In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we're celebrating women in business. Kelly Shann is right where she needs to be. After an idyllic childhood spent riding ponies through the creek next to her house, she has traversed the world, had a stint in the city and now spends her time bonding with her horses, running a cattle business with her husband Berry and loving her family. When she's not telling wonderful stories of building resilience through her own podcast, Life Journey.

While Kelly lost her mother at a young age, she’s never forgotten her kindness and love of animals and has made those values, including resilience and empathy the cornerstone of her mindset.

In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we're celebrating women in business.

Penny Button has spent a lifetime in western Queensland as a grazier on expansive properties around the Longreach area.

She took over the management of her family's property Crossmoor following the sudden loss of her husband, which was only a few short years after the death of one of her sons.

In this episode our host Sammie O'Brien asks her what it was like making decisons and running a business when there's so pressure from the elements, but from her heart as well.

We're proud to partner with McKinney's to support the production of this episode.

For over 140 years, McKinney's has been one of the country's most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. From its origins in Toowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia's most respected jewellers. 

 Merging traditional values of craftsmanship and personal service with modern standards of elegance and design, McKinney's continues to curate the finest pieces to celebrate life's most meaningful moments.

 Precious memories begin at McKinney's - visit mckinneys.com.au.

If a worker is only as good as their gear, what does that mean for a stockwoman and her jeans? When Isabella Thrupp couldn’t find the perfect pair of work jeans, she started her own denim label, Prinking in Pindan — a brand born from the ancient landscape of Western Australia’s Kimberley.Isabella is the Western Australia winner of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In this episode, she takes our host Emily Herbert through some of the inspiration behind the business and how she overcame some of the challenges of running a retail business in one of the most remote parts of Australia.

The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Kristy Hollis is a naturopath, herbalist, entrepreneur, industry advocate and mentor with more than 23 years of experience. Having worked with with more than 8000 women across the Northern Territory, Kristys' passion about reshaping health outcomes in the bush has earned her the accolade of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year for the NT .

Kristy takes a holistic, preventative approach, and assists with everything from ADHD to menopause. In this episode, Kristy explains her love of nature-inspired treatments began as a toddler, by the side of her beloved grandmother to our host, Emily Herbert.

The AgriFutures Rural Womens Award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.

In Australia, around 43 per cent of people have experienced a mental illness, 33 per cent experience loneliness and about nine die by suicide every day. These are not just numbers — they are people who are distressed, isolated and struggling.

These are statistics Sarah De Jonge wants to change. Based in Kingston, Tasmania, Sarah is the founder of 1000 Hearts, a project the mother-of-two started by hand-stitching tiny fabric hearts to give away as a simple act of kindness. It has since grown into a social enterprise and a global movement.

Sarah is the State finalist for Tasmania in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s award and this interview with our podcast host Emily Herbert, she generously shares not just her personal story, but the science behind connection and community.

This conversation does mention mental ill health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders. 

Nicole McNaughton is the first to admit she has the best stocked pantry in Queensland. As the CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network, she has spent her career connecting small but mighty players in the agricultural supply chain, giving her exposure to some of the most delicious parts of the State.

From prawns to pineapples, Nicole wants local food on local plates — because if no-one is backing the little guys, what will the future of our food look like? 

In this episode, Nicole takes our podcast host Emily Herbert through her story so far and what opportunities have bloomed after being named the Queensland state winner of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.  

Kelly Johnson's connection to agriculture was formed at a young age, as the daughter of dairy farmers from Victoria’s Gippsland region.

Now based in the rural town of Mypolonga in South Australia, Kelly has combined her love of the land with her experience as a scout leader to create SPhiker — a range of wholesome, easy-to-make meals crafted from surplus fruit and vegetables that are sourced from local farms. SPhiker is designed for hikers, campers and solo adventurers, and is all about sustainability and simplicity. 

This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders. 

The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer. 

With a career spanning several decades, Dr Mary Cole is an absolute powerhouse. In this interview with Sammie O'Brien, her passion for sustainable agriculture is as fierce as when she first started in the industry over 45 years ago.  

As the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State Winner & National Finalist, Mary has a profound depth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to agricultural productivity, soil health and long-term sustainability.

This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders. 

The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer. 

Carol Mudford is the 2025 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State Winner and National Finalist. She’s also the cover star of the current issue of Graziher magazine.  

The AgriFutures award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders. 

The award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer. 

Carol is a registered nurse, hailing from Gilgandra in New South Wales. She’s also spent years working in shearing sheds across the country — as a wool handler, shearer and, most recently, leading the charge in suicide prevention and mental health support, through her registered charity sHedway. 

Parts of this episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, Lifeline is available 24/7. The number to call is 13 11 14.  

We’re wrapping up our Summer Series with a favourite episode from Sally- Graziher’s Advertising and Relationship Manager.

Sally is so impressed with the story of Jackie Elliott, the founder of Rural Women’s Day.

Rural Women’s Day Ltd is a registered not-for-profit and a bit of a household name for many in the bush, with events across Australia designed to connect country women with community, collaboration and celebration.

But the inaugural event in 2019 was meant to be a one off — curated by Jackie as something she herself was desperate for. Isolated and lonely, the then 25-year-old with no experience planning events did something very brave. She put herself out there — and watched the ripples expand throughout her community.