care for any animals – chooks, dogs, livestock
v. Assist with farm duties if able
vi. 3 to 6 months expectation with possibility to continue or opportunity to relocate
Provided:
i. Accommodation – electricity, gas, telephone, internet, no mobile coverage
ii. Food and beverage (non-alcoholic)
iii. Farm vehicles (not for private use)
iv. Farm tools and equipment
Details:
In exchange for commitment and volunteer efforts this is a
i. Live in position
ii. Suit couple
iii. Previous farm experience not necessary
iv. Honesty, diligence, common sense
d. Good communication
If you think you could take on this position, contact Terry using: email – terry.maloney53@yahoo.com.au or phone – 0400 840 66
Have you done volunteer work throughout rural Australia before? Where were you and how did you find the experience? Tell us in the comments below…
