Motherland Australia

Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng is a mum, grandmother, academic and author. A proud Wakka Wakka/Wulli Wulli woman, she was born in 1958 in Longreach, central western Queensland. Her story is one of resilience across generations. Under the Queensland Act, Aboriginal people were controlled and forced onto missions — but her great-grandfather kept the family on Country by working the land and negotiating with station owners, ensuring their culture survived. From this foundation, Tjanara’s life unfolded — through Catholic schooling, champion swimming, and later, confronting the trauma of childhood abuse. She’s since built a diverse career, from her groundbreaking work on sacred leadership to her memoir A Long Way from No Go. At the heart of her life, though, is family: her daughter, granddaughter, and her former husband, whom she now cares for full time. This is her story. 

Every mark on our boots tells a story, and Blundstone boots are made to be part of yours. Built for life on the land and beyond, they’re ready for whatever’s next whether it’s chasing cattle, or kids. Explore the full range via the link in our show notes. https://www.blundstone.com.au/  

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John Hassell has spent his life farming in Western Australia, raising three kids, and now spoiling grandkids. As Vice President of the National Farmers Federation, he’s fought for fairer outcomes for farmers and sparked deeper conversations about rural mental health. His drive comes from lived experience — grappling with succession pressures, crushing financial stress, and a battle with depression that once left him collapsed on the shearing shed floor. Behind his grit and humour is a raw story of struggle and resilience. In this conversation, John speaks more openly than ever about marriage, fatherhood, and the determination to show up for his kids, even in the hardest seasons. 

Father Land is proudly supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions. With over 700 locations nationwide, Nutrien’s people live and work in rural communities, delivering trusted advice and farm supplies. Their genuine commitment to farmers and families makes this series possible. Learn more at nutrienagsolutions.com.au.

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Kirsty Evans swore she’d never have kids. Then came motherhood, farm succession, and floods. Raised in Dubbo by a single mum, Kirsty built a career in corporate law and imagined a child-free city life. But love (and a six-foot-five farmer from Orange) changed everything. Now a mum of three, solicitor, and partner in a farming enterprise, Kirsty juggles family, career, and life on the land. Her path into motherhood wasn’t smooth. After her third child she faced postnatal depression, learning the strength of asking for help. That resilience was tested again in 2022, when catastrophic floods hit her community of Molong in NSW. While her husband joined the clean-up, Kirsty used her legal skills to fight for locals, taking on insurers pro bono.  Her advocacy returned nearly a million dollars to the community and earned her the title of NSW Regional Woman of the Year. This is her story.

Spring is here, and Blundstone boots are ready for every season. Tough enough for the farm, comfortable enough for town, and dependable enough for whatever the day brings. Explore the full range at: https://blundstone.com.au

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Paige Schmidt was just 23 when she became a mum for the first time, living and working on a remote cattle station in central Queensland. From the challenges of raising kids whilst so isolated, to managing her own chronic illness, she's faced more than her fair share of health hurdles. Living hours from the nearest hospital, she’s had to navigate her children’s unexpected medical emergencies while adapting to a life-changing diagnosis herself. Today, Paige shares her story with honesty and strength, from the realities of motherhood in the bush, to the impact on her mental health, and the lessons she’s learned about looking after herself along the way. This is her story. 

Life in the bush isn’t always easy, but it’s full of grit, laughs, and memories - in trusted Blundstone boots.  For rural families who don’t just wear boots, but live in them! CLICK HERE to sign up, learn more and shop their range 

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The secret is out.

Introducing... Father Land 💚

A special podcast series dropping Wednesday September 3rd right here on the Motherland Podcast channel!

Proudly supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions. 

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Country singer songwriter Shenai Johnston grew up near Ongerup in WA with music in her veins — singing from the moment she could talk, winning competitions, and chasing her dreams. But at 19, she lost her mum — and with her, the music she loved. She put down the guitar, stopped singing, and tried to navigate life without the woman who had shaped her. Now, Shenai is a mum of three boys, two with autism, and is raising her family on a small farm in Boyup Brook while her husband works FIFO. Life has been chaotic, isolating, and at times overwhelming — but it also brought her back to the thing she thought she’d lost. Her voice. Country music has helped her process grief, navigate motherhood, and tell the stories that matter most. Last year, she recorded her debut EP in Nashville, marking a major milestone in her journey. This is her story. 

A word from Blundstone, our Winter podcast sponsor...Remember, a quick clean and regular conditioning go a long way in keeping your boots work and adventure-ready. Treat your Blundstones well, and they’ll stick with you through every season! Head to https://www.blundstone.com.au/boot-care for more boot care tips. 

Raising a child with disability or developmental differences can be isolating, especially in regional Australia. ENVISAGE is a free five-week online program offering support, connection, and practical tools for parents wherever they are located. No diagnosis or NDIS plan needed and free. Learn more at envisage.community. 

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When Diann Hawkins saw a small ad seeking foster families, she couldn’t have known it would define the next 35 years of her life. A former nurse, bush cook, and mum of three, Diann had just farewelled her youngest to boarding school. The house was quiet. She was lonely. So she opened her heart (and home) to children in need. From their remote Queensland property, she and her husband Morris have fostered more than 100 children, welcoming newborns through to teens, saying painful goodbyes, and giving every child a safe place to land. Now in her 70s, Diann is still answering calls and still setting extra places at the table. This is the story of a rural mum whose quiet legacy is bigger than she’ll ever admit. This is her story. 

Thanks to Blundstone for supporting our Winter podcast season. Blundstone Kids boots are tough, comfy, and built for adventure - rain, hail or shine. Rugged, reliable, and ready for anything. Blundstone Kids boots are made to grow with them. To learn more about Blundstone and their range CLICK HERE 

Following on from National Farm Safety Week, together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. CLICK HERE to access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources:

Apply for a Motherland National Conference Scholarship HERE

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Kylea Hodgkinson-Jones didn’t grow up on a farm - she trained as a maritime warfare officer. From life at sea to six months in Antarctica, her Navy career took her to the most extreme, isolated corners of the planet. But burnout and a medical discharge changed everything. Today, Kylea’s raising cattle, and her beautiful daughter Maggie, on a regenerative farm in Queensland’s South Burnett. Her journey from Navy officer to rural mum is raw, powerful, and full of surprises (including the kidney stone that led her to meet her husband). In our chat she opens up about it all, including the birth of her daughter at just 28 weeks, and the relentless fight to bring her home. This is her story.

This episode touches on childhood trauma - including references to family violence and sexual abuse. If you need support, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Style your winter with Blundstone. Boots that are made for layering, tough enough for the farm, comfortable enough for town. From winter denim to chunky layers, they go with everything. Discover your go-to boots this season, built for comfort, worn with confidence. CLICK HERE to check out their range.

Following on from National Farm Safety Week, together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. CLICK HERE to learn more and access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources:

Scholarship Applications for Motherland's 2026 National Conference are now OPEN. Click here to apply. 

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When Kathleen Chiverton answered a random phone call from me one afternoon, she had no idea it would lead to this conversation. We’d only just met at Motherland’s Clermont event and I knew her story was one rural mums needed to hear. Kath grew up on a remote cattle station in Central Queensland, the youngest in a family of boys, before heading off to boarding school at 13…homesick and lonely. Years later, she fell in love with a butcher-turned-soldier, only to watch him deploy to Afghanistan while she held the fort at home. She’s endured the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages. Survived a horrific school bus accident involving both her children. And now, after everything, she’s preparing to let her eldest go as her daughter heads to boarding school next year. This is a raw, powerful episode about mothering through chaos, grief, and the moment you have to start letting go.

Red Nose Grief & Loss: 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307

When I’m wrangling the kids, managing muddy mornings, or spending precious time in my veggie patch - my Blunnies are with me every step of the way. They’re a true staple of rural life. So if you’re after boots that work as hard as you do, head to blundstone.com.au to check out their range.

This DonateLife Week, rural NSW mum Emily Smith shares how a heart transplant saved her life just weeks after giving birth. Now thriving, she urges fellow mums to register as organ donors at donatelife.gov.au. For more on Emily’s story CLICK HERE

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On August 12, 2020, Ash Napolitano’s world shattered when her little boy, Hunter, drowned in a dam on a family property. Today, Ash bravely shares the story of Hunter’s life and the heartbreak of losing him, along with the trauma of that day. The details, while very difficult to hear, are something Ash feels compelled to share in the hope of preventing this tragedy from happening to another family.

Ash also speaks about the purpose her and her partner have found amidst their unimaginable pain through launching the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program, a life-saving initiative helping vulnerable kids in rural communities access water safety. This is a raw and powerful conversation. But please be warned, it discusses child loss, grief, and birth trauma.  

24/7 Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line on 1300 308 307 or visit rednosegriefandloss.org.au

This season of the Motherland podcast is proudly supported by Blundstone, born in Hobart in 1870 and still going strong today. Built to last and made for every kind of step, Blundstone boots are trusted by generations - we are proud to share their story. To learn more about Blundstone and their story CLICK HERE

It’s National Farm Safety Week this week! Together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. To learn more and access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources CLICK HERE

https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia