The Special Summer Edition of The Downunder Magazine is out on the news stands from December 1 and for our online subscribers, available from November 25.
Stories include:
- Pastoral-based tourism in the Kimberley's Wild West
Today, Home Valley Station is a diversification success story operating since 2005 as a tourism operation, a working cattle station and an Indigenous training and employment facility. It was in 2008 when the ILC completed its final stage of its redevelopment that Home Valley Station greatly improved its training and employment facilities and raised its profile to a world-class premium standard tourism operation, all this while a change in the genetics of the existing wild shorthorn herd of cattle took place with the introduction of purebred Brahman and Texas Longhorn cattle, which continues today. - Chris Fenech's tribute to Buddy Tyson
I will always remember the writing of this article for the rush of emotion experienced as I was shocked and saddened by the news of Buddy Tyson's passing, Wednesday 19th October, 2011 will mark the day that all Australian's lost a true legend of the bush, while many close friends and relatives have lost so much more... - From Galloping through wilderness
The Australian Brumby has forever captured our hearts and imaginations of what it means to be free and untamed. Running wild throughout our vast land in every State and Territory - from our coldest mountains and to our hottest sandy deserts, where only the toughest survive. Brumbies have been the subject of many poems, movies and campfire stories for generations, stories told of menacing stallions and mobs running through the night, never to be captured. But when they are captured, they make the perfect riding horse and friend. - Cattle, Camping & Kids at Coolah!
When thinking school holidays a variety of images come to mind...family holidays to the beach, sleep overs with little friends or going to work with Dad. For some it might mean more time hanging at the shops, unlimited time in front of the TV or computer, or just hanging out with mates. But for a small group of kids this most recent school holidays gave them the opportunity to join a three day camp, where they could meet new friends, learn about beef cattle and the beef industry and have an absolute blast at the same time.
- Best Memories of the Blue Ride to Quorn
What were the best memories of the Blue Ride from Gladstone to Quorn? The Street Parade? Yes. Fifty horses in blue: fifty riders in blue. A perfect overcast day: cool with a gentle breeze just strong enough to unfurl and flutter the flags we carried. Gladstone's main street was ablaze with blue and a crowd of some two hundred people cheered us through to the "Blessing of the Horses" Ceremony. All the horses stood quietly while the Reverend David Amery read the Horses Prayer and blessed them with holy water. Then we moved off. - Nanua Picnic Races and Gymkhana
On Friday 15th September, the 66th annual Nanua Picnic Races & Gymkhana kicked off the weekend with an Hawaiian night at the bar in the company of people coming from near and far places such as Broken Hill, Mildura, The Riverland and surrounding areas. - The Deniliquin Ute Muster and Play On The Plains Festival
Every year on the NSW Labour Day long weekend the small township of Deniliquin's population explodes. People travel from all across the country to come and take part in the fun, festivities and non-stop entertainment that is the Deni Ute Muster. Utes can be seen lined up waiting for the Ute Muster gates to open a week or more prior to this iconic Australian Festival. - Kirby McGill Couture: Dresssing the Women of Rural Queensland
For the hard-working women of the rural world, there are few occasions that give them an opportunity to take off their Ariat boots, long sleeved shirts and wide brim hat without feeling like mutton dressed up as lamb. However, come the local races, and you'll find a completely different story, with Mothers, governesses and stockwomen pulling out all stops to look a million dollars and stake their claim in the Fashions on The Field. - Living A Dream in a Land Downunder
Australia is one of the most unique, diverse and untouched countries in the world; a treasure trove of new and exciting experiences for a young Canadian backpacker. What follows is an account of my rollercoaster experience travelling around Australia over 7 months, including many ups, downs, twists and turns in the land they call 'Downunder'. - Julia Creek Western Riding Club Challenge
On the first weekend of October, the quiet little one horse town of Julia Creek in North West Queensland came to life for its second annual Stockman's Challenge. Organised and ran by the Julia Creek Western Club, which is made up of local horse enthusiasts, the Stockman's Challenge is one of the last 'horsey' events of the year in the Northern Zone. - What can you learn from the show ring?
Across the nation agricultural shows and livestock competitions provide breeders, growers and interested observers an opportunity to assess, compare and admire beef cattle from almost every breed produced in the nation. While showing cattle is a firmly fixed component of the Australian cattle industry, there are many who challenge the relevance to showing cattle to commercial production. - ATHRA Camp - The Best September Camp Ever!
The commencement of September school holidays means the commencement of the annual 9 day ATHRA Queensland camp. Nine days spent with our horses and old friends as well as the promise of making new friends. - Top quality horses sold at Blackall Sale
Five months of hard work preparing a stable of a dozen horses for sale has paid off for nine students of Australian Agricultural College Corporation. - Brian and Glenda Kirkwood: 'Never Ever Give Up'
It takes an extraordinary kind of person to endure the hardships of life and still be smiling at the end of the day. Then there are those of us who are blessed to meet not one, but two united people, a couple who have stuck together through thick and thin, adamant to accept all the challenges that life may hurl their way. Brian and Glenda Kirkwood are such a couple, having been married since 1970, their life together has been something of a snakes and ladders game, just climbing forward to be hit with a drought or a health scare to then slide back down the snake again.
In Glenda's office is an old cartoon that she has carried in the back of her mind as well as her heart for as long as she can remember; a huge pelican with the head of a frog down his throat, only his torso visible and his long skinny arms are plunged forward with his little froggy fingers clasping on for dear life around the pelican's throat, at the bottom of the cartoon reads the Kirkwood's life motto - "Never ever give up!". - Cobb and Co Country Trail Riders
Riders travelled from as far as Texas and Emerald to participate in the Cobb and Co Country trail Riders' major trail ride of the year on October 1. - Kalgoorlie Or Bust 2011 - Riding the Pipeline for Hope!
On a hot afternoon after a trail ride, my friend Bessie Traylen and I were watching a program about cancer patients and how it not only affected the lives of the patients themselves but their friends and family around them too. Bessie and I felt as though we really wanted and should do something to help. Bessie came up with the idea of a long ride on horseback to Kalgoorlie. - Carr Twins Credit AACC with Success
Gavin and Shaun Carr have ridden horses from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Kimberleys and everywhere in between. - A Training Day - Hussar Style
On the weekend of the 15 and 16th of October the members of the D Troop 15th Hussars, Blue and Grays Civil War Reenactment Group and 21 eme French Infrantry got together to practice their skills at arms and battle tactics. This was a good opportunity for infantrymen to get experience with cavalry attacks and for the Hussars to have infantry to charge! - When the going gets tough...Ben and Shay get going!
Every so often you meet a young man who just seems to have that extra special something. With a whole lot of ambition, humility and horsemanship, Ben Ryan is one such man. - The Waverly Bull ride
Nestled in the middle of the well known country town, Charters Towers, is the Waverly Hotel, a popular watering hole for the locals of the area. To the naked eye, the Hotel looks like a quiet country pub, but once a month, the pub comes alive with an action-packed bullride exploding out the back of the pub in what was once a beer garden! - Meet the Weyburys
When you first walk into a room with the Weybury family you would be remiss in thinking 'whats so special about these people'. In the true spirit of Australians they really are the quiet achievers, and it's only when you take the time to sit down and listen to their stories that you find out exactly how remarkable they are. - Cattle Muster
News from Angus, Dexter, Herefords, Limousin, Romagnolas, Squaremeaters and Texas Longhorn.
The Extra bits and pieces
- Take A Ride beside the Cowgirl Chaplain
- Lighten Your Load
Your regular column on getting you through life's struggles. - Reminisce With Ro
Summertime - Liz's Station Cooking
Prawn, Avocado & Mango Salsa Salad, My "Whatever" Pasta and Cream Puffs. - Stallion Parade
Featuring some of Australia's nicest sires. - Bull Parade
In the market for a bull, look no further and this month features some sale ring feedback.
Clubs
We regularly feature fantastic clubs:
- Hall Pony Club
- Hawkesbury Pony Club
Photos
We have some great photo coverage
from all over Australia including:
- Aussie Bush Santa
- Shearing at Lightwood
- Weddings Downunder
- Normanton Stingers Bush Races
- Station Life
- Stroud Campdraft