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.⁠⁠⁠

If there’s anyone who understands the diversity of women who love the land, it’s today’s guest, Victoria Carey. V, as she’s known by those who work with her, has been in the media game for more than two decades, including 11 years as the editor in chief of Country Style, and is now at the editorial helm of Graziher Magazine.

Yet a life in journalism almost didn’t happen – with a teenage horse-mad Victoria so nearly signing up to work in a racing stable.

Emily Herbert interviewed V the day after she put the latest issue of Graziher to bed and the jubilation and satisfaction at seeing another gorgeous copy of the magazine on its way to the printers was obvious in her voice.

And what a magnificent segue to announce that the Spring issue of Graziher is now on sale! It’s an absolute corker of an edition to celebrate our bimonthly launch, with compelling stories of Australian women spanning the width and length of the country. In this issue, we really draw our attention to Women across the Ages - and the articles borne from it are stunning – from Stephanie Trethewey’s letter to her baby daughter Evie to the inspiring eighty-something matriarch still checking her Merinos every day.

You can subscribe online at graziher.com.au and have the magazine turn up in your mailbox six times a year – what a treat.

If there’s anyone who understands the diversity of women who love the land, it’s today’s guest – Victoria Carey. V, as she’s known by those who work with her, has been in the media game for more than two decades – including 11 years as the editor in chief of Country Style - and is now at the editorial helm of Graziher Magazine.

Yet a life in journalism almost didn’t happen – with a teenage horse-mad Victoria so nearly signing up to work in a racing stable.

I interviewed V the day after she put the latest issue of Graziher to bed – and the jubilation and satisfaction at seeing another gorgeous copy of the magazine on its way to the printers was obvious in her voice.

The latest edition of Graziher is on sale today! Jump online and secure your copy before it sells out. graziher.com.au.

There's a word for the period of time it takes to grow and raise a baby, Matrescence. The physical, emotional hormonal and social transition to become a mother.

The overwhelming love, the uneasy trepidation or sometimes downright fear, sadness, guilt and anxiety, the joys and the crushing lows. The exhaustion and at times, the loneliness and boredom. It's also a time that can be heighten when living in the bush with its own specific challenges and delights.

Caroline Maxwell has been a guiding hand along the Matrescence journey for hundreds of mothers. The mum of four is a midwife and lactation consultant working from Narromine in the central west of New South Wales and she travels far and wide around the state to see women when they need her most. Driving hundred of hours on dirt roads, navigating floodwaters and once even sourcing a plane to get to a new mum on a remote station.

Today’s guest gets imposter syndrome when she talks about her role in agriculture and rural Australia. Sammie O’Brien presents Channel 7’s Queensland Weekender and Creek to Coast and she is known and loved by country and city people all over.

Sammie lives a double life spending half the week in Brisbane and half the week on her cattle farm in Torrone, halfway between Brisbane and Warwick. She’s also a Mum to young Lenny, a farm owner and cattle producer (with a herd of 80 breeding cattle) as well.

Most importantly, she's a great friend of Graziher’s and we will be working with Sammy in the future (make sure you stay in touch with our socials or Friday newsletter to stay up to date.)

The latest edition of the Graziher magazine will be making its way to the printers soon; make sure you don't miss our by subscribing or pre-purchasing your copy on our website graziher.com.au.