jumbuck news - Jumbuck Pastoral

JUMBUCK NEWS
Volume 14, Issue 1
March 2015
Also for the first time
we offer incentives for
staff when referring
friends or
acquaintances for a
job with Jumbuck. In
searching for the best
people to fill
vacancies, we feel
that this is a step in
the right direction.
Callum and Millie MacLachlan at the Jamestown
Sales in March
MD’s comment
When pastoralism is our business, ‘dry times’
are to be expected and that is exactly what we
have in various quarters at present! Though
we would dearly like that not to be the case!
Despite this, our mood is very upbeat for
2015, with the joys and challenges which lie
ahead.
Congratulations to all stations which have
completed or are about to complete shearing,
with many producing better than expected
results. We have our fingers crossed for a
general rain prior to lambing, failing which the
numbers of lambs marked in the winter will be
less than ideal.
There are a few things worth mentioning which
are new to the company. Firstly, in trying to
eliminate some of the risks which are posed by
working in remote locations, April will see the
introduction of SPOT Trackers.
A satellite based tracking system, it will
provide each and every staff member that is
working remotely (which is often!), with a
means of getting in touch and alerting
management if and when they need help,
should that be outside radio coverage. Peace
of mind we hope for staff, management,
parents and directors alike.
Though determined
by lunar cycles, the
dates set for Easter
are often of
significance for many
stations with breeding
ewes having just
been shorn hopefully
placed and settled
back in their
paddocks for lambing.
Stock camps come
together on cattle
stations with
mustering
programmes to
commence shortly
thereafter. Elsewhere
crutching will be in
full swing or about to
become so.
Importantly, Easter is
a time when families
and friends across the
company get together
and, if possible, we
put the tools down for
a breather!
Hoping you all had a
safe and enjoyable
Easter.
Callum and Jock
Jumbuck News Page 1
Refer and be rewarded:
We would like to introduce
our Staff Referral System.
Nobody knows better than
you what’s involved in your
daily job right? So do you
know anyone who would love
to do your job?
Refer a friend and be
rewarded for your effort!
Staff referrals are used in
most businesses, especially
with the growing power of
social media. It is a great
way for us to utilise your
knowledge and networks and
allow you the opportunity to
help out someone you know.
It could be a friend,
neighbour, old boss or family
member for any role across
Jumbuck’s stations.
To reward you Jumbuck will
pay a ‘finder’s fee’ if they are
employed and successfully
complete their probation
period. You will be paid half
when we sign an employment
agreement and another half
on successful completion of
probation.
The fee will vary depending
on the position, ranging from
$200 for a station hand to
$2000 for a manager.
Some easy money! So get
thinking….who do you know
that would be an excellent
new employee for Jumbuck
Pastoral?!
To ‘refer a friend’ ask
them to contact Melissa
Farbus on 08 8100 1609
or email
recruitment@jumbuckpast
oral.com.au and let me
know who referred them.
View current positions and
complete an application on
the employment page of
Jumbuck’s website.
Station News
Blina
The wet season has been a bit of mixed bag at
Blina/Ellendale this year. With a light period
of rainfall in December, February and March
being offset by a massive January rainfall (1620 inches across the run) we are about
average as far as the season goes. With
Cyclone Nathan hovering to the north as this
goes to print, we would love a top up before
the mustering season begins in mid-April.
We are also moving into the strongest live
trade market ever, with record prices obtained
for contracted cattle that are truly astonishing.
Hopefully the Australian and Indonesian
politics of recent times does not drag our trade
into the poisonous atmosphere. Possibly
wishful thinking. Anyhow the Kimberley and
North Australia is alive and well, and the mood
up here is one of optimism and growth. Let’s
hope it stays that way.
753, which has had just about all of its seals,
O-rings and hydraulic hoses replaced, engine
out and much more.
Anyone who has done
some work on a Bobcat will appreciate how
awkward it is to work on the machine, and a
big thanks to Jason for tackling it with a smile
on his face most days!
We welcome back Louis Van Zyl, who has
been promoted to the Head Stockmans role at
Blina. Well done and best of luck for the year
ahead.
Also returning in mid-April 2015 are Grader
Driver Stu Jones, Short term Loader Operator
Luke MacNamara, and Station hands Sarah
Taylor and Kit LeLievre (Meda). We look
forward to having you back.
We aim to start the mustering of our First
Round breeders in mid-April. We also hope to
have our first sale cattle ready for turn off in
early May.
Of course the most important thing that has
been happening is the upcoming wedding
between Constance Gray and myself.
We will be married on March 28th in Broome.
A big Kimberley party with the obligatory
gallons of bootleg rum has been organized,
and we look forward to tying the knot, and
also to having our families and friends visit the
station. Our honeymoon of course will be
spent in the romantic location of Ellendale,
doing first round muster! Pictures to come…
Heifers just joined February number one bore
Overseer at Ellendale, Andy Hallen and
family have been holding the fort over the wet
season, with a few jobs ticked off, plenty of
vehicle repairs and maintenance going on, and
preparations made to do it all again in 2015.
I look forward to the season ahead, which will
have its usual twists and turns, but
surrounded by some great staff, and well
prepared, I am sure we can make a fist of it. I
wish a safe and happy Easter to all.
Jason Deacon our Boreman at Blina has also
spent most of the wet season with a spanner
or soldering iron in his hand. Much of our
plant and machinery has had significant work
done to it, and of no exception is the BOBCAT
Matt Wood
Jumbuck News Page 2
Ω
Station News
Bulgunnia
2015 started with a lot of promise as we
received 39mm of rain in early January which
set Bulgunnia up for a good start to summer.
Unfortunately it did not cover the entire
property with patches in the south west
missing out all together.
The eastern side and homestead area
received the most and the immediate
response in summer grasses was a sight to
see.
This rain was followed by some fairly warm
weather with 10 or more days in the mid-40s,
which did not help the fresh green pick. Most
of the good growth has now started to die off,
however there is still an abundance of dry feed
in the east.
The rain aided the stock coming in for shearing
and we were able to walk them a fair way each
day without losses or stragglers behind the
mob.
Green grass outside Butterfield yards, the
sheep had no intention of moving.
Shearing started 2 weeks earlier than normal
to allow for Mobella to shear and lamb a little
earlier to avoid the flies in spring time.
Shearing took exactly 4 weeks and went
smoothly with our new team run by Garry
Wilkinson, a very capable operator.
We ended up with a total of 28,537 shorn,
with 657 bales having been pressed, not bad
for a so called cocky farm.
Green grass in January – a rare sight
The down side to this if there is one, was the
fact that we were in the middle of mobbing
up paddocks in readiness for shearing.
Consequently we swung into immediate
aerial mustering of all remaining paddocks.
222 bales of wool loaded and on the way to
Adelaide
Jumbuck News Page 3
Station News
Sale sheep have so far sold well with the
highlight being 2024 white tag 2009 drop
ewes being sold on the place for $70.
These ewes then had to take a 19 hour truck
ride to St George in western Queensland. We
fed them an abundance of hay prior to their
journey and every one survived the trip and
walked off the truck.
As I write all stock have been returned to
their paddocks and all sale sheep have left
for the March Jamestown market.
Young wethers being loaded for the
Jamestown market
We were lucky enough to get some stock into
the February Jamestown market and record
some pretty good prices for our 2013 drop
CFT ewes making a top of $112 and a line of
2014 drop wether weaners to $66. Our first
load of wool to hit the auction at Gillman
tested and sold very well, which was not
surprising as it averaged 21.1 microns, 2 %
VM, 62 % yield, and 84mm of length and
with strength of 39 newtons.
With shearing now out of the way it is back
into some much needed maintenance and
repairs with Pegler mill having a new
Southern cross IZ mill head installed.
We have another one to do at Grace as a
wind storm has caused some damage,
resulting in the mast pipe being bent and the
fan hitting the mill tower, cracking the
housing.
We have also had a new bore drilled in
Ooraminna paddock due to the failure of the old
one. This paddock is vital for movements in and
out of the shed at shearing time and
unfortunately we were unable to use it this
year.
However Underdale drillers arrived a week after
shearing finished and successfully found water
at 45 meters with a flow of 700 gph and 3500
ppm, it does not come much better than that in
this country.
Drilling the new bore at Ooraminna
On the staffing front we are pleased to welcome
Eliza Duroux from Tasmania (no head jokes as
apparently she has heard them all before).
Aleisha Mills has arrived from Coolongolook in
NSW. Where is that I hear you ask? Well it is
just up the road from Bulahdelah and an hour
and a half south of Port Macquarie (never heard
of it).
Both of these young ladies arrived in November
last year and were as green as grass with Eliza
having trouble staying upright on her motor
bike. Aleisha was a little more confident on the
bike having had previous experience on one.
With shearing looming large I was a little
apprehensive about our new station hands and
wondered how we were all going to get through.
I should not have worried as both girls are keen
to learn and quickly picked things up.
Jumbuck News Page 4
Station News
They also have an infectious personality and
this carries through to the rest of the staff.
It is quite amusing when they arrive for
breakfast as I can usually hear them coming
from a distance with their laughter and carry
on.
Greg Blick started in January 2015 and is our
new kiwi pilot. He comes to us with experience
in the building industry and has already made
himself handy by replacing the old and worn out
ceilings in the Overseer’s house and the
homestead cellar.
He is also keen and has taken to the aerial
mustering with ease and is doing a great job.
Commonwealth Hill
Greg Blick - pilot come handy man, helping to
do the killers
Stacey ‘Stakka’ Stamatis continues to grow in
her role as Overseer and was tested, and
survived, her first shearing in charge.
It is encouraging to see a young person gaining
valuable experience and taking an avid interest
in the pastoral industry.
Aleisha Mills and Eliza Duroux – Aleisha’s first
timing driving the truck & having lunch while
watering the stock
Early morning start, Stakka fuelling up
Jumbuck News Page 5
Station News
I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in
Australia and I am sure that people will not
believe half the stories you have to tell when
you get back home, lucky you have the photos
to prove it.
Kelly the dog and Stakka on the drove
We were delighted to welcome Kerry
Fullwood back at shearing time.
Kerry was “on holidays” from her job in
Western Australia and wanted to come and
get another taste of the north west so we
took her on as a casual.
Both Stakka and I were grateful for having
her here, as her previous knowledge and
experience of the place was invaluable.
Charlie found time for lunch (above) and
enjoying his stint in the outback (below)
Eliza Duroux & Kerry Fullwood, doing what
she loves
This was the fourth shearing that myself,
Stakka and Kerry have worked together; it
makes a difference having staff you know
and can trust.
Of course shearing would not be the same
without the backpacker, and this year we
were lucky enough to have a Scottish one
named Charlie Strang Steel. Can you
imagine coming from Scotland and landing
on Bulgunnia in the middle of summer?!
Charlie handled it very well and was
definitely an asset to us.
With a couple of days before we started
shearing we had to find a cook and we were all
very pleased to welcome Deborah (Stakka’s
mum) who dropped everything over in Perth,
hopped on a plane and was here to help out.
She was a great asset and fitted in wonderfully
with all our staff.
Only trouble was she got bitten by the bug and
did not want to return home!
Jumbuck News Page 6
Station News
I am sure we will all see you here again
Deborah, and we will welcome you with open
arms.
I take this opportunity as always to give
massive thanks to all our staff for the
wonderful effort put in over shearing.
It is never an easy time and especially new
employees in their first jobs having to work
12 hour days, starting at 5.30 some
mornings
and
enduring
mid
40s
temperatures for an extended period of time.
Not to mention camping out for a month with
no internet, TV or air-conditioning.
Well done to you all and you should be proud
of your achievements and what you have
learned so far.
2015 shearing crew from left Sam Weckert,
Greg Blick, Eliza Duroux, Aleisha Mills, Kerry
Fullwood, Drew Wenham, Peter Marshall,
Charlie Strang Steel, Stakka.
Peter Marshall
Ω
Commonwealth Hill
The season has been very patchy here in the
North-West of South Australia. Commonwealth
Hill could certainly do with a drop or two of rain
before winter kicks in!
2014 ended with 135.2mm recorded for the
year, but unfortunately most of that fell in the
first half of the year. The last eight months
have only seen us record just over 50
millimetres. Sheep are still holding onto some
condition and have joined well with the Rams,
but the lambs will definitely need something on
the ground to get them started when they drop
in May.
Some sections of the property received good
falls in January with the Gina Outstation
recording 75mm in one fall. This couldn't have
fallen any closer to the boundary. Fortunately
we had a good feed response out of this, which
will greatly benefit our maiden ewes that are
run on the eastern end of the property.
Gina outstation
Although we have been lacking in the rainfall
department we cannot complain about the
summer. A pretty mild one on the scale with no
more than ten days above 44°C. The cooler
summer has certainly been a relief on the
waters front for the sheep, the crew and new
Manager still trying to get his head around the
property!
Jumbuck News Page 7
Station News
Since the end of Crutching we have been
fairly busy putting time into our waters. The
Atlas Copco air compressor has been on loan
from Mulgathing for a while now in an
attempt to clean out some of our ailing bores.
Quite a few have been done now with varying
degrees of success.
We did have better luck in Wirrida paddock,
hitting water at 97 feet. Initial tests indicate
around 800 gallons per hour, but more
testing will prove its worth.
One of our more impressive wins occurred at
Old Homestead, which historically has a very
good supply. The bore under the C Pattern
Comet had been given up on, becoming
increasingly unreliable in supply and forever
being pulled. With 30 minutes of air we were
able to clean a large amount of rust and
sediment out of the bottom of the bore.
Once all this had been removed a plentiful
supply of water was re-established.
A few troughs have been replaced over
summer as well. We have refurbished an old
fibrolite trough at Forty Four, which is close
to 40' long with new pedestals and placed it
in the middle of the new yards that Dean
Jaensch built last year. After receiving
imperative instruction from Dean that we
must build a trough to match the superior
quality of the yard we poured a nice big
apron and divided it with railway iron and
water pipe. After plumbing it in with 3" it has
been watering sheep over shearing with
renewed gusto!
Drilling at Wirrida
It is no secret that water takes up a lot of our
time here at Commonwealth Hill, so it is good
to be able to sink our teeth in and have a few
wins like those above. With the dry times we
now only have water in 3 of our 11 dams.
The bigger dams such as Wildingi and Wirrida
have plenty of water in them and were
fortunate enough to receive some run-off in
January. However the homestead no longer
has access to the dam water from Boulder or
Claypan, with these dams going dry over
summer.
Mustering over 53
Just prior to shearing starting we had
Underdale Drillers here to try our luck on a
couple of new bores. Hitting water on both
attempts however our attempt at Boulder
proved too salty.
Jumbuck News Page 8
Wildingi Dam
Station News
The staff of Commonwealth Hill and
neighbouring stations has had a rocky time
over the last few months with the passing of
Brayden Newall on the 25th of October.
A little bit broken we have all banded
together to help support each other through
a very difficult time. This will resonate for a
while yet, but over time will become easier to
deal with for everyone. A big shout out to
everyone who helped that fateful night,
including Tasha Masters, Clem McAuliffe
and the Challenger Mine Emergency
Response Team.
Jeff Dorset's team had us on the go this
year, getting all these sheep shorn in 16 days
in rotation with Mulgathing. We are all still
trying to catch our breath!
Following the accident in October, all stations
found themselves a bit short staffed, with
many of those involved taking a bit of time
off or recovering from injury. We were lucky
enough to enlist the help of Welsh
backpacker Kerry Warren, travelling with
his partner Angharad Matthews, who was
doing the cooking at Mobella.
Kerry was a great help to Ashley Cooper
and myself who were spread a bit thin in the
weeks following the accident. Unfortunately
in January Kerry himself had a mishap with a
kangaroo on a water run and was found in a
pretty bad way. He has subsequently made a
full recovery and assures me that provided
the workshop is still as clean and orderly as
he left it, he will be back to finish making
plenty more gates for yards and fences!
The dust of shearing is just starting to settle
here around the Homestead, after finishing
on the 21st of March. We shore 28,485 for
715 bales, with our biggest cutters being the
1,000 wethers we were running around
Garford. The best of these sheep would have
cut nearly 8 kilos.
Droving through Celestial
Shearing shed yards at dawn
Down the laneway
Mustering at Old Homestead
Jumbuck News Page 9
Station News
A big welcome to Melissa Hamilton who has
joined the crew here at Commonwealth Hill
after doing 10 months at Mulgathing.
George Smith, our new pilot and yet
another kiwi has 'taken off' with his new role,
doing extremely well mustering for shearing.
In his spare time he has even done the odd
paddock for Mobella and Mulgathing. Ryan
Deacon and Clayton Burey have joined us
during shearing and have been thrown
straight into the fire, but have taken it all on
board and are doing exceptionally well.
RXY at first light
James Barry
Ω
Glen Devon
Hannah Botta & Melissa Hamilton
A huge thank you to those mentioned above
and to Ash Cooper, Dechlan O'Neill and
Hannah Botta for you unwavering support
over a pretty busy time. We have all had the
constant reminder that we have all been
working solidly without break or complaint
for over 10 weeks straight. Never once was
there
any
question
about
anyone’s
commitment
to
the
cause.
We
all
acknowledged the job at hand, put our heads
down and got on with it. Well done to all.
The year has started a lot drier than the year
just ended. Most of the Adelaide Hills region
has been feeding out hay and they have been
selling out of the stock feed blocks nearly as
quick as they are restocked. Some of the
farmers are buying them by the pallet trying
to get their stock through.
We have placed a mineral block for the cattle,
which is mainly salt and trace elements, not
the salt and molasses blocks that most people
first think of. The hay feeding started in midJanuary for the cows and the sheep started
their grain feeding in mid-February. This is a
lot earlier than most years by at least three
months in a typical year.
Crutching is about to start and to look at the
mobs they are a lot cleaner than last year, so
a good price for wool will hopefully follow.
Michael Cochrane
Ω
Some friendly neighbours
Jumbuck News Page 10
Station News
Gunbar
Since the last newsletter things have
continued to get drier here at Gunbar and
Tiarra. We have only received some
thunderstorms which have been very patchy,
giving small amounts of germination but
drying off before another rain comes.
Surface water is very scarce with only a
couple of dams at Gunbar still with water in
them, along with a handful at Tiarra along
the southern end which have filled on a good
thunderstorm and where dam water and feed
is quite good.
We have had big cut backs in both sheep and
cattle numbers with only 120 cows left which
are away on agistment near Bathurst. The
rest of the cattle were all sold at the end of
last year.
With ewes due to start lambing in April we
really need some good rain. We have 1600
general stud ewes on agistment in Hillston
also. Due to the dry we have not crutched any
sheep this year.
The only good thing about the dry is it gives
you a chance to clean out some dams which
we have been doing at Tiarra where we hired a
950 Cat Loader and Justin Lee has been
cleaning out a lot of dams for the past eight
weeks.
We have also put in a few new pipes from silt
dams into the main dams using big steel
fluming. Justin has been doing a very good job
on the loader with massive amounts of silt in
most of the dams he is pulling out.
Between six and eight feet of silt has been
pulled out of the dams so when they fill we will
have a huge amount of extra water. A few
dams have been cleaned out at Gunbar using
the silt scoop and dozer.
Many extra sheep have been turned off due
to the dry with 27,500 sheep sold since
shearing last year. These have included all of
the 2014 drop ewes from Tiarra; these ewes
made up to $112, averaging $91-84, and
2000 from Gunbar which made up to $78-00.
Along with all wethers from both places and
11 and 12 drop flock ewes from Gunbar,
these ewes where sold scanned empty and
made up to $118 and averaged $106-49 for
4920 sheep. All of these sheep sold very well
but will mean sales will be very light on for
the 2015 season.
2014 ewes at Andersons
Jumbuck News Page 11
Station News
Troy Haslet again put in a big effort as head
stockman. Daniel Groundwater worked hard
all season, and as the year progressed became
a valuable team member.
Meg Ross, who is leaving Jumbuck to study
after three years at Meda, we thank you for all
your efforts and entertainment. Jo Zanker,
who just keeps going, getting the job done
with very little fuss, we wish Jo all the best in
her new role as head stockwoman at Meda in
2015. Jake Carroll also put in a big effort.
Previous page: new fluming into four mile
dam and silt scooping old ram
Above: new fluming and a cleaned out four
mile dam.
The cattle yards at Cabbage Garden have
been repaired replacing all wooden posts with
steel and building a calf marking race.
A new case Maxxum 120 tractor/loader has
been purchased for Gunbar which will be
used for ploughing fire breaks when the
season requires.
Dominic Jennings
Ω
Killarney
The Laurisson family have packed up and
moved camp from Meda to take on the
management
of
Killarney
Birrimba
proprietors. We enjoyed our 18 years at
Meda and look forward to the new challenges
ahead at Killarney.
Troy Haslet has taken over as Junior
Manager at Meda. With support from Matt
Wood, Don Harris, Kevin Dean and CHM, I
am confident Troy will do well.
2014 was a very productive year at Meda/KD.
We branded 9530 [83%] head, which is a
record. We also got a lot of repairs and
maintenance completed. All made possible by
the effort of the 2014 staff who kept at it
from start to finish.
Adam Clark [Boots], who kept the Mack on
the road, and also handy in the loader and on
a horse, will be back at Meda/Blina again in
2015.
Chris Bowler - great effort during second
round, good attitude and always gives 100%.
Rose Lawton, KD governess, whose sense of
humour and ability to see the positive side of
most situations certainly added some spark.
Janette Dunn survived to the end of season,
and got the job done, great effort.
Special thanks to Don Harris and Wendy
Bailey who were a great support to us at
Meda, over some 12 years.
Kevin Dean in his first season achieved a lot
at KD, through hard work and the ability to get
on with the job and use his initiative. Well
supported by Mel Armstrong, Charlie and
Billy.
A new chapter begins at Killarney. Our first
wet season in the NT started late with no
significant falls recorded until late November.
Rainfall records indicate that wet season
normally starts in October. In December, we
recorded 332.4mm and January 180.4.
February was very dry with 105.6 recorded.
March has also been especially dry with only
1.8mm recorded to date.
Cattle at Killarney were certainly feeling the
effects of a prolonged dry season when I
arrived in November. The 2014 dry season one
of the longest on record. Most have recovered,
and looking well. However with March being
very dry they may be in for another long dry
season.
Jumbuck News Page 12
Station News
Henvil Barroz, long time Killarney employee,
has taken on the boremans job. Chrissy
Barroz is continuing in her role around the
homestead.
Janette Dunn has transferred from Meda to
Killarney after a short stint in between at Mount
Victor.
Coolibah Creek in flood
Great to have Michael Stanley join us at
Killarney as head stockman- homestead
camp, and Dan McCreedy as head
stockman- bush camp.
Tim Kilgour, who put in three years at Meda,
has returned to Jumbuck after two years in
Canada.
With Alex Laurisson, Will Laurisson, John
Brockhurst, Lucy Morrissey and Laura
Moore joining the 2015 team so far, I feel
confident we have the makings of a competent
crew.
Michael Stanley laying horse down as part of
the breaking in procedure
Killarney crew swimming in Companion
Springs
We have been kept busy over the wet season
in the workshop going over plant and
equipment in readiness for 2015 season.
Dan McCreedy with a young horse
Horses have been mustered, drafted and
currently breaking in 7 youngsters. With
country drying out fast, we look forward to
our first mustering season at Killarney.
Jumbuck News Page 13
Station News
Cattle market is looking very encouraging;
with export market reaching new heights.
Export steers out of Darwin reached $2.70
per kg during January. Indicators are that
market will remain strong for some time.
McCoys Well
Welcome to 2015.
In an effort to raise some funds, the Yunta
Rifle Club carried out some goat mustering in
November. They managed to yard up 450
goats from the North Eastern side of McCoys
Well.
A dry start to the year changed significantly
when we copped a total of 73.8mm of rainfall
over 7 consecutive days from Jan 7th to 13th,
only running water on that last day.
Results: Twelve full dams and only two dams
on the whole property without any water. A
sigh of relief was had by all and the pump
motors & pump jacks took a well-earned
break!
Prior to Christmas we had Reg Hams here
doing some much needed drain cleaning
around dams, so this certainly improved our
chances of catching water, and as it turned
out, was very timely.
First fishing expedition – Victoria River
House dam drain – North drain
Breaking in young horses
Jamie Laurisson
Ω
Jumbuck News Page 14
Station News
Crutching began on February 18th with
Delcox taking on the crutching job this year.
The job was done quickly in 9 ½ days, working
straight through. Emma Howie returned to
help us get the job done and will be back to
assist with the coming lamb tailing.
This week I attended a Wild Dog Local Area
Planning workshop in Yunta. The LAP coordinators are hoping to draw up and facilitate
the formation of minimum standards of dog
control in the district.
We are participating in the Aerial Baiting
program again this year. This is happening in
about 3 weeks’ time and involves 42 km‘s of
Northern boundary being baited. At the same
time we will commence our own ground
baiting program to compliment the aerial drop.
House dam drain – South drain
At this time we are looking for further rain.
February / March have been dry months. The
livestock are strong and the ewes are looking
heavy in lamb.
Sunrise over McCoys Well lagoon
A full House dam
We welcomed Jacqui Foyle from Mt Barker
to McCoys Well on February 8th, just in time
to learn her way around before crutching
began. Jacqui came from working in the
hospitality industry and has proven herself to
be very capable as well as a very fast
learner.
Jumbuck News Page 15
Graeme Barry
Ω
Station News
Madura Plains
Last year Madura plains finished on a high
with 413mm fallen throughout the year and
the country and stock are great examples of
that. This year thus far we have only received
a total of 17.2mm which fell at the end of
February.
The stock are heavily on water and the
country still has a great body of dry which
should keep the sheep in great order for
joining.
We have now completed lamb marking at
Madura. With the season being in our favour
we recorded a 94% lambing with 12,884
lambs marked. Come crutching time we have
some long tails to deal with also.
We are currently into our 19th day of crutching
with just over 20,000 completed. We are also
tidying up any woollies and have marked just
over 1,000 long tails which is all a help.
Crutching has been fairly smooth sailing with
no hold ups and the season has enabled us to
catch all stock off waters making life a little
easier. The Delcox team of crutchers have
been pushing through and keeping the job at a
high standard which is great to see when
going back through paddocks.
A big congratulation goes to Elizabeth (Bess)
Harrison for being promoted to Overseer at
Madura plains. Bess has been at Madura just
shy of two years and was recently rewarded
employee of the year within the company.
Hard and easy times, Bess has always been
there; we wish her all the best and just keep
doing what you’ve always done.
Bess Harrison
The crew at Karlabie yards under the gazebo
out of the simmering sun.
February last year we purchased some CFA
ewes from Rawlinna station knowing we
would get a lamb out of them just to build
our flock. We averaged a 94% lambing, then
in early December we had a miniature
shearing to off load most of the ewes.
They came out of the wool really well and
managed to keep their condition which paid
really well at the abattoir.
We would like to welcome our new staff to
Madura Plains: permanents Lyndon Harper,
David Lennard, and our new dogger Steven
Jenkings. Also we would like to welcome to
our team (to help with crutching) American
Robert Huskins and Dutch Stefan Wolters.
I would like to say a big thank you to Joe
Mackie for the years he spent at Madura. Joe
has been a reliable station hand and became a
good Overseer. Joe has applied for the Army
and we wish him all the best for his future.
Jumbuck News Page 16
Station News
With our daughter Sally having started Kindy
with School of the Air this year we would like
to welcome our first Governess, Claudia
McNab. She is doing a great job teaching
Sally and keeping both girls entertained in
the afternoons. A very big help for Mel.
May River running full
Matthew Haines
Ω
Meda
The end of the 2014 year has seen a few big
changes within the ranks at Meda with Jamie
and Gemma Laurisson moving on to
Killarney after a long and successful time at
Meda.
I would like to thank Jamie for the last two
years that I have spent working under him
and the knowledge that he has passed on. I
wish the Laurisson family all the best for their
future and time at Killarney.
We have had a good start to the 2014/2015
wet season, with steady rain in November
and December. The New Year saw some good
rainfall with 486ml falling in January.
February and March has been a little lighter
on the rain although there looks to have been
more rain away from the homestead out on
the run.
All in all the country is looking in good
condition and looks promising for the year
ahead.
Horses escaping the heat
I am pleased to have Don Harris staying on for
another year, to help keep all bores and
machinery in good order. He is going to be a
huge help for me, as he knows how the whole
show runs and will assist in keeping Meda
running smoothly.
Jumbuck News Page 17
Station News
With the mustering season due to start late
April, it is going to be a pleasure to have Jo
Zanker back in her first year as head
stockwoman.
We would also like to welcome back Daniel
Groundwater for his third year and Chris
Bowler his second year.
Returning for another season after having a
year away is Ashlee Morrow. These four are
going to make a good solid base to the Meda
stock camp.
Kimberley Downs is looking really good after
a little more rain than the Meda half. It is
great to have Kev Dean and Mel
Armstrong back for another year to keep
everything running along well, with a couple
of good off-siders; Charlie and Bill Dean.
With some of the best cattle prices seen in this
part of the country, it is looking to be a
successful season. I’m looking forward to
following on from Jamie in keeping Meda as an
efficiently run and productive cattle station.
I’m excited for the season to start and to see
what the year brings.
Troy Haslet
Ω
Mobella
Shearing is completed for 2015 here at
Mobella with 23,341 making the trip to the
shed and a total of 581 bales pressed. The
first round of Mixed Age Wethers sold over
the hooks well at $89 however the proof will
be in the pudding at Jamestown market later
in the month.
The sheep look good off shears considering
that we have had little rain to speak of. The
total rainfall this year is 5.8mm at the
homestead. A thunder storm across the top
of Mobella in early January has filled Angle
dam and half-filled Tartan again, being the
only relief so far this year. Sadly this only fell
on the boundary with the rest of the station
getting little or no rain.
Myself, Charlie & Bill Dean riding over
Christmas
Cudyea mob
Replacement heifers on one tree plain
Jumbuck News Page 18
Station News
Mobella has welcomed a new overseer in
Michael Goldsworthy and partner Kim
Heinemann, who have joined us mid shearing
- nothing like jumping in the deep end!
Michael has come from spending a year at Isis
Downs in Queensland to return to his home
state of South Australia with partner Kim. I am
excited to announce that later in the year
there will also be the pitter patter of little feet
at Mobella.
Angle dam
Mick & Kim
On the staff front Mobella also welcomes Finn
McCauley Wassell from Currumbin Waters in
the sunny state. Finn is fresh from school and
full of interest in the working of things at
Mobella. After completing a shearing he is now
a star at droving and drafting!
Shearing shed
Finn and the mob from Tartan
Finn and the mob from Tartan
Tartan mob
Jumbuck News Page 19
Station News
Andrew Wenham from Country Roads
Contracting came over from Bulgunnia to
lend a hand after their shearing.
Rob Taylor, the combined Commonwealth
Hill and Mobella dogger, has earned himself a
carton of red cans after shooting a dog in
Angle paddock a couple weeks ago, very
happy to say he is quick on the trigger, a job
very well done indeed.
The end of last year and the start of summer
has been busy with waters and sheep work
however the end of shearing and placing out
will mean a well-earned rest and a start on
some maintenance jobs that are overdue,
and maybe a rain dance or three.
Mt Victor
The bull dust is deepening, a clear indicator
of the drying times with 56mm of rain in
January but very little run-off. All the dams
on Mount Victor are now dry, though
Plumbago still has a number with water.
The Arkaroola pump jack is going 24/7 in a
vain attempt to keep up. The Homestead is
on bore water, the table of an evening
surrounded by the team looking very
starched. The dishwasher is on rainwater
after some creative plumbing and we are
carting water from Four Brothers for the fruit
trees at the Homestead. The weather man
seems to be on leave until further notice.
In late November, because of the drying
conditions, we sold a further 2800 sheep,
which included 2100 eight-month-old ewe
weaners. These averaged $90 at the Yelta
sale yard. This took our annual sheep sale to
just over 10, 000. This in hindsight was a
sound management decision, especially
considering the present land and water
situation.
Shearing shed
We have just finished crutching. The majority
of the stock is in good condition. Craig
Philps, our long time crutching coordinator
has retired after ten years, having taken on
the family farm. Bill Naismith, who did a
term here years ago when Jock was
managing Mount Victor and returned the last
couple of years, has taken on the principle
position.
Cudyea mob
Tasha Masters
Ω
Crutching
Jumbuck News Page 20
Station News
Bill and his mate of the first week were a bit
quicker than we are used to, and put us
under some real pressure in an attempt to
keep ahead of them. The team dug in and we
managed to stagger over the line, but we did
regroup and held firm for the rest of
crutching.
Several
windmills
needing
attention almost sabotaged our efforts.
Sarah & Nikita pushing stubborn ewes up for
crutching
Crutchers hard at it
Sean Harrison, our overseer, is moving on
to different fields seeking wider experience,
having been with us for 2 ½ years. We wish
him good fortune in his future endeavours.
We congratulate Sarah Simmons in her
promotion to the Overseers position at Mt
Victor, a role I know she will do well in, having
been with us for 2 years.
Patrick Mahoney is being awarded the
overseer position at Plumbago in recognition of
his experience and dedication. I congratulate
them both as these are well deserved
promotions.
Josh Mahoney, after years of work
experience with us, left school and took on a
permanent position with us here at Mount
Victor. Only 16 but seems like an old hand.
Nikita Whalley started with us just before
crutching having had a fair amount of
experience with stock and a pair of good dogs.
She has slotted in well. Janette Dunn the
magic cook came to us in January, having
done a previous season at Meda. Alas,
Killarney had a previous claim and she left the
day crutching finished to head north. We are
seeking legal opinion on that contract;
Janette’s energy left the rest of us flagging in
her dust. Alex O’Connor, our recent English
backpacker, commented that he didn’t think
much of misty grey days when he was at
home but after Mount Victor he is looking
forward to seeing them again.
I will take this opportunity to sincerely thank
my team for their hard work and dedication
over the previous period.
Josh, Alex & Sarah somehow managing to
smile while marking the big lambs
Jumbuck News Page 21
Station News
Harry
Palmer
and
Sean
renovated
Glenorchy Well by putting 600mm poly pipe
down and backfilling with ballast. We
salvaged a tower and head off an abandoned
well and are now just waiting for the head to
be rebuilt to make this operational again.
I’ll admit that talking to a group of seventy
five is a daunting task for a quiet bush lad like
me.
We had a quiet Christmas this year, though it
does seem quite some time ago now, with
Sarah being the only staff member to join my
family this year for the festivities. There was
also the customary bore pulling on Boxing
Day. In October, between staff turnover and
leave, Sarah and I pulled 62 lengths of pipe on
five bores in 3 ½ days. I would think this
would have to be some kind of record.
Cementing at Glenorchy, the concrete mixer
goes round and round, round and round
The Huntingtower School from Melbourne,
who have had a forty year association with
Plumbago, did their annual trek around the
Plumbago Hills and Glenorchy. The sixty year
10 students walked 50km over five days in
February, carrying everything they needed
except water. They were lucky with a cool
week this year.
I was invited to speak to the group just prior
to their departure where I covered topics
such as their courage (all being city kids),
Jumbuck, Mount Victor Plumbago and
kangaroo management.
I asked them to compare the number of
kangaroos they’d seen with the number of
sheep. It was generally concurred that there
were more kangaroos than sheep. I asked if,
in their opinion, were kangaroos in danger of
extinction, to which there was a resounding
no.
I went on to explain that the increase in
stock watering points had allowed the
kangaroo numbers to increase exponentially.
A number of people came up to me
afterwards to say they’d never thought of the
kangaroo issue in these terms.
I also superimposed an outline map of Mount
Victor Plumbago over a map of Melbourne
which generated great interest.
Our new driver
To the future, with hopefully some rain in it, I
want to try and get some yard this. We did get
three yards done before maintenance done as
there are a number of candidates for crutching
which made life easier and has inspired us to
do more. The lamb marking is coming up in
May, which will be fast upon us I’m sure.
Richard Williams
Ω
Mulgathing
The seasonal conditions here are remaining
dry, with moderate days and cold nights
becoming the norm, a very pleasant change
from the hot conditions of shearing time! I
think that we could be in for a very dry
autumn.
Jumbuck News Page 22
Station News
With shearing completed here and a total of
33,684 shorn and 917 bales pressed, we are
enjoying a weekend off and preparing to
place the last of our ewe weaners.
A big thank you goes out to our shearing
contractor, Geoff Dorset and his team! They
were a pleasure to work with, and very
understanding when we had a few hiccups
during shearing.
Likewise thanks to our haulage contractor,
Rohan Welke and his team of hardworking
truck drivers for their efforts hauling wool
and livestock during shearing. With Mark
Price even helping to draft some sheep when
we were a bit slow keeping sheep to the
shearers!
Full credit to Danielle Goodwin and the
team for having the last of our mature age
ewes back in their paddocks within 4 days
from the end of shearing. This shearing was
pretty busy and Danielle has done a good job
keeping sheep and staff on the move. Thank
you Danielle!
Sean McLachlan has done a long and hot
shearing in the shed yards branding and
back-lining, thanks Sean, we all appreciate
your hard work. Also, thanks to Stuart
Donnelly for his efforts in the yards and
helping with the droving.
Gayle, our station cook has done a wonderful
job keeping everybody well fed and watered,
including the truck drivers who, it seems, like
coming to Mulgathing.
Clem McAuliffe
Ω
Rawlinna
The season at Rawlinna continues to be
surprisingly good, with just enough rain to
keep the annuals in good order. Even without
another rain, I think we could go through to
the end of winter without hurting our next crop
of lambs. Whilst the southern quarter of the
property looks a bit dry, the rest more than
makes up for it.
Shearing is now in its 5th week and we still
have another 3 weeks left. The Rawlinna staff
has held up really well and I would like to
take this opportunity to let them know how I
think they should be really proud of their
efforts.
It is no easy thing to bring in large numbers
of sheep each day, process them and then
take them out whilst continuing the
mustering programme and keeping the sale
stock and wool moving as well.
Additionally, station cook Alana Mynott has
provided a continuous flow of great food that
has kept morale up. A gutsy effort from all!
Perhaps the most unusual feature of this
shearing has been the number of water
issues that we have had to deal with. In the
first week, six bores broke down. Over the
duration of shearing to date we have
replaced two stationary motors, rebuilt then
replaced one mono pump and pulled nine
bores.
Dennis Nash and Chad Clifton have taken
the brunt of this work load, with Mark Hunt
doing what he can and keeping the yards
running at the same time.
Sheep sales this year are a bit different to
most years. For the first time that I am
aware, Rawlinna has advertised in a number
of different states to gain a wider interest in
the sale sheep being offered off shears. Thus
far, we are just over half way through our
trucking programme, with wether lambs
making up the bulk of sale stock left to go.
Whenever possible, we drove the sale sheep
the 65 kilometres south to the trucking yards
situated near the highway in mobs of up to
6000. This takes up to a week as I spell the
stock from time to time.
Whilst shearing continues at Depot, Garry
Batt continues to keep the homestead
buildings and gardens looking amazing. He
has now spent nearly two months working on
his own without other station staff about for
company.
Jumbuck News Page 23
Michael Simons
Ω
Station News
Springfield
We filled the silo and got on with feeding.
Grain for the ewes, grain and ‘home cut hay’
for the weaners.
Hello, my name is Tom Vincent and I am the
new Springfield Station overseer, as of
November 2014.
I come from a farming
family in the Wrattonbully region between
Narracoorte and Penola in the SE of SA.
On arrival - shortly after shearing - the stock
were in excellent condition and the property
was green but drying out rapidly. Our first
priority was to start offloading stock due to the
deteriorating seasonal conditions. Many small
truckloads of cull and surplus sheep were sent
to Dublin sale yards and directly to the
processors at Lobethal and Murray Bridge. We
did this over a period of weeks to avoid a
single depressed market and this strategy
worked well with reasonable prices received
for all sheep.
The next job on the agenda was joining and
what a pleasure it was to see fat and healthy
rams eager to work with equally wellconditioned ewes. I had inherited a very
healthy flock to work with. We had worm egg
counts done on the ewes prior to joining and
there were no problems. I also did a manual
scrotal test on the rams just to be sure.
Silo and auger
Then came Christmas and New Year, a time to
relax. Not Really!
On the 2nd of January 2015 the Sampson Flat
fire was started. The fire was declared a Major
Emergency the next day and the fire remained
a threat until the 9th of January.
The fire burnt in excess of 30,000 acres,
destroyed 27 houses and 140 outbuildings, as
well as injuring 134 people. Stock losses in the
area were small except for a few tragic stories
of pets.
Healthy flock at Springfield
As soon as joining was done it was time to
start feeding. A new grain auger was required
and this was promptly collected from Kadina
on the York Peninsula.
Springfield was threatened only twice and
suffered no loss of pasture or stock. Everyone
connected with Springfield did their jobs from
dousing the homestead and gardens, to
putting horses and sheep out of harms way.
Communication was key and we all managed
to stay safe.
Jumbuck News Page 24
Station News
Like all good fires this one was followed by a
couple of inches of rain. While a welcome
relief, rain in January doesn’t give a lot of feed
and as such the hand-feeding program kept
on.
The decision to confine the stock to ‘sacrifice’
paddocks in order to protect the hills from
overgrazing was taken in January. This has
effectively put our stock into a feedlot type
situation with regular feeds of barley and
lupins plus hay.
It appears that this has been a good
experiment with the stock holding their good
condition (as I write we have received our
opening break of 25mls over the Easter
weekend) and the paddocks are ripe for the
break.
With crutching and drenching done, many
horses going north and all dry ewes sold, we
are in a good position going into lambing. To
top the situation off we have just received our
opening rain as I mentioned earlier.
Tom Vincent
Ω
Directors station inspection dates:
Madura Plains, WA
Jock MacLachlan
14th-17th April
Rawlinna, WA
Jock MacLachlan
18th-19th April
Killarney, NT
26th April-1st May
Callum MacLachlan
Jock MacLachlan
Fiona and Hugh MacLachlan
Blina, WA
Callum MacLachlan
11th-14th May
Meda, WA
Callum MacLachlan
15th-18th May
Dates of interest:
Sampson Flat fire January 2015
Nullabor Muster
Rawlinna, WA
Jumbuck News Page 25
17th-19th April
Staff News
Jumbuck Pastoral is
on Facebook
We now have a Facebook page! Search
Jumbuck Pastoral and ‘like’ our page.
It’s new and needs some work though,
what do you want to see on there? We
would love to hear your suggestions and
ideas.
As an added incentive, we have an
Akubra up for grabs! All you have to do
for a chance to win is like the Jumbuck
Pastoral page in April and suggest
something useful that can be added to
the page to help show others what it’s
like working at Jumbuck Pastoral.
The lucky winner will be picked at
random on Friday 1st May.
Positions Vacant:
Expressions of Interest (EOI) Wanted
Station Hands – experienced & entry level
Cooks
Jackaroos/Jillaroos
We are always looking for expressions of
interest from enthusiastic and motivated
individuals to join Jumbuck Pastoral.
Positions at numerous stations are available
at various times and we like to recruit from
our database so please complete an online
application for any of the above ‘positions
available’ and we will contact you.
Motorbike skills, mechanical aptitude, stock
experience and/or horse riding skills are an
advantage but entry level station hand roles
are available as well. A flexible and
enthusiastic attitude is essential.
Recruitment News
With the retirement of John Bennet after a
very long and successful stint in the role of
‘Personnel Manager’, 2015 sees a new addition
to the team at Jumbuck House.
Managers will be asked to once again
nominate staff they believe stand out as
exceptional
employees.
Employee of the Year
Candidates
2015
will
be
judged by
the directors and chosen in November 2015.
The directors are looking for employees who
demonstrate they work by our values in their
daily duties and represent what Jumbuck
Pastoral is all about. It may be for
outstanding work ethic and team work;
someone that goes above and beyond in their
daily work life.
Bess Harrison, from Madura Plains, won the
award in 2014 due to her work ethic, sense
of humour, leadership skills and tireless hard
work. Bess has since been promoted to
Overseer
where
she
continues
to
demonstrate these skills and attributes as a
valuable team leader.
For those I haven’t been in contact with yet,
my name is Melissa Farbus and I was the
lucky person employed to take on the role of
Recruitment Manager for Jumbuck Pastoral.
I’ve been here since January and after a very
hectic but thorough handover from John, I
have settled in well and am finding my feet in
the world of sheep, cattle and station life.
My background is in recruitment and training
in both Victoria and Queensland, followed by a
complete change of scenery where I spent the
last two years working in cleaning, bar and
site administration roles on mining camps and
construction sites in western Queensland.
I am new to South Australia and the farming
world but I can fully appreciate the extremes
of weather, the big hours and the hard work
you all do. I admit sometimes I am a little
envious of the outdoors lifestyle you are part
of in this beautiful country of ours and
hopefully at some point I will visit some
stations and meet you all. 
Jumbuck News Page 26
Position Vacant - Manager
Jumbuck Pastoral
Manager – Mulgathing
This is a rare opportunity to enjoy an active outdoors lifestyle while building a rewarding
management career. We are seeking a positive, forward thinking and flexible person to fulfil
this role.
The position:
On offer is the chance to be part of our long standing history and contribute to the continued growth of
Mulgathing station; one of Jumbuck Pastoral’s original operations. This is a unique opportunity to build
your career within an established, secure and well respected family organisation.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will have access to a stable, supportive and successful
company structure, which also values fresh ideas and rewards progressive thinking.
Efficient head office support removes the need for considerable office time, allowing you to be an active
outdoors manager.
Situated in 8-inch rainfall, saltbush and mulga country, Mulgathing consistently runs 30,000+ merinos
over 530,000 hectares. Employing a staff of ten, Mulgathing is located in the north-west pastoral
region of SA, 38km west of Tarcoola. It is in close vicinity to three other Jumbuck stations, allowing for
local support and facilitating social interaction.
You:
The
•
•
•
•
•
•
successful candidate will have proven skills and experience in the following areas:
livestock (sheep) husbandry
mechanical, windmill and pipeline
staff management and leadership
mentoring and training of inexperienced staff
workplace health and safety compliance
general farm maintenance
The following personal attributes are essential:
•
a positive and proactive attitude
•
strong work ethic
An attractive package is available including a negotiable salary, super, meals, governess and
accommodation in an attractive 4-bedroom homestead with garden.
Position commences May 2015.
For enquiries please contact Melissa Farbus (Recruitment Manager) on 08 8100 1609
or email [email protected]
For more information on Jumbuck Pastoral please visit our website:
www.jumbuckpastoral.com
Jumbuck News Page 27
Thank you to Richard Williams from Mt Victor for this poem… I’m sure many managers can relate!
Clancy@theoverflow
Written by Joe Wolfe, with apologies to
A.B. ("Banjo") Paterson.
I had written him a text
Which I'd sent, hoping the next
Time he came in mobile coverage
He'd have time to say hello.
But I'd heard he'd lost his iPhone,
So I emailed him from my smart phone,
Just addressed, on spec, as follows:
clancy@theoverflow
And the answer redirected
Wasn't quite what I'd expected
And it wasn't from the shearing mate
Who'd answered once before.
His ISP provider wrote it
And verbatim I will quote it:
'This account has been suspended:
You won't hear from him anymore.'
In my wild erratic fancy
Visions come to me of Clancy:
Out of reach of mobile coverage
Where the Western rivers flow.
Instead of tapping on the small screen,
He'd be camping by the tall green
River gums, a pleasure
That the town folk never know.
But the looming deadlines haunt me
And their harassing senders taunt me
That they need response this evening
For tomorrow is too late!
But their texts, too quickly ended,
Often can't be comprehended
For their writers have no time to think
They have no time to wait.
And I sometimes rather fancy
That I'd like to trade with Clancy:
Just set up an email bouncer
Saying 'Sorry, had to go.'
While he faced an inbox jamming
Up with deadlines and with spamming
As he signed off every message:
clancy@theoverflow.
Well, the bush has friends to meet him
But the rest of us can't greet him:
Out there, even Telstra's network
Doesn't give you any bars.
He can't blog the vision splendid
Of the sunlit plains extended
Or tweet the wondrous glory
Of the everlasting stars.
I am sitting at the keyboard,
I'm too stressed out to be bored
As I answer all the emails
By the deadlines they contain.
While my screen fills with promotions
For 'Viagra' and strange potions
And announcements of the million-dollar
Prizes I can claim.
Jumbuck News Page 28