Huntly lies in the beautiful Arcadia Valley in the Central Highlands of Queensland. It was a land of exquisite beauty, sandstone cliffs, patches of remnant rainforest, thick vine scrub and brig low acacia flats. It was intrepid and many a scrubber bull lived to a fine old age, out-witting the bravest stockman.
On his expedition looking for pastoral land in 1944, Ludwig Leichhardt described the Valley as "country to test the courage of any man." He lost a bullock and a man in the vine scrub and it was two days before they all reunited.
In the 1960's the Bjelke Pettersen Government developed the Brigalow Ballot Scheme which opened up the brigalow country from the Darling Downs to Charters Towers. The Government resumed large pastoral leases, surveyed them into smaller blocks (10,000-20,000 acres) and balloted them to those brave enough to take it on. Rodney, my husband, drew his block 'Bungawarra' in 1966. In those days the task of developing them was very daunting and women were not eligible for the Ballot.
On his expedition looking for pastoral land in 1944, Ludwig Leichhardt described the Valley as "country to test the courage of any man." He lost a bullock and a man in the vine scrub and it was two days before they all reunited.
In the 1960's the Bjelke Pettersen Government developed the Brigalow Ballot Scheme which opened up the brigalow country from the Darling Downs to Charters Towers. The Government resumed large pastoral leases, surveyed them into smaller blocks (10,000-20,000 acres) and balloted them to those brave enough to take it on. Rodney, my husband, drew his block 'Bungawarra' in 1966. In those days the task of developing them was very daunting and women were not eligible for the Ballot.
That bloody girl!By 1987, the land had been tamed and the last Brigalow Block balloted in Queensland was opened to me. By now the reputation of the brigalow land's fertility was well known and nearly 2000 people entered the ballot on 1987. Everyone wanted it and I was that "bloody girl" who won it! It was the luckiest day of my life!
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I named the property Huntly, in honour of my precious Mum, Judith Huntly Gordon and have loved it ever since. I feel so grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to own and enjoy the land. Land is so precious, you can do so much with it and be as creative as you can.
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I was green in experience and green in philosophy. I have learnt a lot since then and I am greener that ever today!
I want to create a healthy diverse ecological system and I believe trees are the foundation of this. We have maintained strips and corridors of native brigalow scrub around the property. This lessens the effects of frost, dry winds and heat stress, producing a greener softer and more nutritions grass. |
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In 2005 I purchased my first mob of Brangus breeders and a big Angus bull. We move the cattle from paddock to paddock regularly and try to spoil them. We put a lot of time into our weaners to produce a low stressed, calm animal.
I have practiced organics and biodynamic farming for many years and have enjoyed the challenge of finding wholesome solutions for our healthy grassfed cattle. |
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