Life on the Land Graziher

Leila McDougall… There’s not a lot she hasn’t done. In her own words, she’s had ‘a very elaborate career path’. Fashion designer, school teacher, showgirl, and now film maker; the latter, possibly her greatest role yet.
 
Just a Farmer is an independent film, set in rural Victoria, exploring ‘generational trauma, love, loss, and the undeniable resilience of a farming community in the face of tragedy’. It’s a must watch, a difficult watch at times, but brilliant none the less. 
 
Growing up on a property in Walcha, in the New England area of New South Wales, Leila was driven to not only produce but star in the film through her own personal experiences with mental health. Despite having no prior experience, Leila is completely incredible in her starring role in the film, and beautifully depicts the challenges of rural life. 

This episode is brought to you thanks to the support of Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association.
Are you ready for a winter escape? Welcome to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales' premier wine region. Picture this: crisp winter air, beautiful shiraz and cozy fireside lounges. It’s the perfect getaway.
Enjoy wine tastings at award-winning wineries and savour gourmet food crafted from local produce.
Need some adventure? Try hot air ballooning over vineyards or unwind with a spa day at luxurious retreats. So, pack your bags and discover the magic of Hunter Valley this winter. Visit winecountry.com.au/winter to plan your trip today. Here's to the good life!

Steph Trethewey is no stranger to Graziher’s Life on the Land subscribers. The accomplished journalist was awarded the AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year in 2022 and she was also crowned the 2024 Tasmanian of the Year. Her online community Motherland has been a tremendous support for hundreds of Australian women and she’s told countless stories through her popular podcast of the same name.
Following her recent involvement on a panel discussion at Graziher’s Up Early event at Beef 2024, Steph talks to host Sammie O’Brien about how life has changed following her successes. 

Julie McDonald is one of Australia’s most impressive beef industry leaders. Wonderfully down to earth and wildly intelligent, Julie’s humble and optimistic personality is captivating. She is the CFO of one of Australia's largest privately owned beef enterprises, McDonald Holdings, and is a brilliant advocate for encouraging the next generation to excel in the agricultural industry. In this episode, she’s in conversation with Sammie O’Brien about what makes her tick, her hopes for her four daughters and what she thinks the future looks like for the beef industry. 

Alison Lester’s books have become iconic staples for many Australian children, making her a household name right across the country. Not only are her timeless tales eagerly awaited as a bedtime story, her words and illustrations are woven into the fabric of so many families’ lives.
She’s the cherished author whose stories and illustrations, such as ‘Magic Beach’ and ‘Kissed by the Moon’ filled our childhoods, and now, adorn the bookshelves of our children, evoking waves of nostalgia from our own youthful days.
Originally from a picturesque property near Foster in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, where the undulating hills converge with the vast expanse of the sea, Alison now calls Nar Nar Goon North, her home. An hour out of Melbourne in West Gippsland, she, her husband and their horses, revel in the serenity of their sprawling 10-acre property as told to Sammie O’Brien. 

Tracey Hayes is one of the Australian beef industry's most esteemed leaders. The mother of four sons who are sixth generation Northern Territorians, she is the Chair of the Federation Board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and owns and runs a successful small business. Tracey was also the first female CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association and a driving force behind the watershed class action against the Federal Government’s 2011 live export ban to Indonesia.
Tracey is one of Graziher’s panellists for the Up Early breakfast to be held at Rockhampton’s Beef 2024, an event that sold out so quickly we wanted to make sure you also heard from each of these amazing women here on the podcast.
Today’s conversation revolves around picking Tracey’s incredible brain about her business sense, mentors, how we get more female representation around board tables, the importance of superannuation for women who are parenting, the many inroads to a professional career at ANY time of life and what has happened in the three years since we last spoke….

Jessica Bidgood is a cattle producer from Baralaba in Central Queensland and after a couple of decades on the land, is living her best life with her husband John and children Lylia, Zander and Cormac.
In this episode, our host Emily Herbert discovers Jess’ sense of purpose, both in business and in their family life
The Bidgoods background and trade up to 1500 head of cattle across their three properties – with a big focus on regenerative practices and time-controlled grazing. She has so much knowledge to share in this episode which is truly invaluable.