We need 2 volunteers
We would love some enthusiastic and happy visitors who would be interested in helping us on our organic sheep and cattle station, in outback Queensland. We have been experiencing one of Queensland's worst droughts in history, so there are not as many animals here as usual. We normally run well over 1,000 cattle on our properties, and over 2,000 sheep, plus about 20 horses. However, due to the drought our cattle are currently living on other properties where there is more food for them to eat. We still have horses here and some sheep. The sheep will hopefully start lambing soon. There are some young horses that will need educating and training throughout the year, and I would love some help if anybody experienced in horses would like to be involved. Or if you are willing to learn, there are tasks you could do to help. I have several infrastructure projects that I would like to complete to make our lives better on the farm. For example, I plan to build a shed and also construct some stables and more yards for the horses. There are some old wooden buildings in need of repair, which used to be accommodation for shearers, but could be used for visitors in the future. I would also love to create and maintain a big beautiful vegetable garden, in order to make us more self sufficient. There are always other jobs that need attention on the station, such as fixing stock fences, and checking stock waters (tanks, dams, and troughs). Plus general care of the animals. From time to time there are some wonderful events in this region, like rodeos, camp drafts (an Australian horse sport where you chase cattle around an obstacle course), gymkhanas and bronco branding competitions. So you might be lucky if your visit coincides with such events, as we may be able to take you along to watch and meet people. The homestead at Latrobe Station is approximately 65km from the nearest town. We like to treat our guests as part of the family. If you choose to come and stay here for a while then we hope to learn from each other and share our different cultures. IMPORTANT: Currently there appears to be some technical issues with our Hovos Dashboard. I can see that there are volunteers trying to send me messages, but I am unable to reply. I have alerted Hovos to this issue, but we have not yet resolved. So in the meantime, if you are interested in making contact, you can reach me via the Latrobe Station Facebook page, or via jodyjoybrown@gmail.com, and if we come to an agreement we will contact Hovos. But I hope to be able to respond to your messages via the Hovos dashboard as soon as this technical issues is resolved. Thank you so much for your patience.
2016
English
I am in my early thirties, and live in a cottage on Latrobe Station with my partner. My parents also live on the station, and together we manage both Latrobe Station and the adjoining Arlington Park Station, comprising of approximately 45,000 acres of certified organic land. I love animals and have a great passion for this landscape. I am currently very keen to train our young station horses and am happy to share my knowledge with others and to learn more at the same time. I enjoy sharing this way of life with visitors and travellers and kindred spirits who appreciate adventure and wide open spaces. Variety is the spice of life.
Several options available depending on the number of guests or volunteers at the time. Usually there will the choice of an air conditioned bedroom in the main family house, or a one bedroom hut close to the house, sharing the main house amenities (toilet and shower etc). There may also be accomodation available in the old shearers quarters. The quarters are old and in need of repair but have adequate amenities if you are looking for something with rustic character.
Home cooked family meals, country hospitality.
