Leadership

Why is it necessary to reinvent the wheel every time a person is not happy with a group or committee or even industry body? Why can the old or current body not be fixed, amended or corrected? Is it a matter of leadership? I am so tired of the whole out with the old in with the new scenarios being played out on social media, politics and in Australian agriculture on a daily basis. 

We are becoming a society of serial wasters, be it white goods, computers, food or people. It appears slightly broken so let’s dump it and start out again.

Why is there not more focus on building strong but flexible leaders in our schools? Leaders whose skills make them open and accountable rather than dictorial and close minded. Leaders whose skills are those of inclusion and courage. Leaders who can see the benefits to all arguments, but are also not afraid to point out the pitfalls and move to a better solution.  Leaders who inspire those under their care and command to grow and evolve rather than devolve into paranoid seething masses. 

There are some of those special people around, but often you don’t have them pegged as a leader. They are not self-promoting or self-serving. They do not talk about I. Everyone will know one. That person who has an aura that draws many different people to them. The person who has that innate ability to tolerate everyone with all their individual flaws and brilliance and has a varied and eclectic mix of friends. The person who doesn’t leave people out in the cold. The person that others gravitate towards. The person that does not merely talk about things but is actually out there doing the things themselves. That person that makes others want to be a better person. 

These are the people we need out there in our political parties, industry bodies and committees. These are the people who will take the time to listen to all the ideas put forward and build them into better ideas by inclusion and discussion. These are the people who act in the interest of democracy as a whole. These are the people who can listen to issues but resolve them through effective inclusive communication. These are the people who will ensure things move forward and people grow to their full potential.

We don’t need wolves or peacocks, show ponies or foxes. We need a good solid people who have the ability to unite, inspire and achieve.

Remember there is no I in team.

Upskilling.....the pressure was on

A quick lesson for me recently……I can do a lot of things when the pressure is on.

My husband was organising a buck’s party weekend away and taking his Best man’s role very seriously. A weekend of camping, fishing and drinking with mates, although after listening to the menu and their organising I had arrived at the decision that they were glamping….seriously 10kgs of prawns  & two boxes of strip loin straight from the abattoir to be consumed on a creek bank in Western Queensland?!  The wedding had already been cancelled once due to an unexpected accident (from which an excellent recovery has been made), and it was really important that they all get away for some downtime.

We had organised someone to come over and feed the cattle in the feedlot…..or so we thought. A feedlot is a very demanding master. Cattle must be fed at least once a day (sometimes more), rations mixed, waters cleaned and the feedlot checked several times a day (to make sure all animals are healthy, water is available, sufficient feed available, etc). Much like a dairy farm, it is very difficult to leave and ties you down to the place.

Finding employees is hard in this area. We have to compete against CSG(Coal Seam Gas) companies & service companies who pay big wages. The local town has rents that average $600/week for a house. It is also hard to find someone who is genuinely interested in feedlotting and farming.

Only six days out from the weekend we discover we have no one to feed, and we are hitting dead ends in finding alternatives. Meekly I pipe up with “Perhaps I could do it?”. I was very glad at this stage that the idea was rejected and I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to offering other suggestions.

I should explain at this stage that I do not drive a tractor. My mother told me never to learn so I did not have to sit there going around and around on a cultivation planting crops. I think it may be the fact that she used to have to drive a D6 Bulldozer with no cab at all (lovely Australian sun beating down on her) planting wheat may have been the reason behind her advice. She also told me never to marry a farmer (as in a cropping farmer). She should have mentioned feedlotters too I think. 

I do however drive a bobcat, and can operate a mixer. I also do all costings (working out costs of all components of a ration) on our rations so I know exactly what goes into a ration and at what ratio, but the finer points of mixing rations are not my domain. I assist with the induction of cattle and potter around cleaning waters, etc when able as I have three boys 5 and under who keep me house bound and busy.

So when hubby suddenly said “Right you’re it!” I suddenly felt sick. Sick at the responsibility that would now be mine. I believe at this point in time I was almost physically sick any time I gave the coming weekend too much thought.  Me and my big mouth and bright ideas!!

Perhaps the thing that worried me the most was the fact I must drive a bobcat with a bucket load of various commodities up a ramp and empty the bucket into a mixer.  Bobcats are sensitive machines, prone to propping and bucking under the drivers hands. The bucket is controlled by foot pedals while driving is controlled by the hands on sticks. Lots of things to be doing at once,  meaning lots of room for error. There was a lot of bunny hopping over bumps to and from the silage pit & also more terrifyingly up and down the ramp.

I sat there in the cab tense, so tense infact that when I got out it took along time for the muscles across the shoulders to relax and my hands were almost like claws from gripping the sticks so tightly. When I bunny hopped right at the top of the ramp there were so many deep breaths taken I was positively oxygenated well and truly. It probably sounded like I was going a round with Danny Green as the air sailed out of my cheeks like I had been punched. Then two small things made all the difference……1. I discovered I could move the seat forward so I had much better control over the pedals (yes I know der Freddy) and 2. I banned all from sitting there watching me and giving orders with flapping arms. Suddenly calm came to the cab of the bobcat and I had it all together (barring odd minor lapse in concentration).

The other thing to note is that it really is important that a lot of care be taken with the mixing of the rations. Ratios of the different commodities must be correct. Therefore we operate by the “if you are not happy with it don’t feed it motto”.  I had a lovely list of the exact amounts needed for each ration, removing the margin for error.

So after three days of intensive training & practice, hubby headed off with a procession of utes. It should possibly be noted here that it should have only taken them 3-4 hours to reach their destination, not the 12 hours via a scenic route that it did (mud map found still on kitchen table). The first morning of going it alone I arrived at the commodity shed and jumped into the tractor to warm it up only to find a lovely note pinned to the clipboard where all the ration information is kept…….”Remember to breath sweetheart. Piece of piss. You’ve got this.”

Strangely I discovered it was very peaceful without someone watching me (even if they were hiding around the corner trying not to be seen).  As long as I didn’t let my mind wander off on a tangent like thinking about jobs to be done at the house or the kids, I drove that bobcat like an old hand. The minute my mind wandered I spilt stuff, bunny hopped or collected something. The rations were mixed and successfully fed out. Cattle were happy and well behaved in the absence of the “boss”.

Not being a morning person I was surprised to discover how much enjoyment I got out of getting up in the cold and the dark to go down to the feedlot and prepare the mixes and feed out the ration. I am thinking it had more to do with the sense of achievement I got from being able to successfully complete my job without any complications (Husband’s friend who was “on call” for motor issues was not required).

I do love cleaning the waters in the feedlot. The cattle soon become quiet if they weren’t already. There is always one or two in every pen who are addicted to fresh clean water and are pushing past you while you are scrubbing the troughs as they can’t wait until you are done. The back of your shirt is often wet from being licked or chewed or having water dribbled down it while you are scrubbing. There is always one character in the feedlot who likes to make sure you are awake and up for a game of “Call your bluff”, which I lost on two occasions as I am sure it had passed the game and these couple of characters had developed more sinister intentions.  Or as you wander through the pen checking on the health of the cattle it resembles the school playground game of “What’s The Time Mr Wolf” as the cattle inch closer and closer behind you.

So to the outcome…..the mixer wears two new (small) scars from a bobcat bucket. The shed support is slightly bent at one point (although I am pleased to say I was not the first to do this). One bunker wall may not be as straight as it was. I did however remember to raise the elevator between feeding every pen removing the chance of tearing it off. The tractor well it was a piece of piss (hubby’s term).  Even found the light switch (it is an old tractor and it took some finding) so I could feed out at 4 am because the cattle were particularly hungry that night. All cattle were fed and happy, waters clean and mixed done correctly.

I finished my job feeling empowered, confident and proud that I was able to master and complete the tasks without any incident. I loved the fact that I surprised myself, my husband and his friends.

Agriculture has many areas where it becomes a man’s domain based often simply upon the strength required to complete a task. However women can do many things and should be encouraged to give it a go. Agriculture needs more people in every industry and everywhere throughout Australia. Male or female if you think you have a passion to be on the land, you can make it happen.  

Things that make me smile - Part 1 Bellevue Sunrise and Sunset

Lately there seems to be so much bad news every way you turn. From personal tragedy, to hard times financially, to fighting battles on the health front. So many seem touched by unhappiness, stress and sadness.

I thought I would share some photos of the things that make me smile and lighten my day when things have gotten me down. I found so many that I am going to have to do a series of “Things that make me smile”.

Part 1 –  Bellevue Sunrise and Sunset 

A beautiful sunrise is a great way to start the day and with small children I seem to get to see a lot of them! This one tinged everything a lovely shade of pink for ages.

An intriguing misty morning circled by fog that rolled in as the sun rose. A wonderful peaceful feeling.

It is amazing what you notice after a heavy morning mist. Surprises everywhere. On the fences, in the bushes and on the ground.

And then there are the sunsets! Every one so very different but all spectacular. We are so very lucky as there are few that beat our Bellevue sunsets but of course I am a little biased.

Farming Advocacy (or Agvocacy) 101

It has been a very eventful couple of years in the world of farmers on social media. For me it kicked off with the ABC Four Corners program “A Bloody Business”, regarding the Live Export of cattle to Indonesia and the cruelty encountered in some abattoirs at slaughter point.

It was at this time I entered into the social media world, firstly dipping my toe into the waters of Facebook only to lose a leg to the first activist I encountered. The leg was quickly followed by my temper as I watched all Australian farmers being branded cruel and evil. I am not proud of my first encounters. I struggled with my temper as I was horrified at the things that were being said about our hard working Australian Farmers.  People I know to be generous, kind and compassionate. People who work hard and encounter many difficulties daily yet keep on moving forward. Things like:

“All farmers with terminal illnesses should have their throats cut to see how painful it is”

Or

“Hand over your children and see if they scream”

As you can imagine, these types of statements got some very strong reactions from me and many other farmers who were following the threads. Sadly, however much I want to say this type of behaviour was confined to the activists’ side I cannot.

Now here we are over two years later. What have I learnt? Have I changed my tactics? Can I hold my temper? The answers are lots, definitely and most of the time.

So exactly what have I learnt as an Australian farmer? Gosh I am unsure of where to start here as I have learnt so much!

While initially shocked at the vitriol and hatred encountered and pointed squarely in the direction of Australian Farming, I learnt that not all people use social media to bully, defame and demean others.  There are many out there who are very genuine in their concerns and really want to understand what is entailed on a daily basis in different farming industries.

I learnt that many in the general public are quite removed from farming and how their food is produced, but only a handful are removed from their senses. Most people are happy to accept a factual polite explanation. Most people are reasonable.

I learnt that manners will create ongoing conversations and that there are many out there who while not actively involved in a conversation, still watch and can be reached never the less. I have learnt that you will never convince everyone, but to respect the different opinions out there. I have learnt that not only does religion start wars, but given time so will dietary arguments, especially when agendas are pushed by radical members of movements.  

I learnt that there was also a large and growing rural community on social media and contrary to the claims by some industry bodies that social media had no place in agriculture, these farmers have been able to prove otherwise. Many had been told to get the word out themselves and they have been doing an excellent job of it.  I have also learnt that rural Australia really is a small world which is a wonderful thing when it comes to closed social media groups and verification of members. It seems there is always someone who knows someone who knows someone. This is a great strength.

 I learnt that we farmers are far from silly when it comes to technology however rural technology just may not be able to keep pace with us! NBN? What NBN? Signal drop out or failure is the bane of a rural advocate.

There are so many things that I have learnt, but perhaps the biggest so far has been the fact that farmers can make a difference as shown with the back down by Coles from selling the Animals Australia Make it Possible campaign merchandise, solely due to the social media revolt by farmers. I only hope that the real reason for the massive backlash by farmers is being heard. Coles, who have suddenly made themselves the moral guardian of farming ethics (very same company now accused by the ACCC – Australian Consumer Competition Commission of misleading and deceptive marketing on a separate issue) aligned themselves with an organisation who are all about animal RIGHTS NOT animal WELFARE. An organisation who has repeatedly pushed an agenda to end all livestock farming, commencing with live export and intensive farming methods. An organisation who uses illegal methods of hidden surveillance  to obtain footage of what may or may not be cruelty (as it is heavily edited). To do so members trespass on farms which are not only businesses but family homes. From this edited footage they have pieced together an advertising campaign to illicit donations from the public. Not a single dollar will be spent on ensuring the welfare of a single animal however. This is where the outrage stems from. Social media provided farmers the perfect horse they could saddle up, muster support and stampede a major corporate company into retracting its poorly judged support for an organisation who had in their own minds been masters of the social media game.

So how have my tactics changed? There is actually a skill in getting your facts out there, and the Australian public really does trust its farmers. I have watched many very good rural advocates, people who had never really thought they would be at the forefront of rural advocacy. These clever, witty and genuine people have taught me many things.

So these are my top 12 of Farming Advocacy 101 ………….

1. ENGAGE – Engage with the general public everywhere. In towns and cities. On buses, trains and planes.
2. KEEP COOL – Expect resistance and at times agree to disagree and walk away from an argument before it deteriorates into personal attacks
3.  PLAY THE BALL – Engage on the facts and argument, not the opponent. Personal attacks are not attractive and do not paint anyone in a good light.
4. RESPECT – Respect the general public and their entitlement to an opinion that is different to yours. You can however ensure it is an educated opinion by offering facts to counter their opinion.
5. FACTS – Use facts you know to be true based off actual experiences. These facts are always so believable simply because they are true.
6. SHOW & TELL – Keeps photos of your farm and your animals and farm operations on your phone ready to show anyone who  may be interested when travelling. A picture says more than a thousand words, just ask an activist.
7. POSITIVITY – When engaging others do so in a positive and polite manner and you will generally be treated in the same manner.
8.  UNDERSTANDING – We can’t expect the general public to understand farming if we don’t tell them about it, but make sure explanations do not equal whinging. It is a fine line from the general public’s point of view
9. SOLUTIONS – Be proactive and find solutions to problems. Talking about a problem repeatedly becomes tiresome if no solution can be found.
10. IMPROVEMENTS -   Even the best farming operations have room for improvements, but make sure they can be on YOUR terms. Be proactive don’t wait to be told.
11. RESPONSIBILITY – It has become clear that the responsibility for public perceptions lies with farmers and farmers are one of the most trusted professions in Australia. We are responsible for bringing about change and we are responsible for educating the Australian consumer about their food
12. PROUD – Australian farmers are some of the most innovative in the world producing food that is clean, green and disease free. Hold your head up high as an Australian farmer and be proud. Share your pride in your farm, crops and animals. It is contagious.

Lastly……can I hold my temper? Hmmm I will say most of the time. I try hard and revert to pasting facts I have stashed away when someone has stirred the pot a little too hard. I sometimes write several scathing replies, but never post them and then walk away. Or at least most of the time I do………………….. 

Don't let the sun set on Australian Agriculture

The Big Picture........

Animal cruelty. It is a terrible thing. Terrible to see on our TV’s in recent footage, but it must be absolutely horrific to see in person. I am at a complete loss to understand how people can film these things and not intervene at any point (especially when they are not there as individuals). How can they not attempt to stop it? I have never seen any of the following said in activists’ footage:

“Hey is that necessary?”

“Hey please stop what you are doing”

“Stop now please. There is a much better way of doing this”

“Who is in charge here? I want them to stop this immediately!”

I have as yet to see a story air where people film cruelty with someone actively intervening to stop it or question why or attempt to do something……anything to prevent more occurring. If there were footage of it I would perhaps believe their sincerity, but there is not. Just as there is no footage proffered of how things look when they are done correctly.

I do not condone cruelty. Nor do I condone a campaign that is seeking to discredit an industry, our trading partners and our farmers off the back of animal cruelty. I ask the following questions:

How many abattoirs did they visit before they found their footage?

How long where they aware of the possibility of cruelty occurring?

Did they seek to inform authorities at the onset?

How long have they had the footage?

How many more incidents are they going to release over the coming months?

Why are those slaughtering the animals not concerned about the presence of a film crew?

Surely they (the slaughtermen) know what they are doing is wrong?

Perhaps there are other motives for the willingness for them to openly stand in front of a camera and proceed to do what they do?

How do they plan the release of the footage?

Anything to do with the upcoming election perchance?

Why wait so long to report it to the authorities?

I have so many questions. These people are not journalists telling a balanced story (even though the odd journalist is known to only show one side). These people have gone on an “investigation” with the sole purpose of uncovering cruelty. Commendable when done correctly.  However planning, possibly orchestrating and ultimately benefiting from the footage is anything but commendable.

I feel ill. Ill about the fact that animals have suffered. Ill about the fact that nothing was done there and then to stop it. Ill that it was not immediately reported to authorities. Ill that the blame is being laid at the feet of our farmers. Ill that as an exporting nation we stand to lose not only our Live Export markets, but all our commodity markets.

Sixty-six percent of all agricultural produce grown here is exported. This includes meat but also grains, wine, dairy, wool, and cotton. Basically anything our farmers grow is also exported. These countries are being labelled cruel as a whole. Not the individuals responsible, but the countries as a whole. I imagine some find this offensive. If offended they can easily chose not to buy our Australian produce. “Good!” I hear the Ban Live Export movement exclaim. How about when they no longer buy our wheat, or cotton or wool? We stand to lose so very much more.

This is a short sighted political campaign aimed to inflict maximum damage to the Live Export industry while at the same time receive huge benefits in the way of publicity and donations. At no time have they looked further ahead down the road to see the ongoing implications of their actions. The offence they are causing with their blanket statements about our trading partners.

The ban as a response to the Indonesian footage shown by the ABC’s 4Corners was short sighted and irresponsible. Indonesia was offended. They are also our third largest wheat importer. The ramifications two years late are still being felt as the drought spreads its fingers over properties that are overstocked. Overstocked because the cattle are worth nothing.

The recent cattle sales of $20/head would not even cover freight. The selling levy alone is $5/head. There is no agistment available, fodder is scarce and getting not only scarcer but unaffordable. Some producers are almost two years without an income. Where do they find the money to feed their cattle? The values of their properties has been reduced by the banks who are rerating the risk score of farmers.  There is little to no money left.

Now the prospect of cattle being shot in the paddock is a very real possibility. While people elsewhere in the world starve, some of our farmers are facing the very real prospect of shooting the livestock in the paddock. Yet statements like this are rife on social media………….."When I hear "farmers have to shoot them cause the market is shut down"I sigh in relief, at least they will be spared" or even “So what you breed them to kill and eat anyway?”.

 It is interesting that some do not understand the effort and love (yes love) that goes into building a herd of breeding cattle. They do not see the time, effort or money spent on genetics, building a herd of beautiful cows. They do not see the farmers ensuring the health and well-being of their livestock. They do not see the fact that the farmer can identify the majority of his breeders by sight (sometimes even name), know who owns what calf and which bull was the sire. They so not see the pride the farmer has in his stock. 

There is so much that goes into breeding cattle. To have to destroy years and years of work and genetics by having to shoot what would otherwise be perfectly animals if there were not a drought is simply heartbreaking. “But you shoot your own to eat”. Yes that is correct and I personally while not liking the fact that an animal must die chose to be a realist as I eat meat. I also see that there is no waste. It is a form of self-sufficiency. It is also a single animal not hundreds or thousands that will have to be shot and go to waste. So very, very needless and unnecessary and heartbreaking.

There is no abattoir crying out for them to kill, despite this being the favoured catch cry of the activist…….on shore processing. If this were a genuine option there would be a huge percentage of farmers supporting this option. Jobs for Australians, preferably in Australian owned businesses. The reality however is far different. There are not people clamouring to be employed in abattoirs. The majority of Abattoirs are not Australian owned. It costs approximately $300/ body of beef to slaughter in Australia. It costs only $150/ body in the US and only around $80/body in Brazil. Simple equation really, our boxed meat is expensive.

I do not condone cruelty. I do not ask you to actually support the Live Export industry. I do ask you to show some empathy for our farmers. When they explain their individual situations it is not whinging, but simply telling their story and situation.

I do also ask you as intelligent Australians to question the underlying motives of organisations like Animals Australia and their activists. The way the footage is being released in dribs and drabs in the lead up to an election screams political agenda and has little to do with animal welfare, otherwise the authorities would have been informed immediately. Point scoring off the back of cruelty.

If Australia is not active in these markets then one of the other 109 or so countries who also Live Export will happily fill the gap, and not a single one spends any money on animal welfare in other countries. Australia is the only country attempting to help improve infrastructure and offering training and education for employees.

Remember not a single dollar they receive in donations will actually go towards animal welfare, instead a large part of their budget goes in advertising against not only Live Export but all methods of meat production.

What you are seeing and hearing may be appalling, but remember no one lifted a finger to help these animals and now there is much being gained through the cruelty for activists. They have even recently launched political candidates into the federal election under the banner of the Animal Justice Party.

Cruelty is wrong, be it to animal or human. It needs to be stopped and the most effective way is through training and education. Humans are an imperfect race, with people capable of terrible things and at the same time great kindness. Please take the time to consider all sides and seek out answers. The simplistic solutions offered by opponents to the Live Export industry are too simple. There is so much more at stake. 

Cruelty acceptable to further agenda

This is something I wrote a few days ago....................

It appears that further acts of cruelty in one of our live export markets (this time Egypt) have been identified. They are unspeakable and terrible and I find it hard to believe humans are capable of such cruelty. I also find it extremely appalling that some of this footage was shot in October 2012 and some in April 2013.

I am not going to condone this in any shape or form. I do not care if they are Australian animals or Egyptian or Somali. All animals of every nationality deserve to be treated with the highest level of animal welfare including at the point of slaughter. I would to know the following however:

• 1. Why are we only hearing about it now?
• 2. Why when you witness these terrible acts, and take the time to film them (without stepping in at any point to suggest it is wrong) do you then not immediately do anything?
• 3. Why do you not immediately take the footage to the authorities so it can be acted upon straight away?
• 4. How can you sit on the footage knowing full well that more of the same could be occurring in the following months, more animals suffering unnecessarily?
• 5. Surely by reporting such an incident in October 2012 there is a good chance the second incident April 2013 would not have occurred?

 
I give you the following reasons for being able to film such cruelty and wait 7 months before approaching authorities………….

• 1. We have an election coming up and the likes of Animals Australia want to bring Live Export into the forefront as an election issue especially since both parties have said they will not ban it permanently.
• 2. The general public understand that industry has been very proactive and addressed many issues in our Live Export markets. They also understand that by Australia being present in these markets and educating them, introducing technologies and improving infrastructure we make a difference not only to the welfare of Australian animals, but all animals. Animal activists want to shock people into changing their beliefs. They give the impression this happens everywhere all the time. They receive donations to assist them in their advertising campaigns. All money that does not directly reach or benefit a single animal and its welfare as they are not about animal welfare, but rather animal rights which are two totally different things.
• 3. And finally the ultimate agenda held by Animals Australia………..veganism for all. They are setting about to change the consumers views through scaremongering and misinformation in all livestock industries, from dairy to pork to chicken to beef to sheep.

 
I am not asking you to condone the cruelty or even to support Live Exports, but I am asking you to think about how those who film these acts are benefiting from the very same cruel acts. We have seen awards, monetary gain for groups and publicity all off the back of the cruelty filmed in the past. If they were not intent on gaining something they would be reporting it immediately, not 7 months later
.

The title of my blog is not really appropriate for this post, although my friend does fall into the Funny Feckers category normally. It is however a very important one that I simply have to write and I am hoping that people will read and share this far and wide.

I have a very close friend suffering from a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (only AM could have a rare form of Lymphoma and an even rarer sub type). She is 35 with three children and lives in the rural town of Chinchilla around 4 hours away from Brisbane and treatment. She has spent the last 18 months mostly away from her family undergoing treatment, including a stem cell transplant.

She has been looked after superbly during this time by the Leukaemia Foundation with accommodation and transport provided for her and other regional patients who face months of treatment far from home.

 She is now in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant, but there are no matches on the Bone Marrow Registry for her.  My friend AM has four siblings all of whom have been tested, but none match. Two out of three people will not find a match amongst their siblings and need to use the registry.

The Bone Marrow Registry is something I was unaware existed. We all know about nominating to donate your organs, but what about Bone Marrow? But wait you say, it is a horrible procedure for the donor to undergo. Well now thanks to the advances in medicine, a Bone Marrow transplant is nothing to fear any more than any procedure under local anaesthetic and some people may feel slight discomfort over the days following the procedure.  While a stem cell donation may produce mild flu like symptoms. To register it is a mere blood test. Only 1 in every 1000 will be called upon to donate in any given year.

Initially I wanted to be able to be tested solely for my friends benefit. Then I stopped and thought about things and the fact that if it were one of my children I would hope there was someone out there was generous enough to have registered.  So I am in the process of joining the register, hindered in part that there is no Red Cross Blood Bank handy.

This is in fact the part where bureaucracy  seems to hinder the process and make what should be a simple blood test a complicated effort. For me to register my nearest blood bank is 4 hours away, with a 3 month waiting list for appointments. I do however have both Sullivan & Nicolaides and Qld Pathology nice and handy at only 20 minutes away, yet they are unable to perform the test for me as they are not authorised for want of a better explanation.

I sent off an email to the Bone Marrow Registry explaining the difficulties in getting to a Red Cross Blood Collection Centre, but how I really wanted to go on the registry, and received this response:

Unfortunately the only place you can join the ABMDR is at one of the Australian Red Cross Blood Collection Centres as anyone joining the registry must meet the blood bank criteria. There are also number that only the blood service has to identify potential bone marrow donors, as we do not use names for matching up patient and donors.

I can only suggest that you ring the 13 14 95 number to see if by some chance that donor centre sends a mobile unit out near wherever you live or if you go to the town/city where the blood centre is anytime you could join up then - you still need to ring 13 14 95 for an appointment.

Everyday new donor's typing is entered onto the database (which is worldwide) and compared with all patients in need so we have to hope that your friend finds a donor from this database.

To me this is simply not good enough. I have a friend who needs help and I know there are many out there who would help, especially if there was a much simpler process to register. She is also not alone, with many others waiting to find a potential donor to help them extend their time. Cancer is an insidious thing and I know it will touch many of us in some way. To me this is my way of being able to pay it forward, even if I am not a match for my friend, perhaps I can help another.

Please I urge everyone to take the time to consider what could be a donation that will save a life.

Below is a link to the ABMDR (Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry) website. Also a copy of my friend’s story from the Lymphoma newsletter.

http://www.abmdr.org.au/index.php?id=36

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I have been inspired by some incredible agvocates (people promoting our rural industries and farmers) over the past  18 months and really wanted to help get the message out there…..Australian farmers are simply awesome.

Hopefully through my sharing opinions (of which I have plenty), photos, stories and news I may also be able to increase someone’s understanding of what happens in our little patch of rural Australia.

A brief background………….

I have always been a bush girl. Born and raised from a long line of country folk. In fact I have discovered that it seems farming has always been in our family’s blood when I recently started tracing back our family tree. No one famous, but lots of farmers, even from various corners of the UK where my ancestors originated.

One of my heroes is my Grandmother. She will be 103 this year and she is simply incredible. Add to her longevity the fact that she ran a 10,000 acre beef cattle (400 head of cows) property for 25 years all by herself.  Then there is her daughter, my mother who can drive any machinery and outwork many a man. Remarkable ladies.

As for me I am at home on the farm with my three young boys at present. My husband and I have a small rural property on which we grow crops, some for hay and other for grain. In addition we also operate a beef cattle feedlot and have a few other sidelines to keep things ticking over. It makes for a busy life, and some days I can honestly say it is not enjoyable, while others you wouldn’t trade it for the world.

This is my blog and from where it goes from here I have no idea but hope you will join me for the ride.