In Part C, the final chapter of this special series, we reflect on the life and legacy of David Grigg.
This episode brings together the threads of a remarkable journey — shaped by work, travel, community, family, and friendships. We slow things down to appreciate the moments that mattered most, the values that guided him, and the changes he witnessed across nearly a century.
It’s been a privilege to share Uncle David’s story, and to celebrate a man who is still going strong, with his 100th birthday just around the corner.
This is Part C of the story of David Grigg — shared with gratitude, respect, and pride.
In Part B of this special conversation, we continue the story of Uncle David Grigg — moving from early farm life and community involvement to the changes that reshaped his working world.
Uncle David shares stories of his first car, the Hillman Minx, the shift from horsepower to tractors, and the arrival of his first McCormick Deering on steel wheels. We also hear about a difficult turning point — having to leave the farm — and how that led him into town, into new work, and into everything from sales to an unexpected ten-year role at BTV 6.
Along the way, there are tales of a VW Kombi, outback stations, School of the Air, national parks, and a wonderful yarn about Gertie the tractor.
This is Part B of the story of David Grigg — full of heart, humour, and lived experience.
In this special episode, it’s a true privilege to share the story of my great uncle David — a quiet gentleman whose life spans nearly a century of Australian history.
Born in 1926, David grew up on the land during a time of hardship and simplicity: no electricity, one bath a week, horses working the paddocks, cows milked by hand, and seasons shaped by drought, rabbits and resilience. At just 14, he left school to work the farm, and during wartime, while others went to battle, he was sent home with a powerful instruction — to produce food for the nation.
From earning one pound a week, to a 72-year marriage with the love of his life, Uncle David’s story is one of endurance, humility and love.
This episode is a reminder of the vital role farmers play in feeding our country — and a tribute to a life lived with quiet strength.
We're joined by Dr Robin Adair from Australis Biological — one of Australia’s most experienced and passionate experts on invasive weeds.
With more than a thousand exotic plant species in Victoria, Robin explains why the battle for biodiversity is more urgent than ever. We dig into the surprising plant still being sold in nurseries that’s quietly choking our habitat, explore why blackberry is such a resilient opponent, and unpack the smart use of tools like biocontrol, herbicides, and even goats.
From AI-driven drones that can spot and spray individual weeds, to the deep science of roots, crowns, and plant persistence — Robin reminds us that at the centre of all good management is a simple truth: nature remains our greatest teacher.
www.australisbiological.com.au
This episode is proudly brought to you by the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce. Working with communities to tackle Blackberry, together.
www.vicblackberrytaskforce.com.au
In Part B of our journey to Curtin Springs Station, we’re back with the unstoppable Lyndee Severin. This episode dives into the daily dance of running a cattle station while welcoming travellers from all over — and why sometimes, you just have to roll with whatever the outback throws at you.
From hilarious tourist moments to thoughtful reflections on how disconnected kids can be from where their food comes from, this conversation is equal parts warm, funny, and eye-opening. We also explore the deeper meaning of Mt Connor — not just a stunning landmark, but a sacred place for the Severin family.
More than a story about farming, this is a conversation about purpose, philosophy, and finding “the good thing” in every single day.
Curtin Springs Station is a must visit for all.
In this episode, we head to Curtin Springs Station — a one-million-acre cattle station in the Northern Territory with a story like no other.
Lyndee Severin joins us to share how her family turned a humble 1950s stopover into a thriving outback destination. From welcoming travellers with a simple cuppa to hosting thousands each year, Curtin Springs has become a place where people connect deeply with the landscape.
One of the most unexpected experiences? Making beautiful, handcrafted paper from native grasses grown on the station — a hands-on, creative way to feel the outback in every fibre.
We talk dark skies, desert connections, and Lyndee’s uncanny ability to make a spreadsheet dance in a tutu.
A story of innovation, imagination, and the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
www.curtinsprings.com
Episode 80 – Weed Warriors on Four Legs: Dan Humpage from EnviroGraze
In today’s episode, we sit down with Dan Humpage from EnviroGraze — home to some of the cleverest weed-eating warriors on the land. These goats aren’t just grazing; they’re actively restoring balance to our native landscapes.
Dan’s method is a prescribed remedy for ecological repair — thoughtful, sustainable, and surprisingly scientific.
We unpack how these remarkable animals help suppress weeds, add nitrogen back into the soil, and encourage the return of native species. Dan also shares how he trains his team — including Velvet, the calm and wise matriarch who leads the herd with quiet authority. And it’s not just the land benefiting. These goats spark conversations, curiosity, and community wherever they roam.
This is a fascinating yarn about innovation, ecology, and the power of human–animal teamwork.
Proudly brought to you by Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups
The Kiewa Catchment Landcare - Busting Blackberries- Building Awareness in the Kiewa Catchment project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnership Against Pests.
Tune in — you’ll never look at goats the same way again.
We’re back at Curtin Springs Station in the Northern Territory for Part B of my yarn with Ash Severin — and this half of the story cuts deep.
Ash takes us through the evolution of mustering, from horses to choppers to trap yards, and what it’s like balancing life alongside dingoes, goannas, and even wild camels — right up until the bull camels start causing chaos.
He opens up about a fire that burned for seven months, moments of tragedy and resilience, and the personal heartbreaks that have shaped the man he is today.
It’s raw, honest, and deeply human. A story of endurance, loss, and grit in the heart of the outback.
If you need to talk, Lifeline’s here — 13 11 14.
www.curtinsprings.com
This week we’re out at Curtin Springs Station in the heart of the Northern Territory, having a yarn with Ash Severin — a tough, no-nonsense outback bloke with a lifetime of stories from one of Australia’s most remote cattle stations.
From the early days in the 1950s, when the homestead was little more than a roof and four posts, to the station’s transformation into a bustling stopover for travellers near Uluru — Ash has seen it all. He shares cracking yarns about mustering on horseback, life-saving ingenuity, switching to Murray Grey cattle, solar pumps, and even how a Nuffield scholarship took him all the way to England.
A straight-up, salt-of-the-earth man with grit, humour, and heart — this is one outback story you don’t want to miss.
If you need to talk, Lifeline’s here — 13 11 14.
www.curtinsprings.com
Breaking Barriers, Building Joy
In Part B of our powerful chat with Sam Longmore, we go even deeper—into life, disability, creativity, and shaking up what success really looks like.
From launching a mobile bar and a wool business, to starting her own sold-out workshop series (‘Oh Bull Dust’), Sam’s not just surviving—she’s creating a life packed with purpose, laughter, and bold moves.
She opens up about the future of Ag, accessibility, and breaks some personal news for the first time publicly.
Honest, hilarious, and inspiring—this one’s got heart.
And check out her ohh bulldust website
https://ohhbulldust.myshopify.com
Bulletproof, Broken, and Unbelievably Brave
Sam Longmore was full throttle—working hard, living fast, doing everything… until one early morning changed everything. A life-altering accident left her paralyzed down one side—but it didn’t stop her.
In Part A, we dive into Sam’s story of resilience, rebuilding, and raw grit—from the paddock, to launching her own Ag spraying business, to chasing water-skiing records with one wild determination.
It’s powerful. It’s emotional. And it’ll leave you questioning what strength really looks like.
This is Sam Longmore like you’ve never heard her before.
Part A. Press play.
We’re back at Undoolya Station for Part B of our yarn with the one and only Ben Hayes — and we’re diving straight into the deep end.
From desertification to the future of farming in Central Australia, Ben shares his take on land use, food security, and the big question: why do some folks want the desert back?
We explore bold ideas around diversification, hemp as a possible future crop, and how even the smallest stations play a role in the national conversation around sustainable agriculture. Ben also reflects on the devastation of fire and what it really takes to recover and rebuild.
Through it all, his passion for the land — and for beef — never wavers. With honesty, humour, and insight, Ben reminds us why country people are the heartbeat of this nation.
Today we’re heading deep into the heart of Australia’s Red Centre — east of Alice Springs — to the legendary Undoolya Station. Established in 1872 and still proudly family-run, this is cattle country with soul, and the stunning MacDonnell Ranges running right through it.
At the centre of it all is Ben Hayes — cattleman, tracker, storyteller, and a bloke who’s as real as they come. In this episode, Ben shares what it takes to run a certified organic Poll Hereford operation in some of the country’s most rugged and beautiful terrain.
From wild rabbit plagues to the quiet art of tracking, Ben opens up about the challenges and joys of station life, mixing old-school bush traditions with modern innovation. His connection to the land is deep — and his dry humour is as good as his knowledge of country.
If you’ve ever wondered what it truly means to live and work on the land in the outback, this is the yarn for you.
We’re back for Part B of our brilliant chat with Amee Dennis at Quentin Park Alpacas and Studio Gallery.
This episode is classic Amee: full of heart, hilarity, and those unforgettable moments that only happen when you lean into a challenge.
We hear about her mission to create meaningful, sensory-rich experiences — especially for people with disabilities — and how her alpacas (and other furry farm friends) play a starring role.
You’ll meet Dolly the lunch-thieving pig, teenage camels with attitude, and hear tales of career alpacas, pet alpacas, and yes — even alpaca toilets.
It’s feel-good, laugh-out-loud, and a little bit chaotic in the best way. Let’s wrap up this incredible story with Amee Dennis — hit play on Part B!
www.quentinparkalpacas.com
We’re off to Quentin Park Alpacas in Peterborough, South Australia, to hang out with the one and only Amee Dennis — where alpacas roam free, creativity flows, and laughter is practically guaranteed.
Aimee invites us into her bustling farm and fibre shop, where every alpaca has a name, a backstory, and in some cases... unresolved drama. (Looking at you, Benjamin Bo)
But beyond the alpaca antics, Amee shares her powerful mission to reconnect people — especially city folks — with where their food and fibre comes from. Through hands-on experiences, she’s bringing people back to the land in fun, meaningful ways.
We dive into everything from:
Shearing day chaos
The art of a Medi Pedy (yes, for alpacas)
A wild ride involving a commercial dryer
Plus, Amee opens up about her approach to enterprise stacking — transforming raw alpaca fibre into sustainable products like dryer balls, growing lavender, and creating a life full of colour, purpose, and alpaca kisses.
So pop the kettle on and settle in for Part A of this warm, woolly, and delightfully real conversation.
www.quentinparkalpacas.com
Lyndee Severin – Part B: Curtin Springs Station
In Part B, Lyndee opens up about the emotional toll of life in remote Australia—fires, droughts, first responder work—and what it takes to keep going. We also talk land management, carbon, and the quiet power of connection, both human and animal.
Find out more at www.curtinsprings.com
In this episode, we chat with Colin Arnold from Graze Away, who’s using goats to tackle invasive weeds and bring native ecosystems back to life — all without chemicals.
We cover:
Why goats love blackberry and ivy
The role of allelopathic plants
Tips on fencing and choosing the right goats
How this approach supports native birds, reptiles, and healthy soil
From Melbourne backyards to bushland — Colin’s work is transforming spaces, naturally.
Proudly brought to you by Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups
The Kiewa Catchment Landcare - Busting Blackberries- Building Awareness in the Kiewa Catchment project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnership Against Pests.
Curtin Springs Station, NT.
In this episode, we head deep into Central Australia, where Lyndee Severin is on a one-million-acre station across 22 land types.
From the unique qualities of the Murray Grey breed to the chaos of scrub bulls and the quiet authority needed in the yards, Lyndee shares what it really takes to raise cattle in some of the country’s toughest terrain.
It’s a story of grit, instinct, and the kind of knowledge that lives in the herd—not the office.
Find out more at www.curtinsprings.com
From Kitchen Bench to Flour Mill — Courtney Young of Woodstock Flour
Today I’m joined by Courtney Young from Woodstock Flour — a small organic flour mill in North East Victoria with a big focus on soil health, transparency, and local food systems.
What started on a kitchen bench with a tiny home mill has grown into a thriving operation. Courtney and her husband Ian are supplying beautiful organic flour to bakers, chefs, and home cooks across the country.
Courtney shares their journey — from supporting regenerative grain growers to using organic biological treatments on wheat, and managing weeds and pests without chemicals. We also talk about the growing appetite for local food and why openness has been at the heart of Woodstock Flour’s success.
And if you want to know more about Courtney and her journey, click onto episode 66.
Matt Martin - Old Cobran Poll Marino Stud
In this episode, we're in Mullameah, near Holbrook, to chat with Matt Martin — a data-driven, forward-thinking farmer with a lifelong connection to Merino breeding.
From phasing out mulesing to using genomics and building smart confinement areas, Matt’s approach proves that innovation, sustainability, and sheep farming can go hand-in-hand. We talk carbon, welfare, breeding values, and how fewer sheep can mean bigger results.