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 the story of Gil Bowman. 

From as soon as he could walk, Gil was, as he says, always trying to “make a few bob”. 

With his strong work ethic and determination, and the few bob he had made along the way, he purchased Pine Hill Station in 1968, at just 28 years old. 

Turning Pine Hill from a relatively undeveloped block into a functioning, profitable cattle station took years of hard work, resourcefulness, and creativity - all things Gil was never short of. 

His story is a true example of a young fella just having a crack at life, with plenty of adventures along the way.

To start our conversation, I asked Gil, who was 85 at the time of this recording, the share his earliest memories from his childhood during World War 2.

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.

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 Tony and Pam Davis who’s journey of land ownership has taken them from Central Australia to Queensland, South Australia, the Top End, and finally back home right to where they started.

With 6 decades of experience raising cattle, managing the landscape, and making a life from it, there’s not much these two haven’t seen.

Tony and Pam have had one heck of an adventure with plenty of ups and downs along the way, all the while fuelled by their deep connection to the land. 

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.

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 chat with Steve and Bec Cadzow from Mt Riddock Station. The Cadzow family ventured into pastoralism more than 60 years ago with the purchase of a cattle station in the Northern Territory—despite having no prior experience living or working in the region.

Today, they’re widely respected for their high-quality Poll Hereford herd and forward-thinking approach to land management. While much has changed since Steve’s parents first arrived in the Territory, some things have stayed the same: they work hard, work smart, and always do what’s best for the land. 

To start our conversation, I asked Steve how his family came to own a cattle station in the heart of the outback.

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.

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.

*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.

*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.

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.

**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.

**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.** 

In this episode, we speak to Tim and Chris D’Arcy from Lyndon Station.

Tim D’Arcy’s childhood on Lyndon Station was full of adventure and freedom. Accompanied by friends and mentors from the local Aboriginal community, he developed a love of the land and a dream to own his own station one day.

And, with the help of his wife, Tim would make that dream come true several times over. Today, Lyndon Station has been under the care of the D’Arcy family for over 90 years.

To start our conversation, I asked Tim to share the story of how his father came to be on Lyndon.

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.

**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 speak to Mick and Winsome Hearman, whose family called Middayla Station home for 120 years. For four generations, the Hearmans poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the land, building a thriving sheep station and enduring the highs and lows of life in the bush.

​They’ve seen it all—from facing the devastation caused by fires, cyclones, and droughts, to the introduction of aerial mustering and motorbikes. In fact - Mick played a key role in the design off the first off-road motorbike developed for mustering in Australia.

In this episode, Mick recalls the golden age of pastoralism, a time when the wool industry flourished and the outback was alive with opportunity. But he also shares the heartbreak of the wool market crash that changed everything.

And if that’s not enough, we’ve got a love story woven into this incredible journey—a testament to resilience, partnership, and the unbreakable bond between two people who’ve weathered it all.

It was an absolute privilege to sit down with Mick and Winesome, who at the time of this recording, were both 89 years young. So, let’s dive into the lives and legacy of the Hearmans.

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.