The past few weeks here have seen some amazing things in my life.

I met people like this, whose story must be shared.

I also met many whose tale were more difficult to publish, in some cases too private, in others more dangerous.  I don’t mean to be evasive, but just let me say that we are soooooo lucky in this country to enjoy the ‘Aussie’ kind of lifestyle.  The term ‘The Lucky Country’ rings loud and true to me, at this moment.

Every person we met who had travelled from overseas to visit the events we had organised last week, were fabulous in their own way.  All admired our beautiful country, our friendly manner and some shared their own stories … which sharply reminded me that it costs nothing to be grateful.

Grateful for the freedom to bring our children up in a reasonably relaxed way.

Grateful that we really don’t have to worry about our precious stock going missing every night.

Grateful that we can sleep safe in our own homes.

Grateful that for every frustrating tangle of red tape we must unravel (as primary producers), that we get to have a say in the people who govern us.

Grateful that (as beef producers) we can make our own selections of bloodlines we wish to introduce to our breeding programs.

Grateful that we can work together as a family to build our business.

And I am grateful, personally, that the efforts I freely gave over the past couple of years, were openly appreciated by others.

Sometimes, just saying ’I am grateful’  and ‘thankyou’ is enough… and getting flowers was just the icing on the cake!

What do you think?

What things are you grateful for?

I have met many incredible people in my life.  As a journalist I got to meet characters that made headlines for right and wrong reasons.  I met famous people, quiet achievers, the selfless and the driven. I met mad cat ladies, smooth mafia hoods and earnest politicians.  I met people like RM Williams, Steve Irwin, Tommy Emmanuel, Jimmy Barnes…

But in all my life, I have never met anyone like Rob Cook.

Rob agreed to be part of an event I helped organise last week… I had read about him, been inspired to recommend him, and enthusiastically anticipated his presentation to a gathering of assorted cattle producers from around the world.  I knew his story would shock some people, and I arrived there expecting him to inspire me.  To help put the pressures of my life, and those around me, into some perspective.

I thought I knew… but I really had NO idea what I was in for.

Rob is a young man, who happens to live on the most remote cattle station in Australia.  And if you know Australia at all, you will understand that is a long, LONG way from anywhere.  He was a rodeo star, a go-get-em kinda guy from a very large but close-knit family, married to his sweetheart, Sarah.  He has piercing blue eyes, a direct manner and two adorable kids.

He is also a quadraplegic.

And while I knew this fact, before he was lifted onto stage by a couple of burly Brangus breeders… I didn’t GET it.

Not until he spoke.

Once up on stage, in command of his audience, Rob shared his life story – up to, including, and beyond THAT day when his life changed irrevocably.

The pivotal moment was a helicopter crash, on his property, about as far from civilisation and medical help as it is possible to get.

I am not going to share every detail of his story, because, honestly, I think you need to hear that from the man himself. No-one can tell his story like he can*.

But a couple of points he made I will share.  Because you really need to understand how amazing this guy is.

He tells of hanging awkwardly in the chopper wreckage, of knowing his injuries were life-threatening and considering telling the pilot to tell his wife and kids he loved them.  But holding back because he decided, that would be a coward’s way out. The least he could do, he thought, was live long enough to tell them himself.

He tells of being on life support, where the medical experts had done all they could and finally said: we can do no more – from this point on it’s up to the patient.  And he decided right there: Okay.  I now have a goal. 

And three weeks later, he finally did it.  He breathed on his own.  It would be the first of his new challenges – and he would meet them all with the same clear-eyed detirmination.

Rob won a scholarship called the Nuffield, which helped pay for travel to gather information and ideas for improving his farming practice.  It did not cover the costs of his family and carers to travel with him. So he fund-raised. Not by selling chooks at the pub – but by driving his wheelchair 730 km across the desert.  Uh huh.  Driving his motorised wheelchair (he can move a thumb) across the DESERT.  He did it, and together they travelled and gathered ideas to help he (and others who might find themselves in his position) operate their businesses.  Because, in the end, all this young beef producer wants to is go back to work.

Each of these stories I retell here is but a tiny snippet of the epic battles this guy has taken on.

He tells them with confidence and candour and colour, in such a way that his wheelchair seems to dissolve and his attitude and personality fill the room.  I felt myself being lifted and my own issues being shrunk with every word.  I decided right there that everyone needs to hear him speak.

And you won’t fully understand why until you sit in a room with him and listen.  Rob’s motto is:

“I would rather attempt something great and fail, than to do nothing at all and succeed.”  

How is THAT for an attitude?

I think it was his response to a question I asked at the end of his presentation that totally sealed it for me. I asked:

“You are here, inspiring us. But who inspires you?”

With a blink or hesitation, he answered:

“My wife.”

I pretty much lost it right then. Later, I asked her how she coped with the emotional fallout when he shares their intense and personal story with others.  She admitted it was hard in the beginning, and she used to sit behind him so no-one could see.  Then she looked at me and said:

“You know… HE’S the one – for all of us.  Some people get angry when this kind of thing happens, but not Rob… I have never seen him have a down day.”

Can you imagine?

I can.

But only because I got to meet him, and share his special kind of energy and outlook for a short while.

(BB & the incredible Rob Cook).

I hope, one day, you get to meet Rob and Sarah in real life too… I urge you all to explore Rob’s story more here* on his website.  Spend some time – and maybe leave a message. I am trying to encourage he and Sarah to blog some more…  the world needs some more of their attitude, don’t you think?

BB

PS Another great story on Rob here. (Nuffield link here).

What a week! What a fortnight actually… I cannot believe it (Beef 2012 and the World Brangus Congress) are over.

If you have no idea what I am on about, then you don’t live in Queensland.  Beef 2012 is the massive event celebrating all things beef-related in Australia (an event that takes place in Rockhampton every three years, changing its name appropriately).  And the World Brangus Congress is a little thing I have been tangled up in for the past couple of years – doing my bit to help Australia host our very first WBC event.  (It’s why I have been pretty light on in the blogging department for a little while).

The two events ran simultaneously, which was clever and crazy at the same time.  Clever because there was always plenty for our inter-state and international visitors to do. Crazy because it tripled the things WE had to do and attend. Almost every meal was also an event, most days included Congress functions and in between hours were spent showcasing our business.

Our family business also showed cattle and ran a trade site at Beef 2012 – luckily I was smart/assy enough to hire a couple of couches.  Cause MAN we needed them… and while I REALLY wanted to blog and tweet my way through this action-packed time, I was so time-poor (plus I only had my car charger for my phone battery!) that I managed just a  couple of tweets.

Here are a few quick images to give you a tiny taste of what we were up to…

Giggling at my father urging on the Brangus team in the interbreed tug-of-war in Centre Ring (a warm up for the actual cattle showing the following day!). Okay, I was also yelling my little heart out too… just ask the poor Droughtmaster supporter filming the battle between our two chosen breeds – her video was filled with the dulcet tones of my biased cheering.

Admiring the beautiful horses and talented riders at the campdrafting demonstration put on by Paradise Lagoons entrepreneur Graeme Acton.

Taking in ‘The Man From Snowy River’ show under lights at the Rocky Showgrounds…

Welcoming visitors into our little corner of Beef 2012 – note the comfy couches, the cool hat rack (made by Mr Incredible) and slideshow of images from our operation that my regular readers have probably already seen here on the blog!

(Aside, if you attended Beef’ and ate at the StoneGrill, chances are you tasted beef produced by the chick in pink shirt in this pic.  Yum!)

Our comfy corner also drew some great new friends – like Sidney from Texas who delighted my daughter and her friend with lots of cuddles and glittery nail polish!

We gazed in wonder at the spectacle of dozens of beautiful Brangus cattle in Centre Ring…

The biggest ever gathering of Brangus in this country. Pretty darned cool…

And got a kick out of the efforts humans go to, to make bulls smile…

Look this way!

Ears forward!

SMILE!!!

Admired the butts of many bovines, but especially this one… who sported a glittery symbol of a pink ribbon in honour of this guy…

Glenn McGrath.  Aussie sporting hero (cricket fast bowler) and patron of two important groups – The Australian Year of the Farmer (for which he was in Rocky) and The McGrath Foundation (founded by Glenn and his late wife, Jane, to help find a cure for breast cancer).

I have to admit I got a little star-struck in meeting Glenn – but he was lovely and genuinely enjoyed his stint as ribbon-awarder and also winning-ticket-picker.  He helped the Brangus Association give away these two girls…

The four-legged ones.  (And yes, you do recognise the bloke on the left with the black one – our stud donated a heifer to the promotion for the breed).

Had to finish with this guy… clearly fed up with all that poncing and parading around the ring.  I expected him to send his handler for a cup of tea too…

I have a few more highlights to share from Beef – including one that will blow your mind. Lord knows it blew mine.  But it’s Mother’s Day and I am scheduled for a cup of tea and lie down of my own.

So… what’s everyone else been up to while I have been away?

BB

I have a little problem.  Well I actually have several…

You know how when you think you have each task planned, organised, and ready to be executed? And then the ONE thing that can go awry, does.  And requires you to spend twice the time and energy you allocated for it, to untangle and set it on its way again? And that happens to 90% of the tasks you set yourself?  Well, that domino-disaster effect seems to be in plague mode here.  I won’t bore you with details, suffice to say that today, I am NOT the calm being I usually strive to be.  (Just ask OopsieMumma!)

So, like any addict, I am seeking a few minutes solace in my drugs of choice.  In my case, photos* and blogging.

Excuse me for a moment while I medicate myself back into a state of semi-reasonableness.

Wildly feathered chook and girl… ahhhh.

Doe-eyed daughter and new friend…. mmmmm.

View from my office window… ahhhhh.

Same horse-mad girl on sweet Palomino at back gate… uh-hmmm…

Me on rare horse-ride in waist-deep spear-grass…. yeah…

Wonderful husband taking detour for his snap-happy wife… sigh…

Incredible view of big sky, windmill and bird life… mmmmmmm goood!

Breathe in…

Swimming swans… Breathe out…

Breathe in…

Breathe…

Ahhhhhhhh….

Thanks for joining me in my ‘hit’ today.

Was that good for you too?

Back to slay some dragons (or at least locate some missing freight and pack some boxes).

BB

* NB All images taken in past 2 weeks.  I’m still shooting, just too time-poor to blog much…

Life has taken me away from my blog a little lately, and am missing it (and you guys) enormously.

If you have been around here a while, you will know I love over-committing myself. Well, I don’t really LOVE it. I love saying YES, often without thinking.  According to my husband, I do it a lot.

And I have managed say ‘Yes’ in spectacular fashion lately – helping organise and market a World Congress (a bovine-related one), helping prepare and travel our own animals for showing (not my field of expertise, but I try to do my bit), preparing clothing, camping gear and display items for our family and helpers for a week away for Beef 2012, and (most exhaustingly) try to whip our house paddock (including house and yards) into some kind of shape for a busload of visitors (which I said ‘yes’ to) travelling through just before the Congress. On top of all the regular stuff we do out here.

The Congress and Beef 2012 kick off in just two weeks. The dust is flying (metaphorically and literally) around Granite Glen. And to cope with the ever-increasing mountain of jobs to be undertaken, I have become a list-maker extraordinaire.

This is about 1/5 of it.

I thought that (besides whinging about how busy I am) I would quickly share a handful of images I snapped at Wandoan Show last weekend (Wandoan is a teeny town a few hours drive west of here).

There are many hours of work that go into showing – which is kinda like a beauty pageant for cattle.

Washing, grooming, feeding, buffing, picking up poo (keeping it real folks)… I need to point out (again) that I am NOT an expert at showing. I can hold a hose and use a rake and wield a brush, but the finer details I try to leave to the experts.

This is just before showing commenced – aren’t the girls pretty all polished up?

Entrants were vying for these ribbons and the nod of the judge… there were veterans of the showing game there (including the bloke on the microphone) and some newcomers like these two below.

I love seeing young cattlemen and women of the future getting stuck into this kind of thing. Go boys!

This is one of our girls, led by Jeff who is an expert in showing cattle.

She won a minor placing in her class. It was her first show (and her calf too) and we were delighted they behaved well throughout. Nothing more embarrassing than a runaway pageant contestant.

This is this guy, a favourite here at Granite Glen… he was a good boy too (although he hates his nose ring – clearly not a punk at heart).

This is Lila, our neighbour who helps us out every now and then. At the moment, ‘now and then’ is pretty much full-time! She used to show horses, and has taken to showing cattle like a duck to water. Our little bulls grabbed a couple more ribbons in a very big class, and we were happy with their form.

Knowing how to show each animal off to their best advantage is the trick. I am not talented in this field – I did lead one animal later in the day and spent the entire time working out which hand to hold the stick in. (FYI the stick is not for whacking – it’s for scratching the animal and soothing it – some like it on their tummies, some under their necks!).

Lila is a natural show off expert. (Heh)

I absolutely loved being part of this event, even as one on the perimetre of the action – the atmosphere, the smells, the camaraderie.

Just as I will love being at Beef Week in a fortnight. It’ll be bigger than Wandoan by about, oh, 100 times. (Here are images from the last Beef Week, three years ago).

So if you are around Rockhampton showgrounds between May 6 and 11, drop into the Brangus area to say ‘g’day’.

I’ll be the one saying ‘yes’ to someone. And in need of coffee.  And possibly a hug.

BB

I cannot believe it has been a whole decade.

TEN YEARS.

Since a big (9lb 1 1/2 oz) bouncing baby came into my life and completely turned it upside down.

He made me see what I had been missing in my career-oriented world.

He enthralled and scared the pants off me.

He gave me the rollercoaster introduction to motherhood I could never have imagined.

He gave me grey hairs and he gave me strength.

He is my firstborn and he enchants me each and every day of his life.

He is sensitive and rough-and-tumble,

An animal-lover (except if you are a cane toad)

A campdraft convert (and newly sashed winner of a local junior draft on Saturday!)

A wonderful loving son and mostly affectionate brother.

I reflect on the little boy we know so well, and ponder the man he will become.

He has reminded me every day for the past three months that he is will be in DOUBLE FIGURES today.

I should be prepared.

I am not.

Love ya Dash!

Always.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Mum

PS Can you please stay ten for a few years – your Mama is SO NOT ready for a teenager yet.

I have a son.

I do.

His name is Dash.  He is VERY NEARLY ten years old and growing like a weed.

And he got this badge last year in Fort Worth, Texas.

He thinks he’s a REAL Texas Ranger now…

And he’s got the artillery to prove it…

And not just a cap-gun either…

A pocket knife too! (Not to mention the belt that goes 2 1/2 times around him).

Look out son… there is NO pointing weapons at people, please!

(Even ‘tend ones – Mama’s rule!)

‘Consider it holstered, Ma’am…’

Of course, there is no point in calling yerself a Texas Ranger (or even a Queensland Cowboy) if you can’t stare down a proper dare when faced with it.

Like tasting a bush oyster…

Okay here’s the hint…

*waits patiently til you check and come back… or not*

Dash had already ‘cooked it’ on the top of the branding fire, when his grandfather dared him to try it.

And then took a bite himself (the man has a cast iron stomach).

So Dash ‘manned up’ and tasted too…

How was it, Ranger?

Let’s just say, he definitely ate a BIT, but didn’t go back for seconds.

Mark it on the scoreboard for school next week, mate!

(Testosterone… it’s a weird, wonderful and HIGHLY entertaining thing…)

Love you Dash… even when you get gross.

♥

Mum

Just a quick wish, before I retire late this evening, to wish all those on this globe who have yet to experience it, a wonderful Easter Sunday.

Our kids hunted hapless gilt-covered chocolate eggs before breakfast, piling the loot into our makeshift ‘basket’.

Long phone calls connected us with loved ones who could not be with us…

We had a great day with friends and family, quietly spent at home and by the river which wends it way past our home. Much smiling and laughter and hugs were shared, and quietly (in my own way) I gave thanks for this place and these people. Our life is not perfect, but the imperfections show in sharp relief the bits that make it all worthwhile…

May this day bring the same joys your way.

♥

BB

So I THINK I have done it. Wrassled the file from the GoPro into something my poor limping internet connection could actually upload that might have the vestiges of some of the incredible HD quality it started off with. But you will have to tell me how it looks your end  …

To backtrack quickly for those new to this discussion/blog, my very favourite horse sport is campdrafting. It’s uniquely Australian and I reckon the combination of skill, speed, adrenalin and three sets of minds (human, horse, bovine) make it pretty exciting. And when I realised that with my new toy (a GoPro Hero2 camera) I could get footage of what it FEELS like to actually compete, I HAD to try to share.

Here is a ‘map’ of what the rider is trying to achieve – separating a steer/heifer from a small mob in a yard/camp, proving they can hold it away from the mob (this is called the ‘cut-out’), then taking it out into the arena around a course. Points are allotted for cut-out (total possible is 26), horse-work (how effectively and skillfully the horse-rider combo work – total possible is 70) and the course (total possible is 4).

Yesterday I shared some of the stills from the action at last weekend’s campdraft,  like this…

and this…

…of Tony (my victim volunteer rider) competing with the camera in place.

Now for the view from atop the stallion.

(Tip: If your internet connection is like mine, I recommend pausing near start of clip and waiting for the full clip to download before playing.)

As you watch remember that the only thing holding the rider on is balance, thigh muscles and anticipation.

Are you ready to ride?

How did you go? 

Was that fun?

BB

I have something for you today which I think is totally exciting… but of course, MY version of exciting and YOURS might be two different things.  Let’s find out, shall we?

You know how I went to a campdraft last weekend?  Well I did, and (as is my wont) I admired lots of great horseflesh and some amazing riding.  I took photos.

Like this.

And this.

And I thought, as much as I love sharing still photos to share the action of this sport, it’s not the same as BEING on the horse.  It’s been years since I had a go drafting myself but I can tell you, the adrenaline rush is SOMETHING else.  Photos in no way capture the SPEED and POWER and ACTION of this sport.

But short of dragging each and every one of you individually to my part of the world, and giving you a leg-up onto a horse, and then making you guide a cow around an arena at high speed… what could I do?

And a VERY large lightbulb went on above my black straw fake-cowgirl hat (which, by-the-by, my husband HATES, and is my mowing hat, but it was the only one I could find at short notice before going to the draft, so hey!).

Where was I? Oh yes. LIGHTBULB.

For I have recently acquired an amazing little device known as a GoPro. Have you heard of them? They are usually used in extreme sports, they are TINY and strap to various body parts or inanimate objects to film action. I have seen the results from other activities (like snow skiing) and it the clarity is fantastic.

And I thought:

“IMAGINE if one of the RIDERS was wearing one of these babies?  While THEY WERE COMPETING…”

As I looked around (my husband ducking frantically for cover having recognised THAT particular look in my eyes) I spotted the ‘gun’ rider I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  A fairly laid-back, game-for-most-things kinda guy.  Also father of a couple of Violet and Dash’s classmates.

I summoned up some courage and asked him to wear my little camera for a run.

To my absolute astonishment (and relief – how embarrassing if he’d said ‘NO WAY you crazy wench!‘)… he said YES.

And then I explained he’d have to wear some fairly non-subtle harnessing to hold it in place… and he hardly batted an eyelid.

What a sport.

Mind you, he got plenty of ribbing from the other riders (mostly blokes I believe) but stayed committed to our venture.  We had one stumble when his first run tested my screw-tightening abilities (I failed and much of the footage is of his pommel – not really the kind of film I was after) but we did better with the second – on his amazing and gorgeous black stallion Marnie’s Ace.

Here are the photos from my camera …

Tony and Ace heading for the first peg…

Rounding it nicely before..

Second peg…

And completing course…

It was interesting to see how keen the other riders were to check out the footage – the viewfinder is TINY but still showed enough to keep them entertained!

I am currently editing down the resulting footage from this magic little device… on a VERY sharp learning curve.

If anyone has any advice about making the result small enough for my wonky internet to UPLOAD without losing TOO much quality… I’d be delighted to hear from you.

What do you reckon?

Are you ready to REALLY ride?

BB