Outback cattle station photography books

October 31st, 2022

After 17 years of selling unique books featuring the largest cattle stations across Australia – the books have finally sold out as the few remaining have been purchased by the Barkly Roadhouse (in the Northern Territory). Until website updates are completed (this work will take weeks, as the website is such a beast), it will […]

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Why do cities exist and bushfire protection

January 3rd, 2020

It seems many Australians need a good think about why large towns and cities came into being because the fundamental reasons why are still relevant today. But rarely discussed. A reminder of the principal reasons may help more thoughtful decisions be made about where and how to live. When looking for a house to live […]

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Why should farmers be on Twitter?

January 3rd, 2015

Why should farmers be on Twitter?  And everyone else involved in agribusiness? Vital news. Instantly.  Leaves every other method for dust. And opinions. That matter to YOU. Follow people who send messages YOU are interested in. Draft off the white noise, by not “following” anyone of no interest. Support from others in the industry. Having […]

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Using Twitter – the finer points (2/4)

January 3rd, 2015

Once you have got started on Twitter, as outlined on the previous blog post, there’s a few more details to learn that will be handy. “Retweeting” – this is when you forward someone’s message on, so all the people who follow you, get to see this message. When retweeting a message, as much as possible, […]

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How do you get started on Twitter? (1/4)

January 2nd, 2015

I thought Twitter was a waste of time until launching into it and discovering a fascinating bunch of people, sending useful information, thought-provoking opinions and having rewarding conversations. Plus the wittiest observations and retorts I’ve ever read.  Opinions, facts and laughs all mixed together.  Twitter is a brilliant, worldwide, bush grapevine. Many obviously think likewise […]

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Social media use in rural Australia

September 29th, 2014

This is how Australia’s bush grapevine now works. On Saturday I drove home from Longreach, taking photographs along the way. I just got a call from a bloke carting livestock, asking if I was in Charters Towers on Saturday. I’d tweeted a photograph of his roadtrain, refuelling at Charters Towers. It was seen by someone […]

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Realism preferable to perpetuating “superwoman” stereotypes

September 19th, 2014

Young women can be left with false expectations and many older women find it daunting, when faced with a bevy of seemingly ultra-capable superwomen, most of whom steer well clear of mentioning any kind of fallibility (mistakes, and what they aren’t good at). So Alexandra Gartmann’s talk at this week’s QRRRWN* Conference was a breath […]

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Many of our top 100 chief executives are from regional Australia

September 11th, 2014

21% of Australia’s top 100 chief executives were born in regional Australia, according to the “Pathways to CEO” research undertaken by the University of Sydney Business School. It is discussed in today’s Sydney Morning Herald and more on the research will appear in the Australian Financial Review’s “Boss” magazine. When overseas-born chief executives are removed […]

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A Place to Call Home

September 8th, 2014

Are television dramas set in rural Australia, good or bad for the image of the bush? I’ve just finished watching “A Place to Call Home” (recorded on digital TV). Quality in every respect. Excellent story and cinematography, interesting characters and top actors.  The icing on the cake? It’s 100% Australian. Set in the 1950s, it […]

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Objective journalism and the ABC

December 29th, 2013

You can give identical film footage, photographs or facts to two different film producers or print editors/journalists and end up with two entirely different stories.  Judicious editing, with specific sounds or music added, can produce polar opposite outcomes (both well away from the truth, if desired). Australian taxpayers fund the ABC so we have a […]

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