Journey’s end – for now ….. Guest Blog by Augustine Mathews

One of my favourite poems is My Country by Dorothea Mackellar

“I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of drought, and flooding rains”. We’ve all heard it and there is, for me, now an extra element that I have gained an appreciation for - our farmers.

As a city kid I have never really given too much thought to the ‘man on the land’ other than when they appear in the headlines as those doing it tough in the drought. Now I feel completely differently.

The time I spent in the growth region that extends from the Great Dividing Range west to St George has really served to open my eyes. Talking to the people whose livelihoods depend on fickle Mother Nature has given me a far greater appreciation of the tightrope so many of our growers tread. Rain on a ready crop of cotton or wheat will decimate a crop, while not enough water makes it impossible to grow anything. A big ask of a country where rain seems to come in two types – too much or too little.

Our homeward trip was an expedition of crop naming for me; cotton, sorghum, cattle, sheep, fields waiting for wheat. When I asked Danielle if we could go into a field to photograph the sorghum I was horrified to learn that my innocent desire for a photograph could cost a farmer their livelihood. There is a fungus that can be walked into a field and devastate the crop not only for that year, but also for future usage. 

Acres of sorghum

Image by Augustine Mathews

We came across a field where the header (the machine that harvests sorghum and wheat) was taking a sample and we were given permission to come in and take some shots. I have to say – it is a photographers paradise. I could have stayed for hours.

 The header clips the sorghum then separates the grain from the chaff

Image by Augustine Mathews

Our mission as we headed west was to teach photography to those who would learn in St George, but on reflection, I think I learnt more than I taught. I’d like to thank the marvellous people who came along for their hospitality and their willingness to teach the city kid a few things. 

 Mountains of sorghum 

Image by Augustine Mathews

For my city cousins I say – go west. There is an amazing part of the country with visual images to stun and people who will welcome you and share their stories. I’m home again now but I have to say – I’m looking forward to my next chance to head west again … I hear the early April harvest of cotton from the dazzling acres of white is pretty impressive.

And the lessons just keep coming…. A Guest Blog By Augustine Mathews

There is a lot to be said for the ‘hospitality of the outback’.  There is a magical quality to the air and I think that it must rub off on the people who live here.  (A lady today told me it is the dust and that there is nothing magical about dust, it just involves a lot of cleaning).

In the 2 days I have been in the St George region I have met so many wonderful people. Yesterday Danielle took me out to meet some friends that have a place a little way out of town. That should read as a 52,000 acre property 60+km from town!

Rounding a corner on the dusty scrub sided road we came to Rosehill Station and the oasis that is the home of the Beardmores. Elaine had started baking as soon as she heard we were coming and John was warming up the vocal chords to spin a few yarns. I have to say that Elaine bakes a mean jam drop biscuit and their home was peaceful and relaxing. Listening to John relate stories from his youth (which was a little while ago) took me on a journey to a time that was full of adventure and the thrill of property life. I was filled with city girl envy for those times and the different-ness of life on the land.

Danielle, John and Elaine

Image by Augustine Mathews

Today we got to meet 18 keen photography students who were participating in our regional St George workshop. I am quite comfortable speaking to groups while teaching and can get a real flow up as I explain about the rural scene depicted in many of our power point slides. Today, however, was different. There is something slightly off-putting about telling country folk about the cattle sale yard photos when I know they know more about it than I do. And of course Danielle had filled them with tales of my wide eyed city girl wonder. I have to say though, no one laughed at me, only with me and reaffirmed my love of all things country. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings J

P.S. For those frog lovers - head out this way. There are green tree frogs everywhere.

Image by Augustine Mathews

So much to learn – so little time!!! Guest blog by Augustine Mathews

Often when Danielle goes on her out of town work she gets requests left and right for folks offering to “carry her bags” just so that they can join the journey. As with most things in life there is never enough room in the schedule to include a “fun” side trip to be able to share her travels. Lucky for me we had enough people booked into the classes Bluedog is presenting in Saint George (South Western Queensland) that an extra tutor was needed and I got the call up.

Now people often tell me that I have the best job on the planet – taking photos all the time but the reality is that often I am the last person to pick up a camera and snap away as I am busily helping others achieve their photographic ambitions. This time though distance was on my side. It has taken 2 days of, admittedly, fairly ‘easy’ driving to get out here to St. George so the opportunity to pause for a photo op is not one I would overlook. Now when I say easy driving, for those like Danielle who grew up in outback Queensland it might be easy, but I have to say – those big trucks with their 3 trailers swinging all over the road had my pulse rate rising a few times as we overtook them half on, half off the road, but thankfully Danielle knew when to sit back and when to pass.

And this was only the first lesson of many. We had the chance to visit the Nindigully pub and again, city slicker naiveté kicked in. This place is the oldest pub in Queensland and is a classic long verandah beside the river type of place with hitching rails out the front and corrugated iron on the roof. I asked was it working? “What do mean working?”, “Well, does it still serve beer?” Ooops! Apparently out here things are not just for show but actually are fully operational. “Cool! We have to go in for a beer!” was my cry and a beer was what I had. It was like a step back in time with ringers hats lining the walls and the original cobb and co. timetables still advertising coach trips. Absolutely brilliant.

     

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Image by Danielle Lancaster

We then went out to visit one of Danielle’s long term friends who has a little place just up the road. (I’ll tell you about him tomorrow except to say that his little place is 52,000 acres). As we were barrelling up a red dirt road we reached the turnoff onto the property and a sight I never would have believed had I not seen it myself. At the fork in the road stands a tree with the most grisly assortment of Christmas decorations I have ever seen. Desiccated dingos hanging by their back legs.

Now as a city slicker I had read of the “doggers” who trap the dingoes to aid the sheep farmers but I had never seen their handywork. It is amazing. The dingoes cause such problems with livestock losses that the doggers come in and trap or shoot the animals and are awarded a scalp price by the shire. To show that they are out and about working, the carcasses are hung to dry at the road junction. Now while I understand that this seems gruesome it is a part of living on the land. Visually, while a little disturbing, it was an incredible photographic opportunity. And I think the thing that makes it best for me, I had a country girl right next to me who knew what it was about and why it was done.

Image by Augustine Mathews

I tell you, if you ever want to learn about south-western Queensland, come join Danielle and get a real lesson.  Having a ball so far and the trip is a long way from done.