A Graziher podcast telling stories of women who live in rural, regional and remote Australia. Hear from farmers, mothers, photographers, business owners as well as teachers, nurses and doctors. Hear from women who have moved to the country and who have moved out of the country. Everyday women who have a story to tell. Join our hosts Emily Herbert and Sammie O'Brien, as they speak to women from all over Australia.
A Graziher podcast telling stories of women who live in rural, regional and remote Australia. Hear from farmers, mothers, photographers, business owners as well as teachers, nurses and doctors. Hear from women who have moved to the country and who have moved out of the country. Everyday women who have a story to tell. Join our hosts Emily Herbert and Sammie O'Brien, as they speak to women from all over Australia.
Women like April Cavanagh are redefining what it means to work at a national board level with heart and vulnerability.
Hers is a story of grief and resilience, as well as tenacity and big-picture thinking.
Highly regarded for her leadership and outcomes focus, April is a strategic thought leader with a varied business background.
A former Head of Agribusiness at Suncorp Bank, April was across a $5 billion portfolio, interacted with more than 3000 farming families and managed a staff of morethan 100.
Now the current Chair of Manufacturing Skills Queensland, Chair of the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise and a Non-Executive Director of Endeavour Meats and Cotton Australia, the Toowoomba based consultant takes her fourth-generation rural aptitude to every board meeting.
This episode is proudly supported by McKinney's. For over 140 years, McKinney's has been one of the country’s most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. Fromits origins in Toowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia's most respected jewellers.
Merging traditional values of craftsmanship and personal service with modern standards of elegance and design, McKinney's continues to curate the finest pieces to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.
Precious memories begin at McKinney’s — visitmckinneys.com.au
Carol Mudford is the 2025 Agrifutures Australia Rural Womanof the Year.
The AgriFutures award celebrates women who are making animpact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer.
Carol is a registered nurse, hailing from Gilgandra in NewSouth Wales. She’s also spent years working in shearing sheds across the country — as a wool handler, shearer and, most recently, leading the charge in suicide prevention and mental health support, through her registered charity sHedway.
Parts of this episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, Lifeline is available 24/7. The number to call is 13 11 14.
This episode is proudly supported by McKinney's. For over 140 years, McKinney's has been one of the country's most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. From its origins inToowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia's most respected jewellers.
Merging traditional values of craftsmanship andpersonal service with modern standards of elegance and design, McKinney's continues to curate the finest pieces to celebrate life's most meaningful moments.
Precious memories begin at McKinney's — visit mckinneys.com.au.
In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we'recelebrating women in business.
Quite often it’s hard to ask for help, especially when there’s a family legacy stretching back seven generations, but today’s guest, Susan McDonald, says it’s one of the keys to success.
Susan grew up on Devoncourt, a cattle station 80 kilometres south of Queensland’s Cloncurry — one of 14 properties owned and operated by the McDonald family. A qualified accountant, seasoned beef industry specialist and mother of three, Susan threw her hat into the political ring and, in 2019, was elected to the Senate as a member of the Liberal National Party.
Now the Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Susan told our host Emily Herbert that her deep love of the bush and taking a seat at the table was a natural inheritance from her family’s legacy.
We’re proud to partner with McKinney’s to support the production of this episode. For over 140 years, McKinney’s has been one of the country’s most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. From its origins in Toowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia’s most respected jewellers. Visit mckinneys.com.au
In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we'recelebrating women in business.
As a mum and personal development coach with a background in fitness and teaching, Laura Hockey has spent the last six years searching for her own identity. As she told our Emily Herbert, it's been made more complex amid the joys and challenges of raising three little children on a nearly 3000 hectare farm she shares with husband, Mick on the Liverpool Plains.
From fertility challenges and postpartum depression to diversifying their businesses during the drought, Laura is passionate about helping other women uncover their why.
We’re proud to partner with McKinney’s to support the production of this episode. For over 140 years, McKinney’s has been one of the country’s most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. From its origins in Toowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia’s most respected jewellers. Visit mckinneys.com.au
In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we're celebrating women in business. Kelly Shann is right where she needs to be. After an idyllic childhood spent riding ponies through the creek next to her house, she has traversed the world, had a stint in the city and now spends her time bonding with her horses, running a cattle business with her husband Berry and loving her family. When she's not telling wonderful stories of building resilience through her own podcast, Life Journey.
While Kelly lost her mother at a young age, she’s never forgotten her kindness and love of animals and has made those values, including resilience and empathy the cornerstone of her mindset.
In the 20th season of the Life on the Land podcast, we're celebrating women in business.
Penny Button has spent a lifetime in western Queensland as a grazier on expansive properties around the Longreach area.
She took over the management of her family's property Crossmoor following the sudden loss of her husband, which was only a few short years after the death of one of her sons.
In this episode our host Sammie O'Brien asks her what it was like making decisons and running a business when there's so pressure from the elements, but from her heart as well.
We're proud to partner with McKinney's to support the production of this episode.
For over 140 years, McKinney's has been one of the country's most trusted names in fine jewellery and luxury goods. From its origins in Toowoomba, Queensland, this distinguished family business has evolved over five generations to become one of Australia's most respected jewellers.
Merging traditional values of craftsmanship and personal service with modern standards of elegance and design, McKinney's continues to curate the finest pieces to celebrate life's most meaningful moments.
Precious memories begin at McKinney's - visit mckinneys.com.au.
If a worker is only as good as their gear, what does that mean for a stockwoman and her jeans? When Isabella Thrupp couldn’t find the perfect pair of work jeans, she started her own denim label, Prinking in Pindan — a brand born from the ancient landscape of Western Australia’s Kimberley.Isabella is the Western Australia winner of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In this episode, she takes our host Emily Herbert through some of the inspiration behind the business and how she overcame some of the challenges of running a retail business in one of the most remote parts of Australia.
The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Kristy Hollis is a naturopath, herbalist, entrepreneur, industry advocate and mentor with more than 23 years of experience. Having worked with with more than 8000 women across the Northern Territory, Kristys' passion about reshaping health outcomes in the bush has earned her the accolade of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year for the NT .
Kristy takes a holistic, preventative approach, and assists with everything from ADHD to menopause. In this episode, Kristy explains her love of nature-inspired treatments began as a toddler, by the side of her beloved grandmother to our host, Emily Herbert.
The AgriFutures Rural Womens Award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
In Australia, around 43 per cent of people have experienced a mental illness, 33 per cent experience loneliness and about nine die by suicide every day. These are not just numbers — they are people who are distressed, isolated and struggling.
These are statistics Sarah De Jonge wants to change. Based in Kingston, Tasmania, Sarah is the founder of 1000 Hearts, a project the mother-of-two started by hand-stitching tiny fabric hearts to give away as a simple act of kindness. It has since grown into a social enterprise and a global movement.
Sarah is the State finalist for Tasmania in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s award and this interview with our podcast host Emily Herbert, she generously shares not just her personal story, but the science behind connection and community.
This conversation does mention mental ill health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, innovative and hardworking women out there. This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Nicole McNaughton is the first to admit she has the best stocked pantry in Queensland. As the CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network, she has spent her career connecting small but mighty players in the agricultural supply chain, giving her exposure to some of the most delicious parts of the State.
From prawns to pineapples, Nicole wants local food on local plates — because if no-one is backing the little guys, what will the future of our food look like?
In this episode, Nicole takes our podcast host Emily Herbert through her story so far and what opportunities have bloomed after being named the Queensland state winner of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Kelly Johnson's connection to agriculture was formed at a young age, as the daughter of dairy farmers from Victoria’s Gippsland region.
Now based in the rural town of Mypolonga in South Australia, Kelly has combined her love of the land with her experience as a scout leader to create SPhiker — a range of wholesome, easy-to-make meals crafted from surplus fruit and vegetables that are sourced from local farms. SPhiker is designed for hikers, campers and solo adventurers, and is all about sustainability and simplicity.
This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The AgriFutures award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer.
With a career spanning several decades, Dr Mary Cole is an absolute powerhouse. In this interview with Sammie O'Brien, her passion for sustainable agriculture is as fierce as when she first started in the industry over 45 years ago.
As the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State Winner & National Finalist, Mary has a profound depth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to agricultural productivity, soil health and long-term sustainability.
This award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer.
Carol Mudford is the 2025 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State Winner and National Finalist. She’s also the cover star of the current issue of Graziher magazine.
The AgriFutures award celebrates women who are making an impact on rural industries, businesses and communities, and aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The award shines a spotlight on some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women out there, and celebrates all that rural Australia has to offer.
Carol is a registered nurse, hailing from Gilgandra in New South Wales. She’s also spent years working in shearing sheds across the country — as a wool handler, shearer and, most recently, leading the charge in suicide prevention and mental health support, through her registered charity sHedway.
Parts of this episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, Lifeline is available 24/7. The number to call is 13 11 14.
We’re wrapping up our Summer Series with a favourite episode from Sally- Graziher’s Advertising and Relationship Manager.
Sally is so impressed with the story of Jackie Elliott, the founder of Rural Women’s Day.
Rural Women’s Day Ltd is a registered not-for-profit and a bit of a household name for many in the bush, with events across Australia designed to connect country women with community, collaboration and celebration.
But the inaugural event in 2019 was meant to be a one off — curated by Jackie as something she herself was desperate for. Isolated and lonely, the then 25-year-old with no experience planning events did something very brave. She put herself out there — and watched the ripples expand throughout her community.
Graziher’s Life on the Land Summer Series continues with co host Em Herbert’s favourite pick. It was her conversation with Jillian Kilby that bubbled to the surface.
Jillian is not afraid of the big decisions. As an engineer and farmer’s daughter from Coonamble, in the central west of New South Wales, Jillian has leant on her rural values right through her career.
This courage has seen her go against the grain most of her life and bounce from Coonamble to Sydney to Walgett to Silicon Valley and back to the Central West.
It takes a certain level of guts to dig deep and blow up your life and Jillian has done it not once, but twice on an extraordinary scale.
The spark that ignited the Graziher concept was founder Claire Dunne's frustration at not seeing enough farming women represented in the media. She didn't rest on her laurels, but created not just a media stable, but an ethos. A way rural women can not only see themselves represented, but their stories heard well beyond the farm gate.
It's Claire's turn to pick a favourite episode for our Summer Series and at the top of her list is Sammie O'Brien's conversation with Fiona Simson.
Fiona has become a household name in Australia, not least because of her role as the first ever female president of the National Farmers Federation, but for passion and grace while serving in the role. Fiona has orchestrated remarkable positive transformations for the Australian agricultural sector. Originally from a property just outside of Armadale in New South Wales, Fiona met her husband Ed in Sydney, before settling at his farm near Gunnedah. Fiona's grounded in affable nature positions her seamlessly as an industry leader, allowing young women around the country to envision a viable career in rural Australia and the agricultural realm.
Life on the Land's Summer Series continues with Graziher's Editor Victoria Carey digging into the archives for her pick, Maya Linnell. The bestselling Rural Romance, or RuRo author has an amazing story to tell. From a startling introduction into journalism following America’s September 11 attack, to realising her aspirations as a novelist at nearly 40 years old, Maya demonstrates there’s no time limit on achieving your dreams. In this episode Maya takes us through the arduous process of writing novels, spurred by her passions for baked goods, tending roses and a rural lifestyle.
Our Summer Series continues with a favourite pick from our podcast producer Jayne Cuddihy.
For Jayne, it’s the way people tell their stories that’s as fascinating as the events themselves. The way Western Australian artist Lori Pensini described getting interested and adept at art has lingered since the story first aired a couple of seasons ago. From the generous English aunt sending art materials in trunks to the remote station in the Kimberly, to Lori experimenting with different materials and having to deal with critters tramping over the wet paint in the night. Not to mention her own adventures with creatures on the back lawn at night while trying to escape the heat. And then of course how it all intertwined with Lori and her husband’s involvement with grazing and now regenerative practises. This is an entertaining listen!
We're highlighting some amazing Australian authors this summer and it just so happens Life on the Land's Sammie O'Brien's favourite interview for 2024 was acclaimed children's author Alison Lester.
If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Magic Beach or My Farm to yourself or a young person in your life, then you are missing out. But it was her long term work with indigenous communities that suprised and delighted Sammie.
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.
It's summer time! Which of course means the Graziher team pick a favourite Life on the Land podcast episode to reshare with you.
This week it's Amie's pick. Amie is one of the digital producers here at Graziher and has dug deep into the archives to Em Herbert's original conversation with Tracey Hayes three years ago.
This conversation resonated with Amie for many reasons, not least because of Tracey's extreme resilience, intelligence and tenacity — but because of the way she articulates her amazing story that includes everything from devastating grief, to taking on the Federal government as the first female CEO of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association.
Don't forget there's an issue of Graziher magazine on sale now, with a special subscription offer– our annual Women on the Land diary packed with important country dates. Just go to graziher.com.au and we will send one out to you! Plus if you subscribe for 2 or 3 years, you’ll get a bonus pair of Greenwood Designs pearl earrings.