I now have a creative micro business/side hustle called Merton Made which my main product is aprons.

I’ve married for the second time and we have 6 children between us. So far we have ten grandchildren, which are one of the greatest blessings you can have.

My favourite day of the year these days is Eurovision Sunday with a self-imposed all media and device blackout so I don’t know the winner before the annual grand final. I look forward to sharing a reminisce skipping down memory lane while reflecting on more recent times; where was risotto when I was growing up, when did Frank Sinatra become a much-loved crooner in my eyes and, most importantly, how did Simon Le Bon ever get those leather trousers off after prancing around a stage sweating for 2 hours?

I was one of 8 children and in the final year of primary school at the now defunct Wurdi Boluc Primary School, I was one of only eleven students with my two younger sisters. Secondary education was at Geelong Technical School and straight home into agricultural pursuits and then learned to shear sheep.

At the age of 30 I was introduced into amateur theatre and at 33 I was given an opportunity to work in sales. Both of these changes had a significant impact on my life, providing confidence and opening doors that I had never thought possible.

Current Location:  Hillston, New South Wales

About Our Guest

Over the past 40yrs I have worked in many different industries including aged care, WH&S, education and real estate. I have worked in outback mines, outback Local Government from far western Qld to outback NSW. Marrying an Indigenous man, I have researched Indigenous genealogy and local history.

To many, I have lived a life of little financial reward but to me it is a life rich in human connections and discovering our rich history.

Current Location:  Geelong, Victoria

About Our Guest

Mitchell was born in 1991, and grew up in Geelong, Victoria. He lived overseas for nearly four years and returned at 11 years old. He hosted a current affairs program for over seven years on Geelong radio and now works in marketing and communications. He has a keen interest in travel and photography.

Current Location:  Northam, Western Australia

About Our Guest

Born and grew up in Geraldton WA when the baker still delivered the bread by horse and cart and the milk man left the milk in a billy on the mail box.

Married at 18 to a farmer, had four daughters. After 20 years farming ran different businesses from a cafe to a charter boat to the Abrolhos islands. Started over again at 46, built a career in business administration in Perth, retired at 64. I have 12 grandchildren.

I have survived breast cancer and now living in a small coastal town on the west coast.

Current Location:  Northam, Western Australia

About Our Guest

I am a ‘71 baby, born in Geraldton WA. I grew up on a farm east of town, the oldest of four girls. Mum and Dad also had a sheep station about 250km further east. We grew cereal crops, including wheat, barley and lupins. We also had sheep for wool and meat.

I went to boarding school in Perth as a teenager and then to ECU for Nursing. I graduated in 1992, married in 1994, and by the end of the year 2000, I had five boys. My husband, also from a farming family, worked in the bank, so we moved house a number of times before finally settling back on a farm next door to the main family farm.

I worked as a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse, travelling the whole 55000 square kilometres of the Wheatbelt of WA. In May 2020, I developed Transverse Myelitis, and spent three months in rehab in the spinal unit at FSH. Now, three years later, I have retired from Nursing and live life on the farm in a wheelchair. My husband and my boys are amazing!

Current Location:  Echuca, Victoria

About Our Guest

Hi, I am Paul Hooper. Born in 1967, father of 4 children and grandfather of 8.

I am a Funeral Director and in the past was a full-time musician / singer and have played around 4,200 gigs. Sport mad and a life member at Box Hill Hawks Football Club and Blackburn North Cricket Club.

Have worked and presented at Radio 3WBC for just on 20-years conducting over 6,000 radio interviews. I am very proud of our football coverage at 3WBC. I am also a life member there.

Love beer, bourbon and red wine and looking to semi-retire to Echuca in the next few years.

Current Location:  Young, New South Wales / Willaura, Victoria

About Our Guest

I was born in Cowra and raised on the family farm.

I had the privilege of working with farmers in three states of Australia. Commenced when corporates were smaller and integrated personal companies. Met and worked with a host of wonderful salt of the earth people.

Married and raised four beautiful children who have delivered me with almost twelve delightful grandchildren. And I’m still working in but in an industry I never thought I’d work in.

Current Location:  Young, New South Wales

About Our Guest

I was born in Young NSW, and grew up on a large commercial poultry farm. I completed all my schooling in the small town of Young, and was privileged to attend University at Charles Stuart University to study Veterinary Science.

After graduating in 2018, I commenced working as a Poultry Veterinarian that has taken me across Australia, and to New Zealand.

I now work for myself as a Veterinary Consultant, and also as a mixed animal veterinarian in Cowra.

I have a wonderful husband that has shifted from city life to rural living, and we now have a new addition to the family – Addison.

Current Location:  Caramut, Victoria

About Our Guest

Hi, I’m Kirsten. For most of my life. I have lived “west” of somewhere.

I grew up in western Sydney, in a typical working class/lower middle class, 3 bedroom, brick home. My childhood was pleasant (although we did experience family tragedy, when my Dad died). And I enjoyed my teenage years, which centred around school and the Penrith Plaza (which was relatively new at the time).

I left Penrith to move into the city, while studying journalism. By 22, I landed my first reporter gig – at the ABC. But, to accept it, I had to become a traitor to my own city and move to Melbourne.

These days, I’m a proud Victorian. Ten years ago, I married a farmer, which again landed me west of the city. But this time a lot further from civilisation, on farm near Caramut (3 hours from Melbourne). Life is very different to where I grew up, but I much prefer it here and feel blessed to have once landed “out west” – which must be where I belong.

Current Location:  Ballarat, Victoria

About Our Guest

Born in Hobart, Tasmania I’ve spent most of my life in Victoria. Happily married to Mark, with the 3 adult children, 2 daughter-in-laws and 7 grandchildren (atm). I love to travel and watch our beloved AFL team Richmond. Life can be pretty hectic but retirement is fab especially when enjoying a red or 2 with family and friends.

Current Location:  Byaduk, Victoria

About Our Guest

Jackie was the second born to her parents Will & Christine, and is the fifth generation of the Elliott farming family.

Raised on the land, her childhood was full of fun, with all the animals, motorbikes and adventures with her two siblings.

School holidays were spent helping Will on the farm, learning from their grandmother how to cook as their Mum, Christine worked away in Melbourne during the week.

In 2008, the Elliott family packed up and sold the farm following a dissolved business partnership and they headed to South Gippsland for a could of years on a property, this is when Jackie decided to apply and attend Emerald Ag College, at aged 16, over 2000km from home in Central Queensland.

Following graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture, Jackie returned to Victoria where her family now resides in Byaduk l, South West Victoria.

Soon after Jackie met a young local farmer Dan, but before settling Jackie worked away in livestock health and farm supplies, travelling to North America on a beef industry scholarship, holidaying in the UK, and returning to work for a couple of years.

After struggling with poor mental health and finding a new confidence after travelling, Jackie started ‘Rural Women’s Day’, to connect rural women through community, collaboration and celebration. This brand took off, now three years later and 10k following on Instagram, several events across Australia, Jackie is extremely passionate about continuing this community well into the future. 

A week before Covid hit, Jackie signed a contract, working full time from home for a Farm Equipment Sales platform, Farm Tender and moving in permanently with Dan who she had been with for 10 years. 

In April 2022 Jackie and Dan got married and Jackie has since changed her working hours to part time with Farm Tender, to have the opportunity to focus on health, Rural Women’s Day and her new position as AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni VIC State Chair.

Birth Location:  Moonee Ponds, Victoria

Current Location:  Pascoe Vale, Victoria

About Our Guest

Alyce is the Women’s Sport Correspondent on the 2 Blokes Chatting Radio Show on 94.7 The Pulse Geelong community radio. She is passionate about sport-related topics and enjoys a well-run Trivia event.

Birth Location:  Northam, Western Australia

Current Location:  Bunbury, Western Australia

About Our Guest

I’m a country boy, born and raised. In my early years, my brothers and I helped out on the family farm (mostly in feeding the sheep, but also in climbing the header). In high school, I had a really passionate teacher in physics, so I decided to study it at uni (Curtin University). After a bit of a false start with the high level of mathematics required, I switched over to Chemistry where I eventually got my undergraduate and honours.

These days I work as the Analytical Chemist at the Albemarle Lithium Refinery just north of Bunbury, where we are processing the raw material into battery-grade lithium to be used in electric car batteries!

In my spare time, I’m a part of a sporting committee in Perth (Lambs Floorball Club) where I both play and live-stream our games, a part of the Northam Agricultural Society committee and on the Next Generation WA sub-committee, both of which are related to the Agricultural Show movement. After all that I also do a bit of astrophotography and have filmed a handful of weddings for some friends.

Current Location:  Ashburton, Victoria

About Our Guest

Born and bred in Melbourne, I’m an avid animal lover and Demons supporter (so 2021 was a cracking year)! Musically, I’m drawn to two of the best decades – 80’s and 90’s – especially Bros, Aha, Backstreet Boys, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.

I grew up playing tennis and live for the Aussie Open every January. Lucky I live in one of the best sporting and entertainment cities in the world!

Birth Location:  Ferntree Gully, Victoria

Current Location:  East Malvern, Victoria

About Our Guest

An artist who loves painting animals, I took up painting when a car accident forced me to retire as an IT professional. I am a domestic violence survivor with several physical and mental health challenges who lived for many years in Canada and the USA. Severely optimistic, high functioning introvert, lover of baking all things patisserie, capable and dependable.

Birth Location:  Melbourne, Victoria

Current Location:  Kamerunga, Queensland

About Our Guest

Hi I’m Kelly and I’m a 1980 baby!

I was born in Melbourne and after 42 years, I have recently moved to join my extended family in Cairns. We live in Kamerunga, in the rainforest and we couldn’t love it more. I do miss the football though, I’m a huge Lions fan.

I’m a Mum of two and one fur child. My partner and I have been together forever, since high school. My family means everything to me.

I faced a few challenges in 2022 and am looking forward to the fresh new start that is 2023.

Birth Location:  Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Current Location:  Lockhart, New South Wales

About Our Guest

I grew up on my family’s sheep & cropping farm – 6th generation on the farm. I realised how much I loved agriculture and rural communities while at high school and decided to study at university locally (Charles Sturt Uni in Wagga Wagga).

I work as a district veterinarian for Local Land Services (NSW State Government) – livestock veterinarian assisting farmers to maintain health and welfare of their animals, as well as maintain Australia’s high biosecurity standards and freedom from diseases.

In my spare time, I am a member of the Lockhart Show Society, on Sheep Vets Committees, and a Young Farming Champion (YFC). As a YFC I have travelled to schools across eastern Australia sharing my story and all about the wool industry. The wool fibre is pretty amazing, as well as the sheep that produce it, and I am passionate about promoting careers in agriculture to students in regional & metro schools. I think it is important to share where our food & fibre comes from, and the exciting space that agriculture is to work in.

I was named the Agricultural Shows Australia National Rural Ambassador 2022 – the background for this was being awarded the NSW title for my contribution to regional communities, and while in the National role, I represented young people from rural & regional NSW at shows and other events around Australia.

I’m very passionate about supporting young people to live, work and thrive in regional, rural and remote communities if they want to. We no longer have to move to the big city to study, have an exciting career or network – we have supportive local communities, endless opportunities to work and study remotely. I’ve been supported to do this by others in my journey and I hope to be able to do the same for those in my community.

In the future I hope to live & work as part of the family farming team.