Life on the Land

Welcome to Life On The Land's Summer Series where the Graziher team choose their favourite story of the year and explain how the story touched or inspired them or made them think about something in a different way. 

Today we’re hearing the story of Kay Hull AO, as chosen by Graziher team member, Sally Jackson.

Welcome to Life On The Land's Summer Series where the Graziher team choose their favourite story of the year and explain how the story touched or inspired them or made them think about something in a different way. 

Today

we’re hearing the story of Lynda MacCallum, as chosen by Graziher team member, Amie

Shann.

Welcome to Life On The Land's Summer Series where the Graziher team choose their favourite story of the year and explain how the story touched or inspired them or made them think about something in a different way. 

Today’s conversation with Skye Manson has been chosen by Graziher founder, Claire Dunne.

Samantha Armytage helped millions of Aussies wake up every day for eight years, as one of our most loved TV personalities and co-host of popular national breakfast show, Sunrise.

Known for her humour, her sharp journalistic sense and for being a down to earth straight shooter, Sam radiates this beautiful authenticity which can often be lost in the shine of TV land – something she puts down to her country roots and her connection to her family on the land.

Her 23 years in media has been extraordinary – covering historic moments like the Canberra Bushfires, Brisbane's floods and the trials of the Bali 9 and Schapelle Corby in Bali. She's reported from the East Timor conflict, the Cronulla riots and Christchurch Mosque massacre, as well as Michael Jackson's funeral in LA, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in London and Meghan and Harry's wedding in Windsor.

And then last year, in March 2021 she let the sun set on her Sunrise career – resigning from the top seat in TV to move to the Southern Highlands equine property she shares with her new husband, Richard Lavender.

We know most of you will feel like you know today’s guest intimately, because you hear her

calm, soothing voice on a lot of your favourite podcasts. Yes, we finally have our gorgeous

co-host, Skye Manson, on the other side of the microphone.

Skye is first and foremost a storyteller. She’s one of the most happily curious women Emily Herbert has had the pleasure of meeting – finding a genuine delight in the stories and conversations of

others. She has this really gentle, luxurious way of unearthing the lives of others, and how

they felt whilst walking their journey. It felt like a bit of a privilege to ask her to do the same

for us.

Skye currently lives at Bloomfield, Blakney Creek near Gunning on a fine wool property with

her farmer husband Damien and their three children, Ollie 8, Percy about to turn 7 and

Florence, 5, with her Mum Wendy living just down the hill.

Skye has had a big career working in radio for the ABC across the country, and has made the

very organic leap to the world of podcasting – producing FIVE – that’s right, five! Podcasts

for her company, the Manson Podcasting Network, Life on the Land being one of them.

we were so delighted to interview Skye, to know more about the voice behind the mic.

You can find Skye's podcasts at mansonpodcasting.com or her newsletter at companyonsundays.substack.com

Our guest today is Michelle Leonard OAM, artistic director and founder Moorambilla Voices, an exceptional choir of children and youth from western NSW and a program that is deeply connected to the land in which it’s art is made. If you have ever been privy to Moorambilla Voices you will know it's power, giving rural children the chance to be a part of something so much bigger than themselves.

Music, singing and instruments is innate for Michelle and her musically talented family who hail from the small rural town of Coonamble in NSW.

Driven by a belief that music has the ability to improve mental health, community and deep spiritual connection, Michelle applied for a grant back in 2006, in what was to become the beginning Moorambilla Voices. Since that time, more than 25,000 students from 100 schools annually have come together to find their voice in a myriad of ways. This week, over 300 children will perform its 17th annual gala concert near Dubbo in central west New South Wales. ( This year’s music takes its inspiration from the rural community of Collarenebri and it’s unique connection to the River.)

In 2017, Michelle was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for Services to the Community and Performing Arts.

Today’s guest is Kay Hull AO, born in Guyra New South Wales and best known for her long and distinguished career in politics. Kay entered Parliament House in 1998 as the Nationals member for the Riverina and was elected for four more terms before retiring prior to general elections in 2010.

Kay Hull is small in stature but big on heart and is a genuine campaigner for the everyday man and

woman. 'What a woman', is all Skye Manson could think after recording this interview.

Skye was compelled to share the story of Kay's life after a powerful address at the Agrifutures

Rural Women’s Award Gala celebrations in Canberra last week, when she stepped down as the Chairwoman of Agrifutures to a standing ovation.

Tasmanian rural motherhood advocate and founder of Motherland Australia, Stephanie Trethewey, has been awarded as the National Winner of the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National and Victorian founder of OAK Magazine, Kimberley Furness has won the National Runner Up title.

Stephanie, a Dunorlan-based farmer, podcaster and founder of Motherland Village, was recognised for her work establishing Australia’s first online facilitated mother’s group and a pilot program offering virtual postnatal support for patients in isolated communities.

Bendigo's Kimberley’s Furness was awarded the National Runner Up title for her work profiling rural women in business - both through the magazine and her newly launched podcast series.

Both women will receive Westpac grants of $20,000 and $15,000 respectively, as well as ongoing support through the Award’s alumni program.

Tasmanian rural motherhood advocate and founder of Motherland Australia, Stephanie Trethewey, has been awarded as the National Winner of the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National and Victorian founder of OAK Magazine, Kimberley Furness has won the National Runner Up title.

Stephanie, a Dunorlan-based farmer, podcaster and founder of Motherland Village, was recognised for her work establishing Australia’s first online facilitated mother’s group and a pilot program offering virtual postnatal support for patients in isolated communities.

Bendigo's Kimberley’s Furness was awarded the National Runner Up title for her work profiling rural women in business - both through the magazine and her newly launched podcast series. 

Both women will receive Westpac grants of $20,000 and $15,000 respectively, as well as ongoing support through the Award’s alumni program.

As a young person on the land, finding your place within the family business can be difficult and sometimes uncomfortable.

But when Meg Rutledge from Moble Station, 1000 kilometres west of the eastern seaboard in Queensland, returned home from London the idea to begin a luxury outback homestay experience with camping, nature walks and hiking was the perfect fit.

To me it’s such a great example of a generational farm evolving its core business to ensure that the next generation of family not only stay on the farm, but are invigorated to do so, and bring to the business so much extra knowledge, diversity and happiness!

And for Meg it makes perfect sense. Like so many people living on the land, she is proud of her farm and she loves living there ….. you couldn’t really have a better hostess. 

Thank you to our amazing sponsor for this episode, the team from SG Off-Road - Make adventure happen with SG Off-Road.⁠⁠⁠