Life on the Land

It's summer time and we're celebrating by sharing some of our favourite podcast episodes. As the producer of the Life on the Land podcast, Jayne Cuddihy has the pleasure of listening to all of the conversations Sammie and Em have. While it's difficult to pick a favourite, the all encompassing adventure April Cavanagh took Emily Herbert was one for the ages. Covering everything from perimenapause, leadership, raising kids and dealing with trauma, it's a chat that will stay with you. 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.

Graziher's summer season is always festive and to celebrate, our team picks their favourite podcast episode to share again. Life on the Land's co-host Em Herbert can't go past her conversation with Queensland Senator Susan McDonald. 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.

It's the time of year when the Graziher team can pick their favourite episode to share again with our listeners. Digital editor Amie can't go past this gorgeous interview Sammie O'Brien did with Kelly Shann- Amie's mum. Amie not only discovered a few stories she didn't know about Kelly's amazing adventures, but she got to hear about her grandmother as well. After an idyllic childhood spent riding ponies through the creek next to her house, Kelly Shann 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. 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.

Graziher's Life on the Land podcast is celebrating summer with a few favourite episodes from previous seasons.Graziher’s editor, Victoria Carey has dug right into the archives and is excited to share the story of Leila McDougall. There's not a lot Leila 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. 

Graziher's Life on the Land podcast is celebrating summer with a few favourite episodes from the previous year. Co-host Sammie O'Brien can't go past her chat with the delightful Penny Button. In this special edition, Sammie reflects on a special trip to interview Penny at home and how much that visit meant to her. 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.

Amanda Ferrari is loud, proud and fiercely passionate aboutrural and regional Australia. With a personal mantra of ‘Lead with love, not ambition,’ Amanda takes on her many projects with enthusiasm and grit. At the helm of the Boarding School Collective, Amanda helps families across the country make one of the hardest decisions of parenting- where to send their children for high school. Her journey to rural living is a hilarious, heartfelt conversationwith today’s guest host, Graziher’s Editorial Director, Victoria Carey.

Dame Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and former Australian Ministerfor Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop have one thing in common — they have all been spotted wearing Margot McKinney’s extraordinary jewellery. Flashing aquamarines, the exquisite lightning strike of opals, tumbling tourmalines, the creamy lustre of South Sea pearls – Margot’s collections are a celebration of Australia’s natural and luxurious abundance. In this episode, Margot takes our Emily Herbert through her creative process and explains the connection she has not only to the family’s multi generational business, but to the pieces that have taken her all over the world. 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 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

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.