Outback Stories

Tom and Bernie Underwood have called the Pilliga Forest home their entire lives. It was the early 1900's, that The Underwood family built a sawmill in Wooleybah, to cut the famously termite-resistant white cypress pine of the mighty Pilliga Scrub. Back then Wooleybah boasted a thriving mill, a school and a great community that sold pine all over the world. Now there is no mill, no school and the screaming saws of Mr Underwood's mill are silent. As we sit down with Tom and Bernie, they share their story of living among the the million wild acres that they call home. Home to brumbies too and wildlife... and YES you may have heard, home to the Pilliga Yowie or Pilliga Princess. Well get settled in, sit down with a cuppa as Mr Underwood talks of the spooky stories, myths and legends of the wild forest... just kidding... lets listen to a true local fill you in on the wonders of the Pilliga. This is a story that delves into a once thriving industry that was brought to its knees for political reasons. If the Pilliga had a heart and soul it would be Tom Underwood, a true local, a great man with a strong connection to the land he calls home. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and follow our journey on social media @extraordinaryoutbackstories. Oh and if you're feeling generous PLEASE feel free to share your thoughts with a review! Email us extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

With a quiet seat and gentle hands, Terry Hall is without a doubt one of Australia's greatest drovers, stockman and campdrafters. For over 50 years he has criss-crossed his way across our land, following age old stock routes and leading thousands upon thousands of cattle towards greener pastures. All the while leaving a legendary legacy in his wake. While on the road, his weekends consist of campdrafting, a sport where he - alongside his family - has won just about everything there is to win inside the arena, (including Ben's latest win $100,000 at The Nutrien Campdraft Classic held in Tamworth, NSW.) Along the way Terry managed to breed an empire of stock horses, with his stallion Conman standing at the helm. His progeny stretches across most equine sports and can be found in all states and territories. With all this considered, can you name a more iconic duo? Listen in, as we, cuppa in hand, yarn to Terry about what makes him an extraordinary person and the extraordinary people he has met along the way. If you like what you hear, make sure you rate us and click on 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and if you'd like to hear more extraordinary stories follow us on facebook or instagram @extraordinaryoutbackstories. Feel free to get in contact with us extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

Decked out in a blue and yellow uniform of a firefighter is Burra, a 23-year-old Aboriginal boy from Brewarrina. Not only was he the first person on his fathers side to complete his Higher School Certificate but he is also the first crew leader of the newly formed All-Indigenous Mitigation Squad in regional New South Wales. Crisscrossing our way across vast North West New South Wales and flying over Australia's most hidden tourist attraction The Brewarrina Fishtraps, we stumbled upon Christopher "Burra" Mchughes. Not only is Burra a natural leader he is a keen photographer, and a shining example of what people in his community look up to. A Ngemba Gamilaraay man, Burra is dedicated to his Aboriginal heritage, and as we sit listening to the flow of the Barwon River and marvel at the fish traps, Burra tells us of his heritage, his community as a whole and his hopes and dreams to one day be a Paramedic giving back to his people. This young man will probably be Australia's next Prime Minister, yep i'd go that far.. So take 20 minutes out of your busy schedule to meet Burra, you won't regret it. Thank you to Collie Hotel for making this episode possible. If you like what you hear, make sure you give us 5 stars and subscribe to our podcast! Oh and if you'd like to follow our journey visit our instagram or facebook page @extraordinaryoutbackstories or send us an email extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

Jamie Manning, or Dodge as he's known in the rodeo world is a cowboy, a rodeo legend, a family man but most importantly a survivor. Dodge - an apt nickname you might think as yes he too dodged death in 2014 when on his way home from work he was involved in a life-changing car accident. Leaving him with burns to 40% of his body, the accident resulted in the loss of a hand and a leg and put him in hospital for months on end. But even as he lay, recovering after countless surgeries, his determination and resilience for life did not burn out. This is why we wanted to talk to Dodge, not just because he survived a horrific accident but for how he handled life from that point on. He shifted his perspective and worked ridiculously hard to still live a similar life to the one he had beforehand, he wanted to work, he wanted to run his property and he wanted to get back on the horse... literally. 12 months to the day of the accident, Dodge was back on a horse and preparing for a 500km charity ride that he would take with his family. We really were blown away by this man, his tenacity, love of life and passion for helping others, left us questioning our own lives and how we were so prone to sweating the small stuff, when really we should just enjoy it, enjoy life and be grateful for what we have. And in saying that, that is also what Dodge is doing now, he is sharing his experience and helping others overcome theirs, he has been a keynote speaker at schools and events in the hope that others can train their brain to really see the positive outcomes in life. So go on, take 25 minutes and put yourself in Dodge's cowboy boots and get a good grasp of those reins because I can guarantee your world is going to be rocked, he will make you question what it means to be happy... because after all we aren't just talking to your everyday rodeo legend, but a man who walked away from a life altering incident with an outlook on life that is better than it was before. Here's to you Dodge. Thank you to Furneys Stockfeeds for sponsoring this episode! Oh and make sure you follow our journey via our instagram and facebook pages! Also feel free to subscribe to our newsletter, you'll love it! If yo'd like to know more about this story or get in contact with Dodge please email us extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

Ben Brooksby is a fifth generation farmer from St Helens Plains in Western Victoria. When he was younger, he struggled with anxiety and other mental health issues, as do many others in rural communities. A simple social media post helped him to turn things around, after he shared a photo on Instagram showing himself naked in a truck full of lentils, he received a huge response, with other farmers wanting to share their own photos and stories. @the.naked.farmer movement grew, Ben met people from around the country who wanted to get naked for mental health. As they got their kits off, they also opened up about their struggles. You can't miss our 10 minute BONUS episode and chat with the legend himself @benjaminbrooksby ! Thank you Ben for bringing so much light to those who only see or have seen the dark, and look if all it takes is to get your kit off then bring it on!! Make sure you support Ben and his project by buying his book out today - @macmillanaus . Donations will go towards the @royalflyingdoc mental health department to help improve the quality of lives in Outback Australia. To BUY THE BOOK LINK in our instagram bio!! Also feel free to leave us a BIG 5 star rating and review, or visit our website to read more: www.extraordinarymediaco.com. We are always contactable via email extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

Nestled among the banks of the Manning River in a beautiful home, complete with a private writing studio and overlooking luscious long green grass, lives Australia's most prominent author Di Morrissey. Name sounds familiar? It should be. Di has written 27 best selling novels, Barra Creek, Heart Of The Dreaming, Follow The Morning Star just to name a few, and her new 28th novel Before The Storm will be released next week on the 27th October 2020. Most of Di's books are set in the outback, on remote stations across the country, and to research for these, she spends months on end in some of the most isolated areas of Australia. Di knows what it is like to tough it out, but that's not all, this wonderfully talented woman has worked all over the globe, in journalism, theatre, advertising, she's a proud community member and has a passion for independent regional news, running the local newspaper The Manning Community News. Di is not just an author, but a kind-hearted, insightful and wonderfully smart woman who we all need to be a little more like. This episode is not one to miss, it is not just about an outback author, but about a woman who has seen the world and decided there is nothing quite like home. Di Morrissey has put herself in so many people's shoes and has walked thousands of miles, which is apparent within all of her novels. So do it, take 20 minutes and become enchanted by a woman who has lived countless lives through the stories she continues to tell. If you want to pre-order Di's new book Before The Storm head to the Pan Macmillan Australia website https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760781071/arcadia/ . Also we'd love to receive feedback on our podcast, feel free to subscribe and leave a review, and follow us on our social media channels Instagram or Facebook . Thank you to Saddler and Co for making this episode possible. We are always available to talk about your ideas via email! Flick us one extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

Dick Wagner, a Victorian man born and bred got the opal mining bug on a short holiday to Whitecliffs in Far North-West NSW. He relocated his family into the depths of the Outback in the hope of striking it lucky, and within a week he did! But Dick doesn't just stay in Whitecliffs for the stone, he loves regional Australia and everything it has to offer, which is apparent when listening to our chat with him. If you ever find yourself 100km north of Wilcannia, stop in at the pub, stay underground, go on an opal mining tour and drop into Dick's Opal Shop 'Southern Cross Opals' and stay awhile, who knows you might just find yourself travelling home with your very own opal! Do not miss this episode, it is not just about an outback opal miner, but about the power of community and how even in the most isolated of regions you can find a place to call home. Dick Wagner has proven this and if we can't convince you of that, he will. So please, take 25 minutes and pick up his opal mining tools, you might just come away with a handful of precious gems - Like Lucy S she actually struck it lucky on a mining tour! Thank you to Outback Traders for sponsoring this episode and making it possible! Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast and leave a BIG 5 star review! Also follow our journey on our socials @extraordinaryoutbackstories or visit our website www.extraordinarymediaco.com.

Da dum da da, da dum dah da 👰 🎩 Yes it's wedding season and there's no better way to kick it off than a chat with an outback wedding dressmaker ! Did you ever think you'd find a classically trained seamstress in the Outback? Well, forget Cinderella's fairy godmother, Melinda O'Donoghue is the real life version and she's made over 300 wedding dresses, during 2 decades working in the fashion industry. From working for top designers like Alex Perry, to relocating to the small country town of Gurley near Moree, NSW, just ask and Melinda will provide . Do you want a couture gown, with trails of lace, buttons and sequins? She will get it done. This is not an episode you want to miss, it is not just about an Outback dressmaker, but about a woman who has changed the game of country weddings. How? Because she is making $10,000 - $20,000 designer dresses affordable for women in rural areas. This woman is beyond kind, insanely talented and will definitely be our go-to dressmaker when it's time for our very own wedding day ! If you want to find out more or see just some of the dresses Melinda has created, head to the BAMM Gallery in Moree before the 16th of November 2020, you won't regret it!! Also we'd love to see where you're listening to our podcast from, feel free to subscribe and leave a review on our podcast channels. Thank you to Little Big Dairy Co for making this episode possible. Oh and we can't forget if you love what we're doing and would like to support us please leave a BIG 5 star rating and review wherever you're listening in from! You can catch us also on facebook and instagram via @extraordinaryoutbackstories or send us an email extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com.

Why the moon is gradually drifting away from earth? How much does our galaxy weigh? And Is There Life Beyond Our Planet? Here we are, episode no.3 of Outback Stories, where we are talking to one of the Worlds most renowned astronomers. Fred Watson is known as the Master Of The Dark Sky, a man who has won a multitude of awards for his contribution to the world of astronomy. An English born gentleman who relocated to this great southern land, pursuing a deeper knowledge of the night sky and the galaxies beyond. Fred found himself in Coonabarabran, a small country town nestled between The Mighty Warrumbungles National Park. It was here he began work in the enormous white telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. This man is whip-smart, outrageously hilarious and needs to be commended for making astronomy accessible to EVERYONE. In an industry that uses brain power, big words and astronomical calculations he describes astronomy in terms we can all comprehend. You do not want to miss this episode, I dare you, take 30 minutes and imagine what it would be like to look through Fred Watsons telescope. If you want to find out more about astronomy, the stars and if there really is life beyond this earth, go and have a listen to Fred's weekly podcast Space Nuts. If you would like to hear more about this story, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter at www.extraordinarymediaco.com and follow our social media pages @extraordinaryoutbackstories. Tag and Share your comments on Facebook and Instagram or take a snap or two of where you're listening to our podcast from. If you'd like to support us and our journey with this podcast we'd absolutely appreciate a review. Happy Listening!

From the skies as an Air Hostess to running the family farm, Terri Wheeler never thought she'd become a full time farmer. Along with many regional Australian women, Terri's story is about falling in love with a country man. After meeting her husband Gav, she moved from the city to the country where they began raising four daughters. But in 2010, Terri's life was turned upside down when Gav passed away on a remote dirt road 50 kilometres from the nearest hospital. Left to run the 12,000 acre property with her four young children, this isn't a story about sadness but resilience and how one woman finds the inner strength to continue her and Gavs shared dream. If you would like to hear more about this story, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter at www.extraordinarymediaco.com and follow our social media pages @extraordinaryoutbackstories. Please feel free to share your comments and messages of support via email extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com and we'll be sure to send them on to Terri and the beautiful Wheeler Family. Also if you'd like to support us and our journey with this podcast we'd absolutely appreciate a 5 star review. Happy Listening!!

This Bourke local needs no introduction, a reigning World Champion in the sport of motocross/supercross saw this living legend win 13 Australian Titles, a handful of World Titles, he's raced in some of the toughest terrain in the country (Finke Desert Race, Hattah Desert Race) all of this had him thrust into the limelight at the ripe age of 12. But suddenly, at 24 years of age he retired, leaving the sport in a tailspin. What is he doing now? Well, he's out the Back-O-Bourke flying a gyrocopter and mustering large herds of goats of course! Please listen in on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and if you like our chats feel free to give us a BIG 5 star rating and leave a review, we'd love to hear from you all! You can follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook @extraordinaryoutbackstories or email us extraordinaryoutback@gmail.com

What makes an ordinary person extraordinary? Join regional journalists Lucy Samuels and Lucy Taylor as they fly across remote Australia, yarning to the unsung heroes of the bush. Walk alongside some of the unique characters that inhabit the back country as we chat to a world renowned motocross rider turned goat chaser, a burns survivor with an unbreakable spirit, a bush dressmaker that can make your wedding dreams come true... plus so many more. Buckle in!